Using the 1.25" Eyepiece Holder
The fine focus guiding adapter also functions as a 1.25" eyepiece holder to
support cameras that use only a 1.25" nosepiece or any standard 1.25" eye-
piece. Insert the camera nosepiece or eyepiece barrel into the 1.25" holder.
Locate the socket head setscrew and secure the camera or eyepiece using
the provided 1.5mm hex key (Figure 5), also refer to “Finding and Focusing a
Guide Star”.
4. Attaching the Deluxe Off-Axis
Guider to a Telescope
The Deluxe Off-Axis Guider is equipped with a standard removable 2" nose
piece and female camera T-threads, ready to attach to most telescopes. You
can either insert the Deluxe Off-Axis Guider like an eyepiece using the 2" nose-
piece, or attach it directly to your imaging scope’s T-threads (if equipped) for
a direct threaded connection.
Using the 2" Nosepiece
If your telescope features a 2" focuser or adapter, the easiest way to attach
the Deluxe Off-Axis Guider is by using the included 2" nosepiece. Simply insert
the nosepiece into your telescope’s 2" focuser or accessory and secure it by
tightening the thumbscrew.
Using T-threads
Some Orion telescopes feature focusers with male T-threads. If you are using
such a telescope, you can attach the Deluxe Off-Axis Guider body directly to
the T-threads without using the 2" nosepiece. Remove the 2" nosepiece. Then
carefully thread the Deluxe Off-Axis Guider body to the T-threads (Figure 6).
The assembled setup when attached to the telescope will resemble Figure 7.
5. Focusing and Finding a Guide Star
When your imaging camera and autoguider are attached and the Deluxe Off-
Axis Guider is connected to your telescope, you are ready to begin focusing
and finding a guide star. The Deluxe Off-Axis Guider features coarse and fine
focus adjustments for the guiding end. The coarse adjustment is made by
sliding the guiding end up and down and locking the position with two thumb-
screws (Figure 8). The fine focus adjustment is made by loosening the focus
lock thumbscrew and turning the fine focus guiding adapter. Firmly retighten
the fine focus lock thumbscrew to secure the autoguider position.
Warning: Do not turn the fine focus guiding adapter more than two (2)
full turns counter-clockwise, or the autoguider could fall off!
Finding and Focusing a Guide Star
Finding a guide star can be challenging because the pick-off prism only inter-
cepts a small portion of the focal plane to avoid interfering with the imaging
camera’s view. Please read the following procedure to best find and focus a
guide star.
To find a guide star and focus with the Deluxe Off-Axis Guider:
1. Focus your imaging camera first. Use your telescope’s focuser.
Note: We highly recommend using an eyepiece to locate the guide star before
the exact focus is found. This only needs to be done the first time you use
the Deluxe Off-Axis Guider. Once you have achieved focus, you can keep the
Deluxe Off-Axis Guider locked in the same focus position and skip steps 2-5.
Once the autoguider is focused, it will be much easier to locate guide stars.
Figure 5. Use the socket head setscrew
and hex key to secure the autoguider
nosepiece or 1.25" eyepiece.
Figure 6. Deluxe Off-Axis Guider direct
T-thread attachment to the telescope.
Figure 7. The Deluxe Off-Axis Guider, imaging camera, and autoguider are properly
attached to the telescope.
