Finder scope bracket
Finder scope
Focus lock ring
Figure 3a. The 8x40 finder scope.
Nylon alignment thumbscrews
Tensioner
Focuser drawtube | Thumb screws |
Camera adapter
Figure 4. Before installing the 2" star diagonal, you must remove the camera adapter that comes attached to the telescope.
1.25" Barrel diameter eyepiece 2" Barrel diameter eyepiece
1.25" Adapter (optional)
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.
Inserting the Diagonal and Eyepiece
The SkyView Pro 100mm ED EQ comes with a camera adapt- er attached to its focuser drawtube. Loosen the two thumb screws securing the camera adapter to the focuser drawtube and remove the camera adapter (see Figure 4). Insert the chrome barrel of the star diagonal into the focuser and secure it with the thumb screws on the drawtube. The star diagonal comes with a 1.25" adapter in it; this part allows for use of 1.25" barrel diameter eyepieces in the 2" diameter diago- nal (see Figure 5). Make sure the 1.25" adapter is secure in the diagonal by tightening the thumb screw on the diagonal. Loosen the thumb screw on the 1.25" adapter and insert the barrel of the 25mm eyepiece into it. Secure the eyepiece with the thumb screw on the 1.25" adapter.
a.2" Star diagonal b.
Figure 5a. and 5b. (a.)To use 1.25" barrel diameter eyepieces, the 1.25" adapter must be installed in the 2" star diagonal. (b.) To use 2" eyepieces, remove the 1.25" adapter.
Your telescope is now completely assembled and should appear as shown in Figure 1.
4. Balancing the Telescope
To ensure smooth movement of the telescope on both axes of the equatorial mount, it is imperative that the optical tube is properly balanced. We will first balance the telescope with respect to the right ascension (R.A.) axis, then the declination (Dec.) axis.
1.Keeping one hand on the telescope optical tube, loosen the R.A. lock lever. Make sure the Dec. lock lever is locked, for now. The telescope should now be able to rotate freely about the right ascension axis. Rotate it until the counter- weight shaft is parallel to the ground (i.e., horizontal).
2.Now loosen the counterweight lock knob and slide the weight along the shaft until it exactly counterbalances the telescope (Figure 6a). That’s the point at which the shaft remains horizontal even when you let go with both hands (Figure 6b).
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