Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GOTO Mount

Further details

The Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT with PMC-8 Electronics is a big leap forward in goto mount design and functionality. Based on the Exos2 German Equatorial mount architecture, Explore Scientific have added new belt driven dual stepper motors, the unique military grade PMC-8 wireless goto hardware (featuring 2 channel 8-CPU microprocessor), all controlled with the Explore Scientific ExploreStars Open Goto App, which runs on Windows PC, tablets and Smartphones. This delivers a mount which is whisper quiet in operation, with high positional accuracy, low periodic error, wireless control AND wireless ST4 protocol autoguiding functionality too - plus class leading electronic hardware.

Most of the serious amateur goto mounts on the market today offer controllers with single processors. The PMC-8 electronics are extremely robust in comparison. They include a 2-Channel Multi-Processor Micro-controller with 8 CPUs that run independently and are completely deterministic in their behaviour – hence 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 fibreglass reinforced neoprene belt, connected to high quality Nema11 bi-polar stepper motor (0.67 amps 12ncm). Precise ball bearings in both axes ensures minimal backlash at all nine possible tracking speeds.

The mount can be run from 12v mains supplies and field batteries (supplied separately). The mount 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 12.7kg/28 lbs. of equipment. 2x 4.5kg counterweights are supplied as standard.

Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT with PMC-8 Electronics is controlled from a Windows PC, Windows Tablet or Windows Smartphone with a beautiful full colour graphical user interface (switchable to red nightvision mode), using Explore Scientific’s own ExploreStars OpenGoto® Software. The ExploreStars OpenGoto® Software has the same basic functions as most goto mounts on the market today. ExploreStars is a free App downloadable from the Microsoft App store. The basic download includes a standard 2 star or 3 star alignment procedures, over 70,000 star database, the Messier Catalogue and Solar System objects. The software interface features a Classic four-button pattern for guiding, centring, 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 catalogues, 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, centring and guiding rates. You can also set sidereal, king, lunar, solar, and user defined tracking rates.

What makes the ExploreStars OpenGoto® Software 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 EXOS2-GT / Losmandy G-11 with PMC-8 mounts: 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.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
To start using ExploreStars, download the free app and download the celestial data set that contains the astronomical catalogues, reference images, and reference text. This dataset can be found at http://www.explorestars.com/downloads.html

Simply unzip 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.

More Information and Download-Service:
www.explorestars.com

Specifications:
Unique PMC-8 Open Goto System
Beautiful full graphical user interface using Explore Scientific’s very own ExploreStars OpenGoto
Controlled from a Windows PC, Windows Tablet or Windows Smartphone
Classic four-button pattern for guiding, centring, 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
ASCOM Driver available: YES
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

What’s In The Box:
Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT with Open GOTO PMC-8
Stainless steel tripod ST-3 with 2" legs and bubble level
Counter weight 2 x 4.5 kg
Polefinder with illumination unit
ExploreStars Software via download


IMPORTANT NOTE:
This package doesn´t include any WINDOWS Computer, Tablet or Smartphone.

Delivery charge £5.95

Reviews

  Update to previous review  After not being particularly impressed with some elements of build quality I have now warmed to this mount. PMC-Eight software was easy to setup and works well with Cartes du Ciel. Achieved very accurate tracking first night out. 5 minute subs without guiding, nice round stars. Great value mount.  (08/12/2020) John Baxter - Kent UK

  Very solid mount let down by some dodgy design.   Plastic clutch leavers (why?) Velcro strap to attatch wi-fi/controller is a bit of a lash up. Skywatcher HEQ5 is better designed and engineered a but I'm not sure that is really comparing like (HEQ5 is more expensive). Not used in anger yet (bad weather!) so cannot comment on operation/accuracy etc  (27/09/2020) John Baxter - John Baxter

  Substantial piece of kit  Delivered within a few days of placing order. Up and running in 10 mins, not fully tested yet (cloudy) but looks as if it will do the job.  (05/07/2020) nick frederiksen - Stockport

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