15
It is not necessary to completely disassemble the mount to
transport it. It will be convenient to remove the accessory tray
(by unthreading the three wing screws) in order to fold the tri-
pod legs together. It may also be convenient to remove the
slow-motion control cables and counterweight shaft. Orion
offers an optional Padded Scope Case that will fit the entire
EQ-3 Mount.
Storing
If you give your telescope reasonable care, it will last a life-
time. Store it in a clean, dry, dust-free place, safe from rapid
changes in temperature and humidity. Do not store the tele-
scope outdoors, although storage in a garage or shed is OK.
Small components like eyepieces, diagonals, and other
accessories can be kept in the included carry case or in an
optional eyepiece case. Keep the dust cover on the front of
the telescope and cap the rear opening of the eyepiece
adapter. Also keep the finder scope caps on if you leave it
attached to the optical tube.
Cleaning the Tube
Your StarMax 127mm EQ telescope requires very little
mechanical maintenance. The optical tube is aluminum and
has a smooth painted finish that is fairly scratch-resistant. If a
scratch does appear on the tube, it will not harm the tele-
scope. If you wish, you may apply some auto touch-up paint
to the scratch. Smudges on the tube can be wiped off with a
soft cloth and a household cleaner such as Windex or
Formula 409.
Cleaning Lenses
Any quality optical lens cleaning tissue and optical lens clean-
ing fluid specifically designed for multi-coated optics can be
used to clean the StarMax’s front meniscus lens or exposed
lenses of your eyepieces or finder scope. Never use regular
glass cleaner or cleaning fluid designed for eyeglasses.
Before cleaning with fluid and tissue, however, blow any loose
particles off the lens with a blower bulb or compressed air.
Then apply some cleaning fluid to a tissue, never directly on
the optics. Wipe the lens gently in a circular motion, then
remove any excess fluid with a fresh lens tissue. Oily finger-
prints and smudges may be removed using this method. Use
caution; rubbing too hard may scratch the lens. For the large
surface of the meniscus lens, clean only a small area at a time,
using a fresh lens tissue on each area. Never reuse tissues.
10. Specifications
Optical design: Maksutov-Cassegrain
Aperture: 127mm
Effective focal length: 1540mm
Focal ratio: f/12.7
Central obstruction diameter: 31mm
Primary mirror coating: Aluminum with overcoat
Meniscus lens coating: Anti-reflection multi-coatings on both
sides of lens
Eyepiece adapter: Accepts 1.25" accessories, camera t-
threads
Eyepiece: 25mm Sirius Plössl, fully coated with multi-coat-
ings, 1.25" format
Magnification with supplied eyepiece: 62x
Actual field of view with supplied eyepiece: 0.92°
Diagonal: 90° mirror star diagonal, 1.25" format
Near focus (with supplied eyepiece & diagonal): Approximately
11 feet
Finder scope: 6x magnification, 26mm aperture, correct-
image, achromatic, 6.3° field
Finder scope bracket: Dovetail base, spring-loaded X-Y
alignment
Optical tube mounting block: Fits standard photo-style
tripods
Mount: EQ-3, German-type equatorial
Slow-motion controls: R.A. and Dec. axes
Setting Circles: R.A. scaled in 10 minute increments, Dec.
scaled in 1° increments
Counterweight: 4.8 lbs
Latitude range: 5° to 75°
Tripod: Adjustable-height aluminum legs, accessory tray
included
Case: Deluxe carry case for optical tube included, padded
case for EQ-3 mount optional
Motor drives: Optional
Weight: 21.9 lbs (tube 5.0 lbs, mount 16.9 lbs)
