Altitude Bearings

Bearing surfaces of Teflon and textured laminate insure precise altitude motion. The Teleport moves smoothly and stays put. 

A damping screw on each altitude bearing adjusts tension.

Azimuth Bearing

The triangular ground board features three delrin feet which support three teflon pads. The teflon pads ride on the Ebony Star ring for  precise, balanced azimuth motion.

Cover

The custom-made, insulated, reflective cover provides protection in storage and transport and provides access to carrying handles

It folds and stores on the Teleport during use.

Finder

The Rigel Systems Unit-power finder clips on and projects 1/2° and 2° red circles for intuitive object location. 

It offers variable brightness, adjustable blinking and easy alignment. 

The finder clips off and stores on the secondary cage when the Teleport is closed. 

Focuser

The Starlight Instruments Feathertouch is the best dual-speed Crayford focuser there is. The silky fine focus falls right under your thumb as you guide the Teleport. 

Nine-Point Mirror Cell

A unique, compact, lightweight nine-point primary mirror cell cradles the thin, precise mirror and collimates easily. The mirror is captured by three posts and supported by a sling across the mirror edge. This gentle support minimizes stress on the mirror, preserving its optical excellence.

The three white knobs are the collimation screws, each supporting a triangular platform attached to the mirror back. The cell also includes attachment points for up to 6 counterweights to balance heavy eyepieces, and a center fan to cool the back of the mirror.

For sharp, steady images sooner, recent research has shown that cooling the front of a large mirror is even more important than cooling the back. It is also more difficult, which is why it may be a 14.5" Teleport exclusive. 

It's done by a unique "air knife." Two fans pressurize a plenum, as shown below.

Three dozen of small holes direct the air across the front of the primary mirror and out ports on the opposite side. Looking through the outlet ports you can see the row of small holes in the plenum.

A sliding cover keeps dust out when the cooling system is not in use.

Power Supply

Eight C-cells provide power for several nights of viewing, and are easily replaced.

Switches control the mirror fan and dew removal heaters for the secondary mirror and eyepieces.

Spider and Secondary

The advanced Protostar spider provides for easy  collimation with the included hex wrench. It has wireless dew removal heat controlled by a switch on the seconday cage.

The 2.6" eliptical flat secondary mirror minimizes obstruction. It has an enhanced aluminum coating.

Light Shroud

The light shroud, of lycra-spandex fabric, passes air while shielding stray light. It stays in place, opening and closing automatically with the telescope.

The internal rings support the shroud and act as light baffles for superior contrast.

Strut Clamps 

 The key to rapid setup is that the strut extend and lock rigidly by use of strut clamps, three per strut.

Transport Wheels

Pneumatic wheels easily attach and detach by hand, and make transportation easier for one person, open or closed.   A vertical lock lets you tilt the Teleport up onto its wheels and lead it with one hand.