Attaching the NexStar to the Tripod

The Celestron NexStar tripod is a sturdy, heavy duty mount on which to place your NexStar 4/5" telescope. This tripod can go anywhere, from your backyard to a remote observing site and can hold your NexStar in Alt-Az or can be polar aligned with the use of the built-in equatorial wedge tilt plate. The tripod comes completely assembled and only needs to have the center leg brace / accessory tray put in place.

To set up the tripod:

1.Hold the tripod with the head up, away from the ground.

2.Pull the legs apart until the legs are fully extended and press it down flat against the ground.

3.Place the center leg brace over the center support rod so that the slotted cutout is directly under the latitude adjustment rod.

4.Tighten with the leg brace locking knob until the leg brace firmly presses out against each leg.

5.The tripod will now stand by itself.

Your tripod has height adjustable legs for proper leveling on all types of surfaces. The tripod also comes with detached bubble to assist in accurate leveling. To adjust the height and level the tripod:

1.Place the bubble level on the top of the tripod tilt plate. Make sure that the tilt plate is all the way down and horizontal to the ground.

2.Locate the tightening screw on the bottom of each tripod leg.

3.Rotate the knob counterclockwise until

the inside portion of the tripod leg slides out.

Wedge Tilt Plate

Telescope Mounting

Bolts

Latitude

Center Support Adjustment Rod

Rod

Leg Brace Locking

Knob

Center Leg Brace /

Accessory Tray

Figure 3-5

4.Extend the center portion of the tripod leg to the desired height making sure that the bubble in the bubble level is centered..

5.Tighten the knob to hold the tripod leg in place.

If polar aligning your telescope, it is best to adjust the latitude of the wedge tilt plate before mounting the telescope:

1.Loosen the latitude locking lever (located next to the latitude adjustment rod) and raise the wedge tilt plate until the scale on the latitude adjustment rod is the same as the latitude of your observing site.

2.Tighten the locking lever to hold the tilt plate securely in place.

3.Set the base of the telescope on the wedge tilt plate so that the hole in the center of the base goes over the positioning pin on top of the tilt plate.

4.Rotate the base so the holes under each rubber foot line up with the mounting bolts attached to the tilt plate.

5.First thread in the mounting bolt closest to the latitude adjustment rod, then align the other two holes and thread in the remaining mounting bolts. Check that the latitude locking lever is still locked down tight.

Your NexStar is now securely attached to the tripod and ready for use.