12
ring clamps on the tube rings (6) a few turns, until you can
slide the telescope tube forward and back inside the rings
(this can be aided by using a slight twisting motion on the
optical tube while you push or pull on it) (Figure 4c).
6. Position the telescope in the tube rings (6) so it remains
horizontal when you carefully let go with both hands. This
is the balance point for the optical tube (1) with respect to
the Dec. axis (Figure 4d).
7. Retighten the knurled rings clamps.
The telescope is now balanced on both axes. Now when you
loosen the lock knob (23,25) on one or both axes and manu-
ally point the telescope, it should move without resistance and
should not drift from where you point it.
Focusing the telescope
With the 25mm Explorer II eyepiece (3) inserted into the 90°
mirror star diagonal (2) and secured with the thumbscrews,
aim the optical tube (1) so the front objective lens (14) end is
pointing in the general direction of an object at least 1/4-mile
away. Now, with your fingers, slowly rotate one of the focus
wheels (19) until the object comes into sharp focus. Go a little
bit beyond sharp focus until the image starts to blur again,
then reverse the rotation of the knob, just to make sure you’ve
hit the exact focus point.
operating the EZ Finder ii reflex sight
The EZ Finder II reflex sight (4) (Figure 5) works by projecting
a tiny red dot onto a lens mounted in the front of the unit.
When you look through the EZ Finder II, the red dot will
appear to float in space, helping you locate even the faintest
of deep space objects. The red dot is produced by a light-
emitting diode (LED), not a laser beam, near the rear of the
sight. A replaceable 3-volt lithium battery provides the power
for the diode.
To use the EZ Finder II, turn the power knob clockwise until
you hear a “click” indicating that power has been turned on.
With your eyes positioned at a comfortable distance from the
back of the sight, look through the back of the reflex sight with
both eyes open to see the red dot. The intensity of the dot can
be adjusted by turning the power knob. For best results when
stargazing, use the dimmest possible setting that allows you
to see the dot without difficulty. Typically, a dim setting is used
under dark skies and a bright setting is used under light-pol-
luted skies or in daylight.
At the end of your observing session, be sure to turn the
power knob counterclockwise until it clicks off. When the two
white dots on the EZ Finder II’s rail and power knob are lined
up, the EZ Finder II is turned off.
aligning the EZ Finder ii
When the EZ Finder II is properly aligned with the telescope,
an object that is centered on the EZ Finder II’s red dot should
also appear in the center of the field of view of the telescope’s
eyepiece. Alignment of the EZ Finder II is easiest during day-
light, before observing at night. Aim the telescope at a distant
object at least 1/4 mile away, such as a telephone pole or
chimney and center it in the telescope’s eyepiece. Now, turn
the EZ Finder II on and look through it. The object will appear
in the field of view near the red dot.
Note: The image in the eyepiece of the Observer 70 will
be reversed from left-to-right. This is normal for a refrac-
tor telescope using a mirror star diagonal.
Without moving the telescope, use the EZ Finder II’s azimuth
(left/right) and altitude (up/down) adjustment wheels (Figure
5) to position the red dot on the object in the telescope.
When the red dot is centered on the distant object, check to
make sure that the object is still centered in the telescope’s
field of view. If not, recenter it and adjust the EZ Finder II’s
alignment again. When the object is centered in the tele-
scope’s eyepiece and on the red dot, the EZ Finder II is prop-
erly aligned with the telescope. Figure 6 shows how the view
through the EZ Finder may look while you are aligning it.
Once aligned, EZ Finder II will usually hold its alignment even
after being removed and remounted. Otherwise, only minimal
realignment will be needed.
replacing the EZ Finder ii Battery
Should the battery ever need to be replaced, 3-volt lithium
batteries are available from many retail outlets. Remove the
old battery by inserting a small flat-head screwdriver into the
slot on the battery casing (Figure 5) and gently prying open
the case. Then carefully pull back on the retaining clip and
remove the old battery. Do not overbend the retaining clip.
Then slide the new battery under the battery lead with the
positive (+) side facing down and replace the battery casing.
aligning the Equatorial Mount
When you look at the night sky, you no doubt have noticed
that the stars appear to move slowly from east to west over
time. That apparent motion is caused by the Earth’s rotation
(from west to east). An equatorial mount (Figure 3a) is
designed to compensate for that motion, allowing you to eas-
ily “track” the movement of astronomical objects, thereby
keeping them from drifting out of the telescope’s field of view
while you’re observing.
This is accomplished by slowly rotating the telescope on its
right ascension (R.A.) axis, using only the R.A. slow-motion
cable (8). But first the R.A. axis of the mount must be aligned
Figure 6.
EZ Finder II
superimposes a
tiny red dot on the
sky, showing right
where the
telescope is
pointed.
