Explore Scientific FirstLight 80mm f/8 Refractor Carbon Fiber Telescope & GoTo EQ Mount with Bluetooth

The Explore Scientific FirstLight 80mm f/8 Refractor Carbon Fiber Telescope & GoTo EQ Mount with Bluetooth is ideal for users who want a portable observation platform for making observations or capturing images of the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects. Its moderate aperture and shorter focal length produce a competent focal ratio for improved resolution, and its larger 40mm drawtube helps avoid vignetting with larger imaging sensors or wide-field eyepieces.

The iEXOS-100-2 GoTo mount is part of the ES commitment to user-friendly gear with the PMC-Eight motor drive system that uses micro-stepper motors and a direct-drive belt connection between the drive shaft and motor to ensure accurate and smooth tracking for extended periods with minimal vibration and zero backlash. The entire PMC-Eight software suite is offered as open-source coding so users are able to tweak the system to their personal preference and share with a growing community of enthusiasts.

The mount is equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for pairing with smartphones and tablets running the ExploreStars app. The app has a database of over 70,000 objects and an intuitive user interface controlled with the device's touchscreen. Multiple alignment procedures, slew and tracking rates, and customized guided tours allow it to be easily set up to get you observing quickly with minimal frustration. Like the coding for the motor drive system, the app is open source as well, so it can likewise be customized and those modifications shared. A non-volatile memory and Real-Time clock preserve settings, including backlash correction and Periodic Error Correction (PEC), when the system is turned off and power is disconnected.

Supporting the optical tube assembly (OTA) and mount is a sturdy adjustable-height stainless steel tripod that is easy to transport and carry into the field for off-the-grid observations, and the mount runs on batteries to keep it going whether you're in your backyard or in the mountains. To make it a complete observation rig right out of the box, Explore Scientific includes a 25x eyepiece, a 90° diagonal, a dot-finder, and an adapter that allows you to capture the view on just about any smartphone.