Stowing Your Gear In The Backpack; Safety Precautions - Meade ETX-80AT-BB Instruction Manual

Fig 10. Focus knob.
Fig 11. Insert batteries.
Fig 12. Plug AutoStar into the
HBX port of the computer
control panel.
Fig 13. Thread the dust cover
onto the tube.
Fig 14. The dewshield.
Fig 15. Secure the telescope
in the backpack using the
velcro strap.
10. Secure the eyepieces in place with their respective thumbsrews.
Tip: Always start observing using a low power eyepiece to get a nice wide field of view.
Later on you can change to high power, if so desired. But high powered eyepieces have
a much narrower field of view and it's more difficult to locate objects using high powered
eyepieces.
11. You can focus the eyepieces by turning the focus knob.
Tip: The focus knob has a very fine focus, so you may have to turn the knob 20 com-
plete turns or more to focus on an object.
Connect the AutoStar Handbox
12. Lift the battery cover. Now gently remove the battery holder from the compartment so
you don't accidentally pull out the wires attached to the holder. Insert 6 user supplied
"AA" 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.
13. Make sure that the computer control panel power switch is in the OFF position. Remove
AutoStar from the packing materials and plug it into the HBX port.
14. Flip the Power Switch on the computer control panel to the ON position. The copyright
message lights on AutoStar's LCD display.
15. Press the key prompted by AutoStar to accept the Sun warning.

Stowing your Gear in the Backpack

First disassemble the telescope assembly.
1. Loosen the vertical lock. Now move the tube to an upright position so that it is pointing
straight up through the fork arms and re-tighten the vertical lock.
2. Loosen the bolts on the underside of the tripod base, rotate the telescope counterclock-
wise, and lift the telescope off of the tripod. Now remove the bolts from the base.
3. Unscrew the dew shield. Thread the dust cover over the end of the telescope. Then flip
the dewshield over and place it over the end of the tube.
4. Next, close and lock the tripod: Hold the tripod by its handle and turn the locking ring to
loosen the tripod mechanism.
5. Lift the locking ring as far as it will go. Turn the locking ring to tighten the tripod in place.
Caution: Be careful not to close the tripod legs on your fingers.
Now, place the accessories and telescope into the backpack.
6. Put the eyepiece container into the provided pouches in the accessory compartment with
the "lip" at the top.
7. Place the bolts, prism into their respective pouches. Zip up the accessory compartment.
8 Stow the ETX telescope in your backpack. Use the velcro tape inside of the backpack to
further secure it in place. Place the AutoStar handbox into the lower section of the pack.
9. Zip up the pack.
10. Slide the tripod under the loops on the pack so that the feet will face downward when
you carry the pack. Secure the tripod using the loop lock: Hold the knot with one hand
and move the lock down toward the tripod with your other hand.

Safety Precautions

• Take care not to allow the telescope to be jolted severely while hiking.
• Try not to run for any significant distance. Don't toss the telescope in the pack on the
ground. Excessive vibrations may damage the telescope.
• The backpack is made of water-resistant material, but isn't waterproof. Some areas, such
as the zipper seam might allow rain to penetrate and cause damage to the
telescope.
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