Orion 10065, 10066, 10070, 10069, 10068 Instruction Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Orion StarSeeker™ III
GoTo Telescopes
#10065 StarSeeker III 102mm Refractor, #10066 StarSeeker III 90mm Mak-Cass
#10067 StarSeeker III 102mm Mak-Cass, #10069 StarSeeker III 127mm Mak-Cass
#10068 StarSeeker III 114mm Reflector, #10070 StarSeeker III 130mm Reflector
Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975
#10066
Customer Support:
www.OrionTelescopes.com/contactus
Corporate Offices:
89 Hangar Way, Watsonville CA 95076 – USA
IN 520 Rev. A 02/14
Optical tube
EZ Finder II
Battery case
Accessory tray
Mount arm
Tube lock bolt
Coupling knob
Tripod
leg brace
Eyepiece,
25mm
Star diagonal
1.25"
Accessory
adapter
(visual back)
Eyepiece,
10mm
Tripod leg
Figure 1. The StarSeeker III 90mm GoTo Telescope
2
Hand
controller
Leg clamp knob
Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction ............................ 3
Parts List .............................. 3
Assembly .............................. 4
Learning to Use the EZ Finder, Eyepieces,
and Focuser ............................ 6
The EZ Finder II ................................6
Eyepieces and Magnification ......................7
Focusing ......................................7
Powering the StarSeeker III .......................7
The SynScan GoTo Hand Controller –
Overview ..............................8
Initial Setup ............................8
GoTo Star Alignment ..................... 9
Brightest Star Alignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2-Star Alignment ...............................11
Locating Objects ....................... 11
SynScan’s Object Database ......................11
Selecting an Object ............................ 11
Take a Guided Tour! ............................11
Select Using the Object Type Shortcut Keys .........11
Select Using the Object or Menu Shortcut Keys ...... 12
Identifying an Unknown Object ....................12
Other Features & Functions .............. 12
Utility Functions ...............................12
Setup Functions ...............................12
Pointing Accuracy Enhancement (PAE) .............13
Saving and Accessing User-Defined Objects .........13
Controlling Your StarSeeker III via Computer and
Astronomy Software ............................14
Updating Firmware ............................. 14
Collimation of StarSeeker III Reflectors .............14
Appendix A – SynScan Menu Tree ........15
Appendix B – Time Zone Map ............16
Appendix C – Sky Maps (for selection of
alignment stars) ........................ 17
Specifications .........................21
WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun with the
naked eye or with a telescope – unless you have
a proper solar filter installed over the front of the
telescope! Otherwise, permanent, irreversible eye
damage may result.
Congratulations on your purchase of an Orion
StarSeeker III GoTo telescope! Simple and friendly to use, the StarSeeker combines state-of-theart GoTo pointing technology with sharp optics
in a portable package that makes observing the
night sky both remarkably easy and wonderfully
rewarding.
This manual covers a variety of different
StarSeeker models. Some sections may be specific to a particular type of telescope, but most apply
generally to features and procedures common to
all of the telescopes.
Take time to read through this manual before embarking
on your journey through the heavens. It may take a couple of observing sessions to become familiar with all of the
StarSeeker’s features. The StarSeeker’s hand controller displays step-by-step instructions to guide you through the alignment procedures needed to get the telescope up and running
in minutes. Use this manual in conjunction with the on-screen
instructions provided by the hand controller. The manual gives
detailed information regarding each step as well as needed
reference material and helpful hints guaranteed to make your
observing experience as easy and pleasurable as possible.
Parts List
Qty. Description
1 Optical Tube Assembly
1 Mount Arm
1 Tripod
1 Accessory Tray with Hand Controller Holder
1 GoTo Hand Controller
1 Hand Controller Cable
1 EZ Finder II Reflex Sight (with bracket)
1 25mm Explorer II Eyepiece
1 10mm Explorer II Eyepiece
1 Star Diagonal, 1.25" (Mak-Cass and Refractor
models only)
1 Quick-collimation Cap (Reflector models only)
1 Battery Pack (batteries not included)
1 Objective Cover
1 2mm Allen Wrench (Reflector models only)
1 Serial RS-232 cable
1 Starry Night Software Digital Download Insert
Open the shipping box and, referring to the above Parts List
and Figure 2, check that all the parts are present. Remove
all of the accessories from their individual boxes and bags.
3
Battery case
PC interface
(serial) cable
Hand
controller
cable
Hand
controller
Collimation cap
(with reflector
models only)
Star diagonal
(with refractor
and Mak-Cass
models only)
Compass
Accessory
tray
Eyepieces
Optical tube
(90mm MakCass shown)
Dust cover
Tripod
Mount
arm
EZ Finder II
Figure 2. Components of the StarSeeker III GoTo telescope. (StarSeeker III 90mm Mak-Cass shown)
Remember to save all of the original packaging in case the
scope needs to be returned to Orion for warranty repair, or
should you wish to return the scope under the 30-day return
policy. Especially in the latter case, the original packaging is
required. If anything is missing, contact Orion Customer Service at (800) 676-1343, or support@telescope.com.
Assembly
Setting Up the Tripod
1. Remove the tripod from the box and spread the legs
apart until the center leg brace is fully extended.
2. Locate the accessory tray and center it on top of the
tripod center support brace (see Figure 3). Turn the tray
attachment knob until the tray is securely attached. The
Figure 3. The round accessory tray attaches to the tripod
leg brace with the captive screw on the brace.
4
Mount arm
base
Tripod
mounting
platform
Coupling
knob
Figure 4. The mount arm attaches to the tripod mounting
platform with the large coupling knob.
Tube lock
bolt
Dovetail
saddle
bracket on the side of the tray is a holder for the GoTo
hand controller.
It is a good idea to adjust the height of the tripod before
attaching the fork arm and optical tube. Minor adjustments
can be made later. To adjust the height of the tripod legs:
3. Loosen the tripod leg clamp knob located on the side of
each leg (Figure 1).
4. Extend the inner portion of each leg to the desired
length.
5. Tighten the tripod leg clamp knobs to secure each leg in
place.
Also, be sure to tighten the large wingnuts at the top of each
leg, where it attaches to the tripod mounting platform.
Attaching the Mount Arm to the Tripod
1. Place the mount arm base inside the tripod mounting
platform. See Figure 4.
2. Thread the coupling screw into the hole at the bottom of
the mount arm base and tighten with the large coupling
knob.
Attaching the Telescope Tube to the Mount Arm
1. Unthread the tube lock bolt until the bolt tip is not
protruding into the saddle slot.
2. Slide the tube dovetail bar into the saddle on the mount
arm as shown in Figure 5, and secure it by tightening the
tube lock bolt.
Dovetail
bar on
optical tube
Figure 5. Insert the dovetail bar on the optical tube into the
saddle on the mount arm.
EZ Finder II
Thumbscrew
Eyepiece
Star
diagonal
2"
Accessory
collar
1.25"
Adapter
Focus
wheel
(x2)
Focuser
drawtube
Figure 6. The focuser and installed accessories.
(StarSeeker III 102mm Refractor shown)
WARNING: NEVER ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE TELESCOPE BY HAND! Otherwise, the gears and motors may
be damaged. Move the telescope only electronically with
the hand controller.
Inserting the Star Diagonal (Mak-Cass and Refractor)
and/or Eyepiece
A star diagonal is used with the Maksutov-Cassegrain and
refractor models to divert the light at a right angle from the light
path of the telescope. This allows you to observe in positions
that are more comfortable than if you were to look straight
through. A diagonal is not used with Newtonian reflectors;
none is included with the StarSeeker reflector models.
To attach the star diagonal:
1. Remove the protective dust cap from the 1.25" accessory
adapter.
2. Loosen the two thumbscrews on the 1.25" adapter and
slide the chrome portion of the star diagonal into the
adapter (see Figure 6).
5
3. Tighten the thumbscrews to hold the star diagonal in
place.
The eyepiece, or ocular, is the optical element that magnifies
the image focused by the telescope.
The eyepiece fits directly into the 1.25" accessory adapter or
star diagonal. To install one of the included eyepieces:
1. Loosen the thumbscrew on the 1.25" adapter or star
diagonal.
2. Slide the chrome barrel of the eyepiece into the adapter
or diagonal (Figure 7).
3. Tighten the thumbscrew to hold the eyepiece in place.
Installing the EZ Finder II
Before installing the EZ Finder II (Figure 8) on the telescope,
you may need to insert the included CR2032 3V lithium button cell battery. In some cases, the battery may have been
installed at the factory. If there is a small plastic tab sticking
out from the battery compartment cover, you must remove it
for the battery to make contact with the EZ Finder’s electronic circuitry. The tab can then be discarded. If the battery was
not installed at the factory and is provided separately, you will
have to install it, as follows:
1. Insert a small, flat-blade screwdriver into the notch in
the battery compartment cover and gently pry it off
(Figure 8).
2. Slide the battery under the retaining clip with the positive
(+) side facing down (touching the clip).
3. Then press the battery compartment cover back on.
Should the battery die, replacement CR2032 batteries are
available at many stores where small batteries are sold or
online.
To attach the dovetail mounting bracket to the EZ Finder II,
loosen the two thumbscrews on the bottom rail of the EZ
Finder II. Slide the EZ Finder II onto the bracket and tighten
the two thumbscrews (See Figure 8). Then simply slide the
mounting bracket’s foot into the dovetail mounting shoe as
shown in Figure 9 and tighten the thumbscrew on the shoe to
secure the mounting bracket.
The EZ Finder II should be oriented so that the sight tube is
facing the front of the telescope, as shown. Tighten the thumbscrew on the dovetail shoe to secure the EZ Finder II in place.
Learning to Use the
EZ Finder, Eyepieces,
and Focuser
The EZ Finder II
The EZ Finder II works by projecting a tiny red dot (it is not
a laser beam) onto a lens mounted in the front of the unit.
When you look through the EZ Finder II, the red dot will appear
to float in space, helping you to pinpoint your target object
Figure 7. Insert the chrome barrel of the eyepiece into
the diagonal and secure with the two thumbscrews. For the
StarSeeker III reflector models, the eyepiece is inserted
directly into the focuser’s accessory adapter.
Sight tube
ON/OFF
Brightness control
Azimuth
Altitude
adjustment
control
Dovetail
tightening
screws
Figure 8. The EZ Finder II’s On/Off and adjustment knobs.
(Figure 10). The red dot is produced by a light-emitting diode
(LED) near the rear of the sight. The 3V lithium battery provides the power for the diode.
For the EZ Finder II to work properly, it has to be aligned with
the telescope. When the two are aligned, a celestial object that
is centered on the EZ Finder II’s red dot should also appear
in the center of the telescope’s eyepiece. Alignment of the
EZ Finder II is easiest during daylight, before observing at
night. Aim the telescope at a distant object such as a telephone pole or roof chimney and center it in the telescope’s
eyepiece. The object should be at least 1/4 mile away. Now
turn on the EZ Finder II and look though it. Without moving the
main telescope, use the EZ Finder II’s azimuth (left/right) and
altitude (up/down) adjustment knobs (see Figure 8) to position
the red dot on the object in the eyepiece. When the red dot is
centered on the distant object, check to make sure that the
object is still centered in the telescope eyepiece. If it isn’t, re-
adjustment
control
Battery
compartment
cover
6
Thumbscrew
Dovetail
shoe
Figure 9. Insert the EZ Finder II into its dovetail shoe in the
orientation shown and secure it with the thumbscrew.
Figure 10. The EZ Finder II superimposes a tiny red dot on
the sky, showing right where the telescope is aimed.
center it and adjust the EZ Finder II’s alignment again. When
the object is centered in the eyepiece and on the EZ Finder’s
red dot, the EZ Finder II is properly aligned with the telescope.
Once aligned, EZ Finder II will usually hold its alignment even
after being removed and remounted. Otherwise, only minimal
realignment will be needed.
Turn the ON/OFF knob (see Figure 8) clockwise until you
hear the “click” indicating that power has been turned on. Look
through the back of the reflex sight with both eyes open to
see the red dot. Position your eye at a comfortable distance
from the back of the sight. In daylight you may need to cover
the front of the sight with your hand to be able to see the dot,
which is purposefully quite dim. The intensity of the dot is
adjusted by turning the ON/OFF knob. For best results when
stargazing, use the dimmest possible setting that allows you
to see the dot without difficulty. Typically a dimmer setting is
used under dark skies and a brighter setting is needed under
light-polluted skies or in daylight.
At the end of your observing session, be sure to turn off the
ON/OFF knob on the EZ Finder II.
Eyepieces and Magnification
Eyepieces are commonly referred to by their focal length and
barrel diameter. The focal length of each eyepiece is typically printed on the eyepiece body. For example, StarSeeker
telescopes include two 1.25" diameter eyepieces; one with
25mm and the other with 10mm focal length. The longer the
focal length (i.e., the larger the number), the lower the eyepiece power or magnification; and the shorter the focal length
(i.e., the smaller the number), the higher the magnification.
Generally, low or moderate power will produce the sharpest
images when viewing.
You can change the magnifying power of your telescope just
by changing the eyepiece (ocular). To determine the magnification of your telescope, simply divide the focal length of the
telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece used.
Telescope Focal Length (mm)
Eyepiece Focal Length (mm)
= Magnification
For example, the StarSeeker III 114mm reflector has a focal
length of 500mm, which when used with the supplied 25mm
eyepiece yields 20x magnification:
500mm
25mm
= 20x
The magnification provided by the 10mm eyepiece is:
500mm
10mm
= 50x
Although the power can be varied, each instrument under
average skies has a limit to the highest useful magnification.
The general rule is 2x per millimeter of aperture is as high as
you can reasonably go (with optional eyepiece and possibly a
Barlow lens). For example, the StarSeeker III 114mm reflector has a primary mirror that’s 114mm in diameter. So 114mm
times 2x per millimeter = 114 x 2 = 228. Thus, 228x is the
highest useful magnification one can normally achieve under
ideal seeing conditions with this telescope. (Trying to go higher
would likely just result in dim, blurry images.) Although this is
the maximum useful magnification, most observing will yield
best results at lower powers.
Focusing
To focus, if you have a StarSeeker III Newtonian reflector or
refractor telescope, simply turn either of the two focus wheels
on the focuser (see Figure 6, for example) until the image looks
sharp. For the Maksutov-Cassegrain models, the focus knob
resides to the right of the visual back, or accessory adapter.
Make sure you’re aimed at something far off in the distance. If
you don’t see an image at first, keep turning the focus knob in
one direction while looking through the eyepiece; if you reach
the end of the focuser travel start turning the focus knob in the
other direction. Eventually, you should see the object you’re
aimed at come into view. After going just past the focus point in
one direction, and then in the other direction, you will then be
able to home in on the exact focus point, at which the image
looks sharpest.
Powering the StarSeeker III
Your StarSeeker III mount can be powered by the supplied battery pack, or by an optional AC-to-DC adapter or Dynamo Pro
12V DC field battery. The battery pack requires 8 user-sup-
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