Meade DS-114AT instruction manual Getting Started, Packing List, How to Assemble Your Telescope

Fig. 3 Remove assembly from the giftbox.

Fig. 4: Adjust the cradle rings.

Fig. 5 Attach tray to the tripod:

Fig. 6: Attach and bal- ance the optical tube.

Fig. 7: Motor (left) and gear (right) assembly. Note the slots and the locator tabs.

GETTING STARTED

Packing List

Assembling the telescope for the first time requires only a few minutes. When first opening the packing box, note carefully the parts listed on your giftbox.

How to Assemble Your Telescope

The telescope attaches directly to the tripod. The telescope in this way is "mounted" in an “Altazimuth” (“Altitude-Azimuth,” or “vertical-horizontal”) format. The telescope mounted this way moves along the vertical and horizontal axes, corresponding to the astronomical axes known as Declination (vertical) and Right Ascension (horizontal).

Perform this setup on a flat, stable surface. It is recommended that you perform this operation in the daytime or in bright light the first time you assemble the telescope.

1.Remove the optical tube and tripod from the giftbox: The optical tube assembly is shipped with the cradle rings (9, Fig. 1), yoke mount (21, Fig. 1), and tripod attached. Carefully remove the assembly from the box. Lay the assembly on the floor.

2.Remove the optical tube from the mount: The optical tube (11, Fig. 1) is shipped ori- ented the wrong direction in the yoke mount for observing— you must remove the tube from the mount and turn it around 180°.

Loosen and unlatch the cradle ring lock knobs (10, Fig. 1) so that you can open the cradle rings (9, Fig. 1). Once the rings are open, remove the optical tube from the cradle rings. Carefully note the orientation of the tube, so that you can rotate it 180° later on when you replace it in the rings.

3.Stand the tripod and adjust the cradle rings: Stand the tripod on a flat surface and gen- tly pull the legs (16, Fig. 1) apart to a fully open position. Turn the cradle rings so that the cradle ring base is horizontal (parallel) to the ground. Tighten the alt lock (22, Fig. 1), so the rings remain in the horizontal position.

4.Attach the utility tray to the tripod: Place one of the tray's flanges around one edge of a tripod leg and then pull the tray around until the other flange snaps in place (Fig. 5). The utility tray (17, Fig. 1) can be pushed up or down the tripod leg to a convenient height.

5.Attach and balance the optical tube: Turn the optical tube around 180° and replace it into the cradle rings. Fasten the cradle rings lock knobs (10, Fig. 1) so that they only hold the optical tube loosely; do not tighten the lock knobs yet.

Slide the tube back and forth until you find a position where the tube remains horizontal (i.e., without tipping up or down). Then tighten the cradle rings lock knobs to a firm feel.

6.Attach the Alt (vertical) motor to the Alt gear: Place the knurled ring of the motor assem- bly over the Alt gear. Note that three small plastic tabs project outwards from the face of the gear (Fig. 7). These "locator" tabs fit into the mating slots inside the knurled ring. Wiggle the motor assembly over the gear assembly until the motor slips into place. Thread the knurled ring over the mating threads of the gear assembly to lock the motor. See Fig. 8. Tighten to a firm feel only.

7.Attach the Az (horizontal) motor to the Az gear: Attach the Az motor assembly to the the Az gear using the procedure described in step 6. See Fig. 9.

8.Connect the motor assembly cords: Plug the cord from the alt motor assembly into the Alt port (E, Fig.1b) of the computer control panel. Plug the cord from the az motor assembly into the Az port (D, Fig.1b) of the computer control panel.

9.Attach the viewfinder bracket: Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to thread the two attachment screws in the viewfinder bracket (these screws are placed inside the bracket at the factory) into the mating threads located on the optical tube (Fig. 10).

10.Attach the viewfinder tube: Carefully remove the rubber eyecup from the viewfinder before sliding the viewfinder into the bracket. Then slide the viewfinder, eyepiece-end first (the end to which the rubber cup was attached) into the viewfinder bracket. Replace the rubber eyecup. Tighten the four alignment thumbscrews (6, Fig. 1 and Fig. 11) to a firm- feel to hold the viewfinder in the bracket.

11.Insert the eyepiece: Remove the supplied 25mm eyepiece from its container and place it into the eyepiece holder (2, Fig. 1). Tighten the thumbscrew (3, Fig. 1) to a firm feel only.

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