Orion XT10 CLASSIC Installing the Optional Eyepiece Rack, Installing the EZ Finder, Operation

a. b.

Figure 4. Position the tube on the mount pointed vertical. Place the rubber bumper “stop” where the mirror cell contacts the front base to cushion the impact.

Figure 5. Using the two supplied screws, install the optional aluminum eyepiece rack in the predrilled holes about halfway down the left side panel of the base. (XT6 eyepiece rack shown)

Once in the cradle, the tube should pivot freely up and down with gentle hand pressure. Note that the tube will not yet be properly balanced, since the eyepiece and EZ Finder II are not in place, and the CorrecTension system has not been installed.

9.The rubber bumper (L) provides a convenient “stop” for the telescope’s altitude motion; it prevents the telescope mir- ror cell from being knocked against the hard surface of the base’s front brace. Remove the backing from the rubber bumper and position the bumper so it is positioned in the spot where the optical tube (mirror cell) contacts the front base as shown in Figure 4a and 4b. Press firmly so the adhesive holds the bumper securely in place.

Installing the Optional Eyepiece Rack

The aluminum eyepiece rack is an optional accessory for SkyQuest Dobsonians. On the XT6 it holds three 1.25" eye- pieces in a convenient place on the base; on the XT8 and XT10 it holds three 1.25" eyepieces and one 2" eyepiece. These eyepieces will be within easy reach while you’re observing. About halfway down the left side panel of the base you will notice two predrilled starter holes, about 6" apart. Take the black wood screws and thread them into the starter holes with a Phillips screwdriver. Then you can “keyhole” the eyepiece rack onto the wood screws and continue tightening the screws (Figure 5). If you want to be able to remove the rack, do not tighten the screws too tightly. Be certain that the screws are loose enough that you can lift the rack and remove it from the screws through the larger part of the keyhole. If you want to have the rack permanently attached, thread the screws tightly.

Installing the EZ Finder II

Using the included dovetail mounting bracket, the EZ Finder

IIwill slip neatly into the dovetail base preinstalled on your SkyQuest optical tube. To attach the dovetail mounting bracket to the EZ Finder II, loosen the two thumbscrews on the bottom rail of the EZ Finder II. Slide the EZ Finder II onto the bracket and tighten the two thumbscrews (See Figure 6). Then simply

		Power
		knob
					Azimuth
					adjustment
Altitude					knob
adjustment
knob			Battery
			casing
	Thumbscrews			Dovetail
				mounting
				bracket
Figure 6. The EZ Finder II

slide the dovetail mounting bracket into the telescope’s dove- tail mounting base and tighten the thumbscrew on the base to secure the mounting bracket.

Operation

The EZ Finder II works by projecting a tiny red dot (it’s not a laser beam) onto a lens mounted in the front of the unit. When you look through the EZ Finder II, the red dot will appear to float in space, helping you locate even the faintest of deep space objects. The red dot is produced by a light-emitting diode (LED) near the rear of the sight. A 3-volt lithium battery provides the power for the diode.

Turn the power knob (see Figure 6) clockwise until you hear the “click” indicating that power has been turned on. Look through the back of the reflex sight with both eyes open to see the red dot. Position your eye at a comfortable distance from the back of the sight. In daylight you may need to cover the front of the sight with your hand to be able to see the dot, which is purposefully quite dim. The intensity of the dot is adjusted by turning the power knob. For best results when stargazing, use the dimmest possible setting that allows you to see the dot without difficulty. Typically a dimmer setting is

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