Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GoTo Mount with Tripod

The Explore Scientific EXOS-2 GT with PMC-8 electronics is quite unique and special. Most of the serious amateur mounts on the market today offer single processors. The PMC-8 electronics are extremely robust. They include a 2-channel multi-processor micro-controller with 8 CPUs that run independently and are completely deterministic in their behavior, thus the name PMC-8. Within this multi-processor system is a 64 Kbyte EEPROM non-volatile memory bank used to store parameters; a Wireless Ethernet 10/100 with full IP function which permits operation from anywhere using a browser, ASCOM, or APP over the web or serial port; and non-volatile memory used to store user selected parameters. The electronics also includes an Auto-Guide port (ST4 contact input) and features the only wireless ASCOM driver on the market. The belt driven system uses 2 timing pulleys (1–45 groove and 1–10 groove) with fiberglass re-enforced neoprene belt connected to a Nema11 bi-polar stepper .67 amps 12ncm motor then connected to the worm. Precise ball bearings in both axes ensures minimal backlash at all nine possible tracking speeds. The included battery pack (12V) takes eight size “D” batteries. The head rests on a very tough and rigid stainless steel tripod with adjustable 2” legs from 26.8” to 42.5” and can support up to 28 lbs. of equipment.

This system is all controlled from a tablet, notebook or desktop PC with 7” display and WIN8.1, WIN10, iOS or Android 4.4 with a beautiful full graphical user interface using our very own ExploreStars OpenGoto software. The ExploreStars OpenGoto software has the same basic functions as most all other mounts on the market today. ExploreStars is a free app downloadable from the Microsoft App store and GooglePlay. The basic download includes a standard 2 star or 3 star alignment procedure, over 70.000 star database, the Messier Catalog and Solar System objects. The software interface features a classic four-button pattern for guiding, centering, moving and slewing on the touch screen of your tablet or phone. Pull-down menus open to offer the intuitive 2 star and 3 star alignment procedure, selection of the various catalogs, guided tours, the sync button, the park position, search feature and the coordinate input screen to enter RA and DEC coordinate information. Numerical key pad allows for selectable and user enterable GoTo speeds for slewing, centering and guiding rates. You can also set sidereal, king, lunar, solar, and user defined tracking rates.

What makes this software different is that you can write your own code and import it into this software. Create a Messier challenge. Create a selectable list of objects you want to photograph and program that information into the software. With the ability to write your own code, you can create whatever your heart desires. Share it with the community of astronomers that are using this software.

In addition, this mount can be controlled by any ASCOM compliant software using the built-in wireless ASCOM driver. GPS-compatible and auto time/date settings are dependent on optional receiver on computer, tablet or phone.

Here are most of the ASCOM software packages available for use with the Explore Scientific/Losmandy G-11 with PMC-8 mount: ACP; APT; AST/ATC & Ricerca (Omega Lab); AstroArt; AstroMB; Cartes du Ciel/Sky Chart; CCD AutoPilot; DeepSky; Deepsky Planner; DFM Engineering; Earth Centered Universe Pro; EasySky; Eye and Telescope; Project Pluto; Hallo Northern Sky; Maxim DL; MaxPoint; PinPoint Astrometric; Prism; Sequence Generator Pro; Sidereal Technology; The Sky; SkyMap Software; SkyTools 3; Star Atlas PRO; Sky Observer; StarryNight; Stellarium; Virtual Moon Atlas; and WorldWide Telescope.

Caution: To start using ExploreStars app, download the free app and download the celestial data set that contains the astronomical catalogs, reference images, and reference text. Simply by unzipping the ExploreStars folder containing the expanded celestial data set into your Pictures directory, you will expand the native database from a thousand objects to over seventy thousand objects.

Features:

• Unique PMC-8 Open GoTo system
• Beautiful full graphical user interface using our very own ExploreStars OpenGoto
• Wi-Fi controlled by tablet, notebook or desktop PC with 7” or larger display, and Wi-Fi function (not included)
• Needed system software of optional computer or tablet: WIN8.1, WIN10, iOS or Android 4.4 or higher
• Classic four-button pattern and joystick for guiding, centering, moving and slewing on the touch screen
• Intuitive 2 star and 3 star alignment procedure
• Multiprocessor micro controller with 8 CPU’s
• Micro-stepper motors NEMA-11
• Highly accurate and silent belt-drive system
• ST-4 compatible autoguider port
• ASCOM driver available: yes, supports also pulse-guiding
• You can write your own code and import it into this software
• GPS-compatible and auto time/date settings are dependent on optional receiver on computer, tablet or phone

The kit includes:

• Explore Scientific EXOS-2 GT with Open GoTo PMC-8
• Stainless steel tripod with 2” legs and bubble level
• Polefinder with illumination unit
• Power supply 12 volts / 2.0 ampere
• ExploreStars software via download