Date
1 - 20 of 24
Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GOTO Mount illuminated polar alignment + 90 degree polar alignment
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nfred1952@...
Hi all
Recently purchased above mount, can anyone confirm if the reticule in the polar alignment scope should be illuminated, I can turn the small knob and I can hear a switch made but no illumination, what am I missing, retailer I bought from not sure, is there a battery somewhere? Plus I am having great trouble polar aligning. I am at 53 degrees latitude here in NW UK its virtually impossible without lying on the floor to get an eyeball to the polar scope viewing lense, are there any simple solutions i.e a 90 degree prism device I can attach, I am aware of Polemaster and Sharpcap but don't want to shell out another 2-3 hundred pounds, any thoughts/help?? Nick Frederiksen
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Mike Hammer
The polar illuminator unscrews (counterclockwise) in the middle. Inside are the batteries in a small tube. There is probably an insulator preventing the batteries from making contact. Carefully remove it (don’t lose the batteries or the insulator, they are tiny) and reassemble. It should work then.
To improve access to the polar illuminator eyepiece, you need to raise the tripod by extending the legs. When done doing this, make sure that the tripod is level using the bubble located on the top of the tripod. Adjust as needed.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: nfred1952@...
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2020 5:47 PM To: MAIN@espmc-eight.groups.io Subject: [ESPMC-Eight] Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GOTO Mount illuminated polar alignment + 90 degree polar alignment
Hi all
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Nick,
Yes, there are two batteries - little button cells. Mine are LR41's. Lost one checking this. No idea where the little dickens flew off to. :-))
Just keep unscrewing the post, it's all in there. Watch for stuff dropping out (the LED and its mount are tiny!), and you may need a magnet to pull all the bits out.
Ergonomics? Well, yes - can't imagine why anyone who ever tried a polar scope (particularly in light-polluted skies) would ever want one again. I'm at ~43 degrees, and my old LXD55 settled that for me! I've never used the one on my EXOS2.
If you're budget-constrained, do some searches on what the iExos-100 crowd did. Their mount comes with a 'tunnel', and while the mount was perfectly fine for AP, that was a weak spot. Phone apps, drift alignment, compass-and-offset, marking tripod spots for a predetermined alignment... They were pretty creative, but it was worth it for them.
You didn't say whether you're primarily visual or AP. For visual, rough PA is probably fine. For AP, you'd want better, see above.
I went for Sharpcap PA right off, as I knew I'd need to guide. The license is inexpensive and it leverages the guiding gear you already need for AP. If you do decide to get a guidescope and camera, take a look at the Altairs. They're UK based, and the cameras, at least, are cheaper here in Canada than the ZWO's - I assume the same for you as well. YMMV.
Hope this helps!
- Bob
Mounts: ES PMC-8 EXOS2
Scopes: SV 102EDT, ZWO 60/280 Guide
Cameras: Nikon D5300, Altair GPCAM2 290M
Software: ASCOM, CdC, AstroTortilla, BYN Pro, Sharpcap, PHD2 Computer: Thinkpad x230, Win7Pro/64
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Mike Hammer
I forgot to mention that the illuminator switch is also a potentiometer. You need to keep turning it (clockwise) to bring up the brightness. Just turning till it clicks on will not give adequate illumination. And don't forget to turn it off when done. there is no auto-shutoff timer and your battery will be dead the next time you go to use it.
On Fri, Jul 31, 2020 at 5:47 PM <nfred1952@...> wrote: Hi all
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nfred1952@...
Thanks Mike and Robert. That helps and solves the illumination question. Maybe got the wrong scope a Dobsonian, raising the tripod legs to gain more space for polar aligning would I can see help, but probably compromise if I just want to do just visual viewing I was hoping to use for AP eventually. I will check out iExos-100 comments, but he ho enjoying the learning curve, whats the fun if it all works first time! Nick Frederiksen
On Fri, Jul 31, 2020 at 11:18 PM Mike Hammer <kmhammer1@...> wrote:
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This was my solution to this same issue. I found that this Nikon 90° viewfinder for a SLR camera works very well. I simply attached a half of a .965 bolt case over the threads from the viewfinder, then just slide it over my polar scope eyepiece. Definitely a improvement over kneeling on the ground.
   -- William Optics Zenithstar 80edll Skywatcher quattro 8 Meade 8" sct Meade DS-10, outreach when I eat my wheaties Explore Scientific first light 80- outreach Explore Scientific Exos2 PMC8 Explore Scientific iexos100 PMC8 Canon 60d Nikon d90 Zwo asi120mm Zwo asi178mc Samsung Galaxy 7 tablet Amazon Fire10 HD tablet Multiple windows laptops
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Nick Frederiksen <nfred1952@...>
Thumbs up from me, looks just the job. Spurred me on to look for similar and adapt to fit as you have done. Thx Nick Frederiksen Exos-2 mount Home made 8 inch Dobsonian Canon 6d Dell laptop Acer laptop
On Fri, 31 Jul 2020, 23:32 Mike Hammer, <kmhammer1@...> wrote:
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Shailendra Sharma <sshailendrasharma@...>
Hi guys. Will this affect my guiding and cause a problem? Anyone found a good solution?
From: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io <MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io> on behalf of Nick Frederiksen <nfred1952@...>
Sent: Friday, August 7, 2020 7:47:59 AM To: MAIN@espmc-eight.groups.io <MAIN@espmc-eight.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GOTO Mount illuminated polar alignment + 90 degree polar alignment Thumbs up from me, looks just the job.
Spurred me on to look for similar and adapt to fit as you have done.
Thx
Nick Frederiksen
Exos-2 mount
Home made 8 inch Dobsonian
Canon 6d
Dell laptop
Acer laptop
On Fri, 31 Jul 2020, 23:32 Mike Hammer, <kmhammer1@...> wrote:
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Shailendra Sharma <sshailendrasharma@...>
I'm not sure the video has attached to the email. So i have posted it on the fb page.
Cheers
S
From: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io <MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io> on behalf of Shailendra Sharma <sshailendrasharma@...>
Sent: Friday, August 7, 2020 11:10:09 AM To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io <MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GOTO Mount illuminated polar alignment + 90 degree polar alignment
Hi guys. Will this affect my guiding and cause a problem? Anyone found a good solution?
From: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io <MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io> on behalf of Nick Frederiksen <nfred1952@...>
Sent: Friday, August 7, 2020 7:47:59 AM To: MAIN@espmc-eight.groups.io <MAIN@espmc-eight.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GOTO Mount illuminated polar alignment + 90 degree polar alignment Thumbs up from me, looks just the job.
Spurred me on to look for similar and adapt to fit as you have done.
Thx
Nick Frederiksen
Exos-2 mount
Home made 8 inch Dobsonian
Canon 6d
Dell laptop
Acer laptop
On Fri, 31 Jul 2020, 23:32 Mike Hammer, <kmhammer1@...> wrote:
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On Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 06:35 AM, Shailendra Sharma wrote:
I'm not sure the video has attached to the email. So i have posted it on the fb page. Hi Shailendra, Thanks
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Shailendra Sharma <sshailendrasharma@...>
Hi Jerry.
Please see link.
Basically. As the dec mechanic housing is on the right hand side. I am having to use the guide scope in the finder scope position. But then it pulls left a bit more. I have played with the cbsking and its better but still wants to pull the opposite way.
Thanks
Shailendra
From: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io <MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io> on behalf of Jerry Hubbell - Explore Scientific VP Engineering <jrh@...>
Sent: Friday, August 7, 2020 2:21:56 PM To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io <MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GOTO Mount illuminated polar alignment + 90 degree polar alignment On Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 06:35 AM, Shailendra Sharma wrote:
I'm not sure the video has attached to the email. So i have posted it on the fb page. Hi Shailendra, Thanks
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brian skinner
Hi Nick, I'm on the UK south coast and am using the PS without any problems. The illumination issue is already covered by the other guys so I'll just advise you on the eyeballing problem;
The PS position obviously can be adjusted by loosening and tightening its bracket fixing to the mount. The reticle is turned by turning the PS in its bracket, not by turning the mount. Finally you will need to remove your viewing equipment, OTA, Camera from the mount before Polar aligning, otherwise eyeballing is a problem for sure. Once polar aligned you remount your equipment, turn the mount on and so on and your good to go.... I'm at 50degrees latitude here and place my mount on a table for convenient viewing height but the mount is only at half height for increased stability, that may help you, kind regards, Brian -- Brian Skinner iEXOS100 Canon 1300d dslr Various lenses ES Polar scope Sequator image stacker PIXR image editor
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brian skinner
Sorry Nick, just realised you're not using the iEXOS 100. My verbage covered the use of the iEXOS100 PS only, I guess yours is different,
Brian -- Brian Skinner iEXOS100 Canon 1300d dslr Various lenses ES Polar scope Sequator image stacker PIXR image editor
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Nick Frederiksen <nfred1952@...>
Thx Brian Yes illuminated polar align scope solved, batteries dead boughtonly new a month ago so.... Getting a few tips on possible solutions, if they don't work, will take the plunge and get a guiding camera. Did not realise at start I would need such deep pockets. Nick Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight Homemade 200mm dob(probably need to change this in future) Canon 6d Dell and acer laptops
On Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 4:14 PM brian skinner <brianjimskinner@...> wrote: Sorry Nick, just realised you're not using the iEXOS 100. My verbage covered the use of the iEXOS100 PS only, I guess yours is different,
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Doug Doonan
Hi all,
The Mount Illuminated Polar Alignment scope in the EXOS2 has a reticule showing Polaris, NCP, and four other little circles that are supposed to be star positions. Does anybody know the names or catalogue numbers of the four stars that are supposed to be put into the little circles?
Doug Doonan
-- Doug Doonan HomeBru 6 inch Reflector f 6.6 HomeBru 85 mm Refractor f 5.6 PMC-8, EXOS 2 Long retired EE.
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Doug Doonan
Hi James,
What is a half of a .965 bolt case. Also where do you find one?
Thanks
Doug doonan
-----Original Message-----
From: James Hubbard via groups.io <jamesmhubbard440@...> To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io Sent: Thu, Aug 6, 2020 3:09 pm Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GOTO Mount illuminated polar alignment + 90 degree polar alignment This was my solution to this same issue. I found that this Nikon 90° viewfinder for a SLR camera works very well. I simply attached a half of a .965 bolt case over the threads from the viewfinder, then just slide it over my polar scope eyepiece. Definitely a improvement over kneeling on the ground.
   -- William Optics Zenithstar 80edll Skywatcher quattro 8 Meade 8" sct Meade DS-10, outreach when I eat my wheaties Explore Scientific first light 80- outreach Explore Scientific Exos2 PMC8 Explore Scientific iexos100 PMC8 Canon 60d Nikon d90 Zwo asi120mm Zwo asi178mc Samsung Galaxy 7 tablet Amazon Fire10 HD tablet Multiple windows laptops -- Doug Doonan HomeBru 6 inch Reflector f 6.6 HomeBru 85 mm Refractor f 5.6 PMC-8, EXOS 2 Long retired EE.
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brian skinner
Hi Doug, my modus operandi doesn't worry about putting stars in the reticle circles. I eyeball either Ursa Major OR CASS. (either will do). I then rotate the reticle of the PS carefully until the orientation of the real constellation and the reticule constellation are the same. I then physically move the mount and lat adjuster until Polaris appears in the reticule. Additional careful mount adjustment is done until Polaris is positioned in the little gap along the line marked Polaris. I then power up my mount and away I go.
Please note I am using the iEXOS100 PS, yours maybe different. Hope that helps, Brian -- Brian Skinner iEXOS100 Canon 1300d dslr Various lenses ES Polar scope Sequator image stacker PIXR image editor
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Hi Doug,
To answer your question. It's the larger half of a .965 eyepiece bolt case. I'm sure you could use something similar to that or maybe a 35mm film case. It was just something that I had on hand. -- William Optics Zenithstar 80edll Skywatcher quattro 8 Meade 8" sct Meade DS-10, outreach when I eat my wheaties Explore Scientific first light 80- outreach Explore Scientific Exos2 PMC8 Explore Scientific iexos100 PMC8 Canon 60d Nikon d90 Zwo asi120mm Zwo asi178mc Samsung Galaxy 7 tablet Amazon Fire10 HD tablet Multiple windows laptops
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Doug Doonan
Hi Brian,
This sounds really neat and it is like what I want to do. Some questions:
Ursa Major is the big dipper, and it is big in the sky. What part of the BD do you use to align with what part of the reticule? The reticule has a bucket shaped arrangement of little circles opposite where Polaris is, at least in my scope. Is that what you align with the bucket in the BD?
Casseopea (sp) is on the other side of of Polaris from the BD. I don't see how you can use one OR the other to get a Polar alignment. If you use the BD the NCP will be to the left of Polaris. If you use CASS the NCP will be on the right side. Only one can be correct, I think.
Great method if I could understand the details.
Comments?
Doug Doonan
-----Original Message-----
From: brian skinner <brianjimskinner@...> To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io Sent: Sat, Aug 8, 2020 9:21 am Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] Explore Scientific EXOS-2 PMC-Eight GOTO Mount illuminated polar alignment + 90 degree polar alignment Hi Doug, my modus operandi doesn't worry about putting stars in the reticle circles. I eyeball either Ursa Major OR CASS. (either will do). I then rotate the reticle of the PS carefully until the orientation of the real constellation and the reticule constellation are the same. I then physically move the mount and lat adjuster until Polaris appears in the reticule. Additional careful mount adjustment is done until Polaris is positioned in the little gap along the line marked Polaris. I then power up my mount and away I go.
Please note I am using the iEXOS100 PS, yours maybe different. Hope that helps, Brian -- Brian Skinner iEXOS100 Canon 1300d dslr Various lenses ES Polar scope Sequator image stacker PIXR image editor -- Doug Doonan HomeBru 6 inch Reflector f 6.6 HomeBru 85 mm Refractor f 5.6 PMC-8, EXOS 2 Long retired EE.
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On Sat, Aug 8, 2020 at 02:01 PM, Doug Doonan wrote:
I don't think the iEXOS100 has the same polar scope reticule as the EXOS2. The "bucket shaped arrangement of little circles" I think is for aligning with the south celestial pole. I use the android app PolarAlignerPro and select the reticule for Meade LXD55 which seems to match my EXOS2 reticule. Also, see this thread on CloudyNights: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/614983-polarscope-alignment-calibration-help-needed/ -- Mount: EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC EXOS2-GT EQUATORIAL MOUNT WITH PMC-EIGHT GOTO SYSTEM Scope: ED115 FPL53 115MM F/5.5 AIR-SPACED TRIPLET ED APO REFRACTOR IN CARBON FIBER
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