Meade 884 Deluxe Operating Instructions

Introduction
The Meade #884 Tripod allows an ETX telescope to be mounted in either the altazimuth or the equatorial mode. The assembly
includes a latitude adjustment control and a tilt-plate incorporated into the design.
Parts List
• Tripod (1) with attached tilt-plate (2) and latitude adjustment control (3) with latch (4).
• Two attachment knobs (5) for attaching an ETX telescope to the tilt-plate.
• Spreader tray (6). Separate spring, two washers, and tension knob (7) to attach tray to tripod.
• Three leg extension lock knobs (8).
How to assemble the tripod
Step 1: Spread the tripod (1)
legs apart to a fully open
position.
Note: It is not necessary to tighten the spring (Step 3) to a fully compressed position. Tighten until the spreader
tray holds the legs tightly without slipping.
Mounting your Telescope
As the Earth rotates on its axis, astronomical objects appear to move across the sky in an arc. This apparent motion is not
obvious to the unaided eye, but when viewed through a telescope such as an ETX, this motion is rapid indeed. If the motor drive
has not been engaged, celestial objects viewed in the telescope eyepiece drift entirely out of the field of view in 15 to 60
seconds, depending on the magnification employed.
However, by mounting your telescope and turning on the motor drive, you can counteract the drift of objects in the eyepiece.
The two basic types of mounting are: altazimuth (alt/az) and equatorial. It is unnecessary for ETX owners who use an
Autostar Controller to equatorially mount the telescope. The Autostar Controller allows the telescope to be mounted
in the altazimuth (alt/az) mode for all observing purposes.
If you are using the ETX-70AT: Skip the "Equatorial Mount" section, below, and follow the procedure described in the
section entitled "Altazimuth (Alt/Az) Mount."
If you are using the ETX-90/105/125 equipped with the optional Autostar hand controller: Skip the "Equatorial
Mount" section, below, and follow the procedure described in the "Altazimuth Alt/Az Mount" section.
If you are using the ETX-90/105/125EC with Electronic Controller (EC): Follow the procedures in the "Equatorial
Mount" section and skip the section entitled "Altazimuth (Alt/Az) Mount."
If you are using the ETX-90RA: Follow the procedures in the "Equatorial Mount" section and skip the section entitled
"Altazimuth (Alt/Az) Mount."
Equatorial Mount
If you are using the Electronic Controller, use equatorial mounting. Mounting the telescope in this configuration lines up the
telescope's polar axis with the North Celestial Pole (or the South Celestial Pole if observing in the southern hemisphere).
When using an equatorially mounted telescope, tracking (following) celestial objects is possible by turning on your ETX
telescope's motor drive. The motor counteracts the Earth's rotation and keeps objects in the field of view of the eyepiece for
hands-off tracking.

Operating Instructions

Meade ® #884 Deluxe Field Tripod
For use with all ETX
Step 2: Slide the spreader
tray (6) onto the central
threaded rod.
®
telescopes
Step 3: Slide a washer,
followed by the spring, an-
other washer, and the
tension knob (7) onto the
threaded rod. Tighten the
tension knob to a firm feel.
Step 4: Adjust the height
of the tripod by
loosening the leg lock
knobs (8) and adjusting
the height of the inner
leg exten-sions. Then
retighten the lock knobs.