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3.
Place the two other weights under the sliding counterweight on the bottom of the telescope. The sliding
counterweight has a threaded hole on its bottom face. To maintain a dynamic balance, equal weights must be added
to the top and the bottom of the telescope; i.e., two on top of the tube and two on the bottom of the tube.
4.
Put the telescope in the horizontal position. See figure 3-8.
5.
Hold the telescope and loosen the altitude clutch so the telescope rotates freely. Don’t let go of the telescope, it could
rotate forward quickly and strike the downstop.
6.
Slide the counterweight to a position such that the telescope does not rotate when you release it.
To maintain a dynamic balance, any extra weights added must be added in pairs, one on the top of the tube and one on the
bottom. See Figure 3-8.
Horizontal Position
Vertical Position
Figure 3-8
A telescope balances much like a scale. You need as much weight in the front as you have in the back. The sliding
weight allows for adjustability. If the sliding weight is adjusted all the way forward and more weight is needed,
use the extra counterweights provided with the telescope. Two weights should be placed on the top of the tube and
two placed under the sliding weight on the bottom. When the telescope is pointed in the vertical position, there
must be equal amounts of weight on the top and on the bottom (when the tube is pointed up, the top of the tube
becomes the left side of the scale and the bottom becomes the right side of the scale). Notice that when the sliding
weight is moved with the tube pointed straight up, the weight on the right side of the scale does not change.
