Meade Wilderness Spotting Scope User Manual

Instruction Manual

Meade Wilderness

Spotting Scopes

Introduction

Meade Wilderness spotting scopes are ideal for high-mag­nification, high-resolution observation of terrestrial subjects.
Explore the subtleties of a bird’s feather structure from 50
yards, read license plates more than one mile in the dis­tance, or use the spotting scope for casual astronomical
observations.

Note: “Spotting Scope” is a term used to define a tele­scope that is primarily intended for terrestrial (land) viewing.
Spotting Scopes can also be used for casual astronomical

to the observer that damage has occurred until it is too late.
Do not point the spotting scope or its viewfinder at or near
the Sun. Do not look through the spotting scope as it is
moving.
observing.

observing.

Never use a Meade® Spotting Scope 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

Children should always have adult supervision while

Objective

lens

Extendable

sunshade

Optical tube lock

Optical

tube

Focus

knob

Mounting platform

45°

Eyepiece

Zoom

1

Parts

The following parts are included with the spotting scope:

• The spotting scope optical tube, with lens covers.

• Soft carry case

Assembly Instructions

1. To attach the Meade Wilderness spotting scope to a tripod first

align the spotting scope mounting platform so that it is posi­tioned over the mounting screw in the tripod pan head.

2. Attach the tube to the mounting platform by turning the mount­ing screw counterclockwise. Tighten to a firm feel.

3. Remove the dust cap from tube and remove the eyepiece cap
from the eyepiece. Be sure to replace the dust caps after each
session.

Controls

• Focus Knob: Look into the eyepiece and rotate the focus knob
in either direction to focus on an object.

• Zoom: Rotate the zoom control to zoom in or out on an object;
then use the focus knob to refine the focus.

Thread
mounting screw
into mounting
platform

• Indoor Viewing vs. Outdoor Viewing: Although you may
casually observe through an open or closed window, the best
observing is always done outdoors. Temperature differences
between inside and outside air, and the low quality of window
glass can blur images through the spotting scope.

Thread camera
adapter over
zoom eyepiece

Camera Adapter

Your Meade zoom spotting scope includes a convenient, easy to
use camera adapter. The adapter is designed to be used with a
T-Mount (not included) that is dedicated to work with your camera’s
interchangeable lens mount.

Screw the camera adapter over the zoom eyepiece as shown
above.

Thread T-Mount
(not included)
on to camera
adapter

Then thread on your camera’s dedicated T-Mount on to the Meade
camera adapter as shown above.

Attach your camera to the T-Mount. Note that depending on how
your T-Mount threads onto the camera adapter, you may need
to adjust the alignment of your camera. Consult your T-Mount
instructions for details.

2 3

Terrestrial Observing

When viewing land objects, you will be observing through heat waves
on the earth surface. You may have noticed these heat waves while
driving down a highway during the summer. Heat waves cause a loss
of image quality.

If heat waves interfere with your viewing, try using low power to see
a steadier, higher quality image. Observe in early morning hours,
before the earth has built up too much internal heat.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Your spotting scope is a precision optical instrument designed for a
lifetime of rewarding viewing. It will rarely, if ever, require factory ser­vicing or maintenance. Follow these guidelines to keep your spotting
scope in the best condition:

• Avoid cleaning the spotting scope’s lenses. A little dust on the
front surface of the spotting scope’s correcting lens will not
cause loss of image quality.

• When absolutely necessary, dust on the front lens should be
removed with very gentle strokes of a camel hair brush or
blown off with an ear syringe (available at most pharmacies).

• Fingerprints and organic materials on the front lens may be
removed with a solution of 3 parts distilled water to 1 part
isopropyl alcohol. You may also add 1 drop of biodegradable
dishwashing soap per pint of solution. Use soft, white facial
tissues and make short, gentle strokes. Change tissues often.

CAUTION: Do not use scented or lotioned tissues or

damage could result to the optics. DO NOT use a com­mercial photographic lens cleaner.

• Your spotting scope is waterproof: It is designed to be used
by the sportsman, boater or casual user in an environment in
which exposure to water, such as rain, mist, splashing and
so forth, might be a possibility. It is intended to be resistant
to accidental exposure to water, but it is not designed for
intentional submersion or extended use in water. If your
spotting scope is intentionally immersed in water for any
significant length of time, you risk voiding the warranty.

Also note that although your spotting scope may be used near

a water environment, water on the lens will cause images to be
distorted. Wipe off water from the entire device with a soft cloth
when you leave the water environment. Allow all lenses to dry
fully before replacing the lens caps.

Meade Customer Service

If you have a question concerning your spotting scope, call Meade
Instruments Customer Service Department at [phone].
Customer Service hours are 7:00AM to 6:00PM, Pacific Time,
Monday through Friday. Write or call the Meade Customer

Service Department first, before returning the spotting scope
to the factory, giving full particulars as to the nature of the problem,

as well as your name, address, and daytime telephone number. The
great majority of servicing issues can be resolved by telephone,
avoiding return of the spotting scope to the factory.

Specifications

Meade Wilderness 20x - 60x 100mm Spotting Scope

Finish Black rubber armor

Lens coating Fully multi-coated

Prism type BAK4

Prism system Porro

Waterproof/fogproof nitrogen purged Yes*

Objective diameter 100mm

20x Field of View (at 1000 yds.) 40 ft.

60x Field of View (at 1000 yds.) 79 ft.

20x Short focus 32ft.

60x Short focus 33.5ft.

20x Eye relief 21mm

60x Eye relief 18mm

20x Exit pupil 5mm

60x Exit pupil 1.7mm

Length 21 in.

Height 6.8 in.

Weight 4.1 lbs

Accessories Carry case, cleaning cloth

* see “Cleaning and Maintenance” for details. and camera adapter

Specifications

Meade Wilderness 20x - 60x 80mm Spotting Scope

Finish Black rubber armor

Lens coating Fully multi-coated

Prism type BAK4

Prism system Porro

Waterproof/fogproof nitrogen purged Yes*

Objective diameter 80mm

20x Field of View (at 1000 yds.) 44 ft.

60x Field of View (at 1000 yds.) 87 ft.

20x Short focus 26.3 ft.

60x Short focus 27.9ft.

20x Eye relief 21mm

60x Eye relief 18mm

20x Exit pupil 4mm

60x Exit pupil 1.3mm

Length 18.25 in.

Height 6.9 in.

Weight 3.0 lbs

Accessories Carry case, cleaning cloth

* see “Cleaning and Maintenance” for details. and camera adapter

4 5

Specifications

Meade Wilderness 15x - 45x 65mm Spotting Scope

Finish Black rubber armor

Lens coating Fully multi-coated

Prism type BAK4

Prism system Porro

Waterproof/fogproof nitrogen purged Yes*

Objective diameter 65mm

15x Field of View (at 1000 yds.) 53 ft.

45x Field of View (at 1000 yds.) 105 ft.

15x Short focus 24.6ft.

45x Short focus 27.2 ft.

15x Eye relief 21mm

45x Eye relief 18mm

15x Exit pupil 4.3mm

45x Exit pupil 1.4mm

Length 14.5 in.

Height 6.875 in.

Weight 2.4 lbs

Accessories Carry case, cleaning cloth

* see “Cleaning and Maintenance” for details. and camera adapter

6

MEADE LIMITED

LIFETIME WARRANTY

Every Meade spotting scope is warranted by Meade Instruments Corp (MIC) to
be free of defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the original
purchaser. MIC will repair or replace the product, or part thereof, found upon
inspection by MIC to be defective, provided the defective part or product is
returned to MIC, freight prepaid, with proof of purchase. This warranty applies
to the original purchaser only and is non-transferable. MIC products purchased
outside North America are not included in this warranty, but are covered under
separate warranties issued by Meade International Distributors.

RGA Number Required: Prior to the return of any product or part, a Return
Goods Authorization (RGA) number must be obtained from Meade by writing,
calling 800-626-3233 (7:00am to 5:00pm, Pacific Time Zone) or by sending an
email to [e-mail]. Each returned part or product must
include a written statement detailing the nature of the claimed defect, as well as
the owner’s name, address, and phone number.

This warranty is not valid in cases where the product has been abused or
mishandled, where unauthorized repairs have been attempted or performed,
or where depreciation of the product is due to normal wear-and-tear. Meade
specifically disclaims special, indirect, or consequential damages or lost profit,
which may result from a breach of this warranty. Any implied warranties which
cannot be disclaimed are hereby limited to a term of one year from the date of
original retail purchase.

This warranty gives you specific rights. You may have other rights which vary
from state to state. Meade reserves the right to change product specifications
or to discontinue productions without prior notice. This warranty supersedes all
previous Meade spotting scope warranties.

14-4010-38 4/05