THE TTS-160 PANTHER LITE TELESCOPE MOUNT
A Premium Alt-Az telescope mount for the active astronomer.
VERSATILE MOUNTING
It can accommodate up to three telescopes simultaneously, offering unparalleled flexibility.
What is the TTS-160 Lite?
The TTS-160 Panther Lite is a lightweight and compact manual Alt-Az mount designed for seamless visual astronomy. Its versatile design allows it to accommodate up to three telescopes either side-mounted or top-mounted. Featuring a unique comfort-focused balancing system, allowing the ability to decrease eyepiece height variation, and provide an extremely smooth manual operation. No cables or screens need to be connected to operate the mount, letting you enjoy your hobby, without all the hassle.
VERSATILE MOUNTING
Many amateur astronomers use more than one telescope or dream about it. Sometimes you want to use the ultra-sharp refractor, the bino-scopes for better wide field views, or just a big light bucket. Refractors, Reflectors, Newtonians – with the Panther Lite you are prepared for every setup.
ONE TELESCOPE
The TTS-160 Lite lets you mount a single telescope, with the option of side- or top-mounting. Top-mounting is ideal for large binoscopes and refractors and allows for convenient safe installation in a horizontal dovetail saddle. Side-mounting suits most telescopes and allows for counterweight free setup.
TWO TELESCOPES
Refractor or larger reflector for Jupiter? With the TTS-160 Lite, you can mount multiple telescopes at once, avoiding the hassle and risk of switching mid-session. Chose between two side-mounted or one side-mounted and one top-mounted. It’s up to you.
THREE TELESCOPES
The TTS-160 Lite supports up to three telescopes simultaneously—two side-mounted and one top-mounted—offering exceptional versatility for exploring different perspectives and setups in a single session.
COMFORT BALANCING
The release of the TTS-160 Panther Lite introduces an innovative Comfort Balancing system designed to enhance your viewing comfort during extended stargazing sessions. By incorporating a smart back-balancing mechanism and easily adjustable counterweights, this system keeps your eyepiece height consistent, no matter where your telescope is pointed in the sky.
HOW IT WORKS
- The back-balancing system minimizes the eyepiece height variation, keeping it within a manageable range even when viewing objects high overhead.
- Adjustable counterweights allow for fine-tuning balance based on heavy eyepieces, binoviewers, or finder scopes.
- A two-axis balancing system ensures smooth operation and perfect control at any altitude.
With Comfort Balancing, you can focus more on the stars and less on adjusting your setup. The result? Longer, more enjoyable observing sessions without strain or hassle.
Experience the freedom of a mount that truly adapts to your needs.
SMOOTH MANUAL OPERATION
The TTS-160 Panther Lite is crafted for astronomers who appreciate hands-on control. Its smooth manual operation offers a truly intuitive and precise experience, allowing you to effortlessly guide your telescope across the night sky.
The key to the mount’s smooth manual operation is the adjustable slide clutches and an innovative two-axis balancing system, which work together to provide fluid, jerk-free motion. Whether you’re trying to track a faint deep-space object or the intricate details of a lunar crater, the Panther Lite responds smoothly to your touch.
What makes it exceptional:
- Adjustable Clutches: Fine-tune the resistance for both altitude and azimuth, ensuring optimal movement with minimal effort.
- Two-Axis Balancing System: Maintain perfect balance regardless of your telescope’s orientation, keeping motion seamless and predictable.
With the TTS-160 Panther Lite, you stay connected to the sky through the pure, uncomplicated joy of manual operation.
ADJUSTABLE SLIDE CLUTHES
The mount has adjustable slide clutches on both the altitude and azimuth axes. These clutches give you the flexibility to fine-tune the resistance to match your preferred level of control:
- Light Settings for Smooth Motion: Set the clutches lightly to achieve feather-touch movements, allowing you to track objects smoothly, even at high magnifications. Combined with the unique counter weight system the performance is perfect.
- Independent Altitude lock handle: When installing the telescope and when changing heavy accessories it is possible to lock the Altitude axle. This gives a good safety and by having the lock on an individual handle the clutch settings can be left unchanged to keep the smoothest movement.
NO ELECTRONIC HASSLE
In an era dominated by screens, cables, and complicated setups, the TTS-160 Panther Lite offers a refreshing return to simplicity. Designed for visual astronomers who want to focus on the stars—not technology—this mount delivers a pure, uncomplicated observing experience.
With the Panther Lite, there are no electronics, no tangled cables, and no need for power sources. You’re free to set up your mount anywhere, from your backyard to the most remote dark-sky location, without worrying about batteries, chargers, or device compatibility.
Key Benefits of No Electronics:
- Instant Setup: No apps, configurations, or calibrations—just attach your telescope and start observing.
- Freedom from Power Sources: Leave the batteries and extension cords behind; the Panther Lite is always ready to go, no matter where you are.
- No Technical Glitches: Forget about software updates, connection errors, or malfunctions—manual operation is reliable and frustration-free.
- Focus on the Sky: Without screens or controls, your attention stays where it belongs: on the wonders of the universe.
No screens, no electronics—just you and the cosmos.
LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMPACT
The TTS-160 Panther Lite is the perfect companion for astronomers who need performance on the go. Weighing just 7 kg (15.4 lbs), this mount offers impressive load capacity without the bulk of traditional mounts. Whether you’re setting up in your backyard or travelling to remote dark-sky sites, the Panther Lite makes portability effortless.
PREMIUM ENGINEERING IN A COMPACT FORM
Built with Danish craftsmanship, the Panther Lite maintains a sleek, durable structure without unnecessary bulk. Its folding pier compatibility and versatile mounting options ensure that you have a stable platform wherever your adventures take you.
The Panther Lite is designed for astronomers who refuse to compromise on quality or convenience. Lightweight, compact, and powerful—it’s a mount that keeps up with your passion for exploration.
Travel light. Observe big. The TTS-160 Panther Lite is ready for wherever the sky calls you.
ENCODERS
The TTS-160 Panther Lite is a manual mount at heart, but for those who crave a touch of modern technology, the built-in encoders provide a seamless way to boost your observing experience. These high-resolution encoders provide the ability to connect to a smartphone for guidance, making it easier than ever to locate and observe celestial objects with confidence.
- High-Resolution Accuracy:
The encoders provide an resolution of 80,000 pulses per rotation, delivering pointing accuracy of to 15 arcseconds per pulse. - Real-Time Object Location:
With the encoders, you can easily determine the exact position of your telescope and see what you’re observing in real-time. - Smartphone Integration:
Connect seamlessly with your smartphone or tablet using apps like SkySafari and a Wi-Fi adapter (such as the Nexus II). Effortlessly navigate to objects with on-screen guidance. - No Sacrifice to Manual Freedom:
Even with encoders installed, you retain full manual control of the mount. No motors, no fuss—just enhanced precision when you need it. - Easy Setup:
The encoders are pre-installed and ready to use, making it simple to add digital precision without complicated configurations.
HANDMADE DANISH DESIGN
The Original Panther was envisioned and built by Niels Haagh, owner of Track The Stars, a sturdy yet compact and beautiful design, built to last. Now with the latest model the TTS-160 Lite Panther, the design has been refined and improved, with new features, lower weight, and much more.
| Weight | The mount head weights 7 kg |
|---|---|
| Materials | Aluminum - Anodized black and silver, Stainless steel, Plastic cover. |
| Telescope Capacity | Side mounted: 1x28kg or 2x20kg, Topmounted: 1x25kg (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 are installed on both axis. They have 79888 Encoder pulses per revolution. This is equivalent to 16 arcsec per pulse. |
| Encoder connector | The RJ45 connector has a wiring matching the Nexus DSC units from Astro Devises. A standard Ethernet cable can be used for the connection. |
| Tripod, Pier Interface | The mount head attaches to the adapter with 6 pcs M5 finger screws. Adapters for the TTS 160 Panther folding pier is available as well a an adapter for 3/8" 16tpi attachment |
| Counterweight arms | The mount head comes with two counterweight arms in Natural Anodized Aluminium. These can be installed for top mounted telescopes or installed for Eyepiece comfort balancing of side mounted telescopes. |
| 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. |
CONTACT US
If you have a question regarding the TTS-160 Lite Panther Mount, placing an order, specifications regarding the mount, or something else. Then feel free to contact us. We are here to support and guide you through the process of finding the perfect telescope mount for you.
Track The Stars is a small Danish telescope mount producer. The telescope mounts are designed and handbuilt in Denmark and made of high-quality materials. The mounts include the TTS-160 Panther Lite Telescope Mount, TTS-160 Panther Original Telescope Mount, and the larger TTS-300 Mammoth Observatory Telescope Mount.
