OMG - It looks like it launches ballistic missiles

[scotty365]

With awe and dred im assembling my scope and it is to say the least baffling, what av I let myself into here? :shock:

Anyone got any advice before it attacks me with missiles?

Scotty

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

That's the HEQ5 and 200mm f/5 skywatcher then, is it?

Stand tripod bit up and spread the legs (of the tripod!).

With the head, you will find the bottom bit has a spigot that fits on top of the tripod bit. Look inside and you will see two screws with external knobs. Unscrew these knobs quite a bit. The gap between the knobs lines up with a sticking up "fin" on top of the tripod.

Sit the head on the tripod. Fasten it on with a long chrome bolt with a knob half way up it. Only loosly for now, not quite hand tight.

Get the roundish black bit with lots of holes in it and fit it onto the long bolt that you just fitted, it is held on by a black plastic knob.

Two chromed screws with floppy "handles" on are found low down near the tripod. Loosen one or the other to allow you to set your lattitude on the scale on the side. Roughly will do for now. Don't overtighten these as they do bend.

Job done.

The two knobs that you loosened, tighten them equally until the head isn't wobbly side to side anymore. These are for aiming the mount at Polaris.

Take the mount outside like this before you add the weights or 'scope otherwise its top heavy and you'll likely hurt yourself or the 'scope.

Next job is putting the 'scope on.

First bit is to add the two weights.

Opposite "end" of the mount is a locking lever to hold the counterweight bar. Loosen this and the bar should slide out. Relock the lever to hold the bar in position.

Unscrew the end bit which is there to stop the weights falling off if thay go slack so they don't smash your feet and let the whole lot tip over. It also stops you getting the weights on. One finger inside the weight to check that the locking screw is undone enough then slide each weight onto the arm and fasten it there with the knob on the weight. Refit the safety end bit.

Next step alignment, but we'll skip that as you just want to play so far. That's for tomorrow.

Assuming the tripod is now in your living room, loosen the lock lever and turn the dovetail so that the slot is horizontal with the two knobs on top. Lock the lever so that it can't rotate and lock the other lever that stops the mount rotating any other way. Gently try to turn the head, it should be locked for the scary bit. Lift the 'scope tube on top of your outstretched arms and line the dovetail up. Steadying the 'scope with one arm, reach over and tighten the dovetail knobs to hold the 'scope. Don't let it go until you are sure its in there properly.

Check that the tube rings round the main tube are tight otherwise when you stand the tube up it'll slide.

Gently loosen the top lever so that the 'scope can rotate (it WILL want to!). Once you find out which end is heavy, relock the lever and adjust the 'scope by moving the dovetail bar in the mount (loosen the two screws and slide it along whilst taking the weight).

Next step is to balance the other axis. Unlock the lower axis lock knob and, again being careful to steady the 'scope, work out if the weights are heavier than the 'scope or the other way around. If the weights are too heavy, move them up the bar, otherwise they need to go down the bar.

Once balanced you should be able to loosen each axis or even both without any disasters.

HTH

Captain Chaos

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Now on to the 'lectrics.

The handset sits in the holy bit under the mount (synscan version does anyway) (there should be a clip for it, it could be seperate). The end of the cable clips into the head unit under the dovetail bit next to the on/off switch. Be aware that there is a little tab to press before you remove this when you've done.

The power lead goes into another hole on this panel, the other end goes into the power pack which you have been charging. (You have, haven't you?)

Powered up you should get drive up, down, left and right buttons plus a speed selector.

Polar alignment is fairly straightforward IF you can see Polaris from where you set up, if not look up drift alignment elsewhere on here.

On top of the mount is a round plug that pops out and at the opposite end of the shaft is a big screw on cap, unscrew this.

Make sure there is no 'scope on, or weights, but the weight bar needs to be extended as it blocks the alignment 'scope.

Look down the hole in the top and rotate the axis with the dovetail until you can see through, believe me this helps!

Crawl on the floor and look up the small 'scope under the big cap, you should see a pattern of stars, these need to be aligned with the rough angle of the plough as seen at the time of observing. Unlock the lower axis to do this. Next find Polaris by dragging the mount around so that its close to in line.

Crawl on the floor again and look up the alignment 'scope. You will see a cross in the middle with a circle round it. On the edge of this circle is another tiny circle. The plan is to get Polaris in this circle. Only adjust the mount using the two knobs that rotate the whole head by pushing on the "fin" mentioned earlier for side to side movement or the two chrome screws with floppy handles for up and down movement. Tighten all these gently when you have done it.

Then mount the 'scope and you're up and running.

Tip of the day, if you can't get at the eyepice hole, move the 'scope flat, loosen the rings around the 'scope tube a bit and rotate the whole tube in the rings, then retighten the rings.

HTH

Captain Chaos

[scotty365]

Exellent CC Ive balanced everything and checked the electrics, I cant align yet cos its raining (I just had to use that smilie!)

I bought a laser collimator (laser-colli) Ive managed to get the "dot" in the center of the viewing screen but it seems blurry and nowt like it should in the pictures.

BTW I got -:

Deluxe Barlow (missing from package)

10mm super plossel

25mm super plossel

11/4" X-cel 5mm

11/4"omni 32mm wide angle (50deg.)

11/4"-2" Hyperion 17mm

Baader Neodymium

Variable Moon Filter

Any views on any of that kit?

Scotty

[GazOC]

Deluxe Barlow (missing from package)

10mm super plossel

25mm super plossel

11/4" X-cel 5mm

11/4"omni 32mm wide angle (50deg.)

11/4"-2" Hyperion 17mm

Baader Neodymium

Variable Moon Filter

Any views on any of that kit?

Scotty

Other than I wish I'd have started out with it? Replace the 10mm and you are sorted for now. Cracking setup mate.

[FLO]

I bought a laser collimator (laser-colli) Ive managed to get the "dot" in the center of the viewing screen but it seems blurry and nowt like it should in the pictures.

This thread might be of interest:

http://tinyurl.com/rn9qa

[The Warthog]

I would try and swap the 10 for an 8 or 7.5, but even without that, it's a nice selection of eps. If you don't have a Barlow, get a decent 2x one, say a Celestron Ultima.

[daz]

Hehehe!!

It's a bit of beast when you first unpack it all! Ah, I remember that day well