Meade DS-10 Owner's Manual

I. UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY: MODEL DS-10
Prior to assembly of your Deep-Space telescope, you should familiarize yourself with the names of the various
parts of the instrument. See Fig. 1. In the following, part numbers in parenthesis refer to Fig. 1.
Your telescope has been carefully packed to insure safe arrival. When reassembling the tube assembly and
mount, you need only use a screwdriver and pliers or crescent wrench.
Packing of DS-10: The Model DS-10 is shipped in 4 cartons, as follows:
• Carton #1: Optical tube with secondary mirror and secondary mirror holder attached.
• Carton #2: Primary mirror, mounted in mirror cell; hardware for mirror cell.
• Carton #3: Equatorial Mount; focuser; eyepiece; hardware package; tripod legs.
• Carton #4: 1 piece--25 lb. counterweight.
Note that if you have ordered optional accessories to be shipped with your telescope, these accessories may be
packed in one of the above cartons, or may be packed in separate, additional cartons, depending on the size of
the accessories. Do not discard any packing materials until you have fully assembled the telescope and have
located all items of your order.
Assembly of the Equatorial Mount: The equatorial head is packed completely assembled with the pier
attached. The only assembly required is the addition of the three tripod legs. Use the three <-20 x l <" screws
with washers and <-20 wing nuts to attach each tripod leg to the pier. (For extra stability, use the <-20 hex nuts
instead of wing nuts and tighten with pliers or wrench.)
Latitude Adjustment: The mount is shipped with the latitude angle unset. In order for the telescope to track
accurately, the polar axis should be adjusted to your latitude. Basically, this operation involves loosening the
Latitude Locking Bolt (15) and turning the equatorial mount so that the angle of the polar axis to the horizontal
equals your latitude (see Fig. 1). Look up your latitude and set the angle of the polar axis using a protractor.
(Most road maps show latitudes.) Lock the latitude angle in place by firmly tightening the bolt (15). For now,
don't worry if the latitude angle is not set accurately. Just set the telescope polar axis at roughly the correct
angle. More precise latitude adjustment is discussed below. Extra tightening and support of the latitude angle is
provided by the 2 hex set screws located on each side of the pier cap (22). After setting the latitude angle
tighten these set screws with the proper hex wrench.
Counterweight: Slide the counterweight (10) onto the declination shaft, after removing the safety ring (12). Be
sure to firmly tighten the counterweight set-screw with the A1len hex wrench supplied. The counterweight
balances the entire weight of the telescope and should never be removed with the main tube attached. For now,
simply place the counterweight on the declination shaft. Exact positioning of the counterweight will be
explained later. Replace the safety ring (12).
Assembly of the Optical Tube: After removing the main optical tube from its shipping carton, attach the
focuser to the tube. Fasteners are supplied with both the standard #67 Focuser, and with the optional Deluxe
#680 Focuser, for this purpose. When attaching the focuser to the main tube, tighten the nuts to a "firm feel."
Do not over-tighten. Be sure that a washer is placed between each nut and the inside surface of the main tube.
Meade DS-10 Owner's Manual
Deep Space 10" f/4.5 Newtonian Reflector