Celestron Refractor 80ED User Manual

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INTRODUCTION

A spotting scope is nothing more than a telescope that is designed to look around the Earth. Unlike
astronomical telescopes, which produce inverted or reverted images, spotting scopes produce
correctly oriented images. Celestron offers several different models, each of which uses the highest
quality optics to produce the best possible images.

How to Use this Manual

This manual explains the proper use of your Celestron spotting scope —from initial set up to on­going use. This manual is broken down into several sections. The first covers attaching your spotting
scope to a stable platform, like a photographic tripod, so that the standard accessories can be attached.
The second section is on using your spotting scope. Topics include how to attach the standard
accessories, how to locate objects, etc. The last sections deal with general information. Topics include
visual and photographic observing hints, astronomical uses for your spotting scope, and maintenance
information. Before you attempt to use your spotting scope, read this manual carefully.

A Word of Caution!

Your Celestron spotting scope is designed to give you hours of fun and rewarding observations.
There are, however, a few things to consider before using your spotting scope that will ensure your
safety and protect your equipment.

• Never look directly at the Sun with the naked eye or with your spotting scope. Permanent and
irreversible eye damage may result.

• Never use your spotting scope to project an image of the Sun onto any surface. Internal heat
build-up can damage your spotting scope and/or any accessories attached to it.

• Never use an eyepiece solar filter or a Herschel wedge. Internal heat build-up inside your spotting
scope can cause these devices to crack or break, allowing unfiltered sunlight to pass through to
the eye.

• Never leave your spotting scope unsupervised, either when children are present or adults who
may not be familiar with the correct operating procedures of your spotting scope.

• Never point your spotting scope at the Sun unless you have the proper solar filter. When using
your spotting scope with the proper solar filter, ALWAYS cover the finderscope. Although small
in aperture, this instrument has enough light gathering power to possibly cause permanent and
irreversible eye damage. In addition, the image projected by the finder is hot enough to burn skin
and clothing.

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GETTING STARTED

The high magnification of your spotting scope makes it very difficult to handhold and, as a result, it
must be attached to a stable platform. The 80ED has a tripod adapter, which is located on the bottom
of the spotting scope's tube ring. Remove your spotting scope from the box and attach it to a mount as
described below.

Photographic Tripod

For best results, attach your Celestron spotting scope to a heavy duty photo tripod with a quick
release platform. To attach your spotting scope to the tripod:

1. Place the tripod adapter located on the bottom of the tube ring clamp, over the 1/4x20 screw on
the photo tripod quick release platform. Keep in mind that the platform is not on the tripod at this
time. Tighten the screw (located on the under side of the platform) until tight. Just in front of the
1/4x20 screw is usually a small peg used to secure video cameras to the tripod. If you are not
using a video camera, this peg, which is spring-loaded, will push down into the tripod head.

2. Rotate the platform lock clockwise. Slide the front of the platform in first, then pivot the back in.

3. Push the platform lock counterclockwise until it touches the under side of the tripod head. This
will hold the platform in place.

Once mounted on the tripod, you are ready to attach the standard accessories.

Equatorial Mount

Your 80ED has a dovetail bracket on the bottom of the tube ring clamp that allows it to be used with
the Advanced GT CG-5 equatorial mount. Follow the directions in your mounts owner manual for
instruction on attaching the optical tube.

What next?

With your spotting scope firmly attached to a stable platform, you are ready to attach the standard
accessories and begin using your spotting scope.

Spotting Scope Setup

This section covers the correct set up and operating procedures for your Celestron 80mm ED spotting
scope and includes information on visual and photographic observations. The spotting scope uses a
refractor optical design with a two-element lens made of low dispersion optical glass. Unlike other
spotting scopes which have built-in correcting prisms, the 80ED uses a diagonal to produce a
correctly oriented image. This allows you to use your spotting scope like a conventional telephoto
when a camera is attached. The basic Celestron 80ED comes standard with the following accessories:

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Take a few minutes to study the diagram below to help familiarize yourself with the various parts of
your spotting scope for set up and ongoing use.

Objective Lens

Removing the Lens Cover

To protect your spotting scope, the objective lens, focuser, and accessories are fitted with protective
covers. All are tension-fitted and easily removed by pulling off. The covers should be removed as
each piece is installed. Once removed, place the covers in the box to ensure they won’t get lost.

Attaching the Standard Accessories

With your spotting scope attached to a sturdy mount, as described earlier in this manual, you are
ready to attach the standard accessories. To do this:

1. Remove the protective covers from the focuser of the spotting scope, the 45º Erect Image

25mm Plossl Eyepiece 1 1/4” (24x)
45° Erect Image Diagonal – 1 1/4”
6x30 Erect Image Finderscope
Lens Caps
¼ x 20 Dovetail Mounting Adapter

Figure 1 – Wide View spotting scope shown on optional tripod

Dovetail / Photo
Tripod Mount

Diagonal, and the eyepiece.

80ED Spotting Scope

Tube Ring
Clamp

Focuser Knob

Finderscope

Quick-release
Finderscope
Bracket

Eyepiece

Focuser

45º Erect Image
Diagonal

2. Loosen the thumbscrew on the focuser of the spotting scope so that the opening (i.e., inner
diameter) is unobstructed.

3. Slide the chrome barrel of the 45º
Erect Image Diagonal into the focuser
barrel.

4. Tighten the thumbscrew on the focuser
to hold it in place.

5. Loosen the thumbscrew on the
eyepiece holder of the 45º Erect Image
Diagonal. Make sure that it does not
block the inner diameter of the
eyepiece holder.

Figure 2

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6. Insert the chrome barrel of the eyepiece into the 45º Erect Image Diagonal.

7. Tighten the thumbscrew on the 45° Erect Image Diagonal to hold the eyepiece in place.

Attaching The Finderscope

Your spotting scope comes with a 6x30mm erect image finderscope to help you locate distant objects
that might be difficult to find in the narrow field of view of the main spotting scope.

1. Attach the finderscope and bracket by sliding the rubber O-ring over the eyepiece lens

(narrow) end of the finderscope and roll it 1/3 of the way up the finderscope body. Then
insert the eyepiece lens end of the finder through the rings in the bracket until the O-ring
presses tightly between the finderscope and the inside of the bracket. Tighten the two
adjustment screws until they make contact with the finderscope body.

2. Slide the finder bracket (attached to the finderscope) into the mounting bracket on the

spotting scope. Tighten the thumb screw on the mounting bracket to hold the finderscope in
place. See figure 3

Figure 3

Aligning the Finderscope

The 6x30mm finder is adjusted using two adjustment screws, located on the top and on the right
(when looking though the finder) of the finder bracket and a spring loaded pivot screw (located on the
left side of the bracket). This allows you to turn the top adjustment screw to move the finderscope up
and down, and turn the right adjustment screw to move the finderscope right to left. The spring
loaded pivot screw puts constant pressure on the finder so that the adjustment screws are always
making contact with the finder.

To align the finderscope:

1. Choose a target in excess of one mile away. This will eliminate any possible parallax effect.

2. Point the spotting scope at your target and center it in the eyepiece of the spotting scope.

3. Adjust the screws on the finder bracket until the cross hairs in the finder are centered on the

target.

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