Orion SkyQuest 10134 XT8g, SkyQuest 10135 XT10g, SkyQuest 10136 XT12g Instruction Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Orion® SkyQuest™ XTg
GoTo Dobsonians
#10134 XT8g, #10135 XT10g, #10136 XT12g
Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975
Customer Support:
www.OrionTelescopes.com/contactus
Corporate Offices:
89 Hangar Way, Watsonville CA 95076 - USA
IN 388 Rev. D 06/13
EZ Finder II
28mm DeepView
2" eyepiece
2" Dual-speed
Crayford focuser
Navigation knob
12.5mm Illuminated
Plössl 1.25" eyepiece
Optical tube
Tube
connecting knob
GoTo hand
controller
Handle
Altitude motor
housing
Eyepiece rack
Handle
Dobsonian base
Polyethylene foam
dust guard
Figure 1. Overview of SkyQuest XTg Dobsonian (12" shown)
2
Azimuth
motor housing
(not shown)
Congratulations on your purchase of an Orion
SkyQuest XTg GoTo Dobsonian. It is an observer’s
dream telescope, offering quality diffraction-limited
optics; a stylish, easy-to-setup base outfitted with
automated, computerized GoTo technology; and a
sturdy design. This high-performance astronomical
instrument will provide dazzling views of celestial
objects, yet be transportable and wonderfully easy
to use.
With the alt-azimuth GoTo system, you simply select an object
from the 42,900 object database and the telescope will take
you there with the push of a couple of buttons. Searching for
objects is a thing of the past, as the GoTo servo motors and
computerized database find them for you in seconds, then
track them while you enjoy the view! Deluxe features such as
a 2" dual-speed Crayford focuser, enhanced-reflectivity mirror
coatings, and full accessory assortment provide everything
you need to enjoy your journey through the universe.
Please read these instructions thoroughly before beginning
assembly and subsequent use of the telescope.
Table of Contents
1. Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. The GoTo Hand Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4. Collimating the Optical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5. Using Your Telescope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6. Astronomical Observing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
7. Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
1. Unpacking
The telescope is packed in two boxes, one containing the optical tube assembly and accessories, another containing the
unassembled Dobsonian base. The 12" model has a third box
containing the primary mirror in its cell. Be careful unpacking
the boxes. We recommend keeping the original packaging. In
the event that the telescope needs to be shipped to another
location, or returned to Orion for warranty repair, having the
proper packaging will help ensure that your telescope will survive the journey intact.
Before beginning assembly, unpack each box and confirm
that all of the parts in the Parts List below are present. The
parts are listed by the box they should arrive in, but some
of the parts may be in different boxes than indicated below.
A
D
B
C
Figure 2. Contents of the optical tube box: A) Optical tube,
B) Dust cap, C) Holster with mounting screws, D) EZ Finder II
with bracket, E) Hex keys, F) collimation cap, G) 1.25" 12.5mm
illuminated Plössl eyepeice, H) 2" 28mm DeepView eyepiece, I)
Starry Night CD-ROM, J) eyepiece rack with mounting screws.
(Not shown: 2" extension adapter.)
Be sure to check all boxes carefully, as some parts are
small. If anything appears to be missing or broken, immediately call Orion Customer Support (800-676-1343) or email
support@telescope.com for assistance.
E
H
F
G
I
J
Parts List
Box #1: Optical Tube Assembly and Accessories
(Refer to Figure 2)
Qty. Description
1 Optical Tube Assembly
1 Dust cover
1 28mm DeepView eyepiece, 2" barrel diameter
1 12.5mm Illuminated Plössl eyepiece, 1.25" barrel
diameter
1 EZ Finder II (with bracket) and CR2032 battery
1 Collimation cap
1 Eyepiece rack
2 Eyepiece rack wood screws (20mm long, color black)
2 Hex keys (2mm, 3mm)
1 Tube connecting knob
1 Hand controller holster (with 2 assembly screws)
1 2" Extension adapter
3
Ground baseplate assembly
(with azimuth motor)
Left
panel
(with
altitude
motor)
Front panel
Right
panel
Hex keys
Machine
screws
with
washers
Base
assembly
wood
screws
Base feet
Base hardware
and handle
Figure 3.
includes two side braces, not shown.
SkyQuest XTg base components. The XT12g base also
Hand controller
Cables
Figure 5. Polyethylene foam dust guard between ground
baseplates. DO NOT REMOVE!
Box #2: Dobsonian Base
(Refer to Figures 3 and 4)
Qty. Description
1 Left side panel (with altitude motor pre-installed)
1 Right side panel
1 Front panel
2 Side braces (XT12g only, not shown)
1 Baseplate assembly (with azimuth motor pre-installed)
6 Base assembly wood screws (coarse thread, 47mm
long) (Quantity 12 for XT12g)
8 Base assembly machine screws (fine thread, 60mm
long) (Quantity 10 for XT12g)
8 Washers for base assembly machine screws (Quantity
10 for XT12g)
3 Handles
6 Handle mounting screws (hex head, 25mm long)
3 Hex keys (size 2mm, 4mm, 6mm)
3 Plastic feet
3 Feet wood screws (1" long)
Screwdriver
Tube connecting
knob
Wood
screws
Figure 4. Base hardware for SkyQuest XTg.
Figure 6. Starter holes for feet.
1 Hand controller
1 Hand controller cable (coiled)
1 Azimuth motor connection cable
1 RS-232 computer cable
1 DC power cable
Box #3: Primary Mirror and Cell (12" model only)
Qty. Description
1 Primary mirror
1 Mirror cell
3 Collimation knobs
3 Nylon washers (3/4" outer diameter)
3 Springs
WARNING: Never look directly at the Sun through your telescope or its finder scope – even for an instant – without a
professionally made solar filter that completely covers the
front of the instrument, or permanent eye damage could
result. Young children should use this telescope only with
adult supervision.
4
Figure 7.
Attaching the base feet to the base. Figure 8. Secure the front panel to each side panel.
2. Assembly
Now that you have unpacked the boxes and familiarized
yourself with all the parts in front of you, it is time to begin
assembly.
Assembly of the Dobsonian Base
The base need only be assembled once, unless you disassemble it for long-term storage. The assembly process should
take about half an hour. All necessary tools are included in
the packages. The two ground baseplates arrive preassembled with the motors, optical encoders, and motor housings
installed. There is a protective strip of polyethylene foam
material between the two base plates (Figure 5). Do not
attempt to remove this material; it is glued in place. It is
designed to keep dust out of the azimuth motor assembly
and gears.
During initial assembly it is suggested to fasten the screws
just enough to hold the panels together loosely. When all of
the components are assembled, then perform the final tightening of each screw one or two turns at a time, alternating
from one screw to the next to ensure all are tightened evenly.
When tightening screws, tighten them until firm, but be careful
not to strip the holes by over-tightening.
1. Turn the baseplate assembly upside-down and gently
rest it on the azimuth motor housing. Locate the three
starter holes on the perimeter of the bottom baseplate
(Figure 6). Insert the screws through the feet and thread
them into the predrilled starter holes (Figure 7) with the
supplied Phillips screwdriver until tight.
2. Connect the side panels to the front panel (Figure 8).
Use the coarse thread socket-head screws for this. There
are unthreaded pilot holes (without the metal collar) to
align these pieces. Orient the side panels so the oval
XTg label is facing outward. Orient the front panel so that
the pilot holes for the handle and eyepiece rack face out.
The side panel with the motor attached is the left panel.
There are six screws total (three for each side) to assemble. Start by inserting the screws and turning by hand
to ensure they are going in straight. When you begin to
meet resistance use the 4mm hex key to complete this
Figure 9. The completed side panel and front panel assembly
(XT10g shown).
step. Do not completely tighten the screws yet. Having
the boards a little loose will help in aligning the assembly
to the top baseplate in step 3. The completed assembly
should look like Figure 9.
2a. [For XT12g only] Attach a side brace to the outside sur-
face of both the left and right side panels. Each side brace
is attached with three base assembly wood screws. Insert
the screws through the corresponding pre-drilled holes in
the side panel and then thread them into the brace using
the included 4mm hex key.
5
Cutout holes
Threaded inserts
Figure 10.
inserts in the baseplate.
Align the holes on the side panels with the threaded
Figure 11. Base assembly machine screws set in place, but not
yet tightened.
3. Carefully position the assembled structure onto the top
baseplate by aligning the holes in the cutouts of the front
and side panels to the corresponding threaded metal collar inserts on the top baseplate (Figure 10). Insert the
base assembly machine screws and tighten (Figure 11).
Once this setup is complete you may firmly tighten the
six base assembly screws installed in the previous step.
4. Attach the handles to the base. There are three handles,
one for each side panel and one for the front panel. Use
the 6mm hex key and the large socket head cap screws
to install the handles. Each handle is the same so it does
not matter which handle is used for any particular panel.
Refer to Figure 1 for handle placement.
5. The aluminum eyepiece rack holds three 1.25" eyepieces
and one 2" eyepiece in a convenient place on the base,
within easy reach while you are observing. The eyepiece
rack and its mounting screws can be found in the box
with the optical tube. Attach the eyepiece rack on the
front panel above the handle. There are two small pilot
holes on the front panel approximately 6" apart. Thread
the small Phillips-head screws into the holes but do
Figure 12. To remove the rear end ring, unthread the six screws
that connect it to the tube.
not tighten completely yet. Place the eyepiece rack on
those screws using the wide holes on the rack and slide
it downward so the narrow portion is under the screws.
Now tighten the screws to secure the rack in place.
6. The XTg series includes a convenient holster to place the
hand controller in when not in use. The holster installs on
the altitude motor. Locate the two small pilot holes and
attach the holster using the small screws until just tight.
Do not over-tighten these screws!
7. Now install the azimuth motor connection cable. It is a flat
cable that has an 8-pin RJ-45 plug on both ends. Plug
one end into the jack on the azimuth motor housing on
the top baseplate; plug the other end into the jack labeled
AZ MOTOR on the altitude motor housing.
8. Finally, connect the GoTo hand controller. Plug the wide
RJ-45 connector on the coiled hand controller cable into
the corresponding port on the hand controller. Plug the
smaller RJ-12 connector into the port labeled HC on the
altitude motor housing.
Assembly of the Optical Tube (XT12g Only)
Both the XT8g and XT10g optical tubes arrive completely
assembled from the factory. If you have one of these models, you may skip ahead to the next section, “Connecting the
Optical Tube to the Dobsonian Base”.
Due to its large size, and in order to prevent damage to the
primary mirror in shipment, the 12" mirror is shipped in its
cell separately from the optical tube. Once the primary mirror is installed into the telescope, there will be no need to
remove the mirror except for occasional cleaning (see “Care
& Maintenance”).
1. To install the mirror cell into the optical tube, the rear end
ring attached to the lower section of the optical tube must
first be removed. This is done by unthreading and remov-
6
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