Meade ETX operating instructions Parts Listing and Assembly

Meade Instruments Corporation

6001 OAK CANYON, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92620-4205 n (949) 451-l 450 FAX: (949) 451-1460 n www.meade.com

Operating Instructions

Meade@ ETX Field Tripod

For Use With the ETX Astro Telescope

L

Fig. 1: ETX Field Tripod. (1) Mounting Slots; (2) Mounting Plate; (3) Latijude Scale; (4) Fine Latitude Adjustment Knob; (5) Height Adjustment Knob; (6) Accessory Tray; (7) Extension Strut System;

(6)North-Pointing Tripod Leg (marked “N”at position of arrow);

19) Fine Azimuth Adjustment Knobs; (10) Latitude Lock Knob:

(11)Latitude Lock Lever (opposite side).

b.Attaching the Accessory Tray:

Remove the round accessory tray (6), Fig. 1, from the shipping box. Remove the black, star-shaped lock knob from the threaded rod on the bottom of the accessory tray.

Attach the tray to the tripod by inserting the threaded rod through the central hub of the extension strut (7) Fig. 1. Rethread the lock knob onto the accessory tray.

Varying the Tripod Height:

Loosen the black, star-shaped height adjustment knob (5) Fig. 1, at the base of each tripod leg.

Slide the three top tripod leg sections to the desired height.

Tighten the three height adjustment knobs, (5) Fig. 1, to a “firmfeel”. Do not overtighten.

Collapsing the Tripod for Storage:

Remove the accessory tray (6), Fig. 1, from the tripod. Grasp the top of the tripod wrth one hand, and with the other hand, pull up on the central hub of the extension strut (7) Fig. 1, where the accessory tray was attached. This action will cause the tripod legs to move inward to a collapsed position.

Important Notes on using ETX Field Tripod:

.	Remove the accessory tray before attempting to collapse
	the tripod.
.	If the tripod does not extend or collapse easily, do not
	force the tripod legs in or out. By following the above
	instructions the tripod will function properly. Forcing the
	tripod into an incorrect position may damage the extension
	strut system.
.	Do not overtighten the three star-shaped height adjustment
	knobs on the tripod legs. “Firm feel” tightening is sufficient.

2. Attaching the ETX Astro Telescope to the Tripod

PARTS LISTING AND ASSEMBLY

When opening the packing box for the first time, note carefully the following parts included with the ETX Field Tripod:

a.Confirm that the latitude lock lever (11) Fig. 1, is in the locked posltlon by rotating the lever clockwlse untrl trght. Also confrrm that the N/S swatch on the base of the E T X

Astro Telescope IS set for the correct hemsphere

	- Tripod		b. In the side of the ETX
	- 2 Attachment Knobs
			drive	base, locate the
	- Accessory Tray
			two	attachment	holes,
.	1. Preparing the Tripod For Use		Fig.	2. (These	holes
			are normally used with
	The ETX Field Tripod (Fig. 1) is simple to set up and easy to		the fixed legs of the
			table tripod.) Position
	use. Users need only attach the accessory tray and adjust the
			the ETX on the Field
	tripod to the desrred observtng hetght.
			Tripod so that the “N” Fig. 2: ETX Drove Base, showmg
	a. Extending the Tripod:
	Remove the tripod from the shtpptng box and stand it	.	attachment holes.
	upright. Grasp two of the tripod legs, leaving the full
	weight of the tripod on the third leg. Gently pull the legs		C. Then, align the two holes in the base of the ETX with the
	apart to a full open posltion.		mounting slots (1) Fig. 1, on the mount plate (2) Fig. 1.