Using the SkyView AZ Mount, Care and Maintenance

so the target object appears in the center of the field of view when you look into the eyepiece.

3.Tighten the altitude and azimuth tensioning knobs.

4.Gently grasp the telescope mounted in the adjustable dovetail holder. Use the included 2mm hex key to loosen the four dovetail holder adjustment set screws by a few turns each while grasping the mounted telescope.

5.Reposition the telescope and dovetail holder up-and-down so it matches the orientation of the other mounted tele- scope, and tighten all four dovetail holder adjustment set- screws.

6.Look into the eyepiece of both telescopes to confirm proper alignment.

4.Using the SkyView AZ Mount

The SkyView AZ mount allows motion of the telescope in two axes: altitude (up-and-down) and azimuth (left-to-right). Hence, the SkyView AZ is an “altazimuth” mount. Simply move the telescope up-or-down and left-to-right with a gentle pushing or pulling motion to adjust position.

If the motion of one or both of the axes is too loose or too tight, you can adjust the tension by tightening or loosening the large knurled tension knobs (Figure 3). You should be able to adjust these knobs so that even the smallest motions of the mount are very smooth. If the motion on the altitude axis is not smooth no matter how the altitude tension knob is adjusted, then you will need to better balance the telescope front-to-back.

For heavier telescopes, we recommend extending the tripod legs in order to give the mount a wider stance; this will pre- vent the mount from becoming “tippy”.

Tracking Celestial Objects

Celestial objects appear to move slowly across the sky because of the rotation of the Earth on its polar axis. When you observe an object through your telescope, you’ll see it drift gradually across the field of view. To keep the object centered in the field, gently move the mounted telescope as needed with your hands. For these small, precise movements,

you may need to readjust one or both tensioning knobs. Keep in mind that objects will appear to move faster at higher mag- nifications, when the field of view is narrower.

5. Care and Maintenance

If you give your SkyView AZ mount reasonable care, it will last a lifetime. Store it in a clean, dry, dust-free place. Do not store the mount outdoors, although storage in a garage or shed is OK.

Your mount requires very little mechanical maintenance. The mount is constructed of aluminum and has a black anodized finish that is fairly scratch-resistant. If a scratch does appear, it will not harm the mount. Dust, dirt, or moisture on the mount should be wiped off with a soft cloth. If the mount needs more extensive cleaning, use a household surface cleaning fluid.

When transporting the mount to an observing location, we recommend removing accessory tray and folding the tripod legs together. For extra portability, you can also remove the SkyView AZ mount entirely from the tripod; simply unthread the central support shaft under the tripod head. To protect your mount during transport, Orion offers optional soft pad- ded carry cases. Visit www.OrionTelescopes.com for details.

6. Specifications

Mount:	Altazimuth, dual-dovetail
	holder equipped
Material:	Black anodized aluminum
Maximum load capacity:	Approximately 25lbs.
(per dovetail holder)
Axis tensioning:	Via knurled knobs
Telescope connection:	Requires Orion dovetail bar
	(Optional)
Tripod:	Steel legs, adjustable height,
	includes accessory tray
Assembled weight:	19 lbs. 8 oz.

One-Year Limited Warranty

This Orion SkyView AZ Dual-Altazimuth Mount is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes & Binoculars will repair or replace, at Orion’s option, any warranted instrument that proves to be defective, provided it is returned postage paid to: Orion Warranty Repair, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076. If the product is not registered, proof of purchase (such as a copy of the original invoice) is required.

This warranty does not apply if, in Orion’s judgment, the instrument has been abused, mishandled, or modified, nor does it apply to normal wear and tear. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. For further warranty service information, contact: Customer Service Department, Orion Telescopes & Binoculars, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA. 95076; (800)‑676-1343.