Caution When loosening the Dec. lock, be sure to support the optical tube (18, Fig. 1a). The weight of the tube could cause the tube to swing suddenly.
2* Want to learn more about setting the lati- tude dials?
See STEP 6, page 12.
1% Viewfinder Bracket Screws: Tighten to a firm feel to hold viewfinder securely in place (see E and h). See page 12 for more information.
1^ Focus Lock Knob: Designed to prevent the focuser drawtube from moving when a heavy accessory, such as a camera, is attached to the focuser assembly. For normal observing with an eyepiece and diagonal, it is not necessary to use the lock knob.
1& Declination (Dec.): Controls the manual movement of the telescope. Turning the Dec. lock counterclockwise unlocks the telescope enabling it to be freely rotated by hand about the Dec. axis. Turning the Dec. lock clockwise (to a firm feel only) tightens the lock and prevents the telescope from being moved manually, but engages the Dec. motor drive (see 3$) for Autostar operation.
1* Polar Viewfinder Cap: Remove this cap when using the polar viewfinder (see 2().
1( Dec. Setting Circle: See APPENDIX A, page 50, for more information.
2) Counterweight Shaft Base: Thread, along with the shaft, to the mount. See page 11 for more information.
2! Counterweight and Counterweight Lock Knob: Counterbalances the weight of the optical tube, and adds stability to the mount. Tighten the lock knob on the side of the counterweight to a firm feel to prevent the weight from sliding on the shaft.
2@ Counterweight Shaft: Slide the counterweight onto this shaft (see 2!).
2# Counterweight Safety Cap: Prevents the counterweight from accidentally slip- ping off the end of the counterweight shaft.
2$ Computer Control Panel (see Fig. 1e):
A. Handbox (HBX) Port: Plug the Autostar or EC handbox coil cord (10, Fig. 2) into this port.
B. 12v DC Power Connector: Plug the battery pack into this connector. The telescope assembly also may be powered from either a 12v DC auto cigarette lighter plug using the optional #607 Cigarette Lighter Adapter or from a standard 115v AC home outlet using the optional #547 Power Adapter with Cable or #547F Power Adapter for 220v out- lets. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 38.
C. LED: Illuminates when power is supplied to the Autostar or EC hand- box and the telescope’s motor drive.
D. ON/OFF Switch: Turns the Computer Control Panel and Autostar ON or OFF.
E.AUX Port: Provides connection for current and future Meade accessories. See OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 38.
F.Dec Port: Plug the coil cord from the Dec. motor assembly into this port for Autostar to control the motor drive.
2% Right Ascension (R.A.) Motor Drive Assembly: Controlled by Autostar or EC handbox. Moves the optical tube along the R.A. axis. The R.A. Lock (see 3#) must be tightened to a firm feel in order for the R.A. motor to operate.
2^ Latitude Adjustment
2& Fine Azimuth Control Knobs: Fine tune the
2* Latitude Dial: Set the latitude of the observing site on this dial using the latitude
2( Polar Alignment Viewfinder: Allows you to precisely polar align the telescope. Useful when performing astrophotography. See page 52.
3) Polar Alignment Viewfinder Reticle and LED Knob: Rotate the knob to switch on or off the LED that illuminates the reticle within the polar alignment finder. Be 7