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The NexStar HC telescope is a precision scientific instrument that will allow you to enjoy viewing numerous objects in the night
sky — planets, nebulae, star clusters, galaxies and more. Equipped with high speed motors and hand control, the NexStar HC
allows you to remotely move your telescope to desired objects quickly and accurately. At a touch of a button, you can slew your
telescope across the sky in a matter of second and track objects remotely as the Earth rotates beneath them. The NexStar HC is
fully upgradeable and can be equipped with the optional NexStar Hand Control with a database of over 4,000 objects (see the
Optional Accessories section of this manual).
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The NexStar HC can be powered by the supplied battery pack or an optional 12v AC adapter. The power pack requires 8 user
supplied AA size alkaline batteries. To power the NexStar, insert the batteries into the battery pack and plug the round post into
the 12v outlet located on the side of the fork arm. Once the battery pack is plugged in, the NexStar will power on and one of the
slew rate indicator lights will light up.
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The NexStar HC has a removable hand control that gives the user quick access to all the motion controls the NexStar
HC offers. Below is a brief description of the individual components of the NexStar HC hand controller:
1.
Star Key
Activation Light:
Indicates that the
Star
button has been pressed and the utility functions on the hand
control are active.
2.
Direction Buttons:
Allows complete control of the NexStar in any direction. Use the direction keys to move the
telescope from object to object or for centering objects in the eyepiece.
3.
Rate:
Instantly changes the rate of speed of the motors when the direction buttons are pressed. Press this button
repeatedly to cycle through the speeds of the motors.
4.
Star Key:
Gives the user access to the utility functions of the hand control, such as changing the direction of the arrow
keys and backlash compensation.
5.
Hand Control Slew Rate Indicator Lights:
Displays the speed at which the telescope will move when each direction
button is pressed.
Battery Pack
Outlet
Hand Control
Outlet
Figure 4-1 The NexStar HC Outlets