INSTRUCTION MANUAL

FOR 1141EQ1

Optical Tube: 114mm/1000mm Equatorial Mount: EQ1

D E

C F

B G

A H

11
10
9
8 A. Dust Cap (not shown)
7 Remove before Viewing
B. Focus Tube
6 C. Finderscope Bracket
D. Finderscope
E. Finderscope Adjustment
5 1 Screws
2 F. Eyepiece
3 G. Focus Knob
4 H. Telescope Main Body

1. Dec. Flexible Control Cable

2. R.A. Control Cable
3. Altitude Adjustable T-bolt
4. Azimuth Adjustable Knob
5. Counterweight
6. Counterweight Thumb
a screw
7. Counterweight Rod
b 8. Hour Axis Scale
9. Dec. Scale
10. Dec. Lock Knob
11. Tube Rings
a. Accessory Tray
b. Tripod Leg
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Assembling Your Telescope 3

Tripod Set up 3
Telescope Assembly 3
Finderscope Assembly 4
Eyepiece Assembly 4

Operating Your Telescope 5

Aligning the Finderscope 5

Balancing Telescope 5
Using the Equatorial Mount (EQ1) 6
Using the Oculars 6
Proper Care for Your Telescope 6

Suggested Reading 7

Before you begin Caution!

Follow the instructions for your specific Never use your telescope to look directly at the sun.
model in the manual. Read the entire instructions Permanent eye damage will result. Use a proper solar
carefully before beginning. Your telesope should filter for viewing the sun. When observing the sun,
be assembled during daylight hours. Choose a place a dust cap over your finderscope to protect it
large, open area to work to allow room for all from exposure. Never use an eyepiece-type solar filter
parts to be unpackaged. and never use your telescope to project sunlight onto
another surface, the internal heat build-up will damage
the telescope optical elements.

Technical Specifications Technical Support

Canada: 604-270-2813
Optical Design Catadioptric-Newtonian between 9:00AM and 3:00PM PST
Diameter 114mm Outside Canada: Please contact your dealer for
Focal Length 1000mm
f/ratio
technical support.
f/9
Highest Practical 228x
Power If you are interested in submitting telephotographs taken with
Fainest Steller 12.9 Sky-Watcher telescopes, or articles concerning any Sky-Watcher
Magnitude
products, please call us at 604-241-7027.
Resolving Power
(arc sec.) 1.01
Finderscope 5x24
Focuser Diameters 1.25"
Mount Type Equatorial
Slow Motion RA & DEC
Control
Accessory Tray Small
Tripod Aluminum
Tube Dimensions 15cm x 46cm
Tripod Height 67-119cm
Total Net Weight 8kgs
Shipping Weight 12kgs

2
 ATTACHING MOUNT TO TRIPOD (1)
1.
1) Gently push middle section of each tripod leg at the top so
that the pointed foot protrudes below the tripod clamp.
2) Insert tripod lock screws into the thread holes on the side
of the tripod clamp without over-tightening. TRIPOD
SET UP

2.

ATTACHING MOUNT TO TRIPOD (2)

3) Fasten the top of each tripod leg to the bottom of the mount using
the machine screws with the washers and wing nuts. Align each
leg so that the hinge for the accessory tray faces inwards. Be careful
not to over-tighten the wingnuts and damage tripod legs.
ATTACHING THE ACCESSORY TRAY (3)
1) Attach accessory tray to hinges on tripod legs using
the small machine screws and wing nuts.
Flange fits under accessory tray when attached.

3.

Note: To level the tripod, slacken the locking thumb screws on

the side of the tripod leg and adjust the length of the legs.

UNASSEMBLING THE MOUNT HEAD (4.1 _ 4.5)

TELESCOPE
Follow the diagrams to place the mount into an upright position.
ASSEMBLY
4.3 4.4 4.5
4.1 4.2

(unlock) (unlock)

(unlock the R.A. lock

knob on the other side.)

3
INSTALLING COUNTERWEIGHT (5)
5. 6.
1) Slide counterweight halfway onto rod. Hold
the counterweight with one hand and
insert counterweight rod into threaded (long)
hole on mount with the other hand.
Tighten counterweight rod onto mount.
2) Tighten thumbscrew to lock
TELESCOPE
counterweight in place. ASSEMBLY
(short)
INSTALLING CONTROL CABLES (6)
1) Slide the sleeve end of the cable over the nipple on
the end of the worm gear. Tighten the cable using the
set screw against the flat surface on the nipple.

ATTACHING THE TUBE RINGS TO MOUNT(7)

7. 1) Remove the telescope tube from its plastic packaging.

2) Remove the tube rings from telescope by releasing their
thumb nuts and opening their hinges.
3) Using the bolts provided, fasten the tube rings to the mount
with the 10mm wench provided.

8.

ATTACHING THE TELESCOPE

MAIN TUBE TO TUBE RINGS (8)
1) Remove the telescope tube from the paper covering.
2) Find the center of balance of the telescope tube. Place this
in between the two tube rings. Close the hinges around the
telescope and fasten securely by tightening the thumb nuts. FINDERSCOPE
A ASSEMBLY
9. ATTACHING THE FINDERSCOPE (9)

1) Locate finderscope optical assembly.

2) Remove the two knurled thumbscrews near
the front of the telescope main body.
3) Position the finderscope bracket over the
screws in the telescope main body.
4) Secure the finderscope bracket with the
two knurled thumbscrews.

10.

INSERTING EYEPIECE (8) EYEPIECE

1) Unscrew the thumbscrews on the A ASSEMBLY
end of the focus tube to remove the
black plastic end-cap.
2) Re-tighten thumb screws to hold
eyepieces in place.

4
 OPERATING YOUR TELESCOPE

A ligning
the Finderscope
1) Focus the telescope eyepiece on a distant object.
Fig.a
2) Once the object has been centered in the telescope
view, ensure the locking screws are tightened.
3) Use the three alignment screws to center the
finderscope crosshairs on the object seen in the
telescope view (Fig.a).

Depending on telescope design, the object may appear

inverted in the telescope view.
Do not over-tighten the three alignment screws
on the finderscope mount.

Balancing
telescope
Telescope should be balanced before each observing session. Balancing reduces stress on telescope mount
and allows precise control of micro-adjustement. A balanced telescope is specially critical when using the
optional clock drive for astrophotography.
The telescope should be balanced after all accessories (eyepiece, camera, etc.) have been attached. Before
balancing your telescope, make sure that your tripod is balanced and on a stable surface. For photography,
point the telescope in the direction you will be taking photos before preforming the balancing steps.
R.A. Balancing
1) Adjust altitude of the mount to between 15º and 30º by
using the altitude adjustment T-bolt.
2) Slowly unlock the R.A. and Dec. lock knobs.
Rotate the telescope unitl both the optical tube
and counterweight rod is horizontal to the ground,
and the telescope tube is to the side of the mount. (Fig. b)
3) Tighten the Dec. lock knob.
4) Move counterweight along counterweight rod until
telescope is balanced and remains stationary when released
5) Tighten counterweight thumb screws to hold the counterweight
in its new position.
Fig.b
Dec. Balancing
All accessories should be attached to the telescope before
commencing with balancing the declination axis. The R.A.
axis should be balanced before proceeding with Dec. balancing.
1) Adjust altitude of the mount to between 60º and 75º.
2) Release the R.A. lock knob and rotate R.A. axis so that the
counterweight rod is in horizontal position. Tighten the R.A. thumbscrew.
3) Unlock the Dec. thumbscrew and rotate telescope tube until it is paralled to the ground.
4) Slowly release telescope and determine which direction the telescope rotates. Loosen
telescope tube rings and slide telescope tube forward or backward in the clamps
to balance Dec. axis.
5) Once telescope no longer rotates from its parallel starting position, re-tighten tube rings
and the Dec. lock knob. Reset altitude axis to your local latitude.

5
 OPERATING YOUR TELESCOPE

Usingthe EQ1 mount Fig.c

The equatorial mount has controls for both conventional

altitude (up-down) and azimuthal(left-right) directions of
motion. These two directions are recommended for large Altitude adjustment
direction changes and for terrestial viewing. Use the large (up-down)
knurled knob near the base of the mount for azimuthal
adjustments, and the altitude adjustment T-bolts for
altitude adjustments. (Fig. c) Azimuth adjustment (left-right)
In addition, this mount has right ascension (hour angle)
and declination direction controls for polar-aligned Fig.d
astronomical observing. Loosen the lock knobs to
make large direction changes. Use the control cable Dec. scale Dec. lock knob
for fine adjustment after the lock knobs have all
been locked. (Fig. d) R.A. scale

Fig.e

Dec. fine adjustment

0
20 10
30
40
50
60
70

R.A. fine adjustment

80
90

An additional scale is included for the altitude axis. This allows polar
alignment for your local latitiude. (Fig. e)

Using the oculars

To magnify images in the telescope, you need to insert an eyepiece (ocular) into the end of the focuser
assembly. Insert the desired eyepiece and lightly tighten the thumbscrews to hold the eyepiece in place.
Barlow lens can be used to increase magnification of the eyepiece. Install the barlow lense directly into
the end of the focuser, then insert the eyepiece into the barlow lense. (Fig. f)
To locate an object in the eyepiece, first locate the object in the
Fig.f
finderscope view. The finderscope allows magnification of a
larger area than the higher power telescope view. Finderscope
should be aligned during daytime before use.
Barlow
The focus knobs at the base of the focuser uses a rack-and-pinion
Eyepiece
system to focus the magnified images seen through the telescope.
Turn the knobs slowly until the objects are in focus.

Proper care for your telescope

Replace the dust cap over end of telescope whenever not in use. This prevents dust from settling on mirror
or lens surface. Do not clean mirror or lens unless you are familiar with optical surfaces. Clean finderscope
and eyepieces with special lens paper only. Cleaning and aligning of optical elements should be preformed
by an experienced technician every two years. Eyepieces should be handled with care, avoid touching
optical surfaces.
Telescopes require about 30 minutes to equalize with surrounding temperature and humidity. This minimizes
heat wave distortion inside telescope tube and allows telescope to adapt to ambient moisture conditions.

6
 SUGGESTED READING

Amateur Astronomy
Beginner's Guide to Amateur Astronomy: Astrophotography for the Amateur
An Owner's Manual for the Night Sky by David J. by Michael Covington (Cambridge University Press,
Eicher and, Michael Emmerich (Kalmbach Publishing Cambridge, UK, 2nd edition,1999).
Co., Books Division, Waukesha, WI, 1993).
Splendors of the Universe: A Practical Guide to
NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Photographing the Night Sky by Terence Dickinson
Universe by Terence Dickinson, (Firefly Books, and Jack Newton (Firefly Books, Willowdale, ON,
Willowdale, ON, Canada, 3rd edition, 1999). Canada, 1997)
Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate Wide-Field Astrophotography by Robert Reeves
Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Using Telescopes (Willmann-Bell, Inc., Richmond, VA, 2000).
and Accessories by Philip S. Harrington (John Wiley
& Sons, New York, 1998 ).
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Observational References
Dickinson and Alan Dyer (Firefly Books Ltd.,
Willowdale, ON, Canada, revised edition, 1994). A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets by Jay M.
The Beginner's Observing Guide: An Introduction Pasachoff, (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999).
to the Night Sky for the Novice Stargazer by Leo Atlas of the Moon by Antonín Rükl (Kalmbach
Enright, (The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Publishing Co., Books Division, Waukesha, WI, 1993).
Toronto, ON, Canada, 1999).
Burnham's Celestial Handbook: An Observer's
The Deep Sky: An Introduction by Philip S. Guide to the Universe Beyond the Solar System
Harrington (Sky Publishing Corporation, Cambridge, by Robert Burnham (Dover Publications, New York;
MA, Sky & Telescope Observer's Guides Series, ed. 3- volume set, 1978).
Leif J. Robinson, 1997).
Observer's Handbook by The Royal Astronomical
The Universe from Your Backyard: A Guide to Society of Canada, (University of Toronto Press,
Deep Sky Objects by David J. Eicher (Kalmbach Toronto, ON, Canada, published annually).
Publishing Co., Books Division, Waukesha, WI, 1988).
Sky Atlas 2000.0 by Wil Tirion and Roger W. Sinnott
Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky (Sky Publishing Corp., Cambridge, MA, 2nd edition,
Objects to See in a Small Telescope--and how 1998)
to Find Them by Guy J. Consolmagno and Dan M.
Davis, (Cambridge University Press, New York, 3rd
edition, 2000)
Magazines
Astronomy Magazine (Kalmbach Publishing Co.,
Astrophotography Waukesha, WI)
Sky & Telescope Magazine (Sky Publishing Corp.,
A Manual Of Advanced Celestial Photography by Cambridge, MA)
Brad D. Wallis and Robert W. Provin (Cambridge
SkyNews Magazine: The Canadian Magazine
University Press; New York; 1984)
of Astronomy & Stargazing (SkyNews Inc., Yarker,
Astrophotography An Introduction by H.J.P. Arnold ON, Canada)
(Sky Publishing Corp., Cambridge, MA,Sky & Telescope
Observer's Guides Series, ed. Leif J. Robinson, 1995).