Tasco Instruction Manual

Parts Diagrams

Reflector Model Parts (Page 2)

Description of parts labeled in the diagram:

• A. Yoke Mount
• B. Focus Knob
• C. Eyepiece
• D. Finderscope Bracket
• E. Finderscope
• F. Telescope Main Body
• G. Main Mirror (internal)
• H. Tripod Leg
• I. Tripod Leg Adjusting Clamp
• J. Accessory Tray

Note: Actual product may have improvements that are not shown in this diagram.

Refractor Model Parts (Page 3)

Description of parts labeled in the diagram:

• A. Yoke Mount
• B. Focus Knob
• C. Focus Tube
• D. Diagonal
• E. Eyepiece
• F. Finderscope Bracket
• G. Finderscope
• H. Telescope Main Body
• I. Sun Shade
• J. Objective Lens (not shown)
• K. Tripod Leg
• L. Tripod Leg Adjusting Clamp
• M. Accessory Tray

Note: Actual product may have improvements that are not shown in this diagram.

Assembly Diagrams

The following steps illustrate the assembly process:

1. Step 1: A hand is shown adjusting a clamp on a tripod leg, indicating the telescoping leg adjustment.
2. Step 2: The accessory tray is shown being placed onto the tripod leg braces.
3. Step 3: A hand is shown attaching the finderscope bracket to the telescope main body.
4. Step 4: For refractor models, an eyepiece is shown being inserted into the diagonal. For reflector models, an eyepiece is inserted into the focusing tube.
5. Step 5: A Barlow lens is shown being inserted into the focus tube, followed by an eyepiece.

Telescope Assembly Instructions

1. Your telescope has adjustable (telescoping) legs.
2. Stand the tripod and spread the legs. Loosen the three leg clamps. Lift the tripod head and extend the tripod legs to the desired height (at equal lengths), then tighten the clamps on each leg to hold it in position.
3. Attach the accessory tray to the center leg braces on the tripod legs and insert the accessory tray bolt through the center of the tray into the braces, then tighten the bolt.
4. Remove the telescope main body from the box. Attach the telescope main body by aligning the hole in the telescope saddle with that in the yoke.
5. Remove the finderscope with its bracket attached from the box. Position the finderscope bracket on the telescope main body.
6. For refractor models: Insert an eyepiece (H25mm) into the diagonal, then attach the diagonal to the telescope, tightening the retaining screws. For reflector models: Insert an eyepiece into the focusing tube and tighten the set screw to begin viewing.

Note (Refractor Models only): In astronomical telescopes, the image appears upside down. Using a diagonal makes the image appear erect but with a left-to-right inversion (mirror-like). For terrestrial viewing and to correct the mirrored image, remove the diagonal and replace it with an erecting eyepiece. Low magnification eyepieces are recommended for terrestrial viewing. Only refractor telescopes come with erector eyepieces; reflectors (mirrors) are mainly used for astronomical purposes.

The telescope is now fully assembled and ready for use.

7. To use the Barlow lens, insert it into the focus tube. Secure by tightening the small retaining screw. Insert an eyepiece into the open end of the Barlow lens and secure it.

CAUTION! Viewing the sun can cause permanent eye damage. Do not view the sun with this telescope or even with the naked eye.

Using the Star Pointer

The StarPointer is a quick and easy way to point your telescope at a desired object in the sky. It functions like a laser pointer, shining a small red dot into the night sky. It is a zero magnification pointing tool that uses a coated glass window to superimpose the red dot. Like all finderscopes, the StarPointer must be properly aligned with the main telescope before use.

1. To turn on the StarPointer, rotate the variable brightness control clockwise until you hear a "click." To increase the brightness level of the red dot, continue rotating the control knob about 180° until it stops.
2. Locate a bright star or planet and center it in a low power eyepiece in the main telescope. If the StarPointer is perfectly aligned, the red LED dot will overlap the alignment star. If not aligned, note where the red dot is relative to the star.

Without moving the main telescope, turn the StarPointer's azimuth and altitude alignment controls until the red dot is directly over the alignment star. If the LED dot is brighter than the alignment star, it may be difficult to see the star. Turn the variable brightness control counterclockwise until the red dot is the same brightness as the alignment star. This makes accurate alignment easier. The StarPointer is now ready for use. Remember to always turn the power off after finding an object to extend the life of the battery and LED.

Finding Objects

1. Look through the finderscope and pan the telescope until the object appears in the field of view. Once it is in the field of view, tighten the altitude and azimuth locks.

Focusing

1. Once you have found an object in the telescope, turn the focus knob until the image is sharp.
2. To focus on an object that is nearer than your current target, turn the focusing knob toward the eyepiece (so the focus tube moves away from the front of the telescope). For more distant objects, turn the focus knob in the opposite direction.
3. To achieve a truly sharp focus, never look through glass windows or across objects that produce heat waves, such as asphalt parking lots.

Magnification

The magnification (or power) of a telescope varies depending on the focal length of the eyepiece being used and the focal length of the telescope.

To calculate magnification, use the following formula, where FL = focal length:

Magnification = FL (telescope) in mm / FL (eyepiece)

Eye Lens Chart & Theoretical Power Limits

Technical Specifications

Note: Magnification is calculated magnification. Low power is recommended for most viewing conditions.

Helpful Hints

• Your telescope is a very sensitive instrument. For best results and fewer vibrations, set your telescope up on a level location on the ground rather than your concrete driveway or wooden deck. This will provide a more stable foundation for viewing, especially if you've drawn a crowd.
• If possible, view from a location with relatively few lights. This will allow you to see much fainter objects. You'd be surprised how much more you'll see from your local lake or park when compared to a backyard in the city.
• Using your telescope out a window is NEVER recommended.
• View objects that are high in the sky if possible. Waiting until the object rises well above the horizon will provide a brighter and crisper image. Objects on the horizon are viewed through several layers of earth's atmosphere. Ever wonder why the moon appears orange as it sets on the horizon? It's because you are looking through a considerable amount of atmosphere compared to viewing directly overhead. (Note: If objects high in the sky appear distorted or wavy, you are probably viewing on a very humid night.) During nights of unstable atmosphere, viewing through a telescope can be frustrating if not impossible. Astronomers refer to crisp, clear nights as nights of "good seeing."

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