Sky-Watcher EQ5 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Telescopes with NEQ3 & EQ5 Mount

031007V3

REFRACTOR

			NEQ3	C	B
			D
	G F	E
H
I				11
				10
J				9
K		1			8
	L	2
					7	G
		3
		4			6 H
		5
					I
					a
					b	J
	EQ3-2		EQ5
A. Dust Cap/Mask			A. Dust Cap/Mask
(Remove before Viewing)			(Remove before Viewing)
B. Sun Shade			B. Sun Shade
C. Objective Lens			C. Objective Lens
D. Telescope Main Body			D. Telescope Main Body
E. Piggyback Bracket			E. Piggyback Bracket
F. Finderscope			F. Finderscope
G. Finderscope Bracket			G. Finderscope Bracket
H. Alignment Screw			H. Alignment Screw
I. Eyepiece			I. Eyepiece
J. Diagonal			J. Diagonal
K. Focus Tube			K. Focus Tube
L. Focus Knob			L. Focus Knob
1. R.A. Flexible Control			1. Polarscope Holder
Cable			(not shown)
2. Dec. Flexible Control			2. Altitude Adjustment T-bolts
Cable			3. Azimuth Adjustment Knob
3. R.A. Lock knob			4. Counterweight Rod
4. Polarscope Holder			5. Counterweight
(not shown)			6. Counerweight Thumb
5. Altitude Adjustment T-bolts			Screw
6. Counterweight Rod			7. R.A. Control Knob
7. Counterweight			8. R.A. Lock Knob
8. Counterweight Thumb			9. Dec. Lock Knob
Screw			10. Dec. Control Knob
9. Azimuth Adjustment Knob			11. Mounting Plate
10.Dec. Lock Knob			(150mm/1200mm)
11. Tube Rings			12. Tube RIngs
a. Accessory Tray			a. Accessory Tray
Tripod Leg			Tripod Leg

A

EQ5 A

B

C

D

E

F	12
	11(150mm/1200mm)
	10
	9
	8
	7
	6
	5
K L 1	4
	2
	3
	a
	b

2

				REFLECTOR
	C			NEQ3
	B	D		E
				F
				G				EQ5
	A			H
				I			C
					J	B		D E
	10					A		F
								G
	9
								H
	8							I
	7			1
6				2					J
				3		12
	5			4
						11
						10
						9
a						8		21
b						7			(200mm/1000mm)
						6		3
	EQ3-2			EQ5				4
								5
A. Dust Cap/Mask		A. Dust Cap/Mask
	(Remove before Viewing)		(Remove before Viewing)
B. Focus Tube			Focus Tube
C. Finderscope		C. Finderscope
D. Finderscope Bracket		D. Finderscope Bracket						a
E.	Finderscope Adjustment	E. Finderscope Adjustment
	Screws		Screws
F.	Eyepiece	F.	Eyepiece					b
G. Focus Knob		G. Focus Knob
H. Piggyback Bracket		H. Piggyback Bracket
I.	Telescope Main Body	I. Telescope Main Body
J.	Primary Mirror Position	J.	Primary Mirror Position
1.	Dec. Flexible Control	1.	Mounting Plate
2.	Cable		(200mm/1000mm)
	R.A. Lock Knob	2.	R.A. Control Knob
3.	Polarscope Holder	3.	Polorscope Holder
4.	(not shown)		(not shown)
	Altitude AdjustmentT-bolts	4.	Altitude AdjustmentT-bolts
5.	Counterweight Rod	5.	Azimuth Adjustment Knob
6.	Counterweight	6.	Counterweight
7.	CounterweightThumb	7.	Counterweight Thumb
8.	Screw		Screw
	Azimuth Adjustment Knob	8.	Counterweight Rod
9.	Dec.Lock Knob	9.	R.A.Lock Knob
10. Tube Rings		10. Dec.Lock Knob
a. Tripod Leg		11. Dec.Control Knob
		12. Tube Rings
	Accessory Tray
		a. Tripod Leg
			Accessory Tray

3

MAKSUTOV

NEQ3 A

B

C

D E

F 1

2

3

4

a

b

A.Dust Cap (not shown, remove before Viewing)

B.Red Dot Finder

C. Focus Locking Screw

D. Eyepiece

E.Diagonal

F.Focusing Knob

1. R.A Lock Knob

2. Dec Flexible Control

Cable

3.Polarscope Holder/ Polarscope (not shown, optional)

4.Altitude Adjustment T-bolt

5.Azimuth Adjustment Knobs

6. Counterweight Locking

Thumb Screw

7. Counterweight Rod

8. Dec Lock Knob

9.Dec Setting Circle

a.Tripod Leg

b.Accessory Tray

Height Adjustment

Clamp

9

8

7

6

5

c

4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Assembling Your Telescope	6
For NEQ3	6
Tripod Set up
Telescope Assembly	6
Finderscope/Red Dot Finder Assembly	7
Eyepiece Assembly	7
For EQ5
Tripod Set up	8
Telescope Assembly	8
Finderscope Assembly	9
Eyepiece Assembly	9
Operating Your Telescope	10
Aligning the Finderscope	10
Using the Red Dot Finder	10
Balancing the telescope	11
Using the leveling bubble	11
Operating the NEQ3 Mount	12
Operating the EQ5 Mount	12
Using the Barlow Lens	13
Focusing	13
Polar Alignment for visual use	13
Pointing your telescope	14
Using the setting circles	16
Choosing the appropriate eyepiece	18
Observing the Sky	19
Sky Conditions	19
Selecting an Observing Site	19
Choosing the Best Time to Observe	19
Chooling the Telescope	19
Adapting Your Eyes	19
Proper Care for Your Telescope	20
Collimating a Newtonian re ector	20
Collimating a refractor (with the adjustable objective-lens cell)	22
Cleaning Your Telescope	22
Appendix A-Precise polar alignment for Northern Hemisphere	I
Appendix B-Optional Accessories	III
Appendix C-Recommended Reading	IV

Before

you begin

This instruction manual is applicable to all the models with the EQ3-2 or EQ5 mount. Take a moment to find the model closest to your telescope on p.2 p.3, and p4. Follow the instructions for your specific model in the manual. Read the entire instructions carefully before beginning. Your telescope should be assembled during daylight hours. Choose a large, open area to work to allow room for all parts to be unpacked.

			FOR NEQ3 MOUNT
			TRIPOD SET UP		Fig. 2
Fig. 1	ADJUSTING THE TRIPOD LEGS (Fig.18)
	1)	Slowly loosen the height adjustment clamp and
		gently pull out the lower section of each tripod leg.
		Tighten the clamps to hold the legs in place.
	2)	Spread the legs apart to stand the tripod upright.
	3)	Adjust the height of each tripod leg until the
		tripod head is properly leveled. Note that the
		tripod legs may not be at same length when
		the equatorial mount is level. Do not over tighten
		the clamps.
	ATTACHING THE ACCESSORY TRAY (Fig.2)
	1)	Place the accessory tray on top of the bracket, and
		secure with the locking thumb screws from underneath.

ATTACHING THE MOUNT TO THE TRIPOD (Fig.3)	Fig. 3

1) Align metal dowel on the tripod head with the gap between the azimuthal adjustment knobs underneath the mount. Tighten the knurled knob underneath the tripod head to secure mount to tripod.

Note: Loosen the azimuthal adjustment knobs if mount does not fit into tripod head completely. Retighten knobs to secure.

TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY

	Fig. 4	INSTALLING THE COUNTERWEIGHT(S) (Fig.4, 5)		Fig. 5
		1)	Locate the counterweight rod.
		2)	Screw the counterweight rod into the threaded hole
			on the end of the declination shaft. Tighten the locknut
			on counterweight rod until it is locked against the mount.
		3)	Unscrew the threaded cap from the end of the
			counterweight rod.
		4)	Locate the counterweight(s) and slide them
			halfway along the counterweight rod. Tighten
			the counterweight thumbscrews to secure.
		5)	Replace the cap on the end of the
			counterweight rod.
			INSTALLING THE CONTROL CABLES (Fig.6)
			1) Slide the sleeve end of the cable over the
			nipple on the end of the worm gear. Secure
			the cable by tightening the set screw against
			the flat surface of the nipple.

Fig. 7

(short mounting plate)

ATTACHING THE MOUNTING PLATE (Fig.7)

1) Align the screws with the grooves on the side of the mounting bar. Position the mounting plate

on the mounting bracket.

2) Secure by tightening the two locking screws.

(long mounting plate)

Fig. 8

ATTACHING THE MOUNTING PLATE (Fig.8)

1) Position the mounting plate on the mounting bracket.

2) Secure by tightening the two locking screws.

6

TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY

ATTACHING THE TUBE RINGS TO THE MOUNT (Fig.9)

1) Remove the telescope tube assembly from	Fig.9
its plastic packaging.
2) Remove the tube rings from the telescope by
releasing their thumb nuts and opening their hinges.
3) Using the bolts provided, fasten the tube rings to
the mount with the 10mm wrench provided.

	ATTACHING THE TELESCOPE MAIN TUBE	Fig.10
	TO THE TUBE RINGS (Fig.10)
	1) Remove the telescope tube from the paper covering.
	2) Find the center of balance of the telescope tube.
	Place this in between the two tube rings. Close the
	hinges around the telescope and fasten securely by
	tightening the thumb nuts. Do not over tighten.

FINDERSCOPE/RED DOT FINDER ASSEMBLY

(re ector and Maksutov)

Fig.11

ATTACHING THE FINDERSCOPE BRACKET/RED DOT FINDER (Fig.11)

1) Locate the nderscope optical assembly or Red Dot Finder.

2) Slide the nderscope bracket/Red Dot Finder into the rectangular slot and tighten the screw to hold the mount in place.

(refractor)

Fig.12

Fig.13

Fig.14

ATTACHING THE FINDER-

SCOPE (Fig.12, 13, 14)

1)Locate the nderscope bracket. Carefully remove the rubber-o- ring from the nderscope bracket.

2)Position the o-ring into the groove located approximately half-way along the nderscope tube.

3)Locate the nderscope optical assembly.

4)Slide the nderscope bracket into the rectangular slot and tighten the screw to hold the mount in place.

5)Position the nderscope into

its mount by sliding it backwards until the rubber o-ring seats

in the nderscope mount.

Fig.15

Fig.16

EYEPIECE ASSEMBLY

(re ector)

INSERTING THE EYEPIECE (Fig.15, 16)

1)Unscrew the thumbscrews on the end of the focus tube to remove the black plastic end-cap.

2)Insert the desired eyepiece and secure it by retightening the thumbscrews.

(refractor and Maksutov)

Fig.17

INSERTING THE EYEPIECE (Fig.17)

1)Loosen the thumbscrew on the end of the focus tube.

2)Insert the diagonal into the focus tube and re-tighten the thumbscrew

to hold the diagonal in place.

3)Loosen the thumbscrews on the diagonal.

4)Insert the desired eyepiece into diagonal and secure by retightening the thumbscrews.

7

FOR EQ5 MOUNT

	TRIPOD SET UP
Fig.18	ADJUSTING THETRIPOD LEGS (Fig.18)	Fig.19
	1) Slowly loosen the height adjustment clamp and
	gently pull out the lower section of each tripod leg.
	Tighten the clamps to hold the legs in place.
	2) Spread the legs apart to stand the tripod upright.
	3) Adjust the height of each tripod leg until the
	tripod head is properly leveled. Note that the
	tripod legs may not be at same length when
	the equatorial mount is level. Do not over tighten
	the clamps.
	ATTACHINGTHE ACCESSORYTRAY (Fig.19)
	1) Place th e accessory tray on top of the bracket, and	Fig.20
	secure with the locking thumb screws from underneath.

ATTACHING MOUNTTOTRIPOD (Fig.20)

1) Align metal dowel on the tripod head with the gap between the azimuthal adjustment knobs underneath the mount.Tighten the knurled knob underneath the tripod head to secure mount to tripod.

Note: Loosen the azimuthal adjustment knobs if mount does nott into tripod head completely. Retighten knobs to secure.

TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY

INSTALLING COUNTERWEIGHT (Fig.21, 22)

Fig.21	1) Locate counterweight rod.
	2) Screw counterweight rod into threaded hole on the
	end of the declination shaft.Tighten locknut on the
	counterweight rod until it is locked against the mount.
	3) Unscrew the threaded cap from the end of the	Fig.22
	counterweight rod.
	4) Locate the counterweights and slide them halfway
	along the counterweight rod.Tighten the counterweight
	thumb screws to secure.
	5) Replace the cap on the end of the counterweight rod.

(short mounting plate)

Fig.23

ATTACHINGTHE MOUNTING

PLATE (Fig.23)

1) Position the mounting plate

on the mounting bracket.

2) Secure by tightening the two locking screws.

Note: The screws should align with the grooves in the side of the mounting bar.

(long mounting plate)

Fig.24

ATTACHINGTHE MOUNTING PLATE (Fig.24)

1) Position the mounting plate on the mounting bracket.

2) Secure by tightening the two locking screws.

8

TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY

ATTACHING THE TUBE RINGS TO THE MOUNT(Fig.25)

1) Remove the telescope tube assembly	Fig.25
from its plastic packaging.
2) Remove the tube rings from the telescope by releasing
their thumb nuts and opening their hinges.
3) Using the bolts provided, fasten the tube rings to
the mount with the 10mm wrench provided.

	ATTACHING THE TELESCOPE	Fig.26
	MAIN TUBE TO THE TUBE RINGS (Fig.26)
	1) Remove the telescope tube from the paper covering.
	2) Find the center of balance of the telescope tube.
	Place this in between the two tube rings. Close the
	hinges around the telescope and fasten securely by
	tightening the thumb nuts.

FINDERSCOPE ASSEMBLY

(re ector)

Fig.27

ATTACHING THE FINDERSCOPE BRACKET (Fig.27)

1) Locate the nderscope optical assembly.

2) Slide the nderscope bracket into the rectangular slot and tighten the screw to hold the mount in place.

	(refractor)	ATTACHING THE FINDER-
	Fig.28
		SCOPE (Fig.28, 29, 30)
		1) Locate the nderscope
		bracket. Carefully remove
	Fig.29	the rubber-o-ring from the
		nderscope bracket.
		2) Position the o-ring into the
		groove located approximately
		half-way along the nderscope
		tube.
		3) Locate the nderscope optical
	Fig.30	assembly.
		4) Slide the nderscope bracket
		into the rectangular slot and
		tighten the screw to hold the
		mount in place.
		5) Position the nderscope into its
		mount by sliding it backwards
		until the rubber o-ring seats
		in the nderscope mount.

EYEPIECE ASSEMBLY

Fig.31

(re ector)

INSERTING THE EYEPIECE

(Fig.31, 32)

1) Unscrew the thumbscrews Fig.32 on the end of the focus

tube to remove the black

plastic end-cap.

2) Re-tighten thumb screws to hold the eyepiece in place.

(refractor)	INSERTING THE EYEPIECE
	(Fig.33)
	1) Loosen the thumbscrew on the
	end of the focus tube.
	2) Insert the diagonal into the focus
Fig.33	tube and re-tighten thumbscrew
	to hold the diagonal in place.
	3) Loosen the thumbscrews
	on the diagonal.
	4) Insert the desired eyepiece
	into diagonal and secure by
	re-tightening the thumbscrews.

9