Orion 9481 User Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Orion® TeleTrack AZ-G™
Altazimuth GoTo Mount
#9481
¼"-20 L-bracket
Altazimuth Fork Arm Head
Hand Controller
Tripod
Figure 1: The TeleTrack AZ-G Altazimuth GoTo Mount
Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975
Customer Support (800)-676-1343
E-mail: support@telescope.com
Corporate Offices (831)‑763‑7000
89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076
IN 348 Rev. A 11/08
Congratulations on your purchase of a quality Orion product. Your new TeleTrack AZ-G Altazimuth
GoTo Mount allows high performance support for terrestrial or astronomical observations. The TeleTrack
AZ-G is an “altazimuth” type of mount which can move in both altitude (up and down) and azimuth (left
and right) with respect to the ground. Designed for use during day or night, your TeleTrack AZ-G mount
features a smooth altazimuth fork arm head, adjustable tripod, and multi-function hand controller for
convenient operation.
The TeleTrack AZ-G Altazimuth GoTo Mount is designed for small telescopes, spotting scopes and cameras. The weight of the instrument supported by the mount should not exceed 9 lbs. The mount will also
work best with short tube optical systems no longer than 15" (380mm).
This precision mount will locate and automatically slew to thousands of fascinating celestial denizens
including the planets of our solar system, our Moon, galaxies, nebulae, stars, and star clusters. With a
little practice, you’ll find that the TeleTrack AZ-G Mount is an invaluable tool for getting the most out of
your astronomical observing sessions.
These instructions will help you set up and properly use your TeleTrack AZ-G mount. Please read them
over thoroughly before getting started. It may take a few observing sessions to become familiar with
all the features of the TeleTrack AZ-G mount, so keep this manual handy until you have mastered your
mount’s operation.
Table of Contents
1. Parts List..................................... 2
2. Assembly .................................... 2
3. Powering the TeleTrack AZ-G Mount................ 4
4. Attaching a Telescope or Camera.................. 4
5. The TeleTrack AZ-G Hand Controller ............... 5
6. Aligning the TeleTrack AZ-G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
7. Care and Cleaning ............................. 9
8. Technical Specifications ........................ 10
9. Appendices.................................. 12
1. Parts List
Qty. Description
1 Hand controller
1 Hand controller cable
1 Adjustable tripod
1 Fork arm
1 L-bracket with ¼"-20 adapter
1 Computer Interface cable
1 Hand controller bracket
2. Assembly
The TeleTrack AZ-G Mount comes partially assembled and
can become operational in a matter of minutes. It is packaged
in one reusable shipping carton. Remove all parts from the
box. Make sure all the parts listed In Section 1 are present.
Remember to save all the shipping containers so that they
can be used to transport the mount. In the unlikely event that
you need to return the mount, you must use the original packaging.
Refer to Figures 1, 2, and 3 during assembly.
1. Remove the tripod from its box. Note that each leg has
two telescoping sections. To extend each leg, loosen the
leg lock lever by rotating it counterclockwise, then extend
the leg. When it has been extended to the desired length,
rotate the leg lock lever clockwise until tight. Before placing
an instrument on the mount, it is a good idea to press down
on the tripod to make sure the legs are locked securely
and will not give way under the instrument’s weight.
2. The TeleTrack AZ-G’s tripod has a wide stance for
enhanced stability. The widest stance is achieved when
the leg brace is as far down as it will go on the elevator
shaft housing. The leg brace lock knob should be tightened to secure the stance.
If you are using the tripod in a confined space, the stance
can be narrowed by loosening the leg brace lock knob and
pushing the legs closer together. Re-tighten the lock knob
to secure the legs in the new position. Be aware that the
tripod will become more prone to tipping as its stance is
narrowed. Be very careful when mounting an instrument
with an offset, or unwieldy, center of gravity on the tripod,
especially if it begins to approach the 9 lb. weight limit.
3. With the tripod secure, the fork arm can be easily attached
using the 3/8"-16 threaded post on top of the tripod mounting platform. There is also a 3mm socket-head cap screw
on the underside of the mounting platform that helps to
lock the fork arm in place. Loosen, but do not remove,
this allen-screw so that the fork arm will not contact the
lock-screw while attaching the head. Hold the fork arm so
its circular base is facing downward and place it on the
3/8"-16 threaded post gently. Rotate the entire fork arm
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3/8"-16
Threaded Post
Elevator Shaft
Hinged
Hand Crank
Dovetail
Lock
Knob
Dovetail
Mount
¼"-20
L-bracket
Leg Brace
Lock Knob
Leg Lock
Levers
Leg Brace
Figure 2: The TeleTrack AZ-G Tripod
assembly clockwise until it threads completely onto the tripod’s 3/8"-16 threaded post, and rests securely on the tripod’s mounting platform. Now tighten the lock-screw from
underneath the mounting platform to provide extra stability
to the assembly.
4. There is a bubble level at the base of the fork arm. To
make the fork arm level, simply adjust each tripod leg up
or down, one at a time, until the bubble rests in the central
black circle of the level. Proper leveling of the tripod will
maximize stability.
5. To raise or lower the TeleTrack AZ-G Mount’s fork arm to
a comfortable height, first loosen the elevator lock knob
on the tripod, then use the hinged hand crank to move
the elevator shaft up or down. Re-tighten the elevator
lock knob to secure the instrument at the new height. The
mount will be most stable when the elevator shaft is not
extended.
6. The TeleTrack AZ-G hand controller cable has a large,
modular connector (RJ-45) and a smaller, modular connector (RJ-12). First, plug the large modular connector
of the hand controller cable into the corresponding jack
on the hand controller (Figure 4a) until it clicks into place.
The smaller jack is used to interface the TeleTrack AZ-G
Bubble Level
Battery
Compartment
Battery
Compartment
Circular Base
Figure 3: The TeleTrack AZ-G GoTo Mount Fork Arm
RJ-45 (to mount)
Figure 4a: Hand controller outlets
Hand Controller Jack
Figure 4b: Connector Ports on the TeleTrack AZ-G GoTo Mount
hand controller with a computer running planetarium software (optional). The 12V power jack on the hand controller allows independent use of the TeleTrack AZ-G hand
controller. This is helpful for users who wish to browse the
object database or when performing firmware upgrades.
7. Attach the other end of the connector into the jack labeled
“HC” on the TeleTrack AZ-G mount head (Figure 4b).
The TeleTrack AZ-G hand controller allows direct access
to all of the user-friendly motion controls of the mount and
RJ-12 (to PC)
Aux. Jack
Latch
12V DC power jack
12V DC
IN
12V DC
OUT
Power Switch
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a database with a wide range of preset objects. The hand
controller display is backlit for comfortable viewing. Make
sure not to confuse the “HC” jack with the “AUX” jack. The
“AUX” jack is not used for normal operation of the mount.
Note: Do not attempt ot reposition the altitude or azimuth
of the mount by hand! Doing so can damage the gears
and motors within the mount.
3. Powering the TeleTrack
AZ-G Mount
The TeleTrack AZ-G mount can be powered by 8 AA batteries,
an optional 12V DC power supply, or an optional AC adapter.
Powering by AA Batteries
For maximum portability, the TeleTrack AZ-G mount features a
battery compartment that holds eight (8) AA alkaline batteries
(user supplied). To open the compartment, press down on the
black battery compartment latch (see Figure 3) and gently lift
the cover off. You will find two separate battery holders that
hold 4 AA batteries each. For easiest installation, detach each
battery holder and insert your AA batteries until each holder
is full. Be sure to orient the batteries as indicated on the battery holder. Reattach the filled battery holders securely using
the snap connectors and close the battery compartment by
pressing its cover down gently until its latch clicks. Power the
TeleTrack AZ-G on by pressing the red on/off switch to the “on”
position.
Powering by External Power Source
Portable Battery
For optimal results, we recommend using a portable rechargeable battery like the Dynamo Pro available from Orion. These
12V DC batteries will power the mount far longer than standard AA batteries. Make sure your rechargeable battery is tip
positive and capable of producing continuous current with a
minimum of 1 amp.
If you are using a portable battery like the Orion Dynamo
Pro, use the Dynamo’s supplied 12V DC power cable (cigarette lighter plug on one end, standard 12V DC power plug
on the other end) to connect the battery to the 12V “DC IN”
(Figure 4b) power jack on the side of the mount. Make sure
the Dynamo’s power switch is in the “off” position when connecting cables. Power the TeleTrack AZ-G on by pressing the
red on/off switch to the “on” position
AC Adapter
In addition, the mount can be powered by an optional AC
adapter rated at 12V DC, 1000mA, tip positive. Plug the adapter cord into the “DC IN” power jack for operation. Power the
TeleTrack AZ-G on by pressing the red on/off switch to the “on”
position.
Power Output
Unlike many mounts in its class, the TeleTrack AZ-G Mount
will provide power output for accessories like digital cameras
Dovetail
Plate
¼"-20
Threaded Post
Foam
Padded base
Tightening
Lever
Knurled Knob
Figure 5: The TeleTrack AZ-G GoTo Mount ¼"-20 L-bracket
or camcorders. It accepts a DC power plug (tip positive) and
provides 12V DC power output. To power a 12V accessory
with the TeleTrack AZ-G, simply plug the accessory’s 12V DC
power cable into the “DC OUT” (Figure 4b) jack on the side of
the mount.
Caution: Never plug an external power supply cord into
the “12V DC OUT” jack accidentally. This may damage the
AA batteries inside the battery compartment, and possibly damage the mount itself.
4. Attaching a Telescope or
Camera
USING THE L-BRACKET
Your TeleTrack AZ-G Mount comes with a convenient L-bracket
(Figure 5) that provides coupling to the mount with the standard ¼"-20 threaded hole found on most cameras, camcorders, and many telescopes.
Attaching an Instrument to the L-bracket
With the foam-padded base of the L-bracket facing upward,
gently place the ¼"-20 threaded hole in your optical instrument onto the ¼"-20 threads on the L-bracket. Turn the black
knurled knob so the ¼"-20 threaded post completely engages
the ¼"-20 threaded hole in your telescope, spotting scope, or
camera. Tighten by rotating the tightening lever on the underside of the L-bracket until secure.
Attaching the L-bracket to the Mount
The L-bracket has a short dovetail plate that slides into the
corresponding dovetail mount on the fork arm. The other section of the L-bracket has a foam-padded base for your telescope or camera.
Insert the dovetail plate of the L-bracket into the dovetail
mount, making sure that it is oriented as shown in Figure 3.
Then tighten the dovetail lock knob until snug.
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Display screen
Mode buttons
Directional buttons
Dual purpose buttons
Scroll buttons
Figure 6: The TeleTrack AZ-G hand controller
5. The TeleTrack AZ-G
Hand Controller
The TeleTrack AZ-G is a precision-engineered alt-azimuth
mount that provides easy, computerized location of thousands
of night sky objects such as planets, nebulae, star clusters,
galaxies, and more for viewing through your telescope. The
TeleTrack AZ-G hand controller and internal dual-axis motors
allow you to automatically point your telescope at a specific
object, or tour the skies with push-button simplicity. The userfriendly menu allows auto-slewing to over 42,900 objects.
Even inexperienced astronomers will find themselves quickly
mastering the variety of features the TeleTrack AZ-G offers in
just a few observing sessions.
Functions of the Hand Controller
There are four main categories of control buttons on the hand
controller (Figure 6):
1. Mode buttons
2. Directional buttons
3. Scroll buttons
4. Dual Purpose buttons
Mode Buttons
The three mode buttons are located at the top of the controller, directly below the LCD display. They include the ESC,
ENTER, and SETUP buttons:
The ESC button is used to escape from a certain command or
go back a level in the menu tree.
The ENTER button is used to select the functions and submenus in the menu tree, and to confirm certain functional
operations.
The SETUP button is a quick hot key that takes you to the
Setup submenu
Directional Buttons
The directional buttons allow the user to have complete
control of the mount at almost any step in operation. These
controls are locked out when the telescope is slewing to an
object. The directional buttons are very helpful when initially
aligning the TeleTrack AZ-G, centering objects in the eyepiece
field of view, and manual guiding. The left and right directional
buttons can also be used to move the text cursor when entering data on the hand controller.
Scroll Buttons
The up and down scroll buttons allow you to scroll up and
down within the menu tree or selections displayed on the
hand controller screen.
Dual Purpose Buttons
The Dual Purpose buttons serve two distinct purposes. They
are used for data entry and as quick reference keys.
TOUR button: Takes you on a preset tour of the best night sky
objects visible
RATE button: Changes the speed of the motors when the
directional buttons are pressed. There are 10 speeds to choose
from, with 0 being the slowest and 9 being the fastest.
UTILITY button: “Hot Key” access to the Utility Functions
menu that provides useful tools in configuring your mount.
USER button: Gives access to up to 25 user-defined coordinates
ID button: Identifies the object the mount is currently pointing
to.
NGC, IC, M, Planet, and Object buttons: Allows direct access
to database of over 42,900 objects.
Initial Setup
1. Turn on the power switch on the mount
2. The initial screen displayed on the hand controller is the
Version Screen. Press ENTER to proceed.
Note: The hand control’s backlit display will become more
dim and the illuminated buttons will turn off if left idle for 30
seconds. Pressing any button will illuminate the display.
3. Enter the telescope’s current latitudinal and longitudinal
position using the numeric keypad and scroll buttons. First
enter the longitudinal coordinate and hemisphere (W or
E), followed by the latitudinal coordinate and hemisphere
(N or S). If you do not know the latitude and longitude
coordinate of your viewing location, consult an atlas or
geographical map of your area. Press ENTER to confirm
your coordinates.
Note: Latitude and longitude coordinates must be entered
in degrees and arcminutes. If your map or atlas gives
coordinates in decimal values (i.e. latitude = 36.95 N) you
must convert into degrees and arcminutes. To do this
simply multiply the decimal value by 60. If your viewing
location is at latitude 36.95 N you would enter a latitude
of 36°57' N [.95x60=57].
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