3.
Azimuth adjustments
: To begin, move or turn the entire pier or tripod east or west until the mount is oriented
approximately towards the pole (an imaginary line drawn through the hollow shaft). If you are using the 6” Eagle
Adjustable Folding Pier, you can take advantage of the Azimuth Adjustment Slots for your rough polar alignment.
The compass on the east side of the P
OLAR
F
ORK
B
ASE
will help you. Also, if you want the mount to be level, check
the bubble level again after moving everything. (Remember, this is not critical for most observers.)
Loosen the two A
ZIMUTH
L
OCK
K
NOBS
(one on each side of the P
OLAR
F
ORK
B
ASE
). Use the two fine A
ZIMUTH
A
DJUSTER
K
NOBS
, one on each side of the mount, to make adjustments.
You must back off the opposing azimuth
knob in order to move the other knob in that direction. Please refer to the photos above. These photos also
illustrate the 25 degrees of azimuth adjustment possible with this mount. If you are finished, i.e. for casual
observing, tighten the A
ZIMUTH
L
OCK
K
NOBS
and make sure that the A
ZIMUTH
A
DJUSTER
K
NOB
you were backing off
in the above adjustment is snugged against the A
ZIMUTH
A
DJUSTING
P
IN
. If you will be further refining your
alignment, just snug down the A
ZIMUTH
L
OCK
K
NOBS
.
One full turn of the A
ZIMUTH
A
DJUSTER
K
NOB
is approximately 1.37 degrees (82 arc minutes)
4. Altitude (latitude) adjustments
: The altitude adjustment mechanism on the
Mach1GTO
has two components. There is a large A
LTITUDE
A
DJUSTMENT
K
NOB
on
the front (north) side of the mount for making the adjustments. The second part
is the innovative tool-free A
LTITUDE
L
OCKING
L
EVER
on the west side of the P
OLAR
F
ORK
B
ASE
. This lever has a spring-loaded, ratchet-type action that allowed us to
use a longer handle for leverage than would otherwise have been possible.
Pulling the handle out away from the base (pull it to the west) will disengage the
handle so that it will turn freely in either direction. Using this feature, you simply
ratchet it tight when your altitude is set, or ratchet it loose if you need to make an
adjustment. To start your altitude adjustment, loosen the A
LTITUDE
L
OCKING
L
EVER
. Move the polar axis up or down with the large A
LTITUDE
A
DJUSTMENT
K
NOB
located in the front of the polar axis assembly. When your altitude is set, lock it
with the locking lever. In addition, if you are using an Astro-Physics Portable
Pier, we have found that using the turnbuckle on the north leg of the pier also
can make fine altitude adjustments, if used.
One turn of the A
LTITUDE
A
DJUSTMENT
K
NOB
is approximately 1.04 degrees (62
arc minutes).
10
Summary of Contents for Mach1GTO
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