The TTS-160 Panther Lite is a versatile, lightweight Alt-Az mount that combines smooth manual operation with an innovative design for effortless and enjoyable visual astronomy.
Weighing just 7 kg, the TTS-160 Panther Lite is crafted from anodized aluminium, stainless steel, and a durable plastic cover—delivering both portability and durability. Despite its lightweight, it boasts an impressive capacity: up to 25 kg side-mounted or 20 kg top-mounted telescopes. (note that large diameter and long OTA’s puts higher pressure on the mount).
The Panther Lite is equipped with optical encoders offering 79,888 pulses per revolution (16 arcseconds per pulse), easily connectable via an RJ45 connector for seamless integration with Nexus DSC units. Smooth and precise control is assured with adjustable slide clutches on both axes and an altitude axle lock for secure setup and configuration changes.
Designed for flexibility, the mount accommodates dovetail saddles with M8 and M6 thread patterns for easy installation. For additional balance, two counterweight arms can be configured for top-mounted setups or eyepiece comfort balancing during side-mounted use.
With options for tripod and pier adapters and mounting holes for accessory trays, the Panther Lite delivers unparalleled versatility and precision for serious visual astronomers.
Versatile Mounting: Its unique design can simultaneously accommodate up to three telescopes—two side-mounted and one top-mounted—offering unparalleled flexibility.
Eyepiece Comfort Balancing: An innovative back-balancing system ensures consistent and comfortable eyepiece height for seamless, extended viewing sessions.
Smooth Manual Operation: Adjustable slide clutches and a two-axis balancing system provide precise, effortless control, even at high magnifications.
No Hassles, Pure Enjoyment: Designed for simplicity, the Panther Lite eliminates the need for screens, cables, or power, allowing for pure, uninterrupted stargazing.
Built-In Encoders: Track celestial objects in real-time via smartphone integration for enhanced observing.
Lightweight Design: Weighing only 7 kg (15.4 lbs), the Panther Lite is perfect for astronomers who need a travel-friendly solution without sacrificing performance.
High Capacity: Despite its lightweight build, it can support up to 40 kg (88 lbs) when mounting two telescopes, one on each side. This makes it ideal for larger setups, including binoscopes and refractors.
Aluminum – Anodized black and silver, Stainless steel, Plastic cover.
Telescope Capacity
Side mounted: 1×28 kg or 2×20 kg, Topmounted: 1×25 kg (note that large diameter and long OTA's puts higher pressure on the mount)
Dovetail saddle bolt pattern
M8 thread in diamond shape 35mm between holes.
M6 Thread in linear pattern distance 60mm and 100mm
(see drawing under "User manuals")
Encoders
Optical encoders giving 79888 pulses per revolution (16 arcsec per pulse)
Encoder connector
The RJ45 connector has a wiring matching the Nexus DSC units from Astro Devises.
Tripod, Pier Interface
The mount head attaches to the adapter with 6 pcs M5 finger screws. Adapter for the TTS 160 Panther folding pier or flat top tripods is included. 3/8" 16tpi center trhread-
Axle clutches
Both axles are equipped with an adjustable slide clutch. These can be fine tuned to achieve perfect smooth movement eliminating the need for fine adjustment handles.
Altitude axle lock
The altitude axle is equipped with a locking device securing the telescope when setting up and when changing heavy eyepiece configurations.
Accessory tray
Mounting holes for optional trays for Phones or Eyepieces, etc.
Included items
TTS-160 Panther Lite mount head with side-plates and top-plate
Pier adapter with flat bottom and central 3/8″ 16tpi thread (fits TTS-160 Panther Folding Pier)
Set of installation screws for dovetail saddles and counterweight arms.
“And I can honestly say: for visual astronomers, this could truly be the final mount of your observing life — if there is such a thing. If you’re into astrophotography, you can pretty much skip this video. This mount doesn’t have any motors. It’s all about pure visual enjoyment of the night sky with as little tech as possible…
When using long telescopes, eyepiece height changes dramatically as you move from horizon to zenith. With Comfort Balancing, you can mount a counterweight farther back to shift the eyepiece closer to the altitude axis. The result? Eyepiece height varies much less, improving observing comfort tremendously — no more crouching or adjusting chair height constantly.” – Dennis
“So, I took the Panther Light mount to Canada’s Kajjim Makujuk National Park for their annual dark sky weekend and got to test it under Bortal 2 skies. The mount definitely garnered a lot of attention from the astronomical community. I realized that this mount solves a very specific problem for seasoned astronomers. A lot of us have heavy telescopes that we simply don’t use. We could use them on our big equatorial mounts like the ones we typically use for astrophotography, but this is not ideal for several reasons, including setup time and awkward eyepiece placement. We could also use our large telescopes on a normal a mount and just deal with the shakiness.” – John
“Even when loaded with the significantly heavier OTAAS during the second test scenario, the mount’s performance remained completely unaffected. Once balanced, its movements were just as smooth and effortless as during the first test. Furthermore, it maintained rock solid stability regardless of the telescope’s position. This combination of rigidity and minimal vibration transfer is something I’ve only previously encountered in mounts like the EQ8 Pro from SkyWatcher or AZ8 from Los Meni. It truly is an impressively solid mount that also offers the convenience of very easy assembly and disassembly for transport. The push to-go functionality is also good and helpful. “ – Bogdan
“The Panther Lite has ended my search for a robust, enjoyable-to-use alt-az mount capable of accommodating all my scopes – from small, fast refractors to larger, longer refractors and Maks – with perfect balance, friction-free movement, and fingertip control.
With both top and side mounting options, this modular mount can be as simple or as elaborate as you choose.” – Joe
“The first impression I got from this Mount is it’s lighter than expected, given how much weight it can handle and it’s well built. The mount will be sold unbundled so you can use a Pier tripod or whatever system you want to support it. I added a losmandy dovetail saddle to the side and strapped on my big Tec 160 FL refractor this scope has a focal length of 1120 mm and weighs 14 kg with rings, dovetail and handle. The mount handled it with ease, note that with a single scope on one side there is no need for counter weights provided you balance it properly.” – Mark
“In this configuration, you put the telescope in one of the side mounted saddles, and on the other side of the mount, you put one of the counterweight arms pointing straight backwards. Now you can put an 4kg or 8kg counterweight on the arm, and then slide your long refractor forward in its rings, thereby dramatically reducing eyepiece movement! And it works really, really well! By having this laterally movable weight, you can namely also very easily rebalance the scope laterally, when you change eyepieces. “ – Thomas
