Instruments Telescopes Instruction Manual RCX400
Focusing the Telescope
All focusing is performed digitally, using AutoStar II’s Focus key
(n
umber key 4). The Focus key functions as a toggle key:
J Press the Focus key the first time to focus the telescope eyepiece and to control
the speed at which you focus.
J Press the Focus key again to set and adjust up to nine focus presets.
To change the focus speed:
1. Press the Focus key once. “Focuser: Fast (or the current speed)” displays for two
seconds. Use one of the Scroll keys to scroll through the list of 5 available focus
speeds: Fast, Medium, Slow, Fine, S. Fine. Scroll through the list until the speed
you desire displays. Choose a focus speed with which you feel comfortable.
To focus the telescope eyepiece:
1. Press the Focus key once. “Focuser: Fast (or the current speed)” displays. After
two seconds, “Focuser: Position = XX” displays. “XX” stands for a number value in
decimal millimeters.
2. Point the telescope at a distant object. Look in the eyepiece and use the Arrow
keys until the image in the eyepiece is in sharp focus.
3. Press MODE to leave Focus menu.
Presets:
Nine preset focus positions are available, and they operate much like presets on a car
radio—everyone can have their own favorite station, or in this case, their own person-
alized focus. You can set one preset to take into account your own eyesight, one for
your observing partner (who may wear glasses), one for your camera’s focus, and so
forth.
Three preset menus are available. Use the Define Preset menu to assign a preset, use
the GoTo Preset menu to select a preset you have previously assigned, and use
Sync On Preset menu if
you do not park your telescope (this menu will reset all your
focus presets after you turn off and turn on your scope again ).
To define a preset:
1. Point the telescope at a distant object, press FOCUS and use the Up and Down
Arrow keys to focus the telescope until the object is sharply focused as previous-
ly explained.
2. Press the Focus key again (FOCUS toggles between the Focus menu and the
Preset men
u).
“Focuser Preset: Go To” displays. Use a Scroll key and scroll down
the list of options until “Focuser Preset: Define Preset” displays. Press ENTER.
3. A list of presets displays. If no preset is currently assigned, “1- Unnamed” displays
(followed by 2- Unnamed, up to 9 - Unnamed).
4. Use the up and down Scroll keys to scroll through the alphabet and the right and
left Arrow keys to move to cursor right or left across the display.
5. When you have finished typing in a name and focusing the telescope, press
ENTER. That number preset is now defined. You can enter 9 names. For exam-
ple, you may enter “Joe,” “Jill,” “Deep Sky Imager” and so forth.
6. To select one of these presets, you will use the “Focuser Preset: Go To” menu.
Focusing Telescopes Equipped with a Microfocuser
To focus telescopes other than an RCX with one of Meade's microfocusers (e.g.,
LX200 GPS 16"), perform the following procedure. Make sure you have the microfo-
cuser attached to the telescope and plugged into the Focuser port on the saddle plate:
• Press the Number Key 4 and Autostar displays "Saddle Focus: Speed Fast."
• Use the Up/Down keys to scroll through the four microfocuser speeds (fast,
medium, slo
w, fine).
•
Use the Up and Down arrow keys to move the focus in or out.
Focusing both RCX f
ocuser
s and
T
elescopes Equipped with Micr
of
ocusers
If you are using both an RCX and a telescope with a microfocuser (as a guiding
25
Fig. 40d: Viewfinder adjustment
screws (12); spring loaded screw (13)
Fig. 40e: Align the viewfinder on a
distant object, such as a light or
telephone pole.
1@
1#
Important Note:
Press MODE at any time to exit
Focus modes.
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the
Sun. Do no
t look thr
ough the t
elescope as it is moving.