Balancing The Telescope - Meade Starfinder 16 Instruction Manual

2. If you have purchased one of the optional Viewfinders (3, Fig 1), attach it as shown using the supplied
hardware. As with the focuser, a firm feel is sufficient. Overtightening may result in damage to the tube's
finish.
Your Meade Starfinder telescope was fully assembled, aligned, and tested at the Meade factory. To ensure
safe shipping, the primary mirror was then removed from the telescope. Locate the primary mirror cell
assembly (see Fig 1). Again, take extreme care not to touch or bump the primary mirror.
To install the primary mirror, follow these steps:
3. You will note that there is a colored marker on the rear of the telescope tube. There is a corresponding
colored marker on the mirror cell. Carefully slide the mirror cell into the rear of the tube, ensuring that
the two colored markers line up. Secure the cell to the tube with the hardware provided. Again, do not
overtighten the screws. A firm feel is sufficient.
4. Carefully place the assembled optical tube into the previously assembled base as illustrated in Figure
1. Note that the two large bearings on the side of the tube cradle into the cutouts of the mount. Also
note the orientation of the tube to the mount; the focuser should be on the opposite side from the
mount's Front Board.
C. BALANCING THE TELESCOPE
Dobsonian telescopes are designed to move easily, but at the same time remain in the position they are
placed. This is achieved by carefully balancing the telescope at the Meade factory. The telescope is
balanced for standard accessories.
However, should anything attached to the telescope change, for example using a larger or smaller eyepiece,
using a viewfinder, or even moving the primary mirror during collimation, slight imperfections in balance may
occur.
If you find that as you change eyepieces or accessories an out-of-balance condition causes annoyance, this
is relatively easy to solve. Meade offers an optional counterweight set which attaches to the mirror cell using
the counterweight thread. Or, with a little ingenuity, counterweights can be fashioned by the telescope
owner, using fishing sinkers or washers.
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