Tele Vue 102iis User Manual

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Te l e Vue

-102

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iis

Operating Guide

880mm f/8.6 IMAGING SYSTEM

2-ELEMENT APO REFRACTOR

Thank you for purchasing the Tele Vue-102iis. It has been our pleasure to craft this fine instrument for

you and we hope that it serves you well.

The original Tele Vue-102i used a Tele Vue-102 objective with a tube cut 5” shorter. Removing 5” of
mechanical path length allowed the Tele Vue Bino Vue (hence the “2i” designation) to be used at 1x.
Recognizing the additional back focus of the 102i could be a great benefit to photographers, we created
an Imaging System version, the Tele Vue-102iis.

Tele Vue’s “
photographic accessories. Tele Vue has designed this series of accessories in conjunction with each optical
system so you are ensured of compatibility and maximum performance. While the 102iis maintains all the
visual performance and versatility of the standard Bino Vue ready Tele Vue-102i, the larger focuser along
with a host of proprietary Imaging System accessories, make it ideally suited for the CCD imager.

isis

is” designation denotes Tele Vue instruments capable of accepting

isis

II

Imaging

II

SS

System

SS

WARNING: NEVER try to look at the sun or point the telescope toward or near the sun without
professional solar observing equipment rigidly secured in front of the objective lens. When

observing the sun with the proper filters, remove any finding devices such as Starbeam from the
telescope. Instant and permanent eye damage may result from viewing the sun directly, even during a solar
eclipse, or when viewing through thin clouds, or when the sun is near the horizon.

Standard FeaturesStandard Features

Standard Features - Optical tube assembly includes: captive sliding dew shield, 2.4” focuser with

Standard FeaturesStandard Features
Focusmate 6:1 reduction, tilt adjustment end ring, screw-on metal lens cover, 5” Extension Tube for single
eye observing, 2” Accessory Adapter, Imaging System Adapter, custom hard-shell case, Allen Keys for end
ring tilt adjustment.

5” Extension Tube
2” Accessory Adapter (left)
Imaging System Adapter (right)

Optical Tube Assembly

Lens Cap

Te l e V u e

Visionary

Case

®

32 Elkay Dr., Chester, New York 10918 [phone]. televue.com

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1.0 Getting Acquainted with the Tele Vue-102iis

1.1 Optical tube assembly

The OTA consists of the objective cell, tube and focuser. The front cell houses the carefully aligned
objective. Never attempt to loosen the 3 alignment screws in the front lens cell. The tube is aluminum and
powder coated, requiring no special care.

The focuser on the

102iis102iis

102iis permits use of a larger draw tube that does not vignette the field rays exiting

102iis102iis
the objective. The two tension screws (not shown) on the top of the focuser body can be adjusted to add
resistance when using heavy equipment. These tension screws tighten against a brass clamp ring, which

then cinches down on the Teflon sleeve in which

Digital Indicator
Mounting Points

Jack Screws (typical)

Lock Screws (typical)

the draw tube slides. For photography it is not
necessary to tighten beyond the need to keep a
camera stationary but we do recommend to
tighten them in unison to avoid any focus shift.

Jam Screws (typical)

Note that even when sufficiently tight, the focuser
knobs can still drive the draw tube.

The end ring can be adjusted (and locked)
to compensate for any tilt effects seen in CCD
imaging.

The threaded holes on top of the focuser
body accept the Digital Indicator Kit.

The four lock screws in the end of the
draw tube tighten against either the tapers of the
Imaging System Adapter and 5” Extension Tube,
or brass clamp ring within the 2” Accessory

1:1 Knob

1:1 Knob

6:1 Knob

Adapter.

Operation of the rack and pinion focuser

is via the 6:1 ratio Focusmate on the right side or either of the 1:1 knobs.

2.0 Mounting and Set Up

The MRS-4000 ring set is recommended for the Tele Vue-102iis. Note that the short main tube of this “Bino
Vue” friendly scope design requires extension tubes for single-eye viewing or for imaging applications. This
results in a “rear heavy” scope that may also require the APL-1096 “Long Balance Plate” accessory in order
to move the scope forward enough to achieve balance. The plate attaches directly to the AVT-1011 adapter
for all Vixen equatorial mounts, or directly to the cradle of our Gibraltar 5 head for alt-az visual operation.
The center of gravity is moved forward to avoid the need for balance weights at the front of the tube.

APL-1096 - can be used under the tube
ring to shift the telescope weight forward
to help balance should it be necessary.

MRS-4000 - Heavy duty tube ring set with
slotted spreader bar to adjust ring spacing
for a wide variety of equatorial mounts.

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The rings have grooves with #10-32 screw holes for attaching accessories such as the Tele Vue
Starbeam or Piggy-Cam. A central bar spans across the top of the two rings and permits varying the spacings
between the rings in order to fit a variety of mount heads.

The bottom of the rings have ¼-20 threaded holes to accept mounting studs or screws. Telescope
balance is achieved by unlocking the “bat handle” screws and sliding the tube fore or aft. Once
repositioned, retighten the bat handle screws.

3.0 Visual Observing Set Up

The versatile 102iis can be set up in two configurations for visual observing: two eye viewing with the Bino
Vue as in the previous 102i model, and single eye which permits both 1¼” and 2” eyepiece use. The
optional components necessary include a Tele Vue 2” Everbrite Star Diagonal, Tele Vue “High-Hat” 2”- 1¼”
reducing adapter, Tele Vue Bino Vue Body and eyepieces. For daytime viewing with Bino Vue see 3.0A.

The telescope is delivered with the 2” Accessory Adapter already installed in the focuser. To remove

it, back out the four lock screws and pull it out. To reinstall it, note
the four grooves with holes machined 90° apart. The grooves will
help index the holes in the adapter to the thumb screws in the end
ring. This will ease installation in the dark. Loosen the four end ring
lock screws sufficiently to remove any accessory that may be in
place, but do not retract them fully into the focuser body. By
allowing them to protrude into the body, they act as locators.

Insert the 2” Accessory Adapter into the end of the
focuser. If it does not go all the way in, rotate the
adapter. When the grooves in the adapter align
with the protruding screws, the adapter will seat
fully into the focuser. Tighten the four screws a few
turns so they enter the holes in the adapter. The

Insert the 2” Accessory Adapter into the 2.4” focuser for
Bino Vue use.

IMPORTANT CAUTION:IMPORTANT CAUTION:

IMPORTANT CAUTION: When replacing the orange plastic plug into the 2” Accessory Adapter, push it

IMPORTANT CAUTION:IMPORTANT CAUTION:
in far enough to seat. Do

notnot

not use the lock screws to clamp the plug in place as the clamp screws will distort

notnot

lock screws will now act against the brass clamp
ring in the 2” Accessory Adapter.

the brass clamp ring in the 2” accessory adapter.

3.0A Bino Vue Set Up 3.0A Bino Vue Set Up

3.0A Bino Vue Set Up - To use the scope with the Bino Vue, install the 2” Accessory Adapter. Slip a Tele

3.0A Bino Vue Set Up 3.0A Bino Vue Set Up
Vue 2” Everbrite diagonal into the focuser and tighten the lock screws. Insert the High-Hat adapter and then
the Bino Vue into it. Remember to remove the 2x amplifier if it is installed on your Bino Vue. To maintain the
performance of the telescope at the highest magnifications, use the Bino Vue Prism Corrector (BPC-0007).

For comfortable daytime viewing, we recommend the 60° 1¼” Everbrite diagonal. This configuration
requires the ACF-2125 Flat-Top 2”-1¼” adapter be used in place of the “High-Hat” type adapter.

3.0B Single Eye Viewing3.0B Single Eye Viewing

3.0B Single Eye Viewing - In order to achieve enough back focus to use the Bino Vue at 1x, five inches was

3.0B Single Eye Viewing3.0B Single Eye Viewing
cut off the telescope tube of the standard 102. To reach focus with single eye viewing we need to add that
length back via the extension tube provided standard with the 102iis. This special extension tube has the
large Imaging System adapter on one end and a 2” inside diameter on the other. Simply insert the extension
tube into the focuser end ring and tighten the four screws. Slip a Tele Vue 2” Everbrite diagonal in to the
extension tube and tighten the two lock screws. You can now use 2” Tele Vue eyepieces. Add the High Hat
adapter to use 1¼” eyepieces.

3.1 Eyepieces

With a range of 16x to 250x or more (if the atmosphere allows), Tele Vue eyepieces provide a magnification
for all purposes. See the chart at the end of this manual or call Tele Vue for recommendations. In general,
we suggest choosing low and medium power eyepieces in ratios of field stop diameters. For example,
factors of 1.4 or 2.0. When choosing higher power eyepieces, use ratios of magnification. (see reference
chart in “Choosing Your Eyepieces”)

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