The new TTS-160 Panther Lite Telescope Mount is a lightweight, manual Alt-Azimuth mount designed for visual astronomers seeking a balance between portability, stability, and ease of use. Developed as a more compact and simplified version of the original TTS-160 Panther Mount, the Panther Lite retains many of its high-quality engineering features while focusing on manual tracking and ergonomic usability.
In this article you find a complete overview of the mount and at the end of the article, enjoy a video review by Mark Johnston, aka “The Astroguy,” who received a prototype for evaluations.
The TTS-160 Panther Lite Telescope Mount offers high payload capacity, a comfort balancing system, optical encoder compatibility and lightweight design make it one of the most versatile manual Alt-Azimuth mounts on the market. Its unique design allows it to accommodate up to three telescopes either side-mounted or top-mounted. The comfort-focused balancing system allows for 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 the night skies, without worrying about power and connectivity.
TTS-160 Panther Lite Telescope Mount 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.
With the TTS-160 Panther Lite Telescope Mount, you can also mount multiple telescopes at once, avoiding the hassle and risk of switching mid-session. Options include two side-mounted telescopes or one side-mounted and one top-mounted. And the ability of the TTS-160 Lite to mount three telescopes simultaneously – two side-mounted and one top-mounted – offers the ultimate versatility for exploring different perspectives and setups in a single session.
Weighing approximately 7 kg (15.4 lbs.), the Panther Lite is significantly lighter than the motorized version, making it ideal for traveling astronomers who require a quick and effortless setup. The aluminum alloy construction ensures durability without compromising portability, while the tripod legs fold compactly for easy transportation. The mount head is designed for fast assembly without requiring tools, making it an excellent option for both backyard stargazing and remote dark-sky observations.
Unlike its motorized counterpart, the Panther Lite eliminates the need for electronic controls, instead featuring smooth friction-based manual tracking. Users can easily push the telescope in both altitude and azimuth axes with adjustable tension settings, ensuring stable, vibration-free movement even at high magnifications. The precision-engineered bearing system allows for effortless adjustments, making it possible to track celestial objects with remarkable accuracy.
Despite its lightweight design, the TTS-160 Panther Lite maintains a high payload capacity, supporting telescopes up to 20 kg (44 lbs.). This makes it suitable for a wide range of instruments, including large refractors, Newtonians, Schmidt-Cassegrains (SCTs), and Maksutovs. The dual saddle plate system accommodates both Vixen and Losmandy dovetails, enhancing its compatibility with various optical tube assemblies.
One of the standout features of the TTS-160 Panther Lite Telescope Mount is its “Comfort Balancing” system, which allows users to slide the telescope forward or backward to achieve perfect balance without excessive counterweights. 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. This is particularly useful for long refractors, preventing awkward eyepiece positioning while maintaining optimal weight distribution. Additionally, the side-mounted saddle provides a low center of gravity, ensuring maximum stability during use.
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.
The adjustable side clutches allow for the ability to fine-tune the resistance for both altitude and azimuth, ensuring optimal movement with minimal effort. These clutches give you the flexibility to fine-tune the resistance to match your preferred level of control. Set the clutches lightly to achieve feather-touch movements, allowing you to track objects smoothly, even at high magnifications. Combined with the unique counterweight system the performance is perfect.
When installing the telescope and changing heavy accessories, it is possible to lock the altitude axle. This provides a high level of safety against unwanted movement and, by having the lock on an individual handle, the clutch settings can be left unchanged to keep the smoothest movement. The two-axis balancing system provides the ability to maintain perfect balance regardless of your telescope’s orientation, keeping motion seamless and predictable.
Even though the Panther Lite is a manual mount, it is fully compatible with digital setting circles (DSCs) and software like SkySafari via its integrated optical encoders. These encoders enable precise object location, allowing users to find deep-sky objects quickly without motorized tracking. By pairing the mount with a tablet or smartphone, observers can navigate the night sky effortlessly, making it a hybrid solution for those who appreciate both traditional manual control and digital assistance.
For astronomers on the go, the Panther Lite’s compact footprint and quick-setup design make it an attractive option. Unlike equatorial mounts, which require polar alignment, this Alt-Azimuth system is intuitive and quick to operate, making it a hassle-free choice for casual and advanced observers alike. The inclusion of a dedicated carry case adds to its appeal, ensuring that the mount remains protected during transport.
You can learn more about the TTS-160 Panther Lite Telescope Mount here.
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