Meade LX80 instruction manual Azimuth Lock Knobs, DEC Setting Circle DEC Reference Point

LX80 Key Features

2)

2!

2@

2#

2$

2%

2^

2&

2*

2(

3)

3!

3@

D.Handbox (HBX) Port

E.Aux 1

F.Aux 2

Counterweight Safety Cap: Prevents the counterweight from accidentally slipping off the end of the counterweight shaft.

Counterweight Shaft: Slide the counterweight onto this shaft (below). The shaft is composed of 3 segments which can be added or removed as needed.

Counterweight: Counterbalances the weight of the optical tube, and adds stability to the mount.

Azimuth Lock Knobs:

Alt-Az Mode: Keep in the “Lock” Position.

Equatorial Mode: Unlock while making adjustments. Once aligned on the celestial pole, move the knob to the “Lock” position to prevent unwanted movement.

Azimuth Adjustment Drive: Once the azimuth lock knob is loosened, make adjustments to the mounts azimuth position aligning it to the celestial pole. When properly adjusted, lock the azimuth adjustment lock knob to prevent unwanted Azimuth movement in the LX80.

Latitude Adjustment Drive: Used to set the LX80 to the correct Latitude for your observing site.

Latitude Lock: Before using the latitude adjustment, loosen the latitude lock. Once the latitude is adjusted, be sure to lock this to prevent unwanted movement of the LX80.

Latitude Pivot Point: Keep in the lock position to stabilize the mount.

Latitude Scale: Set the latitude of the observing site on this scale using the latitude adjustment drive.

RA Clutch: Rotate this lever to engage the RA drive.

DEC Clutch: Tighten to engage the DEC drive.

LX80 Multi-Function Hex Head Tool: adjust the latitude lock, latitude drive, azimuth drive and latitude pivot points. See page 12 for details.

Bubble Level: Level the mount with this tool.

3#

3$

3%

3^

3&

3*

3(

4)

4!

4@

4#

4$

4%

4^

4&

4*

4(

LX80 Carry Handles: Use these carry handles to help move the LX80 mount from one location to another.

DEC Setting Circle.

DEC Reference Point.

True North Indicator: Point this arrow towards true North.

AZ and EQ Home Position: Line the AZ or EQ marks to set the telescope in altazimuth (AZ) or equatorial (EQ) home positions

AZ Home position reference point.

EQ Home position reference point (Not Visible).

Battery Compartment Cover:

Battery Compartment Lock Knob.

Spreader Bar: Holds the tripod legs securely in place and also acts as a holder for extra eyepieces.

Tripod Mounting Base: Set the telescope mount into the tripod mounting base and secure into place using the the tripod lock knobs. See How to Assemble Your Telescope, Page 15 for more information.

Variable Height Tripod Legs (3): Supports the telescope mount. The mount attaches to the top of the tripod.

Spreader Bar Tension Knob: Tighten to secure the spreader bar against the tripod legs.

Tripod Leg Lock Knobs (two on each leg): Loosen these knobs to slide the inner leg extension. Tighten the knobs to a firm feel to lock in the height of the tripod.

Tripod Leveler: Twist to fine tune each tripod’s leg height up or down.

Tripod Lock Knobs:: Securely hold s the mount to the tripod

Counterweight Lock Knob: Secure the counterweight’s position on the shaft.

14