Meade X Wedge Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

X-Wedge for LX200 and LX600 telescopes

X-WEDGE OPERATING MANUAL

This Meade X-Wedge is designed for use with the Meade Giant
Field Tripod.

1 Hex wrenches (3)

2 Center mounting

bolt (1) and washer (1)

4 3/8" hex screws (3)

and washers (3)

AutoStar #497 HANDBOX

Figure A. Hardware kit for the X-Wedge.

X-Wedge Instruction Manual

Warning: If the telescope is placed on the wedge without
the field tripod attached to it, the wedge will be seriously
overbalanced and the telescope could tip over.

3 Threaded rod cap (1)

and threaded rod sleeve insert (1)

5 5/16" hex

screws (3)
and
washers (3)

6 Tangent

arm (1) and
connecting
8-32 hex
screws (2)

1
2

3

8

4

1
2

1!

9

8
7

Figure C. Parts of the X-Wedge. (1) Tilt-plate; (2) Mounting slot
at top of tilt plate; (3) Latitude lock screw (one on each side);
(4) Vernier pointer; (5) Latitude Scale; (6) Azimuth Control Knob;
(7) Wedge Body; (8) Plate center hole; (9) Latitude control screw
(adjustment knob not shown); (10) Mounting slots; (11) Center
bolt hole.

X-Wedge Assembly

The required wedge hardware is shipped within the wedge
carton (Fig. A).

3
4

5
6

1

6

7

5

1 Tripod Head
2 Threaded Rod
3 T-handle

Tension Knob
4 Spreader

Figure B. Fully assembled tripod.

The X-Wedge instructions are written for use with either the
Meade Standard Field or Giant Field Tripod. The assembly
procedure requires two people who can lift about 55 pounds
each.

5 Leg Lock Knobs
6 Extension Strut
7 Tension Hub
8 Retaining clip

(not visible)

1. Locate the two 8-32 hex screws and the tangent
arm (Fig. A, 6).

Figure D. Attach the tangent arm with the flat surface facing up.

2. Attach the tangent arm to the tripod using the
supplied 8-32 hex screws. Note: the flat surface
of the tangent arm should face upwards (Fig. D).

Azimuth thrust bar pin

Figure E. The azimuth thrust bar pin positioned in the
tangent arm.

3. Place the wedge on the tripod head, sliding the
azimuth thrust bar pin into the tangent arm slot
(Fig. E).

4. Push the tripod threaded rod (Fig. B, 2) up so
that the rod extends through the X-Wedge plate
center hole (Fig C, 8).

5. Screw the threaded rod insert onto the threaded
rod until it is seated firmly on the X-Wedge base
plate, fitted in plate center hole (Fig. F).

Figure G. X-Wedge with threaded rod cap and 5/16" hex screws
secured.

65°, unthread the lock screw with the supplied
hex key wrench and move the screw to the
optional mounting hole.

X-Wedge Instruction Manual

Latitude lock screw

(in 25˚ to 57˚ position

Latitude lock screw

hole for 32˚ to 65˚

Figure H. Latitude screw with multiple lock screw positions.

Mounting the Telescope

Figure F. The Threaded rod insert properly positioned on the
threaded rod and X-Wedge base plate.

6. Align the tripod spreader bar with the tripod legs
as shown in Fig, B. Tighten the tripod t-handle
tension knob to a snug fit. Screw the threaded
rod cap onto the end of the threaded rod.

7. Using the three 5/16" hex screws and washers
(Fig. A, 5) pass the hex screws through the oval
slots on the wedge floor and thread them into the
tripod head (Fig. G).

8. The latitude lock screw (Fig. H) is installed at the
factory to allow the tilt plate to be adjusted for
any latitude greater than 25° and less than 57°.
If viewing in a region with a latitude from 57° to

on the X-Wedge

1. Thread one of the provided 3/8" hex screws into
the hole on the underside of the telescope drive
base. The desired hole is located at the curved

Figure I. Attach one of the 3/8" hex screws to the curved part of
the telescope drive base.

2