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Getting Started With Your New PMC-Eight Mount Control System

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Hi, and Welcome to the PMC-Eight Mount Control System!!  

My name is Jerry Hubbell, and I am the VP of Engineering for Explore Scientific, and the principle engineer for the PMC-Eight Mount Control System.  Here are a few links to get you started in using your new system whether you will be using it for visually relaxing under the stars, or if you are planning on doing astrophotography to record your explorations of the stars, planets, galaxies, and nebula!  

The materials we include in the box with your mount are designed to get you started setting up your system, and operating it, but you can find the latest version of the PMC-Eight user manual here:

PMC-Eight User Manual - G11 and EXOS 2

You can find the iEXOS 100 PMC-Eight User Manual here:

iEXOS 100 User Manual

We have a PMC-Eight Software page here to get all the software for the system including the ExploreStars application, ASCOM platform, and ASCOM driver for the PMC-Eight system:

https://explorescientificusa.com/pages/software-and-downloads-for-pmc-eight-system

We have posted some videos to help you get familiar with the ExploreStars application. This is the tablet-based hand paddle software that we provide with our system for you to install on your Windows or Android tablet.

https://youtu.be/t8fivXeglIQ

Here is a video about the development of the PMC-Eight System and our vision for the product line.

https://youtu.be/RRskwQhY91A

Here is another more detailed video about using the ExploreStars application:

https://youtu.be/2hPg4IZZlXY

If you are an advanced user or programmer who wants to use the PMC-Eight to do astrophotography, or develop your own GOTO system, our PMC-Eight webpage provides several links to additional materials including the PMC-Eight Programmer’s Reference, Application Notes, PMC-Eight Software Development Kit (SDK), and ASCOM Platform information.

http://www.explorescientific.com/pmc-eight/

Learning astrophotography requires you to study a lot of different materials and can take a while to get the results you want. It takes patience and perseverance to learn astrophotography but there are several sources available that will make your task easier. 

For beginning and advanced astrophotographers, we offer an opportunity to use our most advanced equipment at our research observatory to test out and learn what is involved in doing astrophotography. The Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) is our advanced testing facility we use to do long term testing of the PMC-Eight system and our optical equipment. You can discover more about this here:

https://explorescientificusa.com/collections/destinations-and-experiences/products/destinations-and-experiences-live-remote-internet-access-robotic-telescope-control-and-astrophotography

I have written 2 books about astrophotography that are an excellent guide for the beginning astrophotographer's to learn about the equipment and procedures that you need to get started down that path. I recommend my first book, “Scientific Astrophotography: How Amateurs Can Generate and Use Professional Imaging Data” (Springer 2012.)

https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Astrophotography-Professional-Practical-Astronomy/dp/1461451728/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8qid=1525446323sr=8-1keywords=gerald+hubbell

Finally, we have a PMC-Eight forum on Groups.io hosted by me to support the PMC-Eight system and the mounts that are delivered with the system. We have over 200 members on the forum and they are an excellent resource not only for beginners learning about German Equatorial Mounts for the first time, but for new PMC-Eight customers that are trying to get into astrophotography.

Our customer support team and I regularly read the posts on the Groups.io forum and provide support through that platform. There is the MAIN group and 3 subgroups: SYSHELP, MOUNTS, and DEV.  If you are not currently a member you can join the Groups.io group here:

https://groups.io/g/ESPMC-Eight

I am also active on the CloudyNights equipment/mount forum, and I regularly answer questions from prospective and current customers on that platform:

https://www.cloudynights.com/forum/66-mounts/

These links should help give you a great start into the world of the PMC-Eight Mount Control System. For any other questions please use the PMC-Eight Groups.io Forum, or contact our Customer Service department at service@explorescientific.com or call us at 866-252-3811 press 2.

You can also talk to us via chat at our website www.ExploreScientificUSA.com 

Thanks, and Clear Skies!! 

Jerry Hubbell
VP Engineering
Explore Scientific, LLC.