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Accessories for Alt-Azimuth Telescopes

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Meade Dobsonians
Train-N-Track (TNT)
TNT and LightBridge Combo
Transporter Storage Kit
Counterweights


Astro-Tech Voyager Mount
Train-N-Track (TNT)

Vixen Porta Mount
Train-N-Track (TNT)

Accessories for TNT
Rechargeable Battery (old version)

Related Products

Wheeley Bars
 
Information Index

What is Train-N-Track?

What is an Alt-Az Mount?

What is a Transport Storage Kit?

Customer Comments

Questions (FAQs)
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Alt-Azimuth Accessory Products

 
Train-N-Track
Motor Drive
for
Meade LightBridge Dobsonian 8"



TNTLB8
$489
Purchase from Farpoint
Train-N-Track
Motor Drive
for
Meade LightBridge Dobsonian 10"



TNTLB10
$499

Purchase from Farpoint
Train-N-Track
Motor Drive
for
Meade LightBridge Dobsonian 12"



TNTLB12
$499

Purchase from Farpoint
Train-N-Track
Motor Drive
for
Meade LightBridge Dobsonian 16"



TNTLB16
$519
Purchase from Farpoint
Train-N-Track™ Motor Drive for Meade LightBridge

Meade LightBridge Dobsonian 8" / 10" / 12" / 16"

The Train-N-Track (TNT) system is a basic alt-azimuth motor drive system with adjustable or trainable tracking.  A simple 30-second training procedure allows the scope to track for 10 minutes or more.

The TNT motor drive system includes adjustable speeds on both axes, high speed centering and one-touch re-positioning of the altitude tangent arm.  (Current data indicates that the TNT slews the LightBridge 12" at about 7x to 8x.)  The azimuth friction drive also allows you to move the telescope around by hand without unlocking any clutches.  You just let go and the drive takes over.  With a little practice, objects can be kept in the eyepiece for 10 minutes or more.  Power comes from a battery pack with 8 AA batteries or a 110vAC/60Hz adapter.  Using a 220vAC/50Hz power source will require a converter upgrade (see below).  The current units include an improvement over the original circuitry allowing up to 5 hours of use for four or five nights.

The TNT system does not interface with any other products including our MAX guiding computers.

Installation requires drilling nine small mounting holes (for #4 screws) in the rocker box.  You must supply the LightBridge telescope.  If you wish to include a LightBridge in your purchase from JMI, please see our LightBridge with TNT product below.  Drop-in brackets make removal and re-installation short and simple.


 

A Special Note Regarding
Train-N-Track (TNT) for the
Orion SkyQuest XT

We have had many requests for Train-N-Track for the Orion SkyQuest Dob's.  At this time it doesn't look good because the Orion Dob's don't have a ground board "lazy Susan" mechanism which is required for TNT.  We may need some time to think about a new design.

Jim Burr
President

 

NOTE

In the picture at left, the telescopes are (from left to right) the Meade LightBridge 10", 12" and 16".  All are equipped with the TNT system.

Watch the TNT Installation Video HERE.
Hand Control
Quick-Adjust Altitude Tangent Arm and Motor Assembly
Altitude Motor and Lead Screw Assembly
Spring-Loaded Azimuth Motor Bracket
One of Two Azimuth Motors

 

 
Train-N-Track
Motor Drive
and pre-drilled
Meade LightBridge Dobsonian 10"



LB10TNT
$1,19
9
*
Purchase from Farpoint
Train-N-Track
Motor Drive
and pre-drilled
Meade LightBridge Dobsonian 12"



LB12TNT
$1,499
*
Purchase from Farpoint
Train-N-Track
Motor Drive
and pre-drilled
Meade LightBridge Dobsonian 16"



LB16TNT
$2,519
*
Purchase from Farpoint

Train-N-Track Motor Drive including Pre-drilled Meade LightBridge Telescope

Meade LightBridge Dobsonian 10" / 12" / 16"

This product is a Meade LightBridge Telescope outfitted with a TNT system.  The Train-N-Track (TNT) system is a basic alt-az motor drive system with adjustable or trainable tracking.  A simple 30-second training procedure allows the scope to track for 10 minutes or more.

Click here for more information on the TNT system (above).

Mounting holes have been pre-drilled in the LightBridge rocker box x at no charge to you.  All you need to do is assemble the product.  You will receive three packages from JMI, two boxes holding the LightBridge telescope and one for the Train-N-Track Motor Drive (part of the TNT system may be assembled on the LightBridge).

* Telescope prices do NOT include Shipping and Handling Charges.  The online order processing system allows you to request a shipping quote which you must then approve before the product is shipped.  Prices are subject to change based on telescope price changes from Meade.

NOTE

In the picture at left, the telescopes are (from left to right) the Meade LightBridge 10", 12" and 16".  All are equipped with the TNT system.

 

 
Transporter Kit
Deluxe Version
Meade
LightBridge 10" / 12" / 16"



TKLBDLX
$179

Purchase from Farpoint
Transporter Kit
Standard Version
Meade
LightBridge 8" / 10" / 12" / 16"



TKLBSTD
$99

Purchase from Farpoint
Nose Tabs ONLY
Meade
LightBridge 8" / 10" / 12" / 16"



BRKTLBNT
$49

Purchase from Farpoint
Transporter Storage Kit for Meade LightBridge

Meade LightBridge 8" / 10" / 12" / 16"

This kit solves two problems:
  1) Adds counterweights for offsetting heaving equipment at the eyepiece (DELUXE VERSION ONLY)
  2) Aids in compacting/packaging the scope for transportation to another location

The DELUXE Transporter Storage Kit Includes:
  1) One Truss-Rod Holder for securing the truss rods to the rocker box
  2) Three Nose Tabs for securing the nose assembly directly to the mirror tub
  3) Two Dual-weight Counterweight Clips for counterbalancing heavy equipment (total approx. 4 lbs)
  The DELUXE version fits the 10", 12" and 16" (NOT the 8") LightBridge

The STANDARD Transporter Storage Kit Includes:
  1) One Truss-Rod Holder for securing the truss rods to the rocker box
  2) Three Nose Tabs for securing the nose assembly directly to the mirror tub
  The STANDARD version fit the 8", 10", 12" and 16" LightBridge

NOTE

The picture at left shows a LightBridge 10" with the Truss-Rod Holder installed and the nose assembly attached to the mirror tub via Nose Tabs.

The DELUXE VERSION Transporter Kit includes the same Counterweights (part number CWLB) listed below.  With each Counterweight Clip one of the two weights can be removed.
Nose Tabs (locking the nose assembly onto the mirror tub assembly)
Nose Tabs can be purchased separately (at left).
Two Dual-weight Counterweight Clips are included with the DELUXE VERSION.
This image shows a dual-weight (approx. 2 lb) Counterweight Clip mounted on a 12" Meade LightBridge.  Two counterweight clips are included with the DELUXE VERSION.
This picture shows the two weights, of one clip, separated from each other.  (Available with the DELUXE VERSION ONLY)

 

 
 
Counterweights
Meade
LightBridge 10" / 12" / 16"



CWLB
$79

Purchase from Farpoint
Counterweights for Meade LightBridge

Meade LightBridge 10" / 12" / 16"; Zhumell Z12 Dobsonian

These counterweights help counterbalance heavy equipment at the eyepiece or on the nose assembly.  The clip-style mounting brackets attach to the bottom of the mirror tub by sliding the clip onto the mirror cell support.  There are two counterweight clips in a set with each having two weights (approx. 1 lb ea) for a total of approximately 4 lbs.  With each clip you can use a single weight or stack the two weights together.  These counterweights are included with the DELUXE Transporter Kit (above).

NOTE

These counterweights will not work on the 8" LightBridge.
This picture shows one counterweight clip with two stacked weights attached to a 12" LightBridge.  There are two clips, with a total of four weights, in each set (approx. 4 lbs).
This picture shows the two weights, of one clip, separated from each other.

 

 
Train-N-Track
Motor Drive
Astro-Tech Voyager



TNTATV
$279

Purchase from Farpoint

 

Train-N-Track Motor Drive for Astro-Tech Voyager

Astro-Tech Voyager Mount

The Train-N-Track (TNT) system is a basic alt-azimuth motor drive system with adjustable or trainable tracking.  A simple 30-second training procedure allows the scope to track for 10 minutes or more.

The TNT motor drive system includes adjustable speeds on both axes and high speed centering.  The friction drives also allow you to move the telescope around by hand without unlocking any clutches.  You just let go and the drive takes over.  With a little practice, objects can be kept in the eyepiece for 10 minutes or more.  Power comes from a battery pack with 8 AA batteries or a 110vAC/60Hz adapter.  Using a 220vAC/50Hz power source will require a converter upgrade (see below).  The current units include an improvement over the original circuitry allowing up to 5 hours of use for four or five nights.

The TNT system does not interface with any other products.

Installation is easy.  You must supply the mount.

 

Hand Control
Hand Control
Hand Control

 

 
Train-N-Track
Motor Drive
Vixen Porta (II) Mount



TNTVPM
$279

Purchase from Farpoint

 

Train-N-Track™ Motor Drive for Vixen Porta Mount

Explore Scientific Twilight I Mount; Vixen Porta Mount, Porta II Mount

The Train-N-Track (TNT) system is a basic alt-azimuth motor drive system with adjustable or trainable tracking.  A simple 30-second training procedure allows the scope to track for 10 minutes or more.

The TNT motor drive system includes adjustable speeds on both axes and high speed centering.  The friction drives also allow you to move the telescope around by hand without unlocking any clutches.  You just let go and the drive takes over.  With a little practice, objects can be kept in the eyepiece for 10 minutes or more.  Power comes from a battery pack with 8 AA batteries or a 110vAC/60Hz adapter.  Using a 220vAC/50Hz power source will require a converter upgrade (see below).  The current units include an improvement over the original circuitry allowing up to 5 hours of use for four or five nights.

The TNT system does not interface with any other products including our MAX guiding computers.  It does not interfere with the MAX computer encoders and hardware.

Installation is easy.  You must supply the mount.

 

Hand Control
TNT installed on an Explore Scientific Twilight I Mount
Zoomed-in view on an Explore Scientific Twilight I Mount

 

 
Battery
for Train-N-Track
(OLD Meade Version)



BAT12V
$39

Purchase from Farpoint
Battery for Train-N-Track (OLD Meade Verson)

Replacement 12 volt, 7 amp-hr rechargeable battery for the OLD Meade version Train-N-Track (TNT) product.  (The newer version uses a battery pack which holds 8 AA batteries.)


What is Train-N-Track?

The Train-N-Track (TNT) system is a basic alt-az motor drive system with adjustable or trainable tracking.  With alt-azimuth mounts, the motor speeds will vary greatly depending on what area of the sky you are viewing.  In some situations, the altitude motor will run very fast and the azimuth motor will run very slowly.  In other areas of the sky, the opposite will be true.  Completely computerized alt-az systems will track automatically in any part of the sky.  The TNT, however, requires that you adjust the motor speeds for your position.

The adjustment, or training, is very simple.  Once you become familiar with the process it can be accomplished in about 30 seconds and tracking will continue for 10 minutes or more without noticeable drifting.  At that point you will need to do another simple training adjustment.  Quick slewing can be accomplished, without adjusting the tracking speed, by simply pressing one key.  This feature allows for re-centering an object without changing the carefully adjusted tracking speed.  Manual movement is possible at any time, in both altitude and azimuth, without releasing any clutches.


Train-N-Track (TNT)
for the LightBridge


What is an Alt-Az Mount?

The Meade LightBridge Dobsonian telescope includes an altitude-azimuth mount.  Altitude-azimuth is sometimes abbreviated as alt-azimuth or just alt-az.  An alt-az mount moves in altitude (up and down) on a horizontal axis and in azimuth (left and right) on a vertical axis like a gun turret on a tank.  By comparison, an equatorial mount is essentially an alt-az mount that is tilted to match your latitude, allowing a telescope to track the stars with the addition of a simple clock drive.  Both types of mounts have their advantages.  Which one is best for a particular situation depends mostly on how one intends to use the telescope.


What is a Transport Storage Kit?

A transport kit supplies accessories for transporting and using your Alt-Azimuth telescope more easily and effectively.  The kit for the Meade LightBridge includes a bracket for storing the truss rods and brackets for securing the nose assembly to the mirror tub, both intended to ease the job of transporting the scope.  Mirror tub counterweights are included for counterbalancing equipment placed on the nose assembly (on a scope that is already nose heavy without extra equipment).


Customer Comments

"I'm very happy with my TNT and we can do some good photography with this system.  Moon and planets are very easy targets and some bright objects like M45 too.  I expect a productive winter with my new JMI TNT"  (L. C.)


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Q. Can I use the Train-N-Track for Astrophotography?
A. The TNT is not designed for astrophotography or for long-term tracking.  Rather, it is designed for easy viewing without having to constantly move the scope to keep up with the rotation of the earth.
   
Q. Why can't the Train-N-Track continue to track all night?
A. With an altitude-azimuth (alt-az) mount (see definition of Alt-Az Mount above) the speed of movement in altitude and azimuth varies throughout the entire movement of an object across the sky.  With the TNT, you are the one who varies the speed.  The Train-N-Track system is designed to be an affordable alternative to more expensive computerized tracking systems, which calculate the exact speeds needed in all parts of the sky.  TNT continues in the tradition of the Dobsonian telescope which was designed to be the most affordable way to get a large-aperture telescope.
   
Q. Is the Train-N-Track compatible with your other products for the LightBridge?
A. Yes, the TNT is compatible with our MAX computers, encoders and hardware as well as our Wheeley Bars.  That is, they do not mechanically interfere with one another.  The TNT does not interface with any other products.
   
Q. How easy is it to separate and reassemble the scope and rocker box with Train-N-Track installed?
A. Technically, the scope can be lifted off of the rocker box without doing anything to the TNT.  However, we recommend that you remove the thumb nut on the tangent arm and separate the tangent arm from the bearing and lead screw.  This can be accomplished very easily and quickly.  Reassembly is just as quick and easy.