{"title":"Explore Scientific Mounts","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific telescope mounts combine stable support, precise tracking and flexible control for visual astronomy and astrophotography. Shop Explore Scientific mounts in Canada, including iEXOS-100 and EXOS2-GT PMC-Eight GoTo equatorial mounts, FirstLight EXOS Nano systems, Twilight alt-azimuth mounts, heavy-duty tripods and compatible accessories for polar alignment, balancing and power.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose a portable manual mount for grab-and-go observing or a computerized equatorial mount with WiFi and Bluetooth for tracking and imaging. Compare payload capacity, telescope compatibility and control options to find the right Explore Scientific mount for your observing setup.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"twilight-i-mount","title":"Explore Scientific Twilight I 18 lb Alt-Azimuth Mount with Tripod","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Twilight I is Explore Scientific's adjustable-angle alt-azimuth mount and tripod, rated for a telescope weight of 18 pounds. The head is powder-coated aluminium, 14″ x 7″ x 4″, running worm gears on both axes with slow-motion control cables and oversized knurled knobs. The legs are stainless steel with a spreader bar, and the tripod opens to a 42″ footprint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific publishes the head at 6.6 lb (3.0 kg), the tripod base at 11 lb (5.0 kg) and the assembled mount at 16.7 lb (7.6 kg). Height is adjustable across a wide range: with the head fitted and the legs retracted the highest point is 38.5″, with 36″ to the centre of the mounting bracket; with the legs fully extended those figures become 55.5″ and 53″.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe head tilts through an adjustable 45-degree angle. That is the feature that separates it from a plain alt-azimuth head: tipping the azimuth axis lets a straight-through refractor reach the zenith without the eyepiece ending up under the tripod.\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\u003eRefractor owners up to 18 pounds:\u003c\/strong\u003e the published telescope capacity covers most short and medium refractors along with their diagonal, finder and a heavy eyepiece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObservers who want to be looking through the telescope within a minute of arriving:\u003c\/strong\u003e there is no polar alignment, no power and no initialisation — the mount points where you push it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnyone observing near the zenith with a straight-through tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e this is a good match if you have found yourself lying on the ground to reach the eyepiece on a conventional alt-azimuth head. The 45-degree adjustable tilt exists for exactly that.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObservers who use gloves:\u003c\/strong\u003e the oversized knurled knobs on the slow-motion cables were sized with cold hands in mind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutreach and travel use,\u003c\/strong\u003e where the 42″ collapsed-with-head length and 16.7 lb total are easier to move than an equatorial head plus counterweights.\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\u003e18 pound published telescope capacity,\u003c\/strong\u003e which is the figure to measure your loaded tube against.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorm gears on both axes:\u003c\/strong\u003e a worm drive gives fine, backlash-controlled motion that a friction head cannot, and it holds position when you let go.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdjustable 45-degree tilt\u003c\/strong\u003e on the head, so a straight-through refractor can reach high altitudes with the eyepiece in a workable place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlow-motion control cables\u003c\/strong\u003e with oversized knurled knobs on both axes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePowder-coated aluminium head,\u003c\/strong\u003e 14″ x 7″ x 4″, weighing 6.6 lb (3.0 kg).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStainless steel tripod\u003c\/strong\u003e with adjustable legs and a spreader bar, 11 lb (5.0 kg), opening to a 42″ footprint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide height range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 36″ to the centre of the mounting bracket with the legs in, 53″ with them fully out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e16.7 lb (7.6 kg) assembled,\u003c\/strong\u003e and 42″ long when collapsed with the head attached.\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\u003eVisual observing with short and medium refractors up to the published 18 pound capacity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLightweight Newtonian and Maksutov tubes within the same weight limit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrab-and-go sessions where setup time matters more than tracking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLunar, planetary and double-star work at moderate power, where the slow-motion cables keep the target centred by hand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTerrestrial and daytime use, spotting scopes included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePublic outreach, where a mount that anyone can push to a new target is an advantage.\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\u003eTelescope weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e the published limit is 18 pounds. A tube close to that figure will feel better on it than one over it, and the diagonal, finder and eyepiece all count toward the total.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle fitting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific does not publish the dovetail standard the head accepts, so that row is absent below rather than estimated. Send us the dovetail bar on your telescope and we will put the question to our Explore Scientific rep before you order.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 36″ to 53″ to the centre of the mounting bracket covers seated observing through to standing observing with a long refractor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTracking:\u003c\/strong\u003e this is a manual mount. Motion is by hand and by the slow-motion cables; there is no motor drive and no computerised pointing published for it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransport:\u003c\/strong\u003e 42″ collapsed with the head on, 29.5″ with the head removed, so the head-off figure is the one that matters for a car boot.\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\u003eIt is an alt-azimuth mount, so it moves in altitude and azimuth rather than following the sky on one axis.\u003c\/strong\u003e For visual observing that is simply how you drive it. Long-exposure deep-sky imaging asks for an equatorial or a tracking alt-azimuth head, and we stock both if that is where you are heading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e18 pounds is the published telescope capacity,\u003c\/strong\u003e not the total including accessories. Weighing your tube with the diagonal, finder and heaviest eyepiece on it gives the number that actually matters, and we are happy to sanity-check it with you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe dovetail standard is not published.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rather than guess, we will confirm it with Explore Scientific for your specific telescope — ask and we will find out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe whole assembly is 16.7 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That is a comfortable one-trip carry for most people, though the head detaches if you would rather split the load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo telescope is included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The mount head and tripod are what ships. If you are pairing it with a tube, we can quote the two together.\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 tripod legs extend and lock, the spreader bar sets the spread, the head bolts to the tripod, and the telescope goes on the mounting bracket. There is no polar alignment, no levelling routine and no power. From the boot of a car to observing is a couple of minutes, and the only decision along the way is how far to extend the legs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size telescope will it carry?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific publishes an 18 pound telescope capacity. Refractors in the 80mm to 127mm range typically fall well inside that, as do small Maksutovs and short Newtonians. Tell us your tube and we will tell you honestly how it will sit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it track the stars?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot by itself. It is a manual mount with slow-motion control cables on both axes, so keeping an object centred at high power is done by hand with the knobs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the 45-degree tilt for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaching the zenith. On a flat alt-azimuth head a straight-through refractor puts the eyepiece near ground level when the tube points straight up. Tilting the head moves the eyepiece back to a workable height.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow tall does it stand?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the head fitted, 38.5″ at its highest point with the legs retracted and 55.5″ with them fully extended. Measured to the centre of the mounting bracket, which is the figure that determines eyepiece height, it is 36″ to 53″.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it during the day?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. An alt-azimuth head with slow-motion controls suits spotting scopes and terrestrial observing as readily as it suits the night sky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: an 18 pound capacity alt-azimuth mount with worm gears on both axes, slow-motion cables, an adjustable 45-degree head tilt for zenith work, and a stainless steel tripod that reaches 53″ to the mounting bracket — 16.7 lb assembled and ready in a couple of minutes. If you would like us to check how your telescope sits on it, send us the model and the dovetail it uses and we will work it out with you.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44012381962351,"sku":"MAZ01-00","price":415.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/twilighti1__82330.jpg?v=1766547923"},{"product_id":"exos-2-exos-2-exos-2gt-polar-finder","title":"Explore Scientific EXOS-2 and EXOS-2GT Polar Finder","description":"\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"\u003eThe EXOS2 Polar Finder Scope has Polar Assist markings to help you efficiently accomplish a proper polar alignment. This polar scope works with the BR-EXOS2, FL-EXOS2GT, BR-EXOS2GT, EXOS2GT with PMC-8 mounts.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013385089135,"sku":"PFEXOS2","price":63.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/EXOS2PF_2_grande__52465.jpg?v=1766552617"},{"product_id":"exos-2gt-universal-power-supply-230-12v-2-5a","title":"Explore Scientific EXOS-2GT Universal Power Supply, 230V to 12V, 2.5A","description":"\u003cspan style=\"font-family: Arial;\"\u003eEXOS-2GT Universal Power Supply 230\/12V, 2.5A\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013385187439,"sku":"EXOS2GTAC","price":109.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/ES-EXOS2GTAC__04870.jpg?v=1766552622"},{"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":"twilight-heavy-duty-tripod-black","title":"Explore Scientific Twilight Heavy Duty Tripod, Black","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Explore Scientific Twilight Heavy Duty Tripod is the black stainless-steel tripod designed to sit under a Twilight I or an iEXOS-100 mount head. It is built around 2-inch stainless steel legs and an aluminium spreader tray, and it weighs 13.6lb (6.2kg) — a figure that is the point rather than a drawback, because mass under a mount is what damps the vibration that a light tripod passes straight into the eyepiece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished heights run from 26.5 inches with the legs open and retracted to 42.5″ with them fully extended, and the tripod folds to 31.5 inches for transport and storage. The spreader tray does two jobs: it braces the legs against splaying under load, and it holds eyepieces and small accessories at waist height during a session.\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\u003eTwilight I owners\u003c\/strong\u003e who want a heavier, stiffer base than a lightweight tripod provides, particularly at higher magnifications where vibration is most visible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eiEXOS-100 owners\u003c\/strong\u003e looking to put the mount head on a substantially more rigid platform for imaging or for heavier visual loads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObservers working at high power,\u003c\/strong\u003e where settling time after a touch on the focuser is what decides whether the last detail is visible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a good match if\u003c\/strong\u003e your current setup shakes for several seconds after each nudge and you would rather solve that at the tripod than anywhere else.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnyone who observes standing and seated in the same session,\u003c\/strong\u003e given the 26.5 to 42.5 inch adjustment range.\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-inch stainless steel legs:\u003c\/strong\u003e stiffness and mass at the point where a tripod either damps vibration or transmits it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAluminium spreader tray:\u003c\/strong\u003e braces the three legs against each other and doubles as an accessory tray for eyepieces and filters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e26.5″ to 42.5″ working height,\u003c\/strong\u003e adjustable by extending the legs, which covers both a seated eyepiece position and a standing one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e31.5 inches folded,\u003c\/strong\u003e which is the figure to measure against a car boot or a storage cupboard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e13.6lb (6.2kg) published weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e heavy by design, since damping is largely a function of mass and stiffness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack finish,\u003c\/strong\u003e consistent with the Twilight line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesigned for Twilight I and iEXOS-100 mounts,\u003c\/strong\u003e with an azimuth adjuster adapter available separately for the iEXOS-100 pairing.\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\u003eSupporting a Twilight I alt-azimuth mount for visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupporting an iEXOS-100 equatorial head, with the separate azimuth adjuster adapter fitted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-magnification lunar, planetary and double-star observing, where settling time is the limiting factor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFixed-site or garden observing where the extra 13.6lb is carried once and left in place.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSessions where a stable accessory tray at waist height keeps eyepieces off the ground.\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\u003eTwilight I:\u003c\/strong\u003e the tripod is designed for this mount head directly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eiEXOS-100:\u003c\/strong\u003e the pairing works with an azimuth adjuster adapter, which is a separate purchase. We can add it to the same order so both parts arrive together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 26.5 inches open with retracted legs to 42.5″ fully extended. Adding a mount head and telescope raises the eyepiece further, which is worth working through against your own height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpreader tray:\u003c\/strong\u003e included, and it is a structural part as well as a convenience — it is what keeps the legs from splaying under load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransport:\u003c\/strong\u003e 31.5 inches folded at 13.6lb, which is a one-handed carry over short distances and an easy fit alongside a mount case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOther mounts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific publishes this tripod for the Twilight I and iEXOS-100. If you are considering it under something else, send us the mount and we will look at the mounting interface with you before you order.\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\u003eThe iEXOS-100 pairing needs an azimuth adjuster adapter,\u003c\/strong\u003e which is sold separately. It is a small part and we stock the Explore Scientific accessory line, so it can travel in the same box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e13.6lb is deliberate.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a heavy-duty tripod, and the weight is doing the damping work. For a setup that is carried a long way on foot each session, a lighter tripod trades stability for portability — we can talk through which side of that trade suits you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExplore Scientific does not publish a load capacity figure\u003c\/strong\u003e for this tripod, so that row is absent from the table below rather than estimated. The mount head it sits under carries its own published capacity, and that is the figure to plan a payload against.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe mounting interface is not published either.\u003c\/strong\u003e Because it is specified for the Twilight I and iEXOS-100, we are happy to check the fit for any other mount you have in mind before anything ships.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt is the tripod on its own.\u003c\/strong\u003e The mount head, counterweights and telescope are separate items, and we can quote them together if that is easier.\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 legs open, the extensions lock at the height you want and the spreader tray tightens up from underneath. It is a one-minute job, and the tray does most of the work of holding the legs where you set them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mounts does it fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific specifies it for the Twilight I and the iEXOS-100. The iEXOS-100 combination uses an azimuth adjuster adapter, which is a separate item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow tall does it stand?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e26.5 inches with the legs open and retracted, extending to 42.5″. It folds to 31.5 inches for transport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the weight actually help?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and it is the main reason to choose a tripod like this one. Vibration settles as a function of mass and stiffness, so 13.6lb of stainless steel under a mount head shortens the wobble after a focuser touch compared with a light aluminium tripod.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs an accessory tray included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The aluminium spreader tray comes with the tripod and holds eyepieces and small accessories while it braces the legs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat can it carry?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific does not publish a load rating for the tripod itself, so we would rather work from the mount head's published capacity. Tell us the head and telescope you plan to use and we will look at the numbers with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit in a car?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 31.5 inches folded it lies flat across most boots and back seats, and at 13.6lb it is a single comfortable carry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 13.6lb black tripod on 2-inch stainless steel legs with an aluminium spreader tray, adjusting from 26.5 to 42.5 inches and folding to 31.5, built for the Twilight I and, with the separate azimuth adjuster adapter, the iEXOS-100. If you would like the adapter included or want us to check it against a different mount head, send us the details and we will sort it out before your order goes out.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013570359407,"sku":"TL-ST3B-00","price":484.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/TL-ST3B-00_1_1800x1800__53712.jpg?v=1766556611"},{"product_id":"explore-scientific-exos2-gt-pmc-eight-goto-equatorial-mount-tripod","title":"Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT Equatorial Mount and Tripod with PMC-Eight GoTo, WiFi and Bluetooth","description":"\u003ch2\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT is a German equatorial mount and tripod driven by Explore Scientific's PMC-Eight GoTo system with WiFi and Bluetooth. It carries a 28 lb instrument payload for astrophotography, and rather more than that for visual use, which makes it a portable platform for telescopes that would normally call for a considerably larger mount. Two 11.25 lb counterweights and an AC adapter are included.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the mount for someone whose telescope has outgrown a light-duty equatorial — a 6-inch refractor, an 8-inch SCT, a fast Newtonian — and who wants tracking and GoTo without moving to a pier-mounted observatory setup. It suits imagers who need the mount to hold a camera, guide scope and filter wheel steady through long exposures, and visual observers who want objects found and kept centred while they concentrate on looking.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e28 lb instrument payload capacity for astrophotography, with more available for visual work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePMC-Eight motion control using an eight-core microcontroller, with each CPU handling a defined task for responsive, accurate tracking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWiFi and Bluetooth control from the free ExploreStars app on Windows, Android, Amazon Fire and Apple tablets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eASCOM-compliant driver for use with virtually any ASCOM-aware sky software, wired or wireless\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo 11.25 lb counterweights and an AC adapter supplied in the box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e13.4 lb mount head; 30 lb for the complete mount and tripod before counterweights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOptical and Mechanical Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA German equatorial mount tilts one axis to match your latitude so that a single motor can follow the sky's rotation, which is what allows long exposures without star trails. The EXOS2-GT drives both axes through the PMC-Eight system; distributing motion control across eight independent processors keeps timing intervals short, which shows up as smoother tracking and cleaner round stars in a long sub-exposure. The head separates from the tripod for transport, so the heaviest single piece is 13.4 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep-sky astrophotography with a refractor, Newtonian or SCT up to 28 lb of equipment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual observing with GoTo object location and tracking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLunar and planetary imaging where steady tracking at high magnification matters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePortable use at a dark site, splitting into head, tripod and counterweights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe saddle accepts Vixen-style dovetails as standard, which covers most of the optical tubes we carry, including the Explore Scientific ED and FCD-100 refractors. Control is through the free ExploreStars app on a tablet you already own, or through ASCOM from a laptop — a tablet or computer is not included. For imaging from a location without mains power, a 12 V field battery pack is the usual addition; the supplied AC adapter covers use near an outlet. We stock additional counterweights, polar scope illuminators and Vixen saddle plates for this mount.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe complete mount and tripod come to 30 lb before counterweights and about 53 lb with both fitted, so it travels in two or three trips to the car rather than one. Polar alignment is part of setting up any German equatorial; the published guide walks through it and it becomes a two-minute routine. No telescope is included — this is a mount, tripod and counterweight set. Explore Scientific maintains the ExploreStars app, the ASCOM driver and an active PMC-Eight user community, so the software side is well supported.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e The mechanical assembly is quick — head onto tripod, counterweights on the shaft, telescope into the saddle. Polar alignment and a star alignment in the app take a few minutes on your first outing and get faster with practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much telescope will it hold?\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific rates it at 28 lb of instrument for astrophotography, and notes the visual capacity can be pushed further. Imaging benefits from staying under the rating.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a tablet or a computer?\u003c\/strong\u003e One or the other, yes. ExploreStars runs on Windows, Android, Fire and Apple tablets; ASCOM works from a laptop. Neither is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my telescope fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e If it has a Vixen-style dovetail and weighs under 28 lb with accessories, yes. Send us your setup and we will confirm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA 28 lb-capacity GoTo equatorial with counterweights and AC adapter in the box, wireless control from a tablet, and ASCOM support for imaging software. It is the natural step up for a telescope that has outgrown a light-duty mount. Our Bolton team can confirm payload and dovetail fit for your tube.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53955668901999,"sku":"ES-EXOS2GTPMCT3-01","price":1385.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/b34_3979063c-edce-44cc-aa86-5069239ab139.jpg?v=1785952521"},{"product_id":"explore-scientific-firstlight-exos-nano-equatorial-mount-tripod","title":"Explore Scientific FirstLight EXOS Nano German Equatorial Mount with Steel Tripod, 15 lb Capacity","description":"\u003ch2\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Explore FirstLight EXOS Nano is a light-duty German equatorial head supplied on a steel tripod, intended for small telescopes that do not need, and cannot justify, a large mount. Explore Scientific rates it for a telescope of up to 15 pounds, fits it with a Vixen-style universal dovetail saddle, and supplies it on a 1.25-inch sturdy steel ST1 tripod whose legs extend from 25.5 inches to 45 inches. The mount head on its own, without counterweight, is quoted by Explore Scientific at 10 pounds. It is the mount Explore Scientific pairs with its own smaller instruments, and the company names the ED80 apochromat, small Maksutov-Cassegrains, small refractors, small solar scopes and short fast Newtonians as the intended load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a specific frustration this mount answers. You buy a good small refractor or a compact Maksutov, and it arrives on an alt-azimuth head or a photo tripod. At low power that is fine. The moment you put 150x on Saturn, the object drifts diagonally across the field, and correcting it means nudging two axes at once while the whole thing shakes. An equatorial head fixes the geometry: once the polar axis is aimed at the celestial pole, the sky's apparent motion collapses onto a single axis, and following an object becomes one smooth motion in right ascension instead of a two-handed chase. That is the entire reason equatorial mounts exist, and it matters more on small, high-magnification telescopes than on almost anything else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second audience is anyone who has correctly concluded that a big mount is the wrong answer. A 15-pound rating is modest, but so is an ED80 or a 90 mm Mak, and carrying a forty-pound German equatorial into the back garden for a five-pound telescope is how observing sessions stop happening. The EXOS Nano is deliberately at the small end: light enough to move in one trip, tall enough at 45 inches to observe standing, and short enough at 25.5 inches to sit low and steady when the wind is up or when you want it on a table or a deck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGerman equatorial head, so telescope motion resolves onto the right ascension and declination axes rather than altitude and azimuth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExplore Scientific rates the instrument load at a maximum of 15 pounds of telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVixen-style universal dovetail saddle, the most widely supported small-telescope mounting standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupplied on a 1.25-inch diameter sturdy steel ST1 tripod rather than aluminium, for mass and damping at the low end of the price range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTripod legs extend from 25.5 inches to 45 inches, covering seated observing, standing observing and low wind-resistant setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMount head quoted at 10 pounds without counterweight, keeping the whole assembly within one-trip carrying range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecified by Explore Scientific for the ED80, small Maksutov-Cassegrains, small refractors, small solar scopes and short fast Newtonians.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA German equatorial works by tilting the entire rotation axis of the mount until it is parallel to the Earth's axis, which is to say pointed at the celestial pole. Once that is done, the sky no longer moves in two dimensions from the telescope's point of view; it rotates about that one axis at fifteen degrees per hour, and a single slow rotation in right ascension holds an object still in the eyepiece. The counterweight shaft on the opposite side of the polar axis is not decoration, it is what makes this practical: balancing the telescope against a counterweight means the axis carries almost no net torque, so the bearings are only resisting friction rather than fighting the weight of the instrument. That is why a properly balanced 12-pound telescope on this mount feels lighter and moves more smoothly than a badly balanced 6-pound one. The 15-pound rating should be read as the point at which that balance stops rescuing you and the head's stiffness becomes the limit. Steel legs matter for the same reason: what you feel at the eyepiece is not the mount's static strength but how quickly a vibration dies away, and steel's higher mass and internal damping settle disturbances faster than thin aluminium tubing of the same diameter. Racking the legs down toward 25.5 inches shortens the lever arm between the ground and the telescope and will noticeably improve the damping time on a breezy night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual planetary and lunar observing with a small Maksutov-Cassegrain or refractor at high magnification, where equatorial tracking replaces two-axis nudging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide-field deep-sky observing with an ED80-class apochromat or a short fast Newtonian.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite-light and hydrogen-alpha solar observing with a small dedicated solar telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA grab-and-go equatorial for observers who want a real polar-aligned mount without the bulk of a full-size German equatorial.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA first equatorial mount for someone learning polar alignment and the equatorial coordinate system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe saddle takes a Vixen-style universal dovetail bar, which is the standard fitting on the great majority of small refractors, Maksutovs and short Newtonians, and on essentially every set of tube rings sold for telescopes in this size class. A telescope with a wider Losmandy-style plate will not seat in this saddle, and a telescope supplied with no dovetail at all will need rings and a bar before it can go on. Payload is the other half of the question, and it is worth being blunt about it: 15 pounds is Explore Scientific's maximum, and the figure has to cover the telescope plus rings, dovetail, finder, diagonal and eyepiece, not just the bare tube. An ED80-class apochromat or a 90 to 127 mm Maksutov lands comfortably inside that budget. A 6-inch Newtonian or a heavy 4-inch achromat is the sort of load that will technically fit and will still show you every gust of wind. If you tell our team in Bolton which telescope you own, we will work out the fully dressed weight with you and give you a straight answer about whether this is the right mount or whether you should be looking one size up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Scientific publishes no shipping weight for this item, so we are confirming it on our own scales before the listing goes live. That is why it is currently unpublished. Contact us and we will give you a shipping figure for your address. Two other things are worth knowing up front. First, tracking: this is an equatorial head, and Explore Scientific's product page does not specify a motor drive, so plan on manual tracking in right ascension unless you confirm otherwise with us first. If motorised tracking matters to you, tell us before you order and we will check what drive options exist for this head rather than let you find out afterwards. Second, the counterweight: Explore Scientific quotes the head weight explicitly as being without a counterweight but does not spell out what shaft and weight ship in the carton, so ask us and we will confirm exactly what is included. No telescope is included with the mount, and an equatorial mount only delivers its advantage once it is roughly polar aligned, which takes a few minutes at the start of a session and is a skill worth learning rather than a chore to dread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size telescope will it actually hold?\u003c\/strong\u003e Explore Scientific rates it at 15 pounds maximum. In practice you want the telescope plus its rings, dovetail, finder, diagonal and heaviest eyepiece to sit meaningfully below that number, which puts an ED80 apochromat or a small to mid-size Maksutov right in the sweet spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it track the sky by itself?\u003c\/strong\u003e Not as described on Explore Scientific's page, which specifies no motor drive. As a German equatorial it lets you follow an object with a single axis once polar aligned, which is a large improvement over an alt-azimuth head, but do not assume hands-off tracking. Ask us and we will confirm the drive options before you commit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my telescope's dovetail fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e If it is a Vixen-style bar, yes. If it is a wider Losmandy-style plate, no. Telescopes sold without any dovetail will need tube rings and a bar, and we can put that together for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the steel tripod better or worse than aluminium?\u003c\/strong\u003e For a mount this size, better. Steel is heavier, which is the point: the extra mass and damping shorten the time a vibration takes to die out after you touch the focuser, and that is what you actually notice at high magnification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe EXOS Nano is a sensibly scaled first equatorial: a 15-pound rating, a Vixen saddle and a steel ST1 tripod adjustable from 25.5 to 45 inches, matched to the small refractors, Maksutovs and solar scopes it was designed around. Send us the telescope you plan to put on it and we will confirm the payload maths, the dovetail fit and what ships in the carton before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Explore Scientific","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53958644203631,"sku":"FL-EXOSNANOT1-00","price":207.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/FL-EXOSNANOT1.jpg?v=1785960724"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/collections\/apifspgqv__78337.jpg?v=1786030371","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/collections\/explore-scientific-mounts.oembed","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}