Getting started – Meade Instruments ETX-80AT-TC User Manual

Page 13

Parts Listing
Getting the telescope ready for first observations requires only a few minutes. When first open-
ing the packing box, note carefully the following parts:

•

The ETX Astro Telescope with fork mount system, built-in flip barlow.

•

#882 Standard Field Tripod with carry case

•

Accessory tray with mounting bolts and wingnuts

•

#494 AutoStar handbox with attached coil cord.

•

Meade premium eyepieces.

•

Hex-wrench, packed with the instruction manual. See

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

page 33.

Telescope Assembly
Setting up the Tripod
1.

Open the tripod: Remove the tripod from the giftbox and stand vertically. Gently pull the
legs apart to a fully open position. See

Fig. 6a. Turn the center tripod lock knob to secure

and stabilize the tripod. See

Fig. 6b. Tighten to a firm feel.

Caution: Make sure you loosen the tripod lock knob before collapsing the tripod at
the end of your viewing session.

Loosen the vertical lock and move the optical tube downward. Then, re-tighten the verti-
cal lock. See

Fig. 7.

Attach the telescope to the tripod: Line up the mounting holes on the telescope with the
mounting holes on the base. Reach underneath and thread the mounting bolt through the
tripod base and into the telescope base. See

Fig. 8. Tighten to a firm feel only, do not over-

tighten.

Attach the tray to the tripod: Line up the mounting holes on the accessory tray with the
mounting holes on one of the tray struts. See

Fig. 9. Remove the wingnuts from the two

mounting bolts. Slide the mounting bolts through the top of the tray and through the tray
struts. Reach underneath the tray and thread the wingnuts back onto the bolts. Tighten to
a firm feel only.

Insert the eyepiece: Remove the supplied 25mm eyepiece from its container and slide it
into the eyepiece holder. See

Fig. 10. Tighten the thumbscrews to a firm feel only.

Remove the dust cover (12, Fig. 1) from the end of optical tube assembly.

Connect the AutoStar Handbox
7.

Remove the battery compartment: Lift the battery cover. Gently remove the battery hold-
er from the compartment so you don’t accidentally pull out the wires attached to the hold-
er. Insert 6 user-supplied “AB” batteries in the holder. Refer to the diagram on the holder
to orient the batteries properly. Replace the holder back into the battery compartment and
replace the lid. See

Fig. 11a.

GETTING STARTED

Fig. 6a: Open the tripod...

Fig. 6b: ...turn the locking
ring to secure the tripod
legs.

Fig. 8a: Thread bolts
through the telescope base.

Fig. 7: Unlock the vertical
lock and move the tube
down.

Fig. 9: Attach accessory
tray to leg braces using
supplied bolts and
wingnuts.

Fig. 10: Insert eyepiece and
focus.

Fig. 11a: Install batteries.

Fig. 11b: Connect the AutoStar handbox
and turn on the computer control panel.