12
ED TRIPLET ESSENTIAL SERIES
CRADLE RINGS
(The following section does not apply to the 80mm model, as it does not include or need
a cradle ring. Instead, the 80mm has a vixen dovetail plate attached directly to the OTA.)
To attach the 102mm or 127mm model to a mount you will need to use the individual
model’s included cradle ring set.
Engineered to snugly grip its particular telescope, each extruded aluminum cradle
assembly includes a hinged ring system, a slotted carry handle and a felt-lined interior
that protects the tube’s delicate surface. The rings are attached to a saddle plate to
secure your scope to a mount. The cradles for the 102mm and 127 models have vixen
dovetail plates. To attach cradle rings to your OTA, release the locking mechanism on
each ring. On the 102mm model, the locking mechanism consists of a metal bar capped
with oversized thumbscrews. At the point where each half of the ring meets, simply flip
the bar over and tighten the thumbscrews. The 127mm model has an easy-to-operate
latching lock mechanism. If you are only repositioning the tube, you probably will not
need to remove the assembly completely. Instead, you can undo the lock on each ring
so that the tube is loose enough in the rings to slide back and forth or rotate. Be careful
to hold the tube securely so that you do not lose control of it while the cradle rings are
loose. Once the tube is in the desired position, be sure to retighten each lock. Finding
the right placement of the cradle ring assembly involves finding your individual scope’s
balance point, which depends largely on the accessories you will be using.
To begin assembly, slowly remove the optical tube from its foam casing. The 102mm
and 127mm models will come with their cradle rings attached, which makes for easy
removal. Rarely, the cradle could have come open during packing or shipping, so it is
important to check the latches and then do a quick, small lift by the cradle handle to
make sure the ring is secure before pulling the instrument all the way out. Although
our telescopes are designed with portability in mind, it is important to use proper lifting
techniques to prevent back injury and/or strained muscles. Whenever possible, use
two people to move or lift the equipment and make use of wheeled devices like carts or
dollies for additional aid.
Defocused and focused
out-of-collimation
star images (1 and 2
Defocused and focused
properly collmated
star images (3 and 4)
Figure 1
1
3
2
4
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