Tele Vue Encoder-Equipped Gibraltar HD5 Alt-Az Mount

An inch wider and overall sturdier than their venerable Tele-Pod head, this Gibraltar head is similarly configured as a dual-fork yoke mount that cradles your OTA at its center of balance for smooth pan/tilt motion with reduced vibrations. The unique design allows the OTA to move through a wide -12 to 80° altitude range-from below the horizon (such as viewing from a hilltop) all the way close to the zenith. A scope-stop helps to prevent damage if the objective end nosedives down. The addition of the encoders on the mount head allow you to use your digital setting circles (DSCs) or computer to show you where objects are and provide real-time mount position as you move the telescope to points of interest.

Supporting the mount head is a beautifully crafted tripod. Made of ash wood with a clear varnish finish that brings out the grain, the tripod offers a solid and steady platform with natural vibration suppression. At the top of the tripod is a mini-pier that provides additional height without sacrificing stability or strength and gives you an adjustable height range from 3.5 to 5 feet. A matching wood accessory tray holds extra gear and helps improve stability and vibration suppression.

Mount Head

• Manual alt-azimuth mount
• Heavy-duty design is 1 wider and sturdier than the standard Tele-Pod head to handle heavier loads and larger-aperture telescopes up to 5
• Dual-fork yoke configuration
• Cradle design sits OTA at mount s center of balance for smooth pan/tilt motion with reduced vibrations
• Installed digital encoder kit automatically keeps track of head s movement and position after initial alignment for use with user-provided digital setting circles (DSCs) or computer
• Encoder: 2160 steps at 0.167° /step (10 arcminute/step)
• Mount altitude adjustment range: -12 to 80°

• Custom tripod is made of ash wood with natural vibration suppression properties
• Built-in pier adds extra height for more comfortable viewing regardless of position and allows the OTA to be aimed at or near the zenith without hitting the tripod
• Adjustable height from 42 to 60 accommodates a variety of users and viewing positions
• Markings on each leg for repeatable setting to preferred heights
• Matching wood accessory tray ties the legs together for stability and additional vibration suppression
• Metal ground spikes with rubber tips provide added stability on soft ground
• Integrated bubble level