Finder scope bracket
Nylon alignment thumbscrews
Azimuth adjustment knobs
Post
Finder scope
Tensioner
Figure 2. Orient the equatorial head so that the post on the tripod lines up with the azimuth adjustment knobs on the equatorial mount.
Focus lock ring
3. Assembly
Assembly should take no more than 30 minutes. Refer to Figure 1 during assembly. Assembling the telescope requires no tools other than the ones provided.
1.Stand the tripod legs upright and spread the legs out as far as they will go. Make certain that the leg lock levers are tightened. Keep the tripod legs at their shortest (fully retracted) length, for now.
2.Place the base of the equatorial mount onto the tripod head. Orient the equatorial mount so that the post on the tripod head lines up with the azimuth adjustment knobs on the equatorial mount (Figure 2). You may need to loosen the azimuth adjustment knobs on the equatorial mount in order to fit the mount onto the tripod head.
3.Thread the central support shaft into the equatorial mount until tight. This will secure the equatorial mount to the tri- pod head.
4.Remove the knob and washer from the bottom of the cen- ter support shaft. Slide the tripod support tray up the bot- tom of the central support shaft until the three tray arms are touching the legs of the tripod. The flat side of the sup- port tray should be facing up. Make sure the “V” of each tray arm is against a tripod leg. Place the knob washer on the center support shaft against the tray, and follow it by threading the securing knob all the way up the center sup- port shaft until it is tight against the tray. The tripod support tray provides additional stability for the tripod, and holds up to five 1.25" eyepieces and two 2" eyepieces.
5.Loosen the counterweight shaft lock lever and let the counterweight shaft extend into its downward position. Retighten the lock lever.
6.Remove the knurled “toe saver” retaining screw on the bot- tom of the counterweight shaft and slide both counter- weights onto the shaft. Make sure the counterweight lock knobs are adequately loosened to allow the counterweight shaft to pass through the hole. Position the counterweights about halfway up the shaft and tighten the lock knobs. Replace the toe saver at the end of the bar. The toe saver
Figure 3a. The 6x30 finder scope.
Figure 3b.
Pull back on the tensioner and slide the finder scope into its bracket until the O-ring is seated in the bracket ring.
prevents the counterweights from falling on your foot if the lock knobs happen to come loose.
7.Loosen and open the tube rings on the optical tube and remove the optical tube from the tube rings. Attach the tube rings to the mounting plate with the provided screws. Loosen the two mounting plate securing knobs. Place the mounting plate with the tube rings attached in the dovetail slot on top of the equatorial mount. Position the mounting plate so that it is centered on the dovetail slot.
8.Open the tube rings and lay the telescope optical tube in the rings at about the midpoint of the tube’s length. Rotate the tube so that the focuser is at a convenient height for viewing. Close the tube rings and tighten them.
9.Insert the plug on the end of the control cable from the hand controller into its jack on the side of the EQ mount.
10.Insert eight
11.Two strips of nylon adhesive (one strip of “hooks” and one strip of “loops”) have been provided so you can create a
4