Alignment thumbscrews
Focus lock ring 
Figure 2a. The 8x40 finder scope and bracket
1Soft carry case
1Hex key (5mm)
Note: The following instructions describe the ShortTube 80-A. If you have purchased the ShortTube 80 Optical Tube Assembly only, there will be many accessories described that are not included with your telescope. All of the described accessories are available from Orion Telescopes
&Binoculars. Contact our Customer Service Department at 800-676-1343 or visit our website at OrionTelescopes.com for details.
Getting Started
The ShortTube 80-A comes nearly fully assembled from the factory. The telescope’s optics have been installed and col- limated, so you should not have to make any adjustments to them. Open the box and inspect the contents to make sure all of the items in the parts list are present.
Please keep the original shipping box. In the unlikely event you should need to ship the telescope back to Orion for war- ranty repair service, you should use the original packaging. The box also makes a very good container for storing the telescope when it is not in use.
Installing the Finder Scope
To place the finder scope in the finder scope bracket (Figure 2a.), first unthread the two black nylon thumbscrews until the screw ends are flush with the inside diameter of the bracket. Place the O-ring that comes on the base of the bracket over the body of the finder scope until it seats into the slot on the middle of the finder scope. Slide the eye- piece end (narrow end) of the finder scope into the end of the bracket’s cylinder opposite the adjustment screws while pulling the chrome, spring-loaded tensioner on the bracket with your fingers (Figure 2b.) Push the finder scope through the bracket until the O-ring seats just inside the front open- ing of the bracket’s cylinder. Now, release the tensioner and
tighten the two black nylon screws a couple of turns each to secure the finder scope in place. Secure the bracket to the dovetail mount on the optical tube with the knurled thumb- screw on the dovetail mount.
Figure 2b. Inserting the finder scope into the finder scope bracket.
Installing the Diagonal and Eyepiece
Insert the star diagonal into the focuser drawtube and secure it with the knurled thumbscrew on the drawtube. Then insert the 20mm Expanse™ eyepiece into the diagonal and secure it in place with the thumbscrews on the diagonal. (Always loosen the thumbscrews before rotating or remov- ing the diagonal or an eyepiece.)
Mounting the Telescope
The ShortTube 80-A can be mounted on Orion equatorial mounts using the included tube rings and dovetail mounting plate. Attach the tube rings to the dovetail mounting plate with the included socket-head cap screws. Insert the socket-head cap screws through the holes in the plate and thread them into the base of the tube rings (Figure 2c). Place the optical tube into the open rings. Close the rings, and use the silver clamp- ing knob on each tube ring to secure the telescope. Now you are ready to attach the telescope to the equatorial mount.
Socket-head cap screw 
Figure 2c. Attaching the dovetail mounting plate.
