Meade LX200GPS Getting Started, Parts Listing, How to Attach the Tripod to the Telescope Assembly

Fig. 3: Tripod components: (1) Tripod Head; (2) Threaded Rod; (3) Tension Knob; (4) Spreader Bar; (5) Lock Knobs; (6) Strut Hub

Fig. 4: Attaching the telescope to the tripod. Note the orientation of the spreader bar.

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GETTING STARTED

Parts Listing

Getting the telescope ready for first observations requires only a few minutes. When first opening the packing box, note carefully the following parts:

■LX200GPS Telescope with fork mount system

■Autostar II handbox and interface coil cord; handbox holder

■Microfocuser assembly

■8 x 50mm viewfinder assembly

■Eyepiece holder and 1.25" diagonal prism (7", 8", and 10" models)

■1.25" Adapter and 2" diagonal mirror (12" model only)

■Super Plössl 26mm eyepiece, packed in a plastic storage container

■Variable height tripod and mounting base (12" model only: Giant variable tripod)

■Set of hex keys

How to Attach the Tripod to the Telescope Assembly

The telescope’s fork mount base (also called a drive base) attaches directly to the field tripod. The telescope in this way is mounted in an “altazimuth” (“altitude-azimuth,” or “vertical-horizontal”) format.

The field tripod also can be used in conjunction with the optional equatorial wedge (see EQUATORIAL WEDGE, page 51) for long exposure astrophotography. The equa- torial wedge permits alignment of the telescope’s polar axis with the Celestial Pole (or North Star).

1.Remove the field tripod from the shipping carton. Stand the tripod vertically with the tripod feet down and with the tripod still fully collapsed. Grasp two of the tri- pod legs and, with the full weight of the tripod on the third leg, gently pull the legs apart to a fully open position.

2.Thread in the 6 lock-knobs (2 on each tripod leg) near the foot of each tripod leg (5, Fig. 3). These lock-knobs are used to fix the height of the inner, extendible tri- pod leg sections.

Note: Tightening to a firm-feel is sufficient; over-tightening may result in stripping of the knob threads or damage to the tripod legs, and results in no additional strength.

3.The spreader bar has been removed for shipment. To install, first remove the threaded rod (2, Fig. 3) from the tripod head (1, Fig. 3); a small piece of plastic holds the threaded rod in place. Remove the small plastic bag that is stapled to the threaded rod. This bag contains the “C” clip retainer and an extra clip.

4.Slide the spreader bar (4, Fig. 3) onto the threaded rod (note the correct orienta- tion as shown in Fig. 4) and position the threaded rod back through the tripod head. Place the clip retainer ( a “C” clip) into the slot in the threaded rod above the tripod head. This clip holds the threaded rod in place.

5.Position the spreader bar so that the 3 arms of the spreader bar line up with the 3 tripod legs.

6.Place the entire telescope onto the top of the tripod head, and insert the thread- ed rod into the central hole in the bottom of the drive base of the telescope. Tighten the tension knob (Fig. 4); firm tightening of the tension knob is sufficient to result in rigid positioning of the tripod legs.

7.To vary the tripod height, loosen the 6 leg lock-knobs, slide the 3 inner tripod leg sections out to the desired height, and firmly re-tighten (but do not overtighten) the 6 lock-knobs.

To collapse the tripod (after removing the telescope and equatorial wedge, if appli- cable) for storage, follow these steps:

1.Rotate the spreader bar 60° from its assembled position, so that one spreader bar arm is located between each adjacent pair of tripod legs.

2.At the base of the tripod is a 3-vane extension strut system, with a circular hub at its center (6, Fig. 3). Grasp the tripod head (1, Fig. 3) with one hand and, with the other hand, pull directly “up” on the central hub of the extension strut system. This operation will cause the tripod legs to move inward to a collapsed position.