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Tele Vue Pano-TelePod- Gib Encoder Kit 1

Tele Vue Pano-TelePod- Gib Encoder Kit

by TeleVue
SKU TV-STN-4001
$410.00 USD - $410.00 USD
$410.00 USD
$410.00 USD - $410.00 USD
$410.00 USD
Price Match Policy!
  • Adds Digital Setting Circle (Push-To) capability to compatible mounts
  • High-Resolution 2160-step encoders for precise pointing
  • Compatible with Tele Vue Panoramic, Tele-Pod, and newer Gibraltar mounts
  • Includes all required encoders, wiring, and hardware
  • Enables use with Tele Vue Sky Tour and other DSC computers
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Unlock the Sky with Your Tele Vue Mount

    The Tele Vue Pano-TelePod-Gib Encoder Kit (STN-4001) is the definitive upgrade for adding 'Push-To' digital setting circle capabilities to your Tele Vue alt-azimuth mount. This kit bridges the gap between purely manual observing and computerized object location. It provides the hardware to transform your fluid, intuitive Tele Vue mount into a precision instrument that can pinpoint thousands of celestial objects, all without sacrificing the hands-on feel that makes these mounts a joy to use.

    Designed for seamless integration, this kit allows you to spend less time hunting for faint fuzzies and more time observing them. By pairing your mount with a digital setting circle (DSC) computer like the Tele Vue Sky Tour, you simply perform a quick two-star alignment. After that, the computer will guide you, providing real-time directional cues to push your telescope directly to any object in its database. It’s the perfect balance of technology and traditional observing.

    2160-Step Encoders

    At the heart of the system are two encoders, one for the altitude (vertical) axis and one for the azimuth (horizontal) axis. Each encoder provides 2160 distinct steps, or "ticks," per revolution, translating to a pointing resolution of 0.167 degrees. This level of precision is critical for placing objects in the eyepiece at medium to high magnifications, ensuring that when your DSC reads "zero-zero," your target is waiting for you.

    Custom-Engineered Delrin Housings

    The encoders are protected by robust, custom-machined Delrin housings. These housings serve a dual purpose. First, they shield the sensitive encoder electronics from dew, dust, and accidental bumps in the dark. Second, and more importantly, they provide a precise, no-slip mechanical interface between the encoders and the mount's moving axes. This direct coupling is essential for accurate pointing, as any mechanical play would introduce errors into the system.

    Integrated Wiring for Snag-Free Operation

    Wiring is a single "Y"-cable harness: one large RJ-45 "Ethernet" jack with cables that terminate in two RJ-11 "telephone" jacks labeled "azimuth" and "altitude". The RJ-11 jacks plug into the encoders and the RJ-45 jack into your DSC computer. Attach the DSC computer with hook and loop or a similar detachable fastener, placed so the wires cannot wrap around the mount as it rotates.

    Broad Mount Compatibility for Tele Vue Systems

    This encoder kit is engineered specifically for Tele Vue's lightweight, grab-and-go mounts. It is fully compatible with the Panoramic mount, the Tele-Pod head, and the current Gibraltar HD4 and HD5 heads. The included hardware ensures a perfect fit, turning these already excellent manual mounts into powerful object-locating tools. This targeted design guarantees that the installation is straightforward and the performance is reliable.

    The Power of "Push-To" Astronomy

    Adding encoders to your mount fundamentally changes your observing sessions, especially under light-polluted skies or when hunting for challenging objects. Imagine wanting to view the galaxy M101. Instead of star-hopping through a faint field, your DSC computer guides you, telling you to move "Up 14.2°, Left 35.7°". As you push the scope, the numbers count down, and when they reach zero, the galaxy is in your eyepiece. This system allows you to find and observe dozens of objects in a single night.

    An Honest Limitation: Not a Go-To System

    It is important to understand that this is an encoder kit for "Push-To" functionality, not a motorized "Go-To" system. The kit provides the position information; you provide the motion. This has the significant advantage of requiring no external power for motors, resulting in a lighter, faster, and silent setup. However, it does not offer motorized tracking, so you will still need to manually guide the telescope to follow an object as it moves across the sky.

    Choosing the Right Upgrade for Your Tele Vue Mount

    This kit is the only solution for adding digital setting circles to the Panoramic and Tele-Pod mounts. For Gibraltar mount owners, it's crucial to identify your model.

    • Pano-TelePod-Gib Encoder Kit (STN-4001): This is the correct kit if you own a Panoramic mount, a Tele-Pod mount, or a current Gibraltar HD4 or HD5 mount.
    • Older Gibraltar Mounts: If you have an older Gibraltar mount (pre-2013), you will require a different, specific encoder set. This kit (STN-4001) is not compatible with the older Gibraltar head design.

    This upgrade is for the observer who loves the simplicity and tactile feel of their Tele Vue mount but wants to eliminate the frustration of finding difficult targets. It adds a powerful layer of digital assistance without compromising the core experience of moving a telescope by hand under the stars.

  • What do I need besides this kit to get Push-To functionality?

    You will need a Digital Setting Circle (DSC) computer, such as the Tele Vue Sky Tour or a compatible unit from another manufacturer. The encoder kit provides the position data, and the DSC computer provides the user interface and object database.

    Will this kit fit my older Tele Vue Gibraltar mount?

    No. This STN-4001 kit is specifically for the Panoramic, Tele-Pod, and current Gibraltar HD4 and HD5 mounts. Older Gibraltar mounts require a different encoder kit. Please verify your mount model before purchasing.

    Is installation difficult? Do I need to drill any holes?

    Tele Vue provides set-up instructions for its encoder equipped mounts covering the "Y"-cable connections and DSC computer settings.

    Is this a Go-To kit with motors?

    This is not a Go-To kit. It is a "Push-To" system that tells you where to point your telescope, but you move it manually. It does not include motors and cannot automatically track objects.

    Can I use this encoder kit with a non-Tele Vue DSC computer?

    Use these settings for any DSC computer: Mount-Type Alt-Az or Dobsonian, Encoder Steps / Resolution 2160. Check that your computer accepts the RJ-45 jack and these settings.

  • Product Code STN-4001
    Encoder Resolution 2160 steps per revolution (0.167° per step)
    Mount Compatibility Tele Vue Panoramic, Tele-Pod, and Gibraltar HD4 / HD5 mounts
    DSC Computer Compatibility Tele Vue Sky Tour, other standard DSC computers
    Connector RJ-45 (computer), RJ-11 (encoders)

    • Altitude Encoder Assembly

      × 1

    • Azimuth Encoder Assembly

      × 1

    • "Y"-Cable Harness (RJ-45 to two RJ-11)

      × 1

  • Tele Vue 1-Year Limited Warranty (electronic parts)