Meade Zero Image-Shift User manual

Introduction
The Meade #1209 Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser allows
precise, vibration-free image focus during visual, CCD, and
astrophotographic applications. It also allows you to achieve
focus without causing a viewed object to move out of position
in the eyepiece.
The microfocuser comes equipped with a handbox which
requires 8 AAA batteries (user-supplied). The microfocuser
maintains precise image centering on even the smallest CCD
chips. The microfocuser operates at four speeds: Fine to fast.
Important Note: The microfocuser is shipped with
the SC accessory adapter (L, Fig. 1) threaded into
the microfocuser adapter (B, Fig. 1). Unthread the
adapters from each other before attaching the
microfocuser.
To Attach the Microfocuser
to the Telescope
1. Remove the dust cap from the rear cell port of your
telescope. Thread the microfocuser adapter (B, Fig. 1)
onto the rear cell port thread (A, Fig. 1). Slide the
microfocuser (C, Fig. 1) over the microfocuser adapter
and tighten the three set screws (K, Fig. 1) using the
provided hex key.
2a. 1.25" Diagonal Prism Users: Slide the 1.25" adapter (D,
Fig. 1) into the microfocuser. Line up the thumbscrew
(H, Fig. 1) into the groove in the microfocuser (Fig. 2a
and 2b). Tighten the microfocuser thumbscrews (I, Fig.
1) to a firm feel only. Slide the 1.25" diagonal prism into
the adapter (D, Fig. 1). Tighten the accessory adapter
thumbscrew to a firm feel only.
2b. SC Optional Accessory Users: If using any of the Meade
Schmidt-Cassegrain optional accessories, slide the
supplied SC accessory adapter (L, Fig. 1) into the
microfocuser. Line up the the groove on the side of the
adapter with either of the microfocuser thumbscrews (Fig.
3a and 3b) and tighten that thumbscrew to a firm feel only.
Slide the optional accessory into the accessory adapter.
Tighten the other microfocuser thumbscrew to a firm feel
only.
2c. 2.0" Diagonal Mirror Users: Slide the 2.0" diagonal
mirror directly into the microfocuser. The adapters are not
required. Tighten the thumbscrews (I, Fig. 1) to a firm feel
only.
3. Plug in the handbox: Plug the coiled cord attached to
the microfocuser into the port (3, Fig. 6) located at the top
of the handbox.
Note: The coiled cord may be plugged into the
Focus port of the LX90 APM or the LX200 control
panel instead of the handbox. The microfocuser is
then controlled with the Arrow keys of the Autostar
handbox or computer controller handbox.
Maintenance:
The microfocuser is carefully adjusted at the factory. If it
becomes necessary to adjust the microfocuser ball
bearings (see Fig. 5), it must be performed by factory
trained technicians. If the microfocuser is improperly
Operating Instructions
Meade®#1209 Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser
For use with Schmidt-Cassegrain and 7” Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescopes
CA
B
D
E
F
GH
K
I
OR
L
Fig. 1: Microfocuser and eyepiece assembly. (A) Rear cell of telescope (shown separate
from the telescope assembly for the sake of clarity); (B) Microfocuser adapter;
(C) Microfocuser; (D) 1.25" accessory adapter. SC accessory adapter (L) may be used in
this position instead if Schmidt-Cassegrain accessories are being used. Do not use either
adapter if using a 2" diagonal diagonal mirror; (E) Eyepiece holder thumbscrew;
(F) Eyepiece; (G) 1.25 "Diagonal Prism. 2" diagonal mirror may also be used in this
position (12" models); (H) Adapter thumbscrew; (I) Microfocuser thumbscrews;
(J) Microfocuser bearings; (K) Set screws.
Fig. 2a: Microfocuser groove.
Fig. 2b: Microfocuser 1.25" adapter
thumbscrew in groove.
Fig. 3a: SC adapter groove.
Fig. 3b: Line up SC adapter groove
with microfocuser thumbscrew.
Groove Line up
J

adjusted, performance will degrade and damage will
result. Damage due to improper adjustments not
authorized by the factory will not be covered under
warranty.
Note: If you wish to mount a camera directly to the
microfocuser, you need to attach an optional T-
Adapter to the microfocuser. For more information
about Meade optional accessories, see the Meade
General Catalog or contact your local Meade
dealer.
To Focus Using the Microfocuser
1. Perform this step of the procedure during the daytime,
without the eyepiece assembly (eyepiece, diagonal, etc.)
attached to the microfocuser. Press the In or Out keys (1,
Fig. 6) of the handbox to change the focus. Observe the
microfocuser drawtube as it travels in and out. When the
drawtube reaches the furthest extension of its travel,
listen for a change in the pitch of the motor. Notice that
the drawtube's maximum extension is about a half-inch
out from the microfocuser. Set the drawtube so that it
extends about a quarter-inch (about halfway).
2. When you begin your viewing session, attach your
telescope's eyepiece assembly.
3. Point the telescope at a bright star.
4. Press the In/Out keys (1, Fig. 6) to change the focus.
5. Press the Speed key (2, Fig. 6) to change the speed:
Each press of the Speed key decreases the focus speed
until the lowest speed is reached. The next press then
returns the speed to the highest speed again. Four
speeds are available: fast, medium, slow and fine.
6. You may need to repeat steps 2 through 5 when you
change eyepieces.
Use with Meade De-Rotater
When using a Meade de-rotater, it is important to attach the
microfocuser so that it is backed off slightly from the de-
rotater. If the microfocuser is flush against the de-rotater, the
assembly will not work properly. This is true also with other
accessories that may attach flush against the de-rotater
housing.
To Attach the Microfocuser to the De-rotater:
Refer to Fig. 1. Perform this assembly on a flat surface (such
as a desk or a table) before you attach the de-rotater and
microfocuser to the telescope.
1. With the de-rotater on a flat surface, thread on the adapter
ring (B, Fig. 1) until it just touches the housing; then back
off the adapter ring (i.e., turn it counter-clockwise) one full
revolution as shown in Fig. 7.
2. Place the microfocuser over the ring with the "hump" of the
microfocuser in the 12:00 position as shown in Fig. 8.
3. Using the provided hex key, tighten to a firm feel one of the
three microfocuser set screws (K, Fig. 1) against the
adapter ring as shown in Fig. 9. Take care not to tighten or
loosen the adapter ring as you position and tighten the
microfocuser in place.
4. Tighten to a firm feel the other two microfocuser set screws.
5. Attach the de-rotater to the rear cell of the telescope.
Fig. 4: Microfocuser and
1.25" diagonal prism with
eyepiece completely
assembled. Microfocuser
shown attached to a Meade
LX200 telescope.
Fig. 5: Microfocuser ball
bearings.
Fig. 6: Microfocuser
handbox:
(1) In/Out keys;
(2) Speed key;
(3) Handbox port (on top)
Fig. 7: Back off the adapter
ring one full revolution.
Fig. 8: Place the
microfocuser over the
adapter ring. Notice the
orientation of the
microfocuser.
Fig. 9: Tighten the three
microfocuser set screws to a
firm feel.
12:00 position
Part no. 14-7280-00 Ver. 6-04
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If you have a question concerning use of the Meade #1209
Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser,call the Meade Instruments
Customer Service Department at [phone]. Customer
Service hours are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Pacific Time, Monday
through Friday.