Leg

Braces

Fig. 3: Tripod assembly.

Slot over Protrusion

Mounting

Thumbscrew

Fig. 4: Place slots in tray over protru- sions on leg braces.

Fine

Protrusion

Azimuth

Star

Control

Knobs

 

Mount

Locking Knob (not visible)

Fig. 5: Attach the mount to the tripod.

Dec. Setting Circle

Shaft

Base

Counterweight

Lock

Knob

Shaft

Safety

Cap

Fig. 6: Attach Counterweight assem- bly.

GETTING STARTED

As you unpack your telescope, carefully note the following parts. The assembly is shipped in separate boxes.

Telescope Assembly

Equatorial mount with polar alignment finder

Heavy duty, adjustable aluminum tripod with leg braces, three tripod leg lock knobs, and a captive mount locking knob

Complete optical tube assembly including primary mirror with dust cover and a rack-and-pinion focuser and eyepiece holders for both 1.25" and 2" eyepiece holders, tube cradle assembly with two rings and two lock knobs

Super Plössl (SP) 26mm eyepiece

Counterweight and counterweight shaft. The 8" and 10" models include extra counterweights.

8 x 50mm (achromatic refractors models) or 6 x 30mm (Schmidt-Newtonian models) viewfinder

Motor Assembly

Factory-mounted dual electronic motor drive assembly

Autostar handbox, detachable coil cord, or Electronic Controller

Battery pack and holder

Accessories

Accessory shelf with mounting knob, hex keys, LXD55-Series T-Adapter (includ- ed with Schmidt-Newtonian models only)

How to Assemble Your Telescope

The giftboxes contain the optical tube assembly and the tripod with the equatorial mount. The accessories are located within compartments custom-cut into the styro- foam block inserts.

1.Remove the components from the giftboxes: Remove and identify the tele- scope’s equipment. Refer to Figures 1a through 1f for images of the parts and the overall assembly of your telescope. When removing the tripod from the gift- box, hold the assembly parallel (horizontal) to the ground or the inner tripod leg extensions will slide out as they are not locked in place.

2.Adjust the tripod legs. Spread the tripod legs as far as they will open, so that the leg braces are taut. See Fig. 3.

3.Attach the accessory shelf to the tripod: Remove the mounting knob from the center of the leg braces (39, Fig. 1c). Place the triangular accessory shelf on top of the leg braces so that each corner of the triangle lies over a leg brace. Notice that there is protrusion on each leg brace. There is a corresponding slot for each protrusion on the accessory tray. See Fig. 4. Line up the slots with the protrusions and slide the protrusions through the slots to hold the tray in place. Next, slide the mounting thumbscrew through the hole in the center of the brace and tighten to a firm feel.

4.Attach mount to tripod base: Place the mount over the base of the tripod with the computer control panel positioned above the tripod leg marked with a star and with the protrusion on top of the tripod's base positioned between the fine azimuth control knobs. See Fig. 5. Back off the azimuth control knobs wide enough for protrusion to fit between them. Slide the hole in the center of the underside of the mount onto the captive mount locking bolt in the center of the base and tighten it by turning the knob below the base. Tighten to a firm feel.

5.Attach the counterweight(s) to the counterweight shaft: Place the counter- weight shaft base (20, Fig. 1d) over the threaded end of the shaft (22, Fig. 1d). Thread the shaft and base assembly into the hole beneath the Dec. setting circle as depicted in Fig. 6.

Look through the hole in the counterweight and note the pin blocking the hole. Tilt the counterweight slightly and the pin moves out of position, clearing the hole. If the pin does not move, unscrew the counterweight lock knob slightly until the pin moves.

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Meade LXD55 instruction manual Getting Started, How to Assemble Your Telescope, Telescope Assembly, Accessories