Orion SkyQuest XX12g Instruction Manual page 14

2. Once the tube is seated in the base, insert and tighten
the tube connecting knob to secure the tube in place
(Figure 25).
3. Lastly, for the XX14g, install the remaining three counter-
weights on the rear cell of the lower tube section (if you
only installed three in the "Initial Assembly of the Optical
Tube" section). There should now be six counterweights
installed on the rear cell – two on each of the three
mounting bolts. These counterweights are not optional;
they are needed on the XX14g to provide proper balance
of the optical tube.
Accessory Installation
Now that the base is assembled and the optical tube installed,
all that remains is to attach the EZ Finder II reflex sight and
pop an eyepiece into the focuser.
EZ Finder II
Using the included dovetail mounting bracket, the EZ Finder
II will slip neatly into the dovetail base pre-installed on the
upper tube section adjacent to the focuser. The EZ Finder II
arrives attached to the mounting bracket. Just slide the dove-
tail mounting bracket into the telescope's dovetail mounting
base and tighten the thumbscrew on the base to secure the
mounting bracket.
Operating the EZ Finder II
The EZ Finder II works by projecting a tiny red dot (it is not a
laser beam) onto a lens mounted in the front of the unit. When
you look through the EZ Finder II, the red dot will appear to
float in space, helping you to pinpoint your target object. The
red dot is produced by a light-emitting diode (LED) near the
rear of the sight. A 3-volt lithium battery provides the power
for the diode. Turn the power knob (see Figure 27) clockwise
until you hear the "click" indicating that power has been turned
on. Look through the back of the reflex sight with both eyes
open to see the red dot. Position your eye at a comfortable
distance from the back of the sight. In daylight you may need
to cover the front of the sight with your hand to be able to see
the dot, which is purposefully quite dim. The intensity of the
dot is adjusted by turning the power knob. For best results
when stargazing, use the dimmest possible setting that allows
you to see the dot without difficulty. Typically a dimmer set-
ting is used under dark skies and a brighter setting is needed
under light-polluted skies or in daylight.
Aligning the EZ Finder II
When the EZ Finder II is properly aligned with the telescope,
an object that is centered on the EZ Finder II's red dot should
also appear in the center of the field of view of the telescope's
eyepiece. Alignment of the EZ Finder II is easiest during day-
light, before observing at night. Aim the telescope at a distant
object such as a telephone pole or roof chimney and center it
in the telescope's eyepiece. The object should be at least 1/4
mile away. Now, with the EZ Finder II turned on, look though
the EZ Finder II. The object should appear in the field of view.
Without moving the main telescope, use the EZ Finder II's
azimuth (left/right) and altitude (up/down) adjustment knobs
14
Figure 25.
Secure the tube to the base with the tube connecting
knob.
Figure 26.
To mount the fully assembled tube assembly onto
the base, grasp the rear of the scope with one hand and one of
the truss poles with the other. Holding the telescope in a horizontal
orientation, lower it into the base, sliding the dovetail slot in the
tube's left altitude bearing onto the mating part of the metal trunnion
on the left side panel.
(see Figure 27) to position the red dot on the object in the
eyepiece. When the red dot is centered on the distant object,
check to make sure that the object is still centered in the
telescope's field of view. If not, re-center it and adjust the EZ
Finder II's alignment again. When the object is centered in
the eyepiece and on the EZ Finder's red dot, the EZ Finder
II is properly aligned with the telescope. Once aligned, the
EZ Finder II will usually hold its alignment even after being
removed and remounted. Otherwise, only minimal realign-
ment will be needed. At the end of your observing session,
be sure to turn the power knob counterclockwise until it clicks
off. When the white dots on the EZ Finder II's body and power
knob are lined up, the EZ Finder II is turned off.
Replacing the Battery
Should the battery ever die, replacement 3-volt lithium bat-
teries are available from many retail outlets. Remove the old
battery by inserting a small flat-head screwdriver into the slot