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Figure 3b.
Pull-back on the tensioner and slide the finder scope
into its bracket until the O-ring is seated in the bracket ring.
inserting the Eyepiece
Loosen the thumbscrew on the 1.25" adapter (Figure 4) and
remove the small dust cap. Insert the 25mm eyepiece into the
focuser and secure it with the thumbscrew.
Your telescope is now completely assembled and should
appear as shown in Figure 1.
1.25"
eyepiece
adapter
Focus
knobs
Figure 4.
The 2" focuser of the SkyView Pro 8 EQ.
a.
2" eyepiece
adapter
Focus lock
thumbscrew
Collimation
screw pair (3)
b.
4. Balancing the telescope
To ensure smooth movement of the telescope on both axes
of the equatorial mount, it is imperative that the optical tube
is properly balanced. We will first balance the telescope with
respect to the right ascension (R.A.) axis, then the declination
(Dec.) axis.
1. Keeping one hand on the telescope optical tube, loosen
the R.A. lock lever. Make sure the Dec. lock lever is locked,
for now. The telescope should now be able to rotate freely
about the right ascension axis. Rotate it until the counter-
weight shaft is parallel to the ground (i.e., horizontal).
2. Now loosen both counterweight lock knobs and slide the
weights along the shaft until they exactly counterbalance
the telescope (Figure 5a). That's the point at which the
shaft remains horizontal even when you let go with both
hands (Figure 5b).
3. Retighten the counterweight lock knobs. The telescope is
now balanced on the right ascension axis.
4. To balance the telescope on the declination axis, first tight-
en the R.A. lock lever, with the counterweight shaft still in
the horizontal position.
5. With one hand on the telescope optical tube, loosen the
Dec. lock lever. The telescope should now be able to rotate
freely about the Dec. axis. Loosen the tube ring clamps a
few turns, until you can slide the telescope tube forward
and back inside the rings. (this can be aided by using a
slight twisting motion on the optical tube while you push or
pull on it). (Figure 5c).
6. Position the telescope in the mounting rings so it remains
horizontal when you carefully let go with both hands. This
is the balance point for the optical tube with respect to the
Dec. axis. (Figure 5d)
7. Retighten the tube ring clamps.
The telescope is now balanced on both axes. When you loos-
en the lock lever on one or both axes and manually point the
telescope, it should move without resistance and should not
drift from where you point it.
c.
d.
5
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