Vixen Sphinx SXP - Manual (Page 17)

CAUTION
Do not loosen the lock knobs too much in balancing. This could drop off the telescope tube or lead
to injury.
CAUTION
Do not move the counterweight too much in balancing. This could damage the telescope tube or lead
to injury.
Chapter 1 PREPARATION
3
4
4
2
R200SS shown
AX103S shown
1
Telescope Tube with Tube Rings
Loosen the R.A. clamp while holding the counterweight bar (1-1) and turn the telescope tube until the
DEC. axis comes to horizontal (1-2). Tighten the R.A. clamp and loosen the DEC. clamp. Be sure to
hold the optical tube or counterweight in hand while loosening the clamps.
Release the telescope gradually to see which way the telescope rotates around the declination axis.
If the telescope tube starts rotating as you release, it shows there is an imbalance in DEC.
To determine the balance point, loosen the tube ring lock knobs that hold the telescope tube and slide
the telescope tube either forward or backward until it remains stationary.
Tighten the tube ring lock knobs (and the safety screw if any) securely to hold the telescope tube in place.
Tighten the DEC clamp to finish this adjustment.
1
2
3
Balancing the Mount in R.A (Right Ascension)
Loosen the R.A. clamp while holding the counterweight bar and turn the telescope tube until the DEC axis comes to horizontal as shown
in the figure.
Release the telescope tube gradually to see which way the telescope rotates around the R.A. axis. If the telescope tube starts moving by
its own weight as you release, it shows there is an imbalance in the R.A.
While holding the counterweight bar, loosen the lock knob on the counterweight so that it can be
moved to a point where it balances the telescope tube. This is the point at which the telescope
remains stationary when the R.A. clamp is loose.
If your telescope is light in weight, the mount may balance without the supplied counterweight. (The
extended counterweight bar itself can act as a counterweight.) Retract the counterweight bar for
further balance adjustment.
Tighten the lock knob on the counterweight to hold in place.
Tighten the R.A. clamp on the mount securely.
Lock Knob Lock Knob
Lock Knob Lock Knob
Lock Screw Lock Screw
Standstill Standstill
Counterweight Counterweight
Decl. Axis Decl. Axis
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