1. Introduction
This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the assembly, operation, and maintenance of your Levenhuk Skyline Travel 70 Portable Refractor Telescope. Please read these instructions carefully before using your telescope to ensure proper function and longevity of the instrument. This telescope is designed for both astronomical and terrestrial observations, offering a compact and lightweight solution for beginners and enthusiasts.
Image 1.1: The Levenhuk Skyline Travel 70 Portable Refractor Telescope with its included backpack, ready for transport.
2. Package Contents
Verify that all components listed below are present in your package:
- Levenhuk Skyline Travel 70 Refractor Telescope Optical Tube
- Altazimuth Mount
- Aluminum Tripod
- Optical Finderscope
- K10mm Eyepiece
- K20mm Eyepiece
- 3x Barlow Lens
- Diagonal Mirror
- Backpack for storage and transport
Image 2.1: Included K10mm and K20mm eyepieces, 3x Barlow lens, and diagonal mirror.
Image 2.2: The telescope and its accessories neatly packed inside the provided backpack, demonstrating its portability.
3. Parts Diagram
Familiarize yourself with the various parts of your telescope using the diagram below:
Image 3.1: A detailed diagram illustrating the key components of the Levenhuk Skyline Travel 70 telescope, including the optical tube, dust cap, finderscope, eyepiece, focuser, diagonal mirror, slow-motion control, altitude lock knob, azimuth lock knob, and tripod.
4. Setup
Follow these steps to assemble your telescope:
- Set up the Tripod: Extend the tripod legs to a stable height. Ensure the tripod is placed on a level surface.
- Attach the Mount: The altazimuth mount is pre-attached to the tripod. Ensure all knobs are tightened for stability.
- Attach the Optical Tube: Secure the telescope optical tube to the mount using the provided screws or clamps. Make sure it is firmly attached.
- Install the Finderscope: Slide the finderscope into its bracket on the optical tube and tighten the retaining screws. Remove the dust caps from both ends of the finderscope.
- Insert the Diagonal Mirror: Loosen the thumbscrew on the focuser and insert the diagonal mirror. Tighten the thumbscrew to secure it.
- Insert an Eyepiece: Loosen the thumbscrew on the diagonal mirror and insert either the K10mm or K20mm eyepiece. Tighten the thumbscrew. The K20mm eyepiece provides lower magnification and a wider field of view, useful for locating objects.
- Remove Dust Cap: Remove the large dust cap from the front of the telescope's optical tube.
5. Operating the Telescope
Once assembled, you can begin observing.
5.1 Aligning the Finderscope
The finderscope helps you locate objects quickly. It must be aligned with the main telescope tube:
- Point the main telescope at a distant, stationary object (e.g., a tree or building) during daylight hours.
- Center the object in the main telescope's eyepiece.
- Look through the finderscope and adjust its alignment screws until the same object is centered in the finderscope's crosshairs.
5.2 Focusing
To achieve a clear image, rotate the focuser knob until the object appears sharp. You may need to make fine adjustments as objects move or as your eyes adjust.
5.3 Observing
Use the altitude and azimuth lock knobs to move the telescope up/down and left/right. For fine adjustments, use the slow-motion control knob.
- Astronomical Observations: Start with the K20mm eyepiece to locate celestial objects. Once centered, you can switch to the K10mm eyepiece for higher magnification.
- Terrestrial Observations: The diagonal mirror provides a corrected image for land viewing.
5.4 Using the Barlow Lens
The 3x Barlow lens increases the magnification of any eyepiece by three times. Insert the Barlow lens into the focuser first, then insert an eyepiece into the Barlow lens. This is useful for observing finer details on planets or the moon.
Image 5.1: A user observing through the Levenhuk Skyline Travel 70 telescope, demonstrating typical usage.
6. Maintenance
Proper care will ensure your telescope provides years of enjoyment.
- Cleaning Optics: Use a soft, clean brush to remove dust from lenses. For smudges, use a specialized optical cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth. Apply solution to the cloth, not directly to the lens. Avoid touching optical surfaces with your fingers.
- General Cleaning: Wipe down the telescope tube and mount with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
- Storage: Always replace dust caps on the objective lens and eyepiece when not in use. Store the telescope in its backpack in a dry, dust-free environment. Avoid extreme temperatures and humidity.
7. Troubleshooting
Here are solutions to common issues you might encounter:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Image is blurry or out of focus | Improper focus setting | Adjust the focuser knob until the image is sharp. |
| Cannot find objects easily | Finderscope is not aligned | Align the finderscope with the main telescope (refer to Section 5.1). Use the K20mm eyepiece for wider field of view. |
| Image is dim or dark | High magnification eyepiece used in low light; dust cap still on | Use a lower magnification eyepiece (e.g., K20mm). Ensure the objective lens dust cap is removed. |
| Image is upside down or reversed | Normal for astronomical telescopes without an erecting prism; diagonal mirror provides corrected image for terrestrial viewing | This is normal for astronomical viewing. For terrestrial viewing, ensure the diagonal mirror is correctly installed. |
8. Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Levenhuk |
| Model Name | Levenhuk Refractor telescope magnification 140x (max) |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 70 Millimeters |
| Focal Length | 400 mm |
| Telescope Mount | Altazimuth Mount |
| Eyepiece Lens Description | Barlow (includes 3x Barlow lens) |
| Finderscope | Straight-Through |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
| Item Weight | 2.5 Kilograms |
9. Warranty and Support
Levenhuk products are designed for durability and performance. This product includes a Lifetime Warranty, ensuring coverage against defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product. For detailed warranty terms, service, or technical support, please refer to the official Levenhuk website or contact their customer service directly.
For further assistance, please visit the Levenhuk Store on Amazon.
