Celestron
WEDGE
for NexStar Evolution and NexStar SE 6 & 8
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Model #93665
ENGLISH
Your NexStar tracks celestial objects with its altitude-azimuth
motor drive. Objects will stay centered in the telescope’s fi eld
of view, but with alt-az tracking they will rotate over time. This
limits the potential exposure time when using the telescope for
astrophotography. The Wedge tilts the telescope’s azimuth
axis so that it tracks stars as they move in an arc around the
celestial pole. This keeps objects centered without rotation,
allowing you to take longer exposure astrophotos.
Your wedge comes mostly assembled out of the box. However,
you will need to attach the latitude adjustment rod and may
need to adjust the side latitude plate depending on your location.
Part List
• Wedge Assembly
• Fork arm attachment
bolt with washer
• 10mm hex key
• 8mm hex key
• 6mm hex key
• 5mm hex key
• 2.5mm hex key
Figure 1.1 Hardware
Figure 1.2 Wedge
Tilt Plate
Latitude
Locking
Knobs
Latitude
Adjustment Knob
Figure 2
Swivel Block
L-Bracket
Latitude
Locking
Knobs
Latitude Bar
Adjusting the Center of Gravity of
the Wedge
Before mounting a telescope to your wedge you may wish to
change its center of gravity by shifting the wedge side plates
forward. The side plates can be moved forward if you are
observing from a higher latitude (50° or higher). This will place
the telescope’s center of gravity closer to the center of your
tripod for maximum stability. To adjust the side plates:
1. Loosen the two latitude locking knobs on both sides of
the wedge (Figure 2).
2. Push the tilt plate all the way forward as far as it will go,
and hand tighten the latitude locking knobs to hold the tilt
plate in place.
3. Slide the entire wedge forward so that the holes line
up with the front three holes on the base plate. (Figure 3).
4. Replace the screws in the side plates in their new position.
Assembling the Wedge
1. Loosen the two latitude locking knobs on both sides of
the wedge (Figure 2).
2. Push the tilt plate all the way forward as far as it will go,
and hand tighten the latitude locking screws to hold the tilt
plate in place.
3. Remove the two screws from each of the L-brackets on
the bottom of the tilt plate.
4. Place one end of the swivel block into one of the top holes
on the inside of the L-bracket.
5. Once one side of the swivel block is in place, reattach the
screws to hold the L-bracket to the tilt plate.
6. Attach the remaining L-bracket to the bottom of the tilt plate
making sure the other end of the swivel block fi ts inside the
corresponding hole on the bracket. Tighten both brackets.
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Figure 3
Attaching the Wedge to Your Tripod
The Wedge attaches to your Evolution or SE tripod using the
tripod’s 3 captive spring-loaded screws located under the
tripod head. These are the 3 screws which normally attach
to the fork arm assembly of your telescope.
2. Use the latitude adjustment knob to move the tilt plate until
the latitude scale indicates the latitude of your location.
3. Tighten the latitude locking screws on the side of the
wedge to secure the tilt plate in place.
1. Locate the positioning pin in the center of your tripod.
2. Lower the wedge onto the tripod so that the hole underneath
the center of the base plate fits over the tripod positioning
pin. This will allow you to center the wedge on the tripod head.
3. Rotate the wedge until the three registration pads on the
wedge align with the three threaded holes on the tripod head.
Center
Positioning Pin
Figure 4.1
Attaching the Telescope to the Wedge
1. Lay the telescope on its side and locate the three threaded
holes in the bottom of the fork arm.
2. Thread the attachment bolt into the hole closest to the fork
arm with a handle. Rotate the telescope base if necessary
to align the fork arm with the closest hole.
3. Pick the telescope up by the fork arm and the base, and
position it above the wedge.
4. Slide the bolt into the slotted hole at the top of the tilt plate.
5. Tighten the bolt slightly so that the bottom of the telescope
base is flush to the tilt plate. Do not tighten it fully or you
will not be able to move the base enough to insert the two
remaining bolts.
6. Move the base of the telescope until the two remaining
holes in the base line up with the holes in the tilt plate on
the wedge. The raised feet on the bottom of the telescope
base should drop into the recesses on the wedge tilt plate.
7. Thread the remaining two attachment bolts which are
captive on the wedge.
Attachment Bolt
Threads Onto
Fork Arm First
Registration
Pads
Captive
Attachment
Screws
Figure 4.2
Latitude Adjustment
Before attaching your telescope to the wedge, you may wish
to first adjust the wedge to the proper latitude. To do so:
1. Loosen the two latitude locking knobs (located on the side
of the wedge) that secure the tilt plate. (See Figure 2).
Captive
Attachment
Bolts
Figure 5
Polar Aligning The Wedge
Use the latitude adjustment knob to make final adjustments
to your polar alignment in altitude. Use the azimuth adjustment
knobs to make adjustments to your polar alignment in azimuth.
In order to move your telescope smoothly in azimuth, slightly
loosen the three azimuth plate screws before using the
azimuth adjustment knobs (see Figure 6).
ENGLISH I 3
Azimuth
Adjustment
Knobs
Figure 6
Tips for Use
If the latitude adjustment knob is difficult to turn, slightly loosen
the bolts holding the orange latitude pivot bar. This will allow
the bar to rotate more easily as the latitude angle changes.
Try to set your latitude and azimuth position on the wedge as
close as possible before adding the weight of the telescope.
This will minimize the amount of adjustment needed while the
wedge is weighed down with the telescope.
For best stability, check that all socket head screws on the
wedge are snug using the included hex keys. Polar align the
wedge first, then check that everything is snug, but there is
no need to overtighten.
SPECIFICATIONS
Load capacity 16.3 KG (36 LBS)
Compatibility
NexStar Evolution 6, 8, 9.25, (works with
CPC Tripod for 9.25 model), NexStar SE 6/8
Weight 6.8 kg (15 lbs)
Construction
Cast aluminum with machined
aluminum parts
Latitude range 0º to 70º
Azimuth fine
adjustment range
+/- 10º
CELESTRON TWO YEAR
LIMITED WARRANTY
A. Celestron warrants your telescope mount to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship for two years. Celestron will repair or
replace such product or part thereof which, upon inspection by
Celestron, is found to be defective in materials or workmanship.
As a condition to the obligation of Celestron to repair or replace
such product, the product must be returned to Celestron together
with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to Celestron.
B. The Proper Return Authorization Number must be obtained from
Celestron in advance of return. Call Celestron at (310) 328-9560
to receive the number to be displayed on the outside of your
shipping container.
All returns must be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the
name, address, and daytime telephone number of the owner, together
with a brief description of any claimed defects. Parts or product for
which replacement is made shall become the property of Celestron.
The customer shall be responsible for all costs of transportation and
insurance, both to and from the factory of Celestron, and shall be
required to prepay such costs.
Celestron shall use reasonable efforts to repair or replace any telescope
mount covered by this warranty within thirty days of receipt. In the event
repair or replacement shall require more than thirty days, Celestron shall
notify the customer accordingly. Celestron reserves the right to replace
any product which has been discontinued from its product line with a
new product of comparable value and function.
This warranty shall be void and of no force of effect in the event
a covered product has been modified in design or function, or
subjected to abuse, misuse, mishandling or unauthorized repair.
Further, product malfunction or deterioration due to normal wear is
not covered by this warranty.
CELESTRON DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, WHETHER OF MERCHANTABILITY OF FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR USE, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET
FORTH HEREIN. THE SOLE OBLIGATION OF CELESTRON
UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE TO REPAIR
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WHICH MAY RESULT FROM BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY,
OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY
CELESTRON PRODUCT. ANY WARRANTIES WHICH ARE
IMPLIED AND WHICH CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED SHALL BE
LIMITED IN DURATION TO A TERM OF TWO YEARS FROM
THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages or limitation on how long an implied warranty
lasts, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.
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other rights which vary from state to state.
Celestron reserves the right to modify or discontinue, without prior
notice to you, any model or style telescope.
If warranty problems arise, or if you need assistance in using your
telescope mount contact our customer service department.
NOTE: This warranty is valid to U.S.A. and Canadian customers who
have purchased this product from an authorized Celestron dealer
in the U.S.A. or Canada. Warranty outside the U.S.A. and Canada is
valid only to customers who purchased from a Celestron’s International
Distributor or Authorized Celestron Dealer in the specific country.
Please contact them for any warranty service.
www.celestron.com
2835 Columbia Street • Torrance, CA 90503 U.S.A.
Telephone: 800.421.9649
©2015 Celestron • All rights reserved.
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