Table of Contents, Unpacking, Parts List, Assembly

Table of Contents
1.	Unpacking	3
2.	Assembly	3
3.	Attaching a Telescope	4
4.	Balancing a Telescope	4
5.	Setting Up and Using the Equatorial Mount	5
6.	Specifications	8

1. Unpacking

The entire mount will arrive in one box. Be careful unpacking the box. We recommend keeping the box and all the internal shipping containers. In the event that the mount needs to be shipped to another location, or returned to Orion for warranty repair, having the proper box and internal shipping containers will help ensure that your mount will survive the journey intact.

Make sure all the parts in the Parts List are present. Be sure to check all packaging carefully, as some parts are small. If anything appears to be missing or broken, immediately call Orion Customer Support (800-676-1343) or email support@telescope.com for assistance.

Parts List

Box #1: Optical Tube Assembly and Accessories

Qty. Description

1German-type equatorial mount

2Slow-motion control cables

1 Counterweight

1 Counterweight shaft

3 Tripod legs w/attachment bolts

1Tripod accessory tray w/mounting hardware

1Accessory tray bracket

2. Assembly

Assembling the mount for the first time should take about 20 minutes. No tools are needed, other than the ones provided. All bolts should be tightened securely to eliminate flexing and wobbling, but be careful not to over-tighten or the threads may strip. Refer to Figure 1 during the assembly process.

1.Lay the equatorial mount on its side. Attach the tripod legs one at a time to the mount by sliding the bolts installed in the tops of the tripod legs into the slots at the base of the mount and tightening the wing nuts finger-tight. Note that the accessory tray bracket attachment point on each leg should face inward.

2.Tighten the leg lock knobs on the bottom braces of the tri- pod legs. For now, keep the legs at their shortest (fully retracted) length; you can extend them to a more desir- able length later, after the telescope is completely assembled.

3.With the tripod legs now attached to the equatorial mount, stand the tripod upright (be careful!) and spread the legs apart enough to connect each end of the accessory tray bracket to the attachment point on each leg. Use the screw that comes installed in each attachment point to do this. First remove the screw using the supplied screwdriv- er, then line up one of the ends of the bracket with the

attachment point and reinstall the screw. Make sure that the accessory tray bracket is oriented so that the ribs in its plastic molding face downwards.

4.Now, with the accessory tray bracket attached, spread the tripod legs apart as far as they will go, until the bracket is taut.

5.Attach the accessory tray to the accessory tray bracket with the three wing screws already installed in the tray. This is done by pushing the wing screws up through the holes in the accessory tray bracket, and threading them into the holes in the accessory tray.

6.Next, tighten the bolts at the tops of the tripod legs, so the legs are securely fastened to the equatorial mount. Use the provided wrench and your fingers to do this.

7.Orient the equatorial mount as it appears in Figure 2, at a latitude of about 40°, i.e., so the pointer next to the latitude scale (located directly above the latitude lock t-bolt) is pointing to the mark at “40.” To do this, loosen the latitude lock t-bolt, and turn the latitude adjustment t-bolt until the pointer and the “40” line up. Then retighten the latitude lock t-bolt. The declination (Dec.) and right ascension (R.A.) axes may need re-positioning (rotation) as well. Be sure to loosen the R.A. and Dec. lock knobs before doing this.