Meade 8 – 12 LX90 Standard Field Tripod Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- Meade
Table of Contents
Meade 8 – 12 LX90 Standard Field Tripod
Product Information
The Meade Standard Field Tripod is designed for use with the 8 – 12 LX90 and 8 – 10 LX200 Telescopes. It is supplied as a completely assembled unit, except for the spreader bar. The tripod is used to rigidly hold the telescope’s fork mount in an Altazimuth format for visual observations and short exposure astro-imaging.
Product Usage Instructions
- After removing the field tripod from its shipping carton, stand the tripod vertically with the tripod feet down and fully collapsed.
- Grasp two of the tripod legs and gently pull them apart to fully open the tripod. Ensure that each leg is spread evenly apart.
- If needed, slightly tighten the tripod leg lock knobs to prevent the inner leg from extending.
- Place the included washer onto the threaded rod.
- Slide the spreader bar onto the threaded rod with the flat side facing upward.
- Slide the threaded rod back through the tripod head from underneath.
- Place the spring onto the threaded rod, ensuring it falls into the center cavity on top of the tripod head.
- Attach the c-clip into the channel at the top of the threaded rod to prevent the spring from coming off and help locate the telescope mounting hole.
- Press down on the threaded rod and move the spreader bar so that its arms are lined up with the tripod legs.
- Place the entire telescope onto the top of the tripod head, aligning it with the telescope mounting hole.
- Thread the rod into the bottom of the telescope drive base using the T-handle tension knob. Firmly tighten the tension knob, but avoid overtightening to prevent damage.
- To adjust the tripod height, loosen the 3 leg lock knobs and slide the inner tripod leg sections out to the desired height.
- Adjust the inner tripod legs to ensure the telescope eyepiece is at the proper height and the tripod head is approximately level.
- Be careful not to tip the tripod too much to avoid imbalance and tipping over.
- Retighten the 3 lock levers to a firm feel.
CAUTION: Do not force the tripod legs in or out if they do not extend or collapse easily, as it may damage the extension strut system. Follow the provided instructions carefully to ensure proper functioning of the tripod.
OVERVIEW
- C-Clip
- Threaded Rod
- Washer (1)
- Lock Knobs
- Tension Hub
- Extension Strut
- Tension Knob
- Spreader Bar
- Tripod Head
Operating Instructions
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The Field Tripod is supplied as a completely assembled unit, except for the spreader bar (8, Fig. 1).
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For visual observations and short-exposure astro-imaging, the drive base of the telescope’s fork mount is attached directly to the field tripod. The telescope in this way is mounted in an “Altazimuth” (“Altitude-Azimuth,” or “vertical-horizontal”) format.
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After removing the field tripod from its shipping carton, stand the tripod vertically, with the tripod feet down and with the tripod still fully collapsed (Fig. 2).
Grasp two of the tripod legs and, with the full weight of the tripod on the third leg, gently pull the legs apart to a fully open position (Fig. 3).
Each tripod leg should be spread evenly apart. If needed, slightly tighten the tripod leg lock knobs (4, Fig. 1) to prevent the inner leg from extending. -
The spreader bar (8, Fig. 1) has been removed for shipment.
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First place the included washer (3, Fig. 1) onto the threaded rod. Next slide the spreader bar (8, Fig. 1) onto the threaded rod and on top of washer. Position the spreader bar with the flat side facing upward (Fig. 4).
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Slide the threaded rod (2, Fig. 1) back through the tripod head (9, Fig. 1) from underneath. Place the spring onto the threaded rod so it falls into the center cavity on top of the tripod head. Now attach the c-clip (1, Fig. 1) into the channel at the top of the threaded rod. The c-clip prevents the spring from coming off the threaded rod and allows the threaded rod to more easily locate the telescope mounting hole. With the c-clip installed, the threaded rod will rest above the tripod head.
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Press down on the threaded rod and move the spreader bar (8, Fig. 1) so that the 3 arms of the spreader bar are lined up with the 3 tripod legs. Place the entire telescope onto the top of the tripod head so it aligns with the telescope mounting hole. Now thread the rod into the bottom of the telescope drive base using the T-handle tension knob (7, Fig. 1). Tighten the tension knob just enough to rigidly hold the tripod legs in position. It is not necessary to use extreme force in tightening this knob.
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To vary the tripod height, loosen the 3 leg lock knobs (4. Fig. 1) and slide the 3 inner tripod leg sections out to the desired height. Adjust the inner tripod legs so the telescope eyepiece is at the proper height and tripod head (9, Fig. 1) is approximately level. Be careful to not tip the tripod too much or it could become unbalanced and tip over. Retighten the 3 lock levers to a firm feel (Fig. 7).
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CAUTION: If the tripod does not seem to extend or collapse easily, do not force the tripod legs in or out.
By following the instructions above, the tripod will function properly, but if you are unclear on the proper procedure, forcing the tripod into an incorrect position may damage the extension strut system. -
To collapse the tripod (after removing the telescope), press down on the threaded rod and rotate the spreader bar 60° from its assembled position. The spreader bar arms should be located between each adjacent pair of tripod legs. At the base of the tripod is a 3-vane extension strut system with a circular hub at its center (5, Fig. 1). Grasp the tripod head (9, Fig. 1) with one hand and with the other hand pull directly “up” on the central hub of the extension strut system. This operation will cause the tripod legs to move inward to a collapsed position. See Fig. 2.
MEADE CUSTOMER SERVICE
If you have a question concerning your Meade Tripod, contact the Meade Instruments Customer Service Department at telephone: 800-626-3233 or Email: customerservice@meade.com. In the unlikely event that your Meade Tripod requires fac-tory servicing or repairs, write or call the Meade Customer Ser-vice Department first, before returning the tripod to the factory, giving full particulars as to the nature of the problem, as well as your name, address, and daytime telephone number. The great majority of servicing issues can be resolved by telephone, avoiding the return of the tripod. If factory service is required, you will be assigned a Return Goods Authorization (RGA) number prior to return.
MEADE LIMITED WARRANTY
The Meade Instruments Statement of Limited Warranty is published at at:www.meade.com/supports/warranty/
A printed copy of the Meade Statement of Limited Warranty will be made
available by Meade upon written request.
See below for Meade contact information.
Warranty Claim
Meade Instruments
89 Hangar Way
Watsonville, CA 95076 +1 800-626-3233
customerservice@meade.com
SUBJECT: Warranty Claim
© 2022 Meade Instruments Part Number 14-0220-01 Rev1 2/2022
89 Hangar Way • Watsonville, California 95076 USA (800)626-3233 •
www.meade.com
References
- Meade Instruments Telescopes, Solar Telescopes, Binoculars, Spotting Scopes
- Warranty Information | Meade Instruments