User's Manual

Fig 14

2. Moving and balancing the EQM-35 mount (EQM-35 and

EQM-35 PRO version)

An equatorial mount has 2 axis, Right Ascension (RA) and DEClination (DEC). The

telescope can be moved around these 2 axis to allow reaching each part of the sky.

There is a rapid movement to point quickly and roughly, and a slow but precise

movement to get the targeted object exactly in the field of view of your telescope or

camera.

You can move the mount RA and DEC axis freely by hand when the clutches (see fig. 14)

are loose. Once the clutches are tight, you can move both axis slowly by turning the

slow-motion handles (EQM-35 manual version) or pushing the buttons on the Synscan

handset(EQM-35 PRO motorized version)

Important remark:

This type of mount should have the RA axis oriented in the direction of the earth rotation

axis, to be able to use its capacity to point and follow the celestial objects. See 2.2.

To ensure smooth moving of the mount, it is necessary to check the balance of the mount

when the load is attached on the mount (telescope and / or camera and accessories).

Some unbalance will not cause any problem, but a strong unbalance can surprise you

when loosening one of the clutches, since the telescope (or other load) will start rotating

at once, unexpectedly. When motorized, the motors may stop due to overload

2.1Balancing the mount:

2.1.1. Slowly unlock the R.A. and DEC. clutches while holding the telescope with

the other hand.

2.1.2. Bring the telescope in the position shown in fig. 15

2.1.3. Lock the DEC clutch

2.1.4. Sense the balance around the RA axis, and slide the counterweight(s) in

DEC slow motion

control handle

RA slow motion

control handle

RA clutch

DEC clutch