W
HicH
L
AtituDe
s
cALe
s
HouLD
i u
se
?
You may notice that the scales on the two side latitude plates
are not the same. For accuracy, each scale is used for
different latitudes.
• When the wedge is configured for the latitude range of
40°-90°
, the scale on the latitude plate facing
east
(marked with an “
L
”) should be used.
• When the wedge is configured for the latitude range of
0°-50°
, the scale on the latitude plate facing
west
(marked with an “
R
”) should be used.
A
Djusting
tHe
c
enter
of
g
rAvitY
of
tHe
W
eDge
Before mounting a telescope to your wedge you may wish to
change its center of gravity by shifting the wedge side plates
forward. The side plates can be moved forward if you are
observing from a higher latitude (50° or higher). This will place
the telescope’s center of gravity closer to the center of your
tripod for maximum stability. To adjust the side plates:
1. Make sure your telescope is not mounted to the wedge before
making any adjustments.
2. Remove the eight screws (four on each side) that attach the
side plates to the base plate of the wedge.
3. Slide the entire wedge forward so that the holes line up with
the front four holes on the base plate. It may be necessary to
loosen the bolts holding the orange support bar and latitude
rod bar between the two side plates.
4. Replace the screws in the side plates in their new position.
The HD tripod (93493) has six holes on its base for mounting the
telescope with or without the wedge. Three of the holes have
captured bolts for attaching your telescope directly to the tripod.
The other three holes are threaded to be used with the wedge.
The wedge can be attached in two different configurations; one
with the telescope fork arms extended over one of the tripod
legs (for more stability at lower latitudes), and one with the
telescope fork arms extended between two of the tripod legs
(for more stability at higher latitudes).
To attach the wedge to the tripod:
1. Locate the positioning pin in the center of your tripod.
2. Lower the wedge onto the tripod so that the hole underneath
the center of the base plate fits over the tripod positioning pin.
This will allow you to center the wedge on the tripod head.
3. Rotate the wedge until the three slotted holes on the
wedge align with the three threaded holes in the tripod
head. Keep in mind there are two alignment configurations
as mentioned above.
4. Thread the three 5/16-18x1-1/4” socket head cap screws and
washers into the holes and tighten.
A
ttAching
t
he
W
edge
t
o
Y
our
t
ripod
F
igure
4
2
F
igure
3
Forward
position hole
Side Plate
Side Plate
Mounting
Screws
