{"title":"Explore Scientific iEXOS","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific iEXOS mounts and the parts made for them. Part of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/explore-scientific-mounts\"\u003eExplore Scientific Mounts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"explore-scientific-iexos100-mount-with-wifi-and-bluetooth","title":"Explore Scientific iEXOS-100-02 PMC-Eight Equatorial GoTo Tracker System with WiFi and Bluetooth","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Explore Scientific iEXOS-100-02 is a computerised German equatorial GoTo mount built on the PMC-Eight control system, supplied as a complete tracking package: mount head, travel tripod, two 1 kg counterweights, a battery pack and access to the ExploreStars control app. The mount head weighs 9.45 lbs and the tripod 5.35 lbs, with a travel tripod listed at 5.5 lbs and 27.25″ collapsed, which is what makes the whole system a carry-on-sized proposition rather than an observatory fixture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePMC-Eight is the part that gives the mount its name: eight independent CPUs, each assigned to a specific operational task, rather than one processor time-slicing between motor control, communications and pointing. Drive is by dual-axis stepper motors through belt reductions, and both axes carry clutched worm gears so the telescope can be released and balanced by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConnection is by wire, WiFi or Bluetooth, so the mount can be driven from a phone, tablet or laptop without a hand controller in the loop. A polar alignment sight hole through the right ascension axis handles the initial setup on Polaris.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide-field and travel imagers:\u003c\/strong\u003e the published photographic capacity is 15 lbs with counterweights fitted, which covers a short refractor, a camera and a guide scope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVisual observers wanting tracking:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 19 lbs visual capacity with counterweights, which is a different and higher figure than the imaging one because visual work tolerates more flex.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObservers who travel:\u003c\/strong\u003e a 9.45 lb head and a 5.35 lb tripod split into two easy loads, and the travel tripod collapses to 27.25″.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a good match if\u003c\/strong\u003e you already run a phone or tablet at the telescope and would rather control the mount from that than from a dedicated hand controller.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnyone assembling a compact imaging rig\u003c\/strong\u003e where every pound of payload is accounted for against the published 9 lbs of equipment-only capacity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePMC-Eight control system:\u003c\/strong\u003e eight independent CPUs, each dedicated to a specific task, which is how the design keeps motor timing separate from communications traffic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual-axis stepper motors with belt drives:\u003c\/strong\u003e belts take up backlash and run quieter than a direct gear train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClutched worm gears on both axes:\u003c\/strong\u003e the clutches release for balancing and for slewing by hand, then re-engage for tracking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt-in WiFi and Bluetooth,\u003c\/strong\u003e with wired connection also available — three routes to the same control layer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExploreStars app control\u003c\/strong\u003e from a tablet or phone, included with the system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolar alignment sight hole\u003c\/strong\u003e through the polar axis for the initial northern alignment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo 1 kg counterweights supplied,\u003c\/strong\u003e which is what lifts the rated capacity from about 9 lbs of equipment alone to 15 lbs photographic and about 19 lbs visual.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weights:\u003c\/strong\u003e mount head 9.45 lbs, tripod 5.35 lbs, travel tripod 5.5 lbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTracked visual observing with small to medium refractors and compact catadioptric tubes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide-field astrophotography with a camera lens or short refractor inside the 15 lb photographic figure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel and dark-site sessions where the whole system has to fit in a car boot or a case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCapacity, read carefully:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific publishes three figures — approximately 9 lbs for equipment alone, 15 lbs photographic with the counterweights fitted, and approximately 19 lbs visual with the counterweights. Imaging asks more of a mount than visual use does, which is why the photographic number is the lower of the two loaded figures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCounterweights:\u003c\/strong\u003e two 1 kg weights come with the system. Heavier payloads within the rated range are balanced by moving the weights out along the shaft rather than by adding more.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eControl:\u003c\/strong\u003e wire, WiFi or Bluetooth into the ExploreStars app. No separate hand controller is needed for the mount to function.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTripod:\u003c\/strong\u003e supplied. The heights above are the published figures with and without the head fitted, which is the number to compare against your seated or standing eyepiece height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope attachment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific does not publish the saddle or dovetail standard for this mount in its specification list, so that row is absent below rather than guessed. Send us the dovetail on your telescope and we will check the fit for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower:\u003c\/strong\u003e a battery pack is included. Longer imaging sessions are usually run from a larger external supply.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCapacity is the number that governs everything here.\u003c\/strong\u003e At approximately 9 lbs of equipment alone, this is a mount for short refractors, camera lenses and compact tubes rather than a large SCT. If you tell us the telescope you plan to put on it, we will add up the loaded weight with you before you order.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEquatorial mounts want polar alignment.\u003c\/strong\u003e The sight hole through the polar axis handles the visual case in a couple of minutes; imaging generally benefits from a more careful routine, and drift or software-assisted alignment covers that.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTracking accuracy figures are not published.\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific does not list periodic error or guiding specifications for the iEXOS-100-02, so those rows are absent below rather than estimated. If that is your deciding figure, ask us and we will put it to our Explore Scientific contact.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe included battery pack suits short sessions.\u003c\/strong\u003e Imaging runs of several hours are usually powered from a larger 12V supply, and we stock those.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo tripod figures appear in the vendor data\u003c\/strong\u003e — a 5.35 lbs tripod and a 5.5 lbs travel tripod at 27.25″ collapsed. Both are reproduced below exactly as published, and we are happy to confirm which one is in the box for the configuration you are ordering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mechanical part is quick: legs out, head on, counterweights on the shaft, telescope in the saddle, then balance both axes with the clutches released. The step that is new to anyone coming from an alt-azimuth mount is polar alignment, and the sight hole through the polar axis reduces that to lining up on Polaris. After the first evening the whole routine settles at around ten minutes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much can it carry?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific publishes approximately 9 lbs for equipment on its own, 15 lbs for photographic use with the counterweights fitted and approximately 19 lbs for visual use with the counterweights. Imaging is the more demanding case, so the photographic figure is the one to plan an imaging rig against.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need a hand controller?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Control runs through the ExploreStars app over WiFi, Bluetooth or a wired connection, from a tablet, phone or computer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a telescope included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The system covers the mount head, tripod, two 1 kg counterweights, battery pack and app access. The optical tube and its dovetail are separate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow tall does it stand?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the mount head fitted, 38.5″ at the highest point with the legs retracted and 45″ with them fully extended. Without the head, the tripod runs from 25″ open and retracted to 42″ fully extended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I guide it for long exposures?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mount tracks under app control and the payload figures allow for a small guide scope within the 15 lb photographic rating. Explore Scientific does not publish guiding port or periodic error specifications, so we would rather talk through your imaging train with you than quote numbers that are not in their data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a PMC-Eight computerised German equatorial mount with WiFi, Bluetooth and wired control, a 9.45 lb head, a travel tripod, two 1 kg counterweights and a battery pack — tracking and GoTo in a package sized for travel, rated at roughly 9 lbs of equipment alone and 15 lbs photographic with the weights fitted. Send us the telescope you plan to put on it and we will add up the loaded payload with you before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"iEXOS-100 Azimuth Adjuster Adapter","offer_id":44013466845295,"sku":"ES-iEXOS-100-02","price":415.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/iExos100_Full_1_1663x__81966.jpg?v=1766553910"},{"product_id":"iexos-100-polar-finder-and-adapter","title":"Explore Scientific iEXOS-100 Polar Finder and Adapter","description":"\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003eAlthough a rough alignment with the celestial pole usually is sufficient for visual observing, astrophotography can have more demanding alignment requirements. This illuminated polar finder scope works with the iEXOS-100 mount to ensure a more precise alignment with the celestial pole. The included adapter is easy to install, and the reticle includes markings for both northern and southern hemisphere alignments.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013545652335,"sku":"PFiEXOS100","price":138.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/EXOSPF_4_1800x1800__91174.jpg?v=1766556094"},{"product_id":"iexos-100-2-2-pound-counterweight-2-2lb-1kg","title":"Explore Scientific iEXOS-100 2.2 lb Counterweight","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a supplemental 2.2 pound counterweight for Explore Scientific iEXOS mounts. It slides onto the counterweight shaft and is held by the locking knob supplied with it. The finish is black with a silver stripe, matching the iEXOS-100 hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA counterweight has one job: to sit on the opposite side of the right-ascension axis from the telescope so that the loaded mount balances. A balanced mount asks its motors for the least torque, tracks more evenly, and does not run away when the clutches are released. Adding weight is what extends the range of telescope, camera and accessory loads a given mount can carry in balance — and it is usually the cheapest change that improves how a mount behaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece is supplied as an addition, so it is bought either to supplement the weight already on the shaft or to replace one that has gone missing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eiEXOS mount owners who have added weight to the telescope end:\u003c\/strong\u003e a heavier camera, a guide scope, a dew heater battery or a larger tube all move the balance point outward, and more counterweight brings it back.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnyone running out of shaft:\u003c\/strong\u003e when the existing weight is already pushed to the end of the shaft and the setup still tips telescope-heavy, a second 2.2 lb weight is the answer rather than a longer shaft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObservers who swap payloads:\u003c\/strong\u003e having a second weight means rebalancing between a visual setup and an imaging setup is a matter of sliding weights rather than compromising.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOwners replacing a lost or damaged weight,\u003c\/strong\u003e where matching the original iEXOS hardware matters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImagers\u003c\/strong\u003e who want the small deliberate east-heavy bias that keeps the RA gear teeth engaged on one flank throughout an exposure sequence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2.2 pounds of published mass:\u003c\/strong\u003e a useful increment — large enough to make a real difference to balance, small enough to fine-tune with rather than overshoot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocking knob supplied:\u003c\/strong\u003e the weight arrives with the means to clamp it in position on the shaft, so nothing else is needed to fit it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for the iEXOS counterweight shaft,\u003c\/strong\u003e which is the mount family Explore Scientific specifies it for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack finish with a silver stripe,\u003c\/strong\u003e matching the rest of the iEXOS-100 hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupplemental by design:\u003c\/strong\u003e it is intended to be added to a shaft, either alongside an existing weight or in place of one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRebalancing an iEXOS mount after adding a camera, guide scope, filter wheel or heavier eyepiece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBringing a telescope-heavy setup back into balance when the existing weight has reached the end of the shaft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping a second weight in the case so a visual and an imaging configuration can both be balanced properly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a counterweight that has been lost or damaged.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetting a deliberate slight east-heavy bias for guided imaging runs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMount family:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific specifies this weight for iEXOS mounts, and the finish is matched to the iEXOS-100.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaft diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific does not publish the bore diameter of this weight or the shaft diameter it is cut for. If you are considering it for a mount outside the iEXOS family, send us the shaft diameter of your mount and we will put the question to our Explore Scientific representative before you order.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocking knob:\u003c\/strong\u003e included, so the weight is ready to fit as supplied.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStacking weights:\u003c\/strong\u003e two weights on one shaft is normal practice, with the outer one doing most of the work because its leverage is greater. Balance is weight multiplied by distance from the axis, so moving a weight along the shaft has as much effect as changing its mass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaft capacity:\u003c\/strong\u003e the number of weights a given shaft will take is a function of shaft length and thread, and that varies by mount. Tell us the model and we will work out what fits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExplore Scientific does not publish dimensions, bore diameter or a shaft thread specification\u003c\/strong\u003e for this counterweight, so those rows read as not published in the table below rather than being estimated. If a physical measurement is decisive for you, ask us and we will confirm it with Explore Scientific first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a counterweight only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The counterweight shaft itself is part of the mount, and a shaft is not included here. The locking knob is.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBalance is about position as well as mass.\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.2 lbs near the end of the shaft counteracts far more telescope than the same 2.2 lbs sitting near the axis, so a single weight often covers a wider range of payloads than the number alone suggests.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA counterweight does not raise a mount's payload rating.\u003c\/strong\u003e It lets a mount carry its rated load in balance; the rating itself is set by the bearings, gears and motors. If you are near the limit of what your mount is rated for, we can talk through what the next mount up would give you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe published figure is 2.2 pounds,\u003c\/strong\u003e which is the mass of the weight itself rather than a shipping weight, and it is the number to work with when planning a balance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The weight slides onto the counterweight shaft and the supplied locking knob clamps it in place. Balancing afterwards is a matter of releasing the right-ascension clutch with the shaft horizontal, sliding the weight until the assembly stays put on its own, and locking it. It takes a couple of minutes and no tools.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mounts does it fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific lists it for iEXOS mounts and finishes it to match the iEXOS-100. The bore diameter is not published, so for anything outside that family we would rather confirm the shaft diameter with Explore Scientific than guess — send us your mount model and we will find out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a second counterweight?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your existing weight is already at the far end of the shaft and the telescope end still drops, then yes. If the setup balances with room to spare on the shaft, a second weight is not doing anything useful yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes adding weight let me carry a heavier telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt lets you balance a heavier telescope, which is a necessary condition but not the whole story. The mount's rated payload is set by its mechanics, and staying inside it is what keeps tracking and pointing reliable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a locking knob included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The counterweight ships with its locking knob, so there is nothing else to buy to fit it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow exact does balance need to be?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor visual observing, close enough that the telescope stays where you leave it with the clutches loose. For imaging, many people leave the mount very slightly east-heavy so the right-ascension gear stays loaded on one side of the tooth through the whole run, which shows up as smoother guiding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 2.2 pound iEXOS counterweight supplied with its locking knob, in the black-and-silver finish that matches the iEXOS-100 — the straightforward fix when a camera, guide scope or heavier tube has pushed the balance beyond what is already on the shaft. Tell us which mount and what you are putting on it and we will confirm the fit and how many weights the setup wants.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013569933423,"sku":"ES-CW22-00","price":27.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/iExos100_CounterWeights_2864x_copy_1800x1800__36533.jpg?v=1766556586"},{"product_id":"explore-scientific-iexos-100-azimuth-adjuster-adapter","title":"Explore Scientific iEXOS-100 Azimuth Adjuster Adapter for Twilight Medium and Heavy Duty Tripods","description":"\u003ch2\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Explore Scientific's Azimuth Adjuster Adapter for the iEXOS-100, a small mechanical part that does one job: it gives you fine, screw-driven control of the mount's azimuth so you can polar align precisely instead of shoving the tripod around by hand. Explore Scientific specifies it for use on the Twilight Medium Duty and Twilight Heavy Duty tripods, and states that it also works with the Light Duty tripod supplied with the iEXOS-100 tracking goto system, but only after a modification to the tripod base that is described in the manual. Explore Scientific publishes a weight of 1.3 lb (0.59 kg).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnyone who has tried to polar align a small equatorial mount without an azimuth adjuster knows the problem intimately. Getting the altitude right is straightforward, because there is a bolt for it and you turn the bolt. Azimuth is the other half of the alignment, and on a bare tripod the only way to change it is to lift or twist the whole assembly, telescope included, and hope you land closer than you started. You are trying to make corrections of a few arcminutes using a method with a resolution of about a degree. The result is the familiar sequence of overshooting, correcting the overshoot, knocking the altitude out in the process, and eventually settling for alignment that is merely acceptable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat matters more on the iEXOS-100 than it would on a purely visual mount, because the iEXOS-100 is a tracking goto system. Polar alignment error does not just make objects drift, it degrades every pointing model the mount builds and shows up as slow drift across the field over the course of an exposure sequence. If you are imaging, even casually, the difference between rough and careful polar alignment is the difference between usable subframes and trailed ones. A dedicated azimuth adjuster turns that from a wrestling match into two screws you turn while watching the pole in a polar scope or a plate-solving routine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides fine azimuth adjustment for the iEXOS-100, the axis that is otherwise adjusted only by moving the tripod itself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecified by Explore Scientific for the Twilight Medium Duty and Twilight Heavy Duty tripods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlso usable with the Light Duty tripod that ships with the iEXOS-100, provided the tripod base is modified as described in the manual.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupplied with the parts needed to install the adjuster post, so it is a self-contained retrofit rather than a part list you assemble yourself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdds a published 1.3 lb (0.59 kg) at the very bottom of the assembly, below the mount head, where added mass helps stability rather than eating into payload.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompletes the two-axis adjustment set, letting altitude and azimuth be trimmed independently without one disturbing the other.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePolar alignment is a two-axis problem. The polar axis of an equatorial mount has to be aimed at the celestial pole, which means setting its altitude to your latitude and its azimuth to true north, and both need to be right to within a few arcminutes before tracking behaves. Altitude is easy to build a fine adjustment for, because the mount head already pivots on a bolt. Azimuth is harder, because the natural pivot is the tripod's own vertical axis, and nothing about a tripod is designed to rotate in controlled increments. What an azimuth adjuster does is create that missing joint. A fixed post rising from the tripod base engages the mount head, so the head can rotate about the vertical axis but is prevented from spinning freely, and a pair of opposing screws bear against that post from either side. Turning one in while backing the other out walks the mount head through a small, controlled arc, and because the two screws are working against each other, the assembly is preloaded and stays exactly where you left it when you stop. This is the same differential-screw principle used on the azimuth adjusters of much larger German equatorial mounts, scaled to a light mount. It also explains why the tripod base must have the correct provision for the post, and why the Light Duty tripod needs modification: without a properly located hard point for the post to react against, there is nothing for the screws to push on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrecise polar alignment of an iEXOS-100 for tracked astrophotography, where residual alignment error shows up as drift.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRetrofitting fine azimuth control to an iEXOS-100 already mounted on a Twilight Medium Duty or Heavy Duty tripod.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpeeding up setup for observers who tear down and re-align the mount at every session rather than leaving it in place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImproving repeatability of goto pointing accuracy by getting the underlying polar alignment closer before the alignment routine runs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fit-specific part, so it is worth being precise about the three cases. If you have an iEXOS-100 on a Twilight Medium Duty or Twilight Heavy Duty tripod, this is the adapter for you and it installs as intended. If you have the iEXOS-100 on the Light Duty tripod it ships with, the adapter will work, but Explore Scientific is explicit that the tripod base requires modification first, with the procedure given in the manual. That is a real physical alteration to your tripod, not a matter of tightening a different bolt, so decide whether you are comfortable doing it before you order. If you have any other tripod, including a photo tripod or a third-party pier, Explore Scientific does not list it and we would not want you to assume it works. Naming is the other thing that trips people up here, because Explore Scientific's tripods appear in different catalogues under duty ratings and under ST-series designations, and the label on your tripod may not match the wording on the box. Tell our team in Bolton which iEXOS-100 package you bought and what is stamped on your tripod, and we will confirm the fit before anything ships rather than leaving you to work it out from part numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis adapter is for the iEXOS-100 specifically and is not a general-purpose azimuth adjuster for other mounts. The single most important caveat is the Light Duty tripod: it is compatible only after the base modification described in the manual, so if that is the tripod you own, read the manual section before ordering and make sure you have the tools and the willingness to do it. Explore Scientific does not publish thread sizes, machined dimensions or a detailed contents list on the product page beyond noting that the parts needed to install the post are included, so if you need exact fastener specifications for a custom setup, ask us and we will check the manual for you. There is no tripod, mount or counterweight in the box, and this part does not change your mount's payload rating or add tracking capability of any kind. It improves how accurately you can aim the polar axis, and nothing else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this fit the tripod that came with my iEXOS-100?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Light Duty tripod supplied with the iEXOS-100 will take it, but only after the base modification Explore Scientific describes in the manual. On the Twilight Medium Duty and Twilight Heavy Duty tripods it fits without modification. If you are not sure which tripod you have, send us a photo and we will identify it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I really need fine azimuth adjustment?\u003c\/strong\u003e For visual observing at modest magnification, no, rough alignment is tolerable. For tracked imaging it makes a large difference, because polar alignment error translates directly into drift and field rotation over an exposure sequence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this add goto or tracking to my mount?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. The iEXOS-100 already provides the tracking and goto function. This adapter only lets you point the polar axis more precisely, which is what makes that tracking accurate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it come with everything needed to install it?\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific notes that the parts required to install the post are included. It does not publish a full itemised contents list, so if you want that confirmed before ordering, contact us and we will check.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small, 1.3 lb part that removes the most irritating step in setting up an iEXOS-100, replacing a shove of the tripod with a controlled turn of two opposing screws. The only thing that needs settling first is which tripod you are putting it on, so tell us your tripod and we will confirm whether it drops on or needs the base modification.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53958681690223,"sku":"ES100AZADJ-03","price":96.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/1_bd859534-f794-4438-ae47-663a021d4bca.jpg?v=1785960829"}],"url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/collections\/es-iexos.oembed","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}