Tele Vue Gibraltar Sky Tour Mount User Manual

Tele vue, Gibraltar, Sky tour mount 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 bags for small parts)

•Gibraltar Mount Head (with mounting stud and altitude / azimuth encoders)
•Wood Tripod •Tray
•Eyepiece Caddy Set [with (4) ¼"-20 button head screws & (4) Thumb Knobs attached and
(2) 2"-1¼" Caddy Inserts installed]
•Sky Tour Caddy Plate •Sky Tour Computer [with (1) 9V Battery]
•Sky Tour Operating Guide, Sky Tour Database, & Harrington Field Guide
•Small-Parts Bags include: (1) Pigtail Wiring Harness, (1) Wiring Harness Junction box, (1)
Velcro strip for Junction box, (3) Rubber Tipped Studs for tripod legs, (2) Studs for scope
attachment, (1) 1/8" Allen Key, (1) 5/64" Allen Key, (5) Plastic Wing Knobs for scope and
tray attachments, (6) Leg Extension Lock Knobs, (1) Large "Star" Lock Knob, (1) Aluminum
"Washer", (2) #10-32 button head screws for Sky Tour Caddy Plate attachment, (1) 1/8" Allen
for Caddy Plate attachment, (2) Velcro strips for Sky Tour attachment

Introduction & Use

The alt-azimuth mount Gibraltar

with Eyepiece Caddy Set and Sky Tour Computer system

is designed for all Tele Vue refractors 4" and smaller in aperture.

The Gibraltar Mount Head cradles the telescopes at their centers of gravity to make operation

smooth and easy.

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.

Gibraltar is ideal for terrestrial and astronomical viewing, even at high powers. It's wonderful

for today's well-traveled enthusiast.

Tripod, Head and Sky Tour 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 Gibraltar Mount Head on tripod

Installing Gibraltar Mount Head on tripod

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

Gibraltar 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 other Tele Vue tripods or camera tripods 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) Caddy Set Installation

Caddy Set Installation

Caddy Set Installation – Attach each Caddy bracket by passing the screws through the

clearance holes in the yoke arms and fixing the thumb knob tight. The angled edge will match
the arms, so that when viewing from the telescope eyepiece position, the three 1¼" holes will be
on the left side, while the two 2" holes with removable 1¼" plastic plugs will be to your right.
*LEAVE WING NUTS ON STUDS WHEN STORING SCOPE IN CASE TO PREVENT
RIPPING OF FOAM LINER.

GIBRALTAR

/ SKY TOUR MOUNT INSTRUCTIONS

ARNING:

Rotating the mount head

while the azimuth tension knob is tight- ened could cause the azimuth bearing to unscrew and separate.

Leg Extension Lock

Knobs

Studs for

tripod legs

Plastic Wing

Knobs for

scope & tray

attachments

Wiring

Junction

Box

Velcro

strips for

Junction

box

Pigtail

Wiring

Harness

Studs for scope

attachment

1/8"

Allen

Key

5/64"

Allen

Key

Velcro strips for Sky

Tour attachment

1/8" Allen Key

#10-32

button head

screws

Aluminum "Washer"

Large "Star"

Lock Knob

Packed with Caddy Plate

Loose Parts in Bags