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INTRODUCTION
Before you begin, we urge you to take a few minutes to completely read this manual so that you can
get the best use of the equipment. This manual details the set-up, operation, specifications and
optional accessories of the Meade 70AZ-ADS altazimuth refracting telescope. Designed for both
astronomical and terrestrial observing, the Meade 70AZ-ADS will be your companion in exploring a
universe of celestial and earthly objects.
PARTS
• Complete optical tube assembly (objective lens diameter = 70mm; focal length = 350mm)
• Full-length, fully adjustable, aluminum tripod with soft carry case and accessory tray.
• SP26mm, SP9.7mm eyepieces (1.25" O.D. “Outside Diameter”)
• 45° Erect Image Diagonal mirror (1.25" O.D.), 2X barlow
• 8 x 21 viewfinder
• Altazimuth mount
• Hardware package with bolts, wingnuts, nuts, etc. necessary for assembly
• Astronomy software (separate instructions supplied in software package)
ASSEMBLY
You will need a Phillips-head screwdriver to assemble the tripod.
1. Remove and identify the telescope’s components, using the listing above.
2. Attach the 3 aluminum tripod legs (17, Fig. 1) to the base of the altazimuth mount (25, Fig. 1) with
the 3 leg brace supports (20, Fig. 1) facing inward. Line up the holes of the tripod legs with the
holes on the mount base attachment (16, Fig. 1) and thread the three included bolts through the
holes. Thread the wing nuts over the bolts and hand-tighten to a firm feel. Stand the telescope
upright and spread the tripod legs evenly apart so that the accessory tray can be positioned for
attachment to the leg braces.
3. To attach the leg braces to the tripod, line up the holes in the leg braces (19, Fig. 1) with the holes
in the leg brace supports (20, Fig. 1) and slide the the included 1/2” screws through the holes.
Thread the included nuts over the end of the bolts and hand-tighten to a firm feel. See Inset D.
4. To attach the accessory tray (18, Fig. 1) to the leg braces (19, Fig. 1), place the round accessory
tray over the over one of the leg braces. Slide a mounting screw through the hole in one of the
corners of the tray (23, Fig. 1), down through the slot in the leg brace. Thread a wingnut onto the
bolt and tighten to a firm feel. Repeat this procedure until all three corners of the tray are mounted
to the three leg braces. See Inset B.
5. Extend the sliding center portion of the adjustable height tripod leg (21, Fig. 1) to the desired length
for all 3 legs. Lock the tripod legs by tightening the leg lock thumbscrew (22, Fig. 1) to a firm feel.
See Inset A.
6. Position the mounting plate into the saddle plate slot (11, Fig. 1). Tighten the mounting lock knob
(24, Fig. 1) to a firm feel.
7. Attach the bracket containing the viewfinder (5, Fig. 1) to the telescope using the 2 supplied
thumbscrews. The thumbscrews thread over the 2 bolts located on the main tube.
8. Insert the diagonal mirror (2, Fig. 1) into the focuser drawtube (3, Fig. 1) and the SP 26mm
eyepiece (1, Fig. 1) into the diagonal mirror. Tighten the respective thumbscrews to a firm feel.
9. The telescope is now completely assembled. To move the telescope and point it from one object
to another, first slightly loosen the vertical lock (13, Fig. 1), then loosen the horizontal lock (12, Fig.
1). Loosening these locks allows the telescope to be moved freely (vertically or horizontally) in any
direction so that the telescope can be positioned to center a terrestrial or celestial object in the
telescopic field. Once an object is found, the vertical lock knob (13, Fig. 1) can be tightened and
the vertical slow-motion fine-adjustment control knob (15, Fig. 1) can then be used to make very
smooth and accurate tracking in the vertical axis.
8 x 21 VIEWFINDER ALIGNMENT
It is recommended that you perform steps 1 through 5 of this procedure during the daytime and step
6 at night.