Instructions

[hobbit]

Ok this may be a VERY stupid question, but do telescopes usually come with any instructions?

Mine has a bunch of screws and whilst I figured out a couple of them the rest don't seem to serve any real purpose.

They are all down where the focuser and eyepiece is.

[GraemeT (Graeme)]

A picture is worth a thousand words. If you can take some photos, this should result in some usable instructions coming your way.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by hobbit

Ok this may be a VERY stupid question, but do telescopes usually come with any instructions?

Mine has a bunch of screws and whilst I figured out a couple of them the rest don't seem to serve any real purpose.

They are all down where the focuser and eyepiece is.

My Skywatcher and Celestron telescopes all came with instruction manuals. These are also available on line to download.
But I have heard several times that GSO scopes do not.
Having said that, I believe the retailer can provide a page of instructions upon request.

[hobbit]

So one is to hold the eyepiece and one is to lock the focuser, what are the other two?

[killswitch (Edison)]

The very bottom one is to lock the focus. The two above it are screws to lock in 2" accessories (Eyepieces, diagonals ,adapters).

The very top screw is for the 2" to 1.25" adapter (so you can use 1.25" accessories)

[hobbit]

Thanks killswitch.
didn't realize that it came out. I thought it was 1.25" only.

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

Originally Posted by hobbit

Ok this may be a VERY stupid question, but do telescopes usually come with any instructions?

Mine has a bunch of screws and whilst I figured out a couple of them the rest don't seem to serve any real purpose.

They are all down where the focuser and eyepiece is.

This is an interesting observation. In many cases, the more expensive a telescope is, the less instruction will come with it! My Astro-Physics refractor came with no instructions except how to clean it! My 18" SDM only has instruction for the Argo-Navis! That said, scopes like Vixens, celestrons, skywatchers, appear to have decent manuals. Can someone comment on what Takahashi's come with?

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

John every Takahashi I have bought came with very good instructions , that's 3 now .
I believe they are probably a little over a newbie's head tho , but if you are buying a Tak , you are serious about astronomy and don't mind spending a fortune on our hobby.
Brian.

[archioptic (Nathan)]

I purchased a GSO 8" dob just this week, received it yesterday and assembled it last night. No instructions came with it! Might be a GSO thing? Either way it didn't burst in to flames or kill me so I must have put it together OK.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Originally Posted by archioptic

I purchased a GSO 8" dob just this week, received it yesterday and assembled it last night. No instructions came with it! Might be a GSO thing? Either way it didn't burst in to flames or kill me so I must have put it together OK.

Ha ha
ha.
Brian.

[astro744]

Tele Vue provide written data sheets and/or manuals in all their boxes and all are available in PDF format on their web site.

No.1 instruction: DO NOT POINT YOUR TELESCOPE AT THE SUN!

(Solar observing can be safely achieved with the correct equipment and technique).