Tele Vue Gibraltar User Manual

GIBRALTARTM MOUNT/HEAD INSTRUCTIONS

Parts Check List Parts Check List

Parts Check List

Parts Check List Parts Check List

(please check various bag for small parts)

•Gibraltar Mount Head (with mounting stud)

•Wood Tripod •Tray

•Small-Parts Bag includes: (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"

Introduction & Use

TM

Gibraltar

is an alt-azimuth mount 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. 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.

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

for today's well-traveled enthusiast.

Tripod and Head Set-up

Installing Foot Studs Installing Foot Studs

1)

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

Installing Foot Studs Installing Foot Studs

of the Leg Extensions.

Installing Leg Extension Lock KnobsInstalling Leg Extension Lock Knobs

2)

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

Installing Leg Extension Lock KnobsInstalling Leg Extension Lock Knobs

bands.

Setting-up on level groundSetting-up on level ground

3a)

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

Setting-up on level groundSetting-up on level ground

height and lock in place with Leg Extension Lock Knobs.

Setting-up on uneven terrainSetting-up on uneven terrain

3b)

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

Setting-up on uneven terrainSetting-up on uneven terrain
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.

Installing TrayInstalling Tray

4)

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

Installing TrayInstalling Tray
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.

Installing Gibraltar Mount Head on tripodInstalling Gibraltar Mount Head on tripod

5)

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

Installing Gibraltar Mount Head on tripodInstalling Gibraltar Mount Head on tripod
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

Note Note
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.

Adjust the azimuth tension knobAdjust the azimuth tension knob

6)

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

Adjust the azimuth tension knobAdjust the azimuth tension knob
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.

Using the Allen wrenchUsing the Allen wrench

7)

Using the Allen wrench provided, screw the studs into the 2 outer holes of the telescope Mount Ring

Using the Allen wrenchUsing the Allen wrench
until they bottom. (Be careful not to overtighten; Mount Ring is aluminum and threads may strip from
excessive force multiplied by the leverage of the Allen wrench.)

Mounting TelescopeMounting Telescope

8)

Mounting Telescope - Place the telescope down on the Cradle inserting threaded studs in the

Mounting TelescopeMounting Telescope
telescope mounting ring into cradle holes. Note: orient telescope so Vertical Tension Knobs are closer
to the telescope's eyepiece end. Fasten in place with plastic Wing Nuts.

Loosen Vertical Tension KnobsLoosen Vertical Tension Knobs

9)

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

Loosen Vertical Tension KnobsLoosen Vertical Tension Knobs

little, if any, tightening.

Loose Parts in BagLoose Parts in Bag

Loose Parts in Bag

Loose Parts in BagLoose Parts in Bag

Plastic Wing
Knobs for
scope & tray
attachments

5/64"

Allen

Studs for scope
attachment

Leg Extension Lock

Knobs

Aluminum
"Washer"

Large "Star"
Lock Knob

Studs for
tripod legs

Key

1/8"
Allen
Key

Rotating the mount head

G:

and separate.

IN

WARN

while the azimuth tension knob is tight-

ened could cause the azimuth bearing to

unscrew

*LEAVE WING NUTS ON STUDS WHEN STORING SCOPE IN CASE
TO

PREVENT RIPPING OF FOAM LINER

®

Tele Vue

Visionary

32 Elkay Dr., Chester, New York 10918 [phone] televue.com