Explore Scientific Apochromatic refractor AP 80/480 ED Alu iEXOS-100 PMC-8 Wi-Fi GoTo (85156)

Explore Scientific's three-element ED special glass apochromats are designed to meet the needs of amateur astronomers, offering exceptional performance at a reasonable price.

Optical Design and Quality:
The three-element construction, featuring special Hoya FCD01-ED glass and two air gaps, delivers superior image correction compared to two-element ED apochromats in the same price range. With a calculated polystrehl value exceeding 0.9, these optics provide significantly clearer images than the typical 0.8x achievable with two lenses. This remarkable optical performance is paired with a robust mechanical design, creating a product that fulfills all expectations.

Photography Compatibility:
An optional field flattener accessory is available for astrophotography, enabling unrestricted use for capturing celestial images.

Mount Features:
The equatorial mounts come equipped with the integrated PMC-8 system, a powerful computerized control system that can be operated via Wi-Fi using smartphones or tablets. This system combines advanced PMC electronics with a graphical user interface, GPS functionality, and other mobile device features. The essential ExploreStars app is included free of charge and updates automatically. Additionally, the ASCOM interface allows compatibility with nearly all software supporting standard ASCOM protocols.

Ease of Use:
The intuitive 2- or 3-star alignment process during initialization via GoTo controls is simple for beginners and quick for experienced users.

Advantages of the iEXOS-100 Mount:

• Effortless axial clamping for easy adjustments

• Micro-stepper motors and precision worm gears on both axes

• Low-noise toothed belt drive without backlash

• Mini-USB interface for wired INDI/ASCOM PC connections

• ST-4-compatible autoguider interface

This lightweight mount is ideal for travel or mobile astrophotography and works particularly well with apochromats featuring apertures between 80mm and 102mm.

PMC-8 GoTo Controls:
The PMC-8 controls include a durable controller box that generates its own Wi-Fi signal and provides necessary interfaces for operation. All motors connect to this unit, which also features an ST-4-compatible autoguider interface. The microstep operation ensures precise tracking, as PMC stands for Precision Motion Controller.

The controls can be operated via Wi-Fi using PCs or tablets (compatible with Windows 8.1, Windows 10, iOS, Android devices with screens of 7.1” or larger). The ExploreStars app offers a user-friendly platform displaying stars for tracking initialization and numerous celestial objects from its database, along with detailed written information.

At its core, the controller features a self-contained 2-channel processor with 8 CPUs, a Wi-Fi Ethernet adapter (10/100), and IP functions enabling operation through web browsers, ASCOM software, apps, or serial connections. Open GoTo functionality allows users to write custom firmware and load it into the controller for personalized adaptations such as unique object lists.

Important Note:
Before starting the system, install the ExploreStars app on your Windows device.

Specifications:

Optics:

• Type: Refractor

• Build: Apochromat

• Aperture: 80mm

• Focal length: 480mm

• Aperture ratio: f/6

• Resolving capacity: 1.6 arcseconds

• Limiting magnitude: 11.3 mag

• Light gathering capacity: 130x compared to the human eye

• Maximum useful magnification: 160x

• Tube weight: 2.6kg (aluminum construction)

• Tube length: 340mm; diameter: 120mm

• Coating: EMD multi-coating

• Lens design: Triplet (HOYA FCD-1 glass)

Focuser:

• Type: Rack-and-pinion design with 1:10 fine focusing gear reduction

• Eyepiece connection size: 2 inches

Mount:

• Type: iEXOS-100 PMC-8 Wi-Fi GoTo (Equatorial)

• Saddle type: Vixen-style mount; load capacity: up to 5kg

• Motors: Stepper motors with worm wheel drive; low-noise toothed belt drive without backlash

GoTo Control Features:

• Alignment method: 3-star alignment via ExploreStars app

• Software compatibility: PMC-8 system; multilingual GoTo language support; Wi-Fi-enabled control

Tripod:

• Material: Steel tripod with accessory plate; weight: 2.5kg

Included Accessories:

• Prism rail (Vixen-style)

• Finder base compatible with Meade/Explore Scientific T-profile scopes

• Dew shield; extension tubes; battery compartment (external); counterweights (3 pieces weighing 1kg each)

Eyepieces & Finder Scope:

• Included eyepiece: 20mm (1.25”)

• Finder scope: 8x50

General Information:

Series: Essential Line

Applications: Suitable for Moon & Planets observation, nebulae & galaxies viewing, and astrophotography. Not recommended for nature observation or solar viewing without appropriate filters.

Recommended For: Beginners and advanced users; not suitable for observatory-level applications.