Meade DS-114 User Manual

® DS

P/N 14-0500-00 06/00

CONTENTS
Introduction ........................................................................................................................	5
Unpacking ..........................................................................................................................	5
Assembly: 60mm and 70mm models ................................................................................	5
Assembly: 80mm, 90mm, 114mm, and 127mm Models ....................................................	7
Balancing the Tube in the Mount ........................................................................................	7
Attaching the Viewfinder ....................................................................................................	7
Focusing the Viewfinder ................................................................................................	9
Aligning the Viewfinder ..................................................................................................	9
Observing Through the Telescope......................................................................................	9
The Focuser and the Eyepiece-Holder ........................................................................	10
Astronomical Observing................................................................................................	10
Eyepieces and Magnification........................................................................................	10
The Barlow Lens ..........................................................................................................	10
A Note About Power......................................................................................................	11
Collimation of the Telescope's Optical System ................................................................	11
Maintenance......................................................................................................................	11
Questions and Repairs ................................................................................................	11
Appendix 1: Optical Alignment of 114mm and 127mm Models: ......................................	13
Appendix 2: Telescope Control Systems ..........................................................................	15
#490 Manual Slow-Motion Control set ........................................................................	15
#492 Dual-Motor Electronic Control System ................................................................	15
To Install the #492 System ..........................................................................................	15
Operating Notes on the #492 Dual-Motor Electronic Control System ........................	17
#493 Autostar Computer Control System ....................................................................	18
To Install the #493 System ..........................................................................................	18
Appendix 3: Optional Electronic and Computer Drive Systems ......................................	19
#490 Manual Control Set..............................................................................................	19
#492 Dual-Motor Electronic Control System ................................................................	19
#493 Autostar Computer Control System ....................................................................	19
#495 Autostar Handbox................................................................................................	19
#497 Autostar Handbox................................................................................................	19

® The name “Meade,” the Meade logo, and “Autostar” are trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent Office and in principal countries throughout the world. All rights reserved.

© 2000 Meade Instruments Corporation.

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A
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Assembly and Operating Instructions for

Meade® Digital Electronic Telescope Series

60mm (2.4"), 70mm (2.8"), 80mm (3.1"), 90mm (3.5") Refracting Telescopes; 114mm (4.5"), and 127mm (5") Reflecting Telescopes

Numbered references are to the figures on the pages of this manual. Example: “D-4” refers to item 4 of Fig. D.

WARNING! Never use a Meade® DS Telescope to look at the Sun! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye. Eye damage is often painless, so there is no warning to the observer that damage has occurred until it is too late. Do not point the telescope or its viewfinder at or near the sun. Do not look through the telescope or its viewfinder as it is moving. Children should always have adult supervision while observing.

CAUTION: Use care to install batteries as indicated by the battery compartment. Follow battery manufacturers' precautions. Do not install batteries backward or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batteries void your Meade warranty.

Introduction: Meade Digital Electronic Telescope Series (DS) models are illustrated in the following figures: Fig. A — 60mm and 70mm refracting telescopes; Fig. B — 80mm and 90mm refracting telescopes; Fig. C — 114mm and 127mm reflecting telescopes. Telescope optical specifications (diameter, D, and focal length, F) are printed on a foil plate affixed to the optical tube. Example: 60mm models have a diameter D = 60mm and a focal length F = 700mm.

Meade DS instruments are available in a variety of trade names (Polaris, Saturn, TeleStar, etc.), with different levels and types of accessorization. All of these telescopes, however, share the same basic optical tube assemblies, mechanical mountings, tripods, and other features. The instructions provided here apply equally well to all DS trade names.

All Meade DS telescopes are similar in assembly and operation. Fig. A is used in these instructions for most references where assembly or operation is identical among all the models. Differences among the models, where these differences affect assembly or operation, are pointed out below.

Users of DS models which include (either as part of the original telescope or purchased separately as an optional feature) an additional telescope control system (such as the #490 Manual Slow-Motion Control Set, the #492 Dual-Motor Electronic Control System, or the #493 Autostar Computer Control System) should first assemble the basic telescope; instructions for adding one of these optional control systems are given in Appendix 2 of this manual.

Unpacking: Locate and remove the following components and parts from the packing box: optical tube (A-1); viewfinder (A-4) and viewfinder bracket (A-5); yoke mount (A-6); tripod legs (A-7); poly bag with 3 bolts and nuts for attaching the tripod to the yoke (60mm and 70mm models only); accessory shelf (A-8); one or more eyepieces (A-9); diagonal mirror (A-10, not included with 114mm and 127mm models). On 60mm and 70mm models the optical tube is factory-attached to the yoke mount and the tripod legs are packed separately in the packing box. On all other models the yoke mount is factory-attached to the three tripod legs and the optical tube is packed separately in the packing box.

Assembly: 60mm and 70mm Models — Attach the three (aluminum) tripod legs to the base of the yoke mount, as shown in Fig. A. In attaching each leg, slide one of the bolts through the hole (A-12) at the top of the leg, thread the hex nut on to the opposite end of the bolt, and

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