Operating Your Telescope; Aligning The Finderscope; Using The Red Dot Finder - SKY-WATCHER EQ3-2 Instruction Manual

Fig.a
Fig.a1
The Red Dot Finder is a zero magnification pointing
tool that uses a coated glass window to superimpose
the image of a small red dot onto the night sky. The
Red Dot Finder is equipped with a variable brightness
control, azimuth adjustment control, and altitude
adjustment control (Fig.b). The Red Dot Finder is
powered by a 3-volt lithium battery located underneath
at the front. To use the Finder, simply look through the
sight tube and move your telescope until the red dot
merges with the object. Make sure to keep both eyes
open when sighting.
Aligning the Red Dot Finder
Like all finderscopes, the Red Dot Finder must be
properly aligned with the main telescope before use.
This is a simple process using the azimuth and altitude
control knobs.
1)
Open the battery cover by pulling it down (you can
gently pry at the 2 small slots) and remove the
plastic shipping cover over the battery (Fig.b1).
2)
Turn on the Red Dot Finder by rotating the variable
brightness control clockwise until you hear a "click".
Continue rotating the control knob to increase the
brightness level.
3)
Insert a low power eyepiece into the telescope's
focuser. Locate a bright object and position the
telescope so that the object is in the centre of the
field of view.
4)
With both eyes open, look through the sight tube at
the object. If the red dot overlaps the object, your
Red Dot Finder is perfectly aligned. If not, turn its
azimuth and altitude adjustment controls until the
red dot is merged with the object.

OPERATING YOUR TELESCOPE

The finderscope (optical or red dot) is a very useful accessory
that is included with your telescope. When the finderscope is
correctly aligned with the telescope, objects can be quickly
located and brought to the centre of the field. Alignment is best
done outdoors in day light when it's easier to locate objects. If
it is necessary to refocus your finderscope, sight on an object
that is at least 500 yards (metres) away. Loosen the locking
ring by unscrewing it back towards the bracket. The front lens
holder can now be turned in and out to focus. When focus is
reached, lock it in position with the locking ring (Fig.a).
1)
Choose a distant object that is at least 500 yards away and
point the main telescope at the object. Adjust the telescope
so that the object is in the centre of the view in your
eyepiece.
2)
Check the finderscope to see if the object centred in the
main telescope view is centred on the crosshairs.
3)
Adjust the two small screws to centre the finderscope
crosshairs on the object (Fig.a1).
Fig.b
ON/OFF
Brightness
Control
Altitude
Adjustment
Control
Fig.b1
10
Azimuth
Sight Tube
adjustment
control
Battery cover
Plastic
shipping
cover