Meade ETX-90 User Manual - Page 5

GETTING STARTED GETTING STARTED You may want to perform the ETX telescope assembly indoors in the light so that you become familiar with the parts and operation before moving the telescope outside into the dark for observing. Just follow the simple steps below and you will be up and running before you know it. 1 It is best to set up the telescope in twilight or before sunset the first time you use it. Take the telescope and tripod outside. Set the telescope in a large open area where you can see lots of sky. Don't setup right next to a building or a wall. Make sure the ground is stable and is approximately level. It is best to set up the scope away from bright nighttime lighting. Bright lights will spoil your night vision and impede your ability to see the sky. Assembling the Tripod Lock Knob 3 Loosen lock knobs on each leg (three total) near the foot of each tripod leg. Use the lock knobs to vary the height of the inner, extendible tripod leg sections. Tighten the locks to a firm feel only; do not overtighten. Spreader Shaft Spreader Bar End Nut 2 Remove the field tripod from the shipping carton. Stand the tripod vertically with the tripod feet down and with the tripod still fully collapsed. Grasp two of the tripod legs and, with the full weight of the tripod on the third leg, gently pull the legs apart to a fully open position. 4 Remove the end nut from the spreader shaft and slide the spreader in between the telescope legs. Attach the end nut and hand tighten until the telescope legs are held snuggly in the most spread position. Position the tripod where you want the telescope to be and check that the top of the tripod is approximately level. Use the included bubble level/ compass to level the tripod head.