Tele Vue Gibraltar 5 Mount Head User Manual

Tele vue, Gibraltar5, Mount/head instructions

32 Elkay Dr., Chester, New York 10918 (845) 469-4551

televue.com

Tele Vue

V i s i o n a r y

Parts Check List

(please check various bag for small parts)

•Gibraltar5 Mount Head (with mounting stud) •Wood Tripod (Mount only) •Tray (Mount only)
•Small Parts for head includes: (2) 7/8" Studs for 3" & 4" TVO Ring Mount, (1) 1/8" Allen Key, (1) 5/
64" Allen Key, (2) Plastic Wing Knobs for scope attachment, (1) Large "Star" Lock Knob, (1) Aluminum
"Washer", (2) 1¼" Studs for 3" & 4" TVO Ring Mounts with NP127 baseplate attached, (4) 3/4" Button
head screws for NP127 attachment, (1) 5/32" Allen Key; included bag for optional Eyepiece Caddy
attachment includes: (4) 1" Button head cap screws and (1) 5/32" Allen Key.
Parts for mount include all small parts above plus: (3) Rubber Tipped Studs for tripod legs, (3) Plastic Wing
Knobs for tripod attachment and (6) Leg Extension Lock Knobs
Introduction & Use

Gibraltar5

is an alt-azimuth mount designed for the 5" Tele Vue-NP127 refractor.

The Gibraltar5 Mount Head cradles the telescope at its center of gravity to make operation smooth

and easy. It can also accept the Eyepiece Caddy Set and Sky Tour Computer system.

To achieve smoothest operation it is important to have the telescope properly balanced in its mount

ring and the altitude and azimuth tension knobs providing minimal drag.

The tripod legs can position the cradle height from 38" to 62". The triangular accessory tray adds

extra stability to the tripod.

Gibraltar5 is the ideal travel-friendly mount for quick, convenient terrestrial and astronomical viewing.

Tripod and Head Set-up
1) Installing Foot Studs

Installing Foot Studs

Installing Foot Studs –After removing all packaging material, screw the Foot Studs into the bottom of

the Leg Extensions.
2) Installing Leg Extension Lock Knobs

Installing Leg Extension Lock Knobs

Installing Leg Extension Lock Knobs –Screw Leg Extension Lock Knobs into the metal Leg Clamp bands.

3a) Setting-up on level ground

Setting-up on level ground

Setting-up on level ground –With the tripod upside down, pull the 3 Leg Extensions to the same height

and lock in place with Leg Extension Lock Knobs.
3b) Setting-up on uneven terrain

Setting-up on uneven terrain

Setting-up on uneven terrain – Proceed as above, then install Tray (next step). Extend remaining legs

until head is approximately level. Lock Leg Extension Lock Knobs. Move on to step 5.
NOTE: The mount only needs to be sufficiently levelled so the telescope swings smoothly in any azimuth
orientation.
4) Installing Tray

Installing Tray

Installing Tray – With tripod right side up, spread apart tripod legs. Install Tray with edge lip up. Insert

the stud from one of the hinged Tray Supports through the hole in one corner of the Tray. Secure Tray using
one of the plastic Wing Nuts. (Leave Wing Nut slightly loose to ease installation of the remaining Tray
Support screws.) Mount Tray on the remaining two supports. Tighten all three Wing Nuts after Tray is
in position.
5) Installing Gibraltar5 Mount Head on tripod

Installing Gibraltar5 Mount Head on tripod

Installing Gibraltar5 Mount Head on tripod – Place the long stud on the bottom of the Gibraltar5

Mount Head into the hole in the Tripod head. Slip the 2" washer onto the protruding stud from below.
Thread on the large star-shaped knob and hand tighten to secure the mount head. Note

Note

Note: Mount head

can be moved to a heavy-duty camera tripod by removing the mount stud. Use 5/64" Allen to loosen
lower set screw on Azimuth bearing plate, then unscrew the stud. Normally this set screw is tight to prevent
stud from unscrewing from the head as mount is turned in azimuth.
6) Adjust the azimuth tension knob

Adjust the azimuth tension knob

Adjust the azimuth tension knob until there is a slight amount of tension. Place the cradle in

approximately level position as indicated by the altitude alignment marks (drilled hole on one of the side
altitude bearings, forming two semi-circles). Tighten the vertical tension knobs.
7) Remove the Mounting Plate

Remove the Mounting Plate

Remove the Mounting Plate supplied with the Tele Vue-NP127 from the Mount Ring Set. Fasten the

Mounting Plate to the underside of the Cradle Base Plate using the four ¼-20 button head screws supplied.
Place the NP127 so the studs and guide pins in the rings insert into the corresponding holes in the mounting
plate. Fasten with two Wing Nuts.
8) Mounting other Tele Vue Telescopes

Mounting other Tele Vue Telescopes

Mounting other Tele Vue Telescopes - If you own an NP127, leave the Mounting Plate attached to

the Gibraltar5 Cradle Base Plate. Thread the supplied longer 1¼" studs into the telescope's ring mount.
(If you do not own an NP127, use the shorter 3/4" long studs.) Place the telescope down in the Cradle
so the studs go through the cradle holes. Note: orient telescope so Vertical Tension Knobs are closer to
the telescope's eyepiece end. Fasten in place with plastic Wing Nuts.
9) Loosen Vertical Tension Knobs

Loosen Vertical Tension Knobs

Loosen Vertical Tension Knobs and balance telescope so that Vertical Tension Knobs need very little,

if any, tightening.

*LEAVE WING NUTS ON STUDS WHEN STORING SCOPE IN CASE
TO PREVENT RIPPING OF FOAM LINER

GIBRALTAR5

MOUNT/HEAD INSTRUCTIONS

ARN

Rotating the mount head

while the azim

uth tension knob is tight-

ened could cause the azimuth bearing to unscrew and separate.

NP127 Ring

Plate supplied
with NP127

Fasten NP127
plate
underneath
cradle plate
with four ¼-20
button heads

Wing Nut

Loose Parts in Bags

Mounts get all parts. Heads get parts to right of line.