User manual ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS AZ-3 ALT-AZIMUTH MOUNT

[. . . ] Now attach the two slow-motion cables to the altitude and azimuth worm gear shafts of the mount by positioning the setscrew on the end of each cable over the indented slot on the worm gear shaft and then tightening the setscrew. 3. Attaching A Telescope The AZ-3 is designed to hold small to mid-size telescopes weighing up to about 10 lbs. For heavier telescopes, the mount may not provide sufficient stability for steady imaging. Any type of telescope can be used on the AZ-3, including refractors, reflectors, catadioptrics, and spotting scopes, as well as telephoto lenses and giant binoculars, provided a proper coupling adapter or pair of tube rings is available to couple the instrument to the mount. [. . . ] For now, keep the legs at their shortest (fully retracted) length; you can extend them to a more desirable length later, after the mount is completely assembled. With the tripod legs now attached to the altazimuth mount, stand the tripod upright (be careful!) and spread the legs apart enough to connect each end of the accessory tray bracket to the attachment point on each leg. Use the screw that comes installed in each attachment point to do this. First remove the screw using the supplied screwdriver, then line up one of the ends of the bracket with the attachment point and reinstall the screw. Make sure that the smooth side of the accessory tray bracket faces upward. Now, with the accessory tray bracket attached, spread the tripod legs apart as far as they will go, until the bracket is taut. Attach the accessory tray to the accessory tray bracket with the three wingnut-head bolts already installed in the tray. Push the bolts up through the holes in the accessory tray 4. Using the Mount To acquire an object in the telescope you've mounted on the AZ-3, first loosen the azimuth lock knob. Point the telescope at the object you wish to observe by simply pushing the back end of the telescope in the vertical (altitude) and horizontal (azimuth) directions. Accurately center the object within the telescope's field of view by using the altitude and azimuth slow-motion controls. The azimuth slow-motion control will not engage until the azimuth lock knob is retightened. The slow-motion controls are also useful for keeping moving subjects in the field of view. The AZ-3 is an excellent mount for astronomcial use too. There is no need for "polar alignment, " and it is very easy to point the telescope at what you wish to see. When employing the AZ-3 for astronomical observing, use both slow-motion controls to keep objects centered in the telescope's eyepiece, since the rotation of the Earth will cause them to gradually move out of the field of view. With a little practice, you'll have no problem manually "tracking" the night sky. Keep in mind that increasing magnification makes objects appear to move faster. This is because the field of view becomes narrower. 3 And remember to aim well clear of the Sun, unless the front of the telescope is fitted with a professionally made solar filter and the finder scope is covered with foil or some other completely opaque material. Looking at the Sun directly through any magnifying instrument, even for an instant, could cause permanent retinal damage or blindness. Note About the Slow-Motion Controls The slow-motion control cables can move the telescope a maximum of only 30° in any direction. This is because the worm gears that the cables attach to have a limited range of mechanical "travel. " If you can no longer rotate one of the control cables in a desired direction, you have reached the end of worm gear travel, and the worm gear should be reset. [. . . ] Specifications Mount: altazimuth Tripod: aluminum, adjustable height Weight: 9 lbs. , 9 oz. Height: 32" to 52. 5" Slow-Motion Controls: altitude and azimuth Maximum Loading Weight: about 10 lbs. One-Year Limited Warranty This Orion AZ-3 Altazimuth Mount is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes & Binoculars will repair or replace, at Orion's option, any warranted instrument that proves to be defective, provided it is returned postage paid to: Orion Warranty Repair, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076. [. . . ]