Meade 4500 instruction manual A. Introducing the Meade Model, This Manual, Standard Equipment

Threaded Hole

Leg Lock Knob

Sliding Inner Leg

– 6 –

A. Introducing the Meade Model 4500

The Model 4500 is an easy-to-operate, high performance 4.5" (114mm) reflecting telescope, intended for astronomical observing. Equipped with a deluxe equatorial mount and aluminum tripod, the telescope’s motion is continuously adjustable for tracking celestial objects. Your telescope comes to you ready for adventure; it will be your companion in a universe of planets, galaxies, and stars. Please note that the Model 4500 is a Newtonian reflecting telescope optimized for astronomical observing performance, and is not intended for terrestrial observing.

1. This Manual

These instructions detail the set-up, operation, specifications, and optional accessories of your Meade Model 4500. In order that you may achieve maximum enjoyment of the instrument, we urge that you take a few minutes to read all of this manual before making first observations through the telescope. As you read this manual, the technical terms associated with telescopes will be made clear.

2. Standard Equipment

•Complete optical tube assembly with a 4.5" (114mm) diameter primary mirror, viewfinder mounting bolts with mounting nuts and 1.25" rack-and-pinion focuser. Mirror focal length = 910mm; f/8.

•Equatorial mount with pre-attached heavy duty, continuously adjustable, aluminum tripod and leg braces.

•Accessories: MA25mm (36x) eyepiece (1.25"O.D.)

Cradle rings with lock knobs

6 x 30 viewfinder and bracket Counterweight with counterweight shaft Flexible cable controls for both telescope axes Accessory shelf with mounting knob

B. Unpacking and Assembly

Your Meade Model 4500 comes to you packaged almost entirely pre-assembled. You will find upon opening the giftbox that there are two compartments within that contain the optical tube assembly and the tripod with equatorial mount. The accessories described above will be located within compartments custom-cut into the styrofoam block inserts. (References herein— e.g. (6)—are to Fig.1 unless otherwise specified.)

•Remove and identify the telescope’s Standard Equipment listed in Section A.2., above.

•The three tripod lock knobs (43) have been removed from the bottom section of each tripod leg to insure safe arrival of the tripod assembly. To install, thread in each tripod lock knob into the threaded hole located at the right side of each of the three gray colored castings (see illustration below) at the bottom of each tripod leg. Tighten the tripod lock knob only to a “firm feel” to avoid damage to the tripod caused by overtightening.

•Spread the tripod legs (1) to full extension so that the leg braces (42) are taut (should one of the tripod leg braces slip out of the center triangle fastener, merely reposition the brace and slide it back into position). Adjust the tripod with the attached equatorial mount (2) to

the desired height by loosening the tripod lock knobs and extend the sliding inner section of each tripod leg; then tighten each knob.

• Remove the mounting knob (41) from the round accessory shelf (40). Place the accessory shelf on top of the center triangle leg brace fastener of the tripod (1) so that the threaded stud protruding from the bottom of the shelf (40) passes through the hole in the center. Then replace and tighten the accessory shelf mounting knob (41).

•Attach the flexible cable controls (3) and (4). These cable controls

are secured in place with a firm tightening of the thumbscrew located at the end of each cable.

•Holding the counterweight (5) firmly in one hand, slip the counterweight onto the counterweight shaft (6). Attach the counterweight (5) and counterweight shaft (6), by supporting the unlocked (7) counterweight firmly in one hand, while threading the counterweight shaft into the base of the Declination axis of the telescope’s equatorial mount with the other (see Fig. 1). Once firmly attached, slide the counterweight to the midpoint on the counterweight shaft and secure it in place with the lock knob (7) of the counter- weight. Note: If the counterweight ever slips, the secured threaded safety washer/knob (8) will not let the weight slide entirely off the counterweight shaft. Be certain that this safety washer/knob is always in place.