Getting Started; Unpacking And Assembly - Meade LX70 Series Instruction Manual

Getting Started

The Meade LX70 series models are versa-
tile, high-resolution telescopes. They offer un-
matched mechanical and optical performance
that reveal nature in an ever-expanding level of
detail. Observe the feather structure of an eagle
from 50 yards or study the rings of the planet
Saturn from a distance of 800 million miles. Fo-
cus beyond the Solar System and observe ma-
jestic nebulae, ancient star clusters, and remote
galaxies.
Meade LX70 series telescopes are instruments
fully capable of growing with your interest and
can meet the requirements of the most demand-
ing advanced observer. Before using your tele-
scope, read the entire instructions carefully. Your
telescope should be assembled during daylight
hours and setup in an area that allows you to
unpack all the included parts.

Unpacking and Assembly

1. Remove the components from the boxes:
Remove and identify the telescope's equipment.
Refer to FIG. 1 - 4 for images of the parts and
the overall assembly of your telescope.
When removing the tripod from the box, hold the
assembly parallel (horizontal) to the ground or
the inner tripod leg extensions may slide out if
they are not locked in place. Tighten the tripod
leg lock knobs (Fig. 1. #1) to secure the legs in
place.
2. Adjust the tripod legs: Spread the tripod
legs as far apart as they will open. Now adjust
the individual tripod legs by loosening the tripod
leg lock knobs and extending the inner legs un-
til the tripod head is approximately level to the
ground. Relock the leg lock knob until firm.
3. Attach the spreader bar to the tripod:
Thread the small end of the Mount Locking
Knob and Shaft (Fig. 1, #4) along with the wash-
er all the way into the bottom of the tripod head.
When complete, the shaft will be held captive
and allowed to be raised above the threads.
Next, remove the Tripod Spreader Lock Knob
(Fig. 1, #2) and washer. Place the center hole of
the Tripod Spreader (Fig. 1, #3) onto the chrome
shaft with the flat side facing up. Loosely thread
on the Tripod Spreader Lock Knob and washer
Figure 5:
Installing the
mount locking knob and shaft
to prevent the tripod spreader from falling off the
shaft.
4. Attach mount to tripod: Place the LX70
mount onto the tripod head with the protrusion
on top of the tripod's head positioned between
the fine azimuth adjustment knobs (Fig 1, #5 ).
If necessary, back off the azimuth adjustment
knobs wide enough for the protrusion to fit be-
tween them.
Next, tighten the Mount Locking Knob (Fig. 1,
#4) so the mount secures to the tripod head.
Tighten this knob to a firm feel. Then rotate the
Tripod Spreader (Fig. 1, #3) so the wings of the
spreader align with each tripod leg. Tighten the
Tripod Spreader Lock Knob(Fig. 1, #2) until firm.
When you wish to collapse the tripod, loosen
the Tripod Spreader Lock Knob and rotate the
wings so they are between the tripod legs. You
do not need to remove the Tripod Spreader un-
less desired.
Figure 7: Attaching mount
to tripod
7
Figure 6: Tripod spreader
Figure 8: Tightening the spreader
lock knob