Tele Vue 76 - Manual

Operating Guide
32 Elkay Dr., Chester, New York 10918 (845) 469-4551. televue.com
Tele Vue ®
V i s i o n a r y
480mm f/6.3
2-ELEMENT APO REFRACTOR
Thank you for purchasing the Tele Vue-76. This 3” aperture telescope has an 480mm focal length,
f/6.3 APO doublet diffraction-limited objective.
WARNING: NEVER try to look at the sun or point the telescope toward or near the sun without
professional solar observing equipment rigidly secured in front of the objective lens. When
observing the sun with the proper filters, use only the Tele Vue “Sol-Searcher” (SSF-1006) for
finding the Sun. Remove any other finding devices such as Starbeam from the telescope. Instant
and permanent eye damage may result from viewing the sun directly, even during a solar eclipse, or when
viewing through thin clouds, or when the sun is near the horizon.
Standard features of the optical tube assembly (O.T.A.) include: sliding dew shield, screw-on cover, 2”
rack and pinion focuser, and custom padded carrying bag. The Complete Package also includes a 2”
Everbrite diagonal, 2” to 1¼” adapter, Ring Mount, Telescope Balance Adapter, and Plössl eyepiece.
Mounting - The Tele Vue Ring Mount permits mounting to the Tele Vue Gibraltar, Panoramic, and Tele-Pod
mounts, or heavy duty camera tripods. You will receive the two ¼-20 studs, wing knobs, Allen wrench and
complete mount assembly instructions with the mount. Tele Vue also has adapter plates to allow attachment
on specific equatorial mounts (consult your Tele Vue dealer). For use with heavy eyepieces or cameras, we
suggest attaching the “Telescope Balance Adapter” to allow the scope to move forward.
Finders - For night use, we recommend the Starbeam reflex sight (SFT-2003) to complement the wide field
of the telescope. The Starbeam attaches to the Ring Mount and can be left in place when the scope is
stored in its case.
Use the Qwik-Point (part # QBT-1006) for daytime spotting. It’s beam is bright enough for use in
even bright sunlight. However it is too bright for nighttime use.
Terrestrial Viewing Considerations - The Tele Vue 55mm Plössl in a 2” diagonal will provide 9x with a
5.5° true field. This can serve as a finder, for rich field viewing or for terrestrial use. (Image is upright, but
left-right reversed using diagonal mirrors.)
Tele Vue developed the 1¼” 60° Everbrite Diagonal (part# DPC-6012) specifically for terrestrial
observers who appreciate the highest levels of image performance. The 60° angle is far more comfortable
for terrestrial observing than the standard 90°, and the 99% reflective Everbrite dielectric coating gives the
truest color rendition of any mirror or prism, and is sharpest at the highest powers.
For correct left-right viewing, use the Tele Vue 45° erector (part# AMI-0011). Barlows, Powermates
and Bino Vue are not recommended with the 45° erector. For 1¼” diagonals and prisms, the 32mm Plössl
or 24mm Panoptic offer the maximum field. 3.2° at 15x and 20x respectively.
Getting Acquainted with the Tele Vue-76
(see photos on page 3.)
Note: Complete Packages include the O.T.A. and other items described below. O.T.A. purchasers must
supply eyepieces, eyepiece adapter, diagonal, and ring mount in order for the telescope to function.
1.1 Optical Tube Assembly
The OTA consists of the objective cell, tube and focuser. The front cell houses the carefully aligned objective.
Never attempt to loosen the 3 alignment screws in the front lens cell. The tube is aluminum and powder
Tele Vue-76
®