Tele Vue 76 User Manual

®

Tele Vue

-76

Operating Guide

480mm f/6.3

2-ELEMENT APO REFRACTOR

Thank you for purchasing the
f/6.3 APO doublet diffraction-limited objective.

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, use only the Tele Vue “Sol-Searcher” (SSF-1006) for

finding the Sun. Remove any other 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 features of the optical tube assembly (O.T.A.) include: sliding dew shield, screw-on cover, 2”
rack and pinion focuser, and custom padded carrying bag. The Complete Package also includes a 2”
Everbrite diagonal, 2” to 1¼” adapter, Ring Mount, Telescope Balance Adapter, and Plössl eyepiece.

Mounting - The Tele Vue Ring Mount permits mounting to the Tele Vue Gibraltar, Panoramic, and Tele-Pod
mounts, or heavy duty camera tripods. You will receive the two ¼-20 studs, wing knobs, Allen wrench and
complete mount assembly instructions with the mount. Tele Vue also has adapter plates to allow attachment
on specific equatorial mounts (consult your Tele Vue dealer). For use with heavy eyepieces or cameras, we
suggest attaching the “Telescope Balance Adapter” to allow the scope to move forward.

Tele Vue-

76. This 3” aperture telescope has an 480mm focal length,

Finders - For night use, we recommend the Starbeam reflex sight (SFT-2003) to complement the wide field
of the telescope. The Starbeam attaches to the Ring Mount and can be left in place when the scope is
stored in its case.
Use the Qwik-Point (part # QBT-1006) for daytime spotting. It’s beam is bright enough for use in
even bright sunlight. However it is too bright for nighttime use.

Terrestrial Viewing Considerations - The Tele Vue 55mm Plössl in a 2” diagonal will provide 9x with a

5.5° true field. This can serve as a finder, for rich field viewing or for terrestrial use. (Image is upright, but
left-right reversed using diagonal mirrors.)

Tele Vue developed the 1¼” 60° Everbrite Diagonal (part# DPC-6012) specifically for terrestrial
observers who appreciate the highest levels of image performance. The 60° angle is far more comfortable
for terrestrial observing than the standard 90°, and the 99% reflective Everbrite dielectric coating gives the
truest color rendition of any mirror or prism, and is sharpest at the highest powers.

For correct left-right viewing, use the Tele Vue 45° erector (part# AMI-0011). Barlows, Powermates
and Bino Vue are not recommended with the 45° erector. For 1¼” diagonals and prisms, the 32mm Plössl
or 24mm Panoptic offer the maximum field. 3.2° at 15x and 20x respectively.

Getting Acquainted with the

Note: Complete Packages include the O.T.A. and other items described below. O.T.A. purchasers must
supply eyepieces, eyepiece adapter, diagonal, and ring mount in order for the telescope to function.

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

Tele Vue

Visionary

Tele Vue

®

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

-76 (see photos on page 3.)

coated, requiring no special care. The rack and pinion focuser is driven by high leverage knobs. The two
tension screws on the top of the focuser body can be adjusted to add resistance when using heavy eye­pieces. These tension screws tighten against a brass clamp ring, which then cinches down on the teflon
sleeve in which the draw tube slides. For photography it is not necessary to tighten beyond the need to
keep a camera stationary. Even when sufficiently tight, the focuser knobs can still drive the draw tube.
The two lock screws in the end of the draw tube also tighten against a brass clamp ring for extra holding
power on the diagonal or other accessories.

1.2 Ring Mount

The Ring Mount permits easy telescope balancing. Simply unlock the “bat handle,” reposition the telescope
by sliding it fore or aft, and re-lock. Slots with 10-32 holes are available for mounting accessories.

1.3 Eyepieces

Tele Vue eyepieces offer a range of magnifications from 9x to 200x, with the

Tele Vue-76

. We recom­mend 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 the “Choosing Your Eyepieces” article.

1.4 Photography

For prime focus photography at 480mm f/6.3 using a 35mm SLR, use camera adapter (part# ACM-

2000). For flat field astrophotography at 380mm f/5, use the Tele Vue 0.8x reducer/flattener, (part#
TRF-2008). Alternatively, the Tele Vue Powermates with optional T-ring adapters and our 3.5” extension
tube provides a variety focal length options. Afocal photography can be done using our various digital
camera to eyepiece adapters. For Piggyback 35mm SLR photography, attach the Piggy-Cam platform,
(part# PGC-1001) to the Ring Mount.

Mounting points are provided on top of the focuser body and draw tube for easy installation of the
Digital Micrometer Kits (part#s RMK-2002 or RMF-2003). These kits allow imagers to index focus posi­tion to within 0.0001”, providing a very convenient way of finding best focus, returning to it, or checking
that it hasn’t changed. The dual speed focuser with its 10:1 focus reduction provides extraordinarily fine
focus adjustment for critical focusing. The Focusmate Driver (part# FDF-2004) adds hands free motorized
focusing and the Focusmaster permits remote PC focusing via ASCOM compliant focusing software. For
installation, setup and use of the Digital Micrometer Kit, FocusmateTM, Focusmate Driver and FocusmasterTM,
see the instructions included with each.

1.5 Caring for the

Tele Vue-

76 requires no special care. Treat it as you would any fine camera lens. Use the lens cap

Tele Vue

-76

when the telescope is being stored or not in use. The captive dew shield provides protection from glare,
helps protect the lens from dust or spray blown in by the wind and minimizes dew formation on the lens.

If dew forms on the lens during cold weather, it is best to use an electric hair dryer (on the lowest
setting) to gently warm it away. A few specks of dust will have no effect on the quality of the image, and
may be gently blown off with a squeeze bulb. Do not use compressed air cans to blow dust off any opti­cal surfaces.

Fingerprints, however should be cleaned off. Though the anti-reflection coatings are durable, they
are easily scratched. The simplest cleaning method is to moisten a very soft, lint-free tissue, cloth, “Q-Tip”
or surgical cotton with a lens or glass cleaner and gently whisk away the stain. Do not apply any solutions
directly to the glass surfaces. After every cleaning stroke, use a fresh applicator. The fewer strokes the
better! Any residual “film” will not affect visual performance.

Collimation of your

Tele Vue-

76 has been locked at the factory. With reasonable care it will
remain aligned. However, rough handling can cause misalignment. WARNING: Do not loosen the but­ton head screws in the front lens cell as this will cause misalignment. If necessary, contact Tele Vue for
re-collimation.