Meade 2080 - Introduction; The Basic Model 2080 Telescope: Standard Equipment

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MEADE MODELS 2080 and 2120
8" and 10" SCHMIDT-CASSEGRAIN TELESCOPES
PRECAUTIONARY WARNING! Be .sure to read this manual, or at
minimum the introductory assembly and operational proced-
ures contained herein (pages 5 to 15) before attempting to
use your Model 2080 or 2120.
INTRODUCTION
The Meade Model 2080 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope and
Model 2120 10" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope are.instruments
of advanced mirror-lens design for astronomical and terres-
trial applications. Optically and mechanically, the Models
2080 and 2120 are perhaps the most sophisticated and precisely-
manufactured telescopes ever made available to the serious
amateur. The Mode.ls 2080 and 2120 enable the visual astronomer
to reach out for detailed observations of the Solar System
(the planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Mars) and beyond to distant
nebulae, star clusters, galaxies. The astrophotographer will
find a virtually limitless range of possibilities since, with
the precision Meade worm-gear motor .drive system, long ex-
posure guided photography becomes not a distant goal, but
an achievable reality. The capabilities of the instrument
are essentially ~imited not by the telescope, but by the
acquired skills of the observer and photographer. Do take
the time to read this manual thoroughly, so that you will
be fully acquainted with the many important features of the
telescope, as well as with the auxiliary equipment arid
accessories. available for advanced applications.
The Models 2080 and 2120 are, with the exceptions of a few
assembly operations and features, almost identical operational-
ly. Most stapdard ~nd optional accessories are interchange-
able between the two telescopes. As such, the instructions
in this manual generally apply to both telesco~es; when ex-
ceptions to this rule occur, they are clearly pointed out in
the following.
THE BASIC MODEL 2080 TELESCOPE:
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
The Meade Model 2080 Telescope is packed in a urethane-foam-
lined carrying case.. If the telescope was shipped to you,
this carrying case was in turn placed in a thick-wall corru-
gated carton, lined on all 6 sides with styrofoam sheets.
(NOTE: We recommend that you keep all packing materials
for either the Model 2080 or Model 2120; if it is ever
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