Explore Scientific iEXOS-100 PMC-Eight Equatorial Mount

Full review

The Explore Scientific iEXOS-100 is a lightweight, portable equatorial mount designed specifically for amateur astronomers who want reliable tracking without the bulk and expense of larger German equatorial systems. Built around a compact single-arm design, the mount pairs an aluminum tripod with a PoleMaster-compatible polar alignment scope and a built-in equatorial wedge, allowing users to dial in accurate polar alignment quickly whether they're observing from a backyard or a remote dark-sky site. Its slim profile and reduced weight, typically well under fifteen pounds for the mount head itself, make it an appealing choice for astronomers who prioritize grab-and-go setups over massive payload capacity, while still offering enough sturdiness to support small to mid-sized refractors and compact reflectors.

At the heart of the iEXOS-100 is its integrated StarSync GOTO computer hand controller, which comes preloaded with a database of tens of thousands of celestial objects, including planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. This hand controller allows users to slew directly to targets with a few button presses, and the mount's stepper motor drive system delivers smooth, quiet tracking along both right ascension and declination axes. The interface is straightforward enough for beginners still learning celestial navigation, yet it includes enough depth, such as periodic error correction and adjustable tracking rates, to satisfy more experienced users who want finer control over their imaging or visual sessions. USB and auxiliary ports also give owners the option to connect to planetarium software for extended computerized control.

Constructed with astrophotography hobbyists and casual visual observers in mind, the iEXOS-100 strikes a balance between affordability and functional precision. Its polar-alignment scope, adjustable altitude and azimuth knobs, and sturdy stainless steel counterweight shaft make fine-tuning setup accessible even for those new to equatorial mounts. The mount accepts standard Vixen-style dovetail bars, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of optical tubes commonly used in backyard astronomy. Because of its combination of portability, computerized GOTO functionality, and equatorial tracking accuracy, the Explore Scientific iEXOS-100 has become a popular entry point for stargazers transitioning from manual altazimuth mounts to more capable tracking systems suited for long-exposure astrophotography and detailed visual observation alike.