The TTS-160 Panther Pro is a hybrid Alt-Az telescope mount that seamlessly combines true manual observing with fully motorised precision. You can move the telescope freely by hand at any time, and the moment you let go, the mount immediately tracks the object, no mode switching, no disruption. Built on the Panther Lite platform, the Panther Pro offers accurate GoTo, Wi-Fi and app control, and advanced alignment options, making it perfect for the visual observer.
FEATURE LIST
The Panther Pro lets you control your mount how you want it. Move the telescope manually or motorised, while keeping tracking. No switching between modes.
Built to adapt to your observing style, the Panther Pro supports flexible setups and grows with you as your interests evolve.
Every aspect of the Panther Pro is engineered for visual astronomy, built on an Alt-Az Platform, with smooth movement, and intuitive controls.
The Panther Pro supports the Comfort Balancing system, keeping eyepiece height nearly constant across the sky for relaxed, ergonomic observing.
Thanks to its Alt-Az design and drive system, the Panther Pro can track smoothly without requiring counterweights for typical visual setups.
Can carry upto 40kg while only weighing 10kg, all while remaining compact and portable, so high payload never comes at the cost of mobility.
The Panther Pro redefines what a telescope mount can be, by seamlessly combining true manual freedom with motorised tracking. Move the telescope naturally by hand to explore the sky, and the moment you let go, the mount automatically tracks your target.
With a 5 degrees per second fast slewing speed, and high resolution optical encoders (79888 CPR, 15 arcsec) the Panter Pro is the perfect hybrid between a motorised and manual mount.
The Panther Pro can be used as a full manual mount. Using the clutches on the side, you can adjust exactly how smooth you want the mount to move.
No power is needed when using the mount manually.
You move the telescope directly by hand, feeling the sky rather than commanding it through buttons or screens.
GoTo and tracking are instantly available via the handpad, SkySafari, or your preffered astronomy software. Start a GoTo, swing the telescope towards the object, and let the mount complete the final positioning, locking onto the object.
The mount always knows where it is, so tracking resumes immediately, and smoothly after being moved.
The Panther Pro is built to let you shape your setup around how you observe not the other way around. It is designed to support a wide range of observing styles and configurations.
Light or heavy telescopes, visual observing, EAA, outreach sessions, or mixed-use configurations, the Panther Pro adapts with ease.
With high payload capacity, flexible mounting options, and compatibility with a broad ecosystem of accessories, the mount grows with you as your interests evolve.
The Panther Pro supports side-mounted telescopes on either side or top-mounted configurations, as well as multi-telescope setups.
Its payload capacity is 1 × 28 kg or 2 × 20 kg side-mounted, and 1 × 25 kg top-mounted. Note that large-diameter and long OTAs place higher mechanical demands on the mount and should be considered when configuring your setup.
The mount includes an adapter for the TTS-160 Panther Folding Pier and flat-top tripods with a 3/8″ 16tpi center thread. It integrates easily with 3rd party accessories, piers, TTS-counterweights, and the broader Track The Stars ecosystem.
Most of your accesories from your Panther Lite and Panther Original can be used interchangeably with the Panther Pro.
An integrated Raspberry Pi 4B serves as the mount’s control computer, supporting ASCOM and Alpaca interfaces for PC integration. Built-in Wi-Fi allows control through SkySafari and similar astronomy apps. You are free to choose the workflow and software environment that fits your observing style.
The Panther Pro is created for and by visual observers. You can move the telescope freely by hand, and the moment you let go, it tracks the object automatically. Every aspect of the mount has been engineered and tested to create a mount that improves the visual observing experience.
The Panther Pro is fully compatible with the Comfort Balancing system. By shifting the centre of mass closer to the altitude axis, eyepiece height change is significantly reduced. This results in a more relaxed posture and greater comfort during long observing sessions.
Setup is intentionally simple and fast. Place the mount on the tripod or pier, point the telescope south and horizontal, and power on. From there, you can immediately start observing.
The Panther Pro is built on a true Alt-Az platform optimised for ergonomic observing. The eyepiece remains in a natural orientation across the sky, and the mount stays compact and stable. It is intuitive to use and mechanically direct.
There is no meridian flip when crossing the south. The telescope maintains its orientation from east to west. Observing remains continuous and comfortable throughout the night.
Polar alignment is not required. The Alt-Az design eliminates time consuming mechanical adjustments before observing. For higher GoTo precision, a quick one- or two-star alignment is all that is needed.
When a deepsky object has been centred in the telescope, the mount allows you to lock onto that deepsky object. Making tracking and exploring the night sky easier and more enjoyable. Perfect for outreach.
The Panther Pro is fully compatible with the Track The Stars Comfort Balancing system, the same solution used on the TTS-160 Panther Lite.
Comfort Balancing allows you to configure the mount so the telescope’s centre of mass stays close to the altitude axis. The result is a dramatic reduction in eyepiece height changes as you move across the sky, making observing more relaxed and comfortable, especially when targeting objects at high elevation.
The Panther Pro does not assume counterweights are required.
Many visual observing setups can be run entirely without counterweights, resulting in a lighter, faster, and more direct experience at the telescope. Fewer parts. Less mass. Less to carry, assemble, and manage.
The Panther Pro carries up to ~40 kg of payload (depending on configuration) while the mount head itself weighs only 10 kg, delivering true observatory-grade capacity in a form that remains practical to transport, set up, and use night after night.
When purchasing a TTS-160 Panther Pro Mount Head, the following items will be included in your order.
The Panther Pro is shaped not only by engineering decisions, but by an active community of experienced observers who use the mount in real conditions and share how it performs in the field. Feedback from visual observers, EAA users, and outreach astronomers directly influences refinements, features, and firmware direction.
This ongoing dialogue matters. It means practical issues are identified early, real observing habits are understood, and improvements are driven by how the mount is actually used, not by assumptions made at a desk.
You’re not buying into a closed system. You’re joining a knowledgeable, engaged group of observers who help ensure the Panther Pro evolves alongside the people who use it under the night sky.
| Mount | Panther Pro | Panther Lite | Panther Original |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 10 kg | 7 kg | 15 kg |
| Type | Alt-Az Hybrid Mount | Alt-Az Manual Mount | Alt-Az Motorised Mount |
| Finish | Black anodised | Black anodised | Black anodised |
| Materials | Aluminium – anodised black and silver, bronze gears, Stainless steel, Plastic covers. | Aluminium – Anodised black and silver, stainless steel, plastic cover. | Aluminium – anodised black. |
| Manual Operation | Adjustable clutches allow for ultra smooth manual movement. | Adjustable clutches allow for ultra smooth manual movement. | No manual movement possible. |
| Azimuth Drive | Strain wave gear size 20. | No drive. | Ø100mm bronze worm gear drive combined with second stage friction roller gear. Spring-loaded worm assembly for zero backlash. |
| Altitude Drive | Bronze Worm gear 120mm diameter, Backlash free Spring loaded worm assembly. | No drive. | Bronze Worm gear 120mm diameter, Backlash free Spring loaded worm assembly. |
| Drive Motors | DC servo motors with encoders on both axles. | No motors. | DC servo motors with encoders on both axles. (c step size) |
| Power Supply Needed | 12 V DC 3A | None | 12V 3A battery |
| Power Consumption | Tracking: 0.9A Goto: 1.5A | None | Tracking: 1.0A Goto: 1.5A |
| Control Computer | Integrated Raspberry Pi Model 4B | None | Micro controller |
| Slew Speed | 5 degrees per second. | Manual. | 3 degrees per second. |
| 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). | 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). | 22 kg on Topmount / 2×15 kg on side mount dovetail saddles – depending on telescope length and weight distribution. |
| Object Catalog | Planets, Messier Catalog, NGC Catalog, IC catalog, Bright Star Catalog | None | Planets, Messier Catalog, NGC Catalog, IC catalog, Bright Star Catalog |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi hotspot, USB | Optional wifi box | USB |
| PC and Software Interface | ASCOM, Alpaca | None | LX200/ASCOM Interface |
| Alignment Method | 1-star or 2-star alignment. Assistance for alignment star selection. Controlled by Handpad, Ascom or Alpaca (Wifi). | None | 1-star or 2-star alignment. |
| App Compatability | SkySafari and similar control apps | Skysafari via optional wifi box | Skysafari via optional wifi box |
| Autoguider Port | None. Uses Pulse Guide via Ascom/Alpaca. | None | ST4 compatible port. |
| Firmware | User updateable firmware. | None | The internal firmware is stored inside the mount head and can be updated by the user via the PC interface. |
| Dovetail Saddle Bolt Pattern | M8 thread in diamond shape 35mm between holes. M6 Thread in linear pattern distance 60mm and 100mm. | M8 thread in diamond shape 35mm between holes. M6 Thread in linear pattern distance 60mm and 100mm. | Top saddle Dual Vixen/Losmandy size. |
| Telescope Mounting Configurations | Side-mounted (either side), top-mounted, multi-telescope. | Side-mounted (either side), top-mounted, multi-telescope. | Side-mounted (either side), top-mounted, multi-telescope. |
| Encoders | Optical encoders with resolution: 79888 CPR (15 arcsec) | Optical encoders with resolution: 79888 CPR (15 arcsec) | None |
| Encoder Connector | – | The RJ45 connector has a wiring matching the Nexus DSC units from Astro Devises. | – |
| Tripod / Pier Interface | Adapter for the TTS 160 Panther folding pier or flat top tripods is included. 3/8″ 16tpi center thread. | Adapter for the TTS 160 Panther folding pier or flat top tripods is included. 3/8″ 16tpi center thread. | Adapter for the TTS 160 Panther folding pier. |
| Axle Clutches | Both axles are equipped with an adjustable slide clutch. These can be fine tuned to achieve perfect smooth movement. | Both axles are equipped with an adjustable slide clutch. These can be fine tuned to achieve perfect smooth movement. | None |
| Accessory Tray | Mounting holes for optional trays for Phones or Eyepieces, etc. | Mounting holes for optional trays for Phones or Eyepieces, etc. | None |
| Comfort Balancing Compatible | Yes | Yes | No |
If you have a question regarding the TTS-160 Panther Pro, 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.
