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D. ALIGNING THE VIEWFINDER (optional accessory)
The viewfinder will require alignment, or collimation, with the main telescope, in order that the viewfinder and the main telescope are parallel and point to the same position.
1.Insert the 25mm eyepiece and focus the main telescope on a convenient land target by turning the focuser pinion knobs. This target should be a
2.Center the selected target in the main telescope’s field of view.
3.Tighten or loosen, as appropriate, the viewfinder’s collimation thumb screws (there are six of these screws located on the viewfinder bracket rings) until the crosshairs of the viewfinder are precisely centered on the object already centered in the main telescope.
With this collimation accomplished, objects located first in the
E. COLLIMATION OF THE OPTICAL SYSTEM
Precise collimation, or alignment, of your telescope’s optical system is essential for good performance. All Meade telescopes are accurately collimated at the factory prior to shipment, so collimation adjustments will probably not be necessary. Nevertheless, take the time now to familiarize yourself with the following collimation procedure so that you may recognize a properly collimated instrument and adjust the collimation yourself, if necessary:
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| 1. | Reflection of eye | 5. | Secondary mirror holder | |
| 2. | Diagonal mirror | 6. | Tilt screws |
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4 | 3. | Reflection of primary mirror | 7. | Lock7nuts | 8 |
4. | Focuser drawtube | 8. | Spider vanes | ||
Figure 3
1.Remove the eyepiece from the focuser and look directly at the diagonal mirror located inside the upper end of the optical tube. Within its reflection you will see the main mirror, a reflection of the diagonal mirror, and your eye, each centered within each other, and with respect to the bottom edge of the focuser drawtube. (Refer to Figure .)