Carson RP-300 User guide

Brand: Carson

Model: RP-300

Category: Telescopes

Type: User guide

Carson RP-300 is an easy-to-use telescope with high-performance optics, perfect for amateur astronomers. It features a sturdy aluminum tripod, an equatorial mount for smooth tracking of celestial objects, and a 6x30mm finder scope for precise aiming. With two included eyepieces (9mm and 20mm) and a magnification range of 44x to 111x, the RP-300 allows for detailed observations of planets, moons, and deep-sky objects.

RP-300 TELESCOPE

Instruction Manual

50668 005737 1

HAUPPAUGE NY 11788

www.carson-optical.com

MADE IN CHINA

HAUPPAUGE NY 11788

www.carsonoptical.com

MADE IN CHINA

HAUPPAUGE NY 11788

www.carsonoptical.com

MADE IN TAIWAN

HAUPPAUGE NY 11788

www.carsonoptical.com

MADE IN TAIWAN

HAUPPAUGE NY 11788

www.carsonoptical.com

MADE IN CHINA

HAUPPAUGE NY 11788

www.carsonoptical.com

MADE IN CHINA

RONKONKOMA NY 11779

www.carson.com

MADE IN CHINA

HAUPPAUGE NY 11788

www.carsonoptical.com

MADE IN CHINA

HAUPPAUGE NY 11788

www.carson.com

MADE IN CHINA

HAUPPAUGE NY 11788

www.carsonoptical.com

MADE IN TAIWAN

2070 5th Avenue

Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

Phone: 631-963-5000

Fax: 631-427-6749

For information, call toll-free: 1-800-967-8427

[email protected] / [email protected] / www.carson.com

Introduction

Box Contents

Figures 1-9/Figure Key

Telescope Assembly

• SettingupYourTripod

• AttachingtheEquatorialMount

• AttachingtheCounterweight

• AttachingtheSlowMotionCables

• AttachingtheTelescopeTubetotheMount

• AttachingtheFinderScope

• AttachingtheEyepieces

Balancing the Telescope

• BalancingtheMountinR.A.

• BalancingtheMountinDec.

• AligningtheFinderScope

Calculating Power

UnderstandingCelestialMovement

A Brief Overview of Celestial Coordinates

Polar Alignment

Using the Telescope

• ImageOrientation

• UsingSettingCircles

CareandMaintenanceofYourTelescope

• Cleaning

• CollimationofOptics

• AdjustingtheDiagonalHolder

• AdjustingthePrimaryMirror

• NightTimeStarCollimationTesting

Specications

Warnings

CustomerService

Warranty Information

Congratulations on your purchase of a Carson RP-300 Red Planet

Series

telescope. This telescope features an easy-to-use design and high perfor-

mance optics that are perfect for amateur astronomers looking to explore

the wonders of outer space. Please read this manual carefully to ensure that

you assemble and use your telescope correctly. When used properly, your

Red Planet

telescope should provide years of exciting observations of the

universe.PleasenotethatthisNewtonianReectortelescopewasdesigned

for astronomical viewing and is not recommended for terrestrial use.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT USE YOUR RED PLANET

TELESCOPE

TO LOOK AT OR NEAR THE SUN! DOING SO WILL CAUSE IN-

STANT AND PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE.

Each box contains the following:

• CompleteOpticalTubeAssembly.

• EquatorialMount.

• Heavy-DutyAluminumTripod.

• 9mmKellnerEyepiece(1.25”O.D.).

• 20mmKellnerEyepiece(1.25”O.D.).

• CradleRingswithLockKnobs.

• 6x30mmFinderScope.

• CounterweightBarwithCounterweight.

• FlexibleCableControlsforBothAxes.

Please unpack your telescope carefully and make sure that all accessories are

included in the box.

4-9

10-11

12-13

14-15

16-17

18-22

22-23

Table of Contents:

Fig.1 Fig.3

Fig.2

Fig.4 Fig.6

Fig.5 Fig.7

Key to Figures 1-9:

1. 6x30mmFinderScope

2. Focuser

3. Eyepiece

4. Focus Knobs

5. Optical Tube Assembly

6. Cradle Rings

7. Dec.FlexibleCable

8. R.A. Flexible Cable

9. OpticalTubeSaddlePlate

10. EquatorialMount

11. Counter Weight Bar

12. Counter Weight

13. CounterWeightLockingScrew

14. TripodLegs

15. DeclinationLock

16. Dec.SettingCircle

17. R.A.SettingCircle

18. LatitudeDial

19. LatitudeTurnScrews

20. EquatorialMountBase

21. EquatorialMountLockingScrew

22. R.A.Lock

23. Focuser Thumbscrew

24. FinderScopeBracketThumbscrew

25. FinderScopeFocusKnob

26. FinderScopeBracket

27. FinderScopeBracketMountingBolts

28. CradleRingLockKnobs

29. Cradle Ring Attachment

30. Cradle Ring Attachment Wing Nuts

31. Tripod Tightening Ring

32. Tripod Brace

33. EyepieceHolderSlots

34. TripodHook

35. TripodLegLockClosed

36. TripodLegLockOpen

37. DiagonalMirrorTiltScrews

38. DiagonalMirrorHolder

39. PrimaryMirrorLockingScrews

40. PrimaryMirrorTiltScrews

Fig.8

Fig.9

Assembly of your Red Planet Telescope:

Setting Up Your Tripod:

The aluminum tripod comes preassembled and ready-to-use. Remove the

tripod from the box and pull apart the legs. Gently push down the tripod

braces(Fig.7-35)untiltheyareinthelowestposition.Turnthetightening

ring(Fig.7-31)(locatedatthecenteroftheTripodBrace)clockwisetolock

the tripod in the open position. You can then extend the legs to the desired

heightbypullingopenthetaboneachleglock(Fig.7-36),slidingtheleg

down the desired amount and then pushing the leg lock back against the leg

intothelockedposition(Fig.7-35).Repeattheprocesswitheachlegtrying

to keep the tripod as level as possible with the ground. You will notice there

areholesinthetripodlegbraces(Fig.7-33).Thesearedesignedtoholdeye-

pieces when not in use. For added stability you can hang a weight from the

tripodhook(Fig.7-34)locatedatthebottommiddleportionofthetripod.

Attaching the Equatorial Mount:

Removetheequatorialmount(Fig.2-10)fromtheboxandtwistintothe

positionshowninFig.3.Placethebottomofthemount(Fig.3-20)intothe

hole in the top of the tripod head and secure with the mount locking screw

(Fig.3-21).Pleasebecarefultomakesurethatthemountissecurelyat-

tached to the tripod.

Attaching the Counterweight:

Attachthethreadedendofthecounterweightbar(Fig.2-11)intothethreaded

holeintheequatorialmount(Fig.2-10).Removethesafetyscrewfromthe

endofthecounterweightbarandsetasideforamoment.Slidethecounter-

weight(Fig.2-12)ontothebarandtightendownusingthescrewontheside

ofthecounterweight(Fig.2-13).Becarefulnottodropthecounterweight.

Itisquiteheavyandcouldharmyouordamageyouroorifdropped.Do

notworryaboutthepositionofthecounterweightjustyet.Wewillpositionit

properly later. Replace the safety screw at the end of the counterweight bar.

Attaching the Slow Motion Cables:

Locatethetwoslowmotioncables(Fig.1-7,8).Loosenthescrewattheend

ofeachcablesothatitdoesnotprotrudethroughthehole.Slidetheshort

cableontoeithersideoftheR.A.shaft(Fig.1-8)(locatedatthebottomof

themount)andtightendownwiththelockingscrew.Youcanplacethecable

on either side depending on which side is most comfortable for you to use.

SlidethelongercableontotheDec.shaft(Fig.1-7)(locatedatthetopofthe

mount)andtightendownwiththelockingscrew.Theseslowmotioncables

willallowyoutomakenepointingadjustmentstothetelescopeinboth

R.A. and declination. This will be discussed in more detail later.

Attaching the Telescope Tube to the Mount:

Removethetwocradlerings(Fig.1-6)fromthebox.Therearetwoholes

inthetopoftheequatorialmount(calledtheopticaltubesaddleplate(Fig.

2-9)).Placethethreadedscrewatthebottomofeachcradlering(Fig.6-29)

through one of these holes and secure it using the included washer and wing

nut(Fig.6-30).Attachandsecuretheothercradleringinthesameway.

Makesurethatthecradleringlockknobs(Fig.6-28)arebothonthesameside.

Unscrewthelocks(Fig.6-28)oneachcradleringandopenthemboth.Care-

fullyremovetheopticaltubeassembly(Fig.1-5)fromthebox.Gentlyrest

theopticaltubeintothecradleringswiththefocuser(Fig.1-2)towardsthe

front. The cradle rings should be roughly in the center of the tube. We will

balance this later. Close the cradle rings around the telescope and secure by

tighteningthecradleringlockknobs(Fig.6-28).

Attaching the Finder Scope:

Therearetwonderscopebracketmountingbolts(Fig.5-27)locatedatthe

frontendoftheopticaltube.Removethenutsandsetaside.Placethender

scopebracket(Fig.5-26)ontothemountingboltsandtightendownsecurely

totheopticaltube.MakesurethebracketisfacingforwardasshowninFig.

5. Slidethenderscope(Fig.1-1)intothebracketfacingforward.Tighten

downthenderscopebracketthumbscrews(Fig.5-24)tosecurethender

scope in place.

Attaching the Eyepieces:

InserttheKellner20mmeyepiece(Fig.1-3)intothefocuser(Fig.1-2)and

tightendownusingthefocuserlockingscrew(Fig.4-23).

You have now completed the assembly of your Red Planet

telescope.

Wewillnowneedtomakethenecessaryadjustmentsinordertouseyour

telescope properly.

1110

Balancing the Telescope:

Balancing the Mount in R.A.:

To reduce stress on the mount, the telescope should be balanced on the polar

axis(SeeFig.2).Instructionsonhowtodosoareasfollows:

• LoosentheR.A.lockknob(Fig.3-22)andpositionthetelescope

offtoonesideofthemount(youmayneedtoremovetheR.A.slow

motioncable(Fig.1-8)temporarily).Thecounterweightbar

(Fig.2-11)shouldbeparalleltotheground.

• Releasethetelescopegraduallyandseewhichsideitfallstowards.

To avoid accidental damage, do not let go of the telescope completely.

• Loosenthecounterweight(Fig.2-12)andpositiontheweightsothat

thetelescopeandcounterweightremainstationary(paralleltothe

oor)ontheirown.

• Tightenthecounterweightintoplace.

Balancing the Mount in Dec.:

TopreventsuddenmovementwhentheDec.lock(Fig.3-15)isloosened,the

telescopemustbebalancedonthedeclinationaxis(SeeFig.2).Instructions

on how to do so are as follows:

• LoosentheR.A.lockknob(Fig.3-22)andpositionthetelescope

offtoonesideofthemount(youmayneedtoremovetheR.A.slow

motioncable(Fig.1-8)temporarily).Thecounterweightbarshould

be parallel to the ground.

• TightentheR.A.lockknob(Fig.3-22)toholdthetelescopeinplace.

• LoosentheDec.lockknob(Fig.3-15)androtatethetelescopeuntil

the tube is parallel with the ground.

• Releasethetelescopegraduallyandseewhichwayitwillrotate.To

avoid accidental damage, do not let go of the telescope completely.

• Loosenthecradlerings(Fig.1-6)andslidetheopticaltubeforward

or backward as needed until it remains stationary and parallel to the

ground on its own.

• Tightenthecradleringssecurelyaroundtheopticaltube.

• LoosentheR.A.lockknob,returnthetelescopetoitsupright

position and retighten.

Aligning the Finder Scope:

Thelowpowerandwideeldofviewprovidedbythe6x30mmnderscope

(Fig.5-1)providesaquickandeasywaytosightanobjectpriortolooking

throughthehigh-powertelescope.Thenderscopemustrstbeproperly

aligned with the telescope in order to work properly. This alignment is best

performedduringthedaylight.Followthestepsbelowtoalignyournder

scope properly:

• PlacetheKellner20mmeyepiece(Fig.4-3)intothefocuser

(Fig.4-2)ofthetelescope.

• LoosenboththeR.A.lock(Fig.3-22)andtheDec.lock(Fig.3-15)

so that the telescope swings freely along both axes.

• Pointthemaintelescopeataspeciclandobject200yardsormore

away.LockdowntheR.A.andDec.axes.Turntheslowmotion

cables(Fig.1–7,8)untiltheobjectiscenteredinthetelescopeeld.

• Nowlookthroughthenderscopeandloosenortightenthender

scopebracketscrews(Fig.5-24)untilthecrosshairsarecenteredon

thesameobject.Focusbyturningthenderscopefocusknob

(Fig.5-25)untiltheimageinthenderscopeissharpandclear.

• Checkthealignmentatnighttimebyrepeatingthisprocesswitha

brightstarorthemoon.Makeanynecessaryadjustments.

Nowthatyournderscopeisproperlyaligned,anyobjectcenteredinyour

nderscopeshouldalsobecenteredinyourtelescope.

Calculating Power:

Themagnicationofatelescopedependsonboththefocallengthofyour

telescope as well as the eyepiece you use. There is a simple formula you can

usetodeterminethemagnicationyouareusingatanygiventime.Simply

divide the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece.

For example, if you are using the 20mm eyepiece with your RP-300

telescope the power would be:

Power = 900mm / 20mm = 45x

Usinganeyepiecewithasmallerfocallengthwillincreasethemagnication

ofyourtelescope.Itisalwaysbesttostartatthelowestmagnicationcon-

guration.Thewidereldofviewmakesiteasiertospotfarawayobjects.

Onceanobjectiscenteredinyoureldofviewyoucanswitchtothehigher

powercongurations.

1312

UnderstandingCelestialMovement:

Inordertogetthemostenjoymentoutofyourtelescopeitisnecessaryto

knowthebasicsofhowcelestialobjectsmoveacrossthesky.Duetothero-

tationoftheearth,celestialobjectsappeartomovefromEasttoWestacross

thesky,muchliketheSun.Youwillnoticethismovementasanobjectin

yourtelescopeeldofviewwillslowlymoveacrosstheeldandoutof

view.Continuousadjustmentisneededtokeepanobjectintheeldofview.

This will be explained in more detail later.

Manypeoplechooseto“star-hop”whenusingatelescope,aquickandrela-

tivelyeasywaytostart.Thisisamethodofusingeasilyidentiablestars

andconstellationstoserveasreferencepointstondotherobjectsinthesky.

Amoreadvancedandprecisemethodoflocatingspeciccelestialobjectsis

byusingsettingcircles(Fig.3-16,17)locatedonyourequatorialmount(Fig.

2-10)tondthecelestialcoordinatesofthatparticularobject.

A Brief Overview of Celestial Coordinates:

Astronomersuseasystemof“celestialcoordinates”similartotheEarth’s

latitudeandlongitudesystemtohelplocateobjectsinthesky.Allcelestial

objectsaremappedona“celestialsphere”,animaginarysphereofarbitrary

sizeconcentricwiththeEarth.IfyouextendtheEarth’srotationalaxisto

innity,bothNorthandSouth,thepointsatwhichthisaxisintersectsthe

celestialsphereareknownastheNorthCelestialPoleandtheSouthCelestial

Pole.IfyouprojecttheEarth’sequatoroutwardtothecelestialspherethis

wouldbeknownasthe“CelestialEquator”.

Theequivalenttolatitudelinesonthecelestialsphereareknownaslinesof

“Declination”,or“Dec.”forshort.Theselinesaremeasuredindegrees,min-

utesandseconds.Declinationreadingsnorthofthecelestialequatorcarrya

“+”sign,whilereadingssouthofthecelestialequatorcarrya“-“sign.Ob-

jectslocatedonthecelestialequatorhavea0°0’0”Declination.TheNorth

CelestialPolehasa+90°0’0”DeclinationwhiletheSouthCelestialPolehas

a-90°0’0”Declination.ThestarPolarisislocatedveryneartheNorthCeles-

tialPoleandhasa+89.2°Declination.

Theequivalenttolongitudelinesonthecelestialsphereareknownaslines

of“RightAscension”or“R.A.”forshort.Theselinesaremeasuredinhours,

minutesandsecondsstartingatthe“zero”lineofR.A.whichpassesthrough

theconstellationPegasus.Thereare24primarylinesofR.A.locatedat15°

intervalsalongthecelestialequator.RightAscensioncoordinatesrangefrom

0hr0min0secto(butnotincluding)24hr0min0sec.

EverycelestialobjecthasacorrespondingR.A.andDec.coordinate.Given

the proper coordinates, you can use the setting circles on your telescope

mounttolocateanycelestialobject.Thecoordinatescanonlybeusedifthe

telescopeisrstalignedwiththeNorth(orSouth)CelestialPole.

Polar Alignment:

If the telescope is accurately aligned with the celestial pole, very little dec-

linationadjustmentwillbenecessarytotrackacelestialobject.Mostofthe

trackingcanbedoneusingtheRightAscensioncable(Fig.1-8).

To line up your telescope with the pole:

• Makesuretheequatorialmountislockedinthe“home”position,

meaning that the optical tube assembly is parallel to the correspond-

ing portion of the mount below it and that the declination axis is

straightupanddownwiththecounterweight(Fig.2-13)init’s

lowestposition.Forreference,theequatorialmountinFig.2isin

the home position.

• Loosentheequatorialmountlockingscrew(Fig.3-21)sothatthe

entiretelescope(withmount)rotatesfreelyonthetripod.

• RotatetheentiretelescopeuntilthepolaraxispointsdueNorth.If

you are not sure which direction is North, locate Polaris and point the

polar axis towards it. Polaris is less than one degree away from the

Celestial North Pole and is accurate enough for polar alignment.

• Ifneeded,levelthemountbyadjustingthetripodlegsaccordingly.

• Determinethelatitudeoftheareayouarein.Usethelatitudeturn

screws(Fig.3-19)totiltthetelescopeuntilthepointerindicatesthe

correctlatitudeonthelatitudedial(Fig.3-18).

• Thennetunethelatitudeturnscrews(Fig.3-19)untilPolaris

appearsinthecenterofyourtelescopeeldofview.

• DonotmovethetelescopeinR.A.orDec.whilepolaraligning.

Theseadjustmentsshouldremainlocked.

• IfyouliveintheSouthernHemisphere,youshouldfollowthese

stepsbutpointthepolaraxisdueSouthandlocateSigmaOctantis

instead of Polaris.

1514

Your telescope is now polar aligned for the area you are using it. You will

needonlytopointthetelescopeNorth(orSouthintheSouthernHemisphere)

when using it from now on. You will only need to repeat the polar alignment

if you move to a different location and your latitude has changed.

Using the Telescope:

Once you have properly assembled, balanced and aligned your telescope you

arenallyreadytostartusingit.

• Tolocateanobjectusingthetelescope,rstloosentheR.A.lock

(Fig.3-22)andDec.lock(Fig.3-15)allowingthetelescopetorotate

alongbothaxes.Lookthroughthenderscope(Fig.1-1)tosightthe

objectyouarelookingforandcenteritinthenderscope

cross-hairs.Youmayneedtofocusthenderscopebyturningthe

nderscopefocusknob(Fig.5-25).Thenre-tightentheR.A.and

Dec.locks.

• Itisbesttousethelowestpowereyepiece(theKellner20mm

eyepiece)atrst.Thisallowsforawidereldofviewmakingit

easiertolocateobjects.Oncetheobjectiscenteredintheeldof

viewyoucanswitchtheeyepiecetohighermagnications.

• Oncetheobjectiscenteredintheeldofview,turnthefocusknobs

(Fig.4-4)ontheeyepiecefocuser(Fig.4-2)untiltheimageisclear

and sharp.

• Youwillnoticethattheobjectyouareviewingwillslowlymove

acrosstheeldofview(causedbytherotationoftheEarth).You

willneedtoturntheR.A.exiblecable(Fig.1-8)tokeeptheobject

centered.

Image Orientation:

Youwillnoticethattheimageyouseethroughyourfinderscopeandtele-

scopeareinverted(upsidedown).ThisisnormalforNewtonianReflector

telescopes.

Using Setting Circles:

Thesettingcircles(Fig.3-16,17)onyourequatorialmountcanbeusedto

locatehardtondcelestialobjects.Followtheinstructionsbelowtousethe

setting circles effectively:

• Makesureyourtelescopeisassembledproperlyandpolaraligned.

• Lookupthecelestialcoordinatesofaneasytospotobjectlocated

nearbytotheobjectyouseekonastarchartoratlas(notincluded).

• Centerthiseasytospotobjectintheeldofviewofyourtelescope.

• RotatetheR.A.settingcircle(Fig.3-17)onyourtelescope’smount

by hand until the proper coordinate lines up with the R.A. indicator.

You will notice that the R.A. setting circle has two sets of numbers.

The top numbers are for the Northern hemisphere. The bottom

numbersarefortheSouthernhemisphere.Oncecompleteyour

setting circles are now calibrated. You are now ready to locate the

hardtondobject.

• LoosentheDec.lock(Fig.3-15)andmovethetelescopein

Declinationuntiltheindicatorpointstothecorrectcoordinate.

Re-tightentheDec.Lockwhennished

• LoosentheR.A.lock(Fig.3-22)andmovethetelescopeinR.A.un-

til the indicator points to the correct coordinate. Re-tighten the R.A.

lockwhennished.

• Lookthroughthenderscope(Fig.1-1)toseeifyouhavelocated

theobjectyouarelookingforandcentertheobjectinthecrosshairs

ofthenderscope.

• Lookthroughthetelescopeeyepieceandtheobjectyouaresearching

forshouldbecenteredintheeldofview.

• Thisprocessmustberepeatedeverytimeyousetupyourtelescope.

1716

There are many conditions that may affect your ability to focus or observe

celestialobjectsclearly.

• Brightlylitareas(lightpollution)willmakeitdifculttoseefaint

objectsinthesky.Itwillalsomakeitdifcultforyoureyestoadjust

tothedark.Youshouldtryandndadarkareaandallowyoureyes

toadjusttothedarkbeforemakingobservations.Usingaredltered

ashlighttoviewchartsandyourtelescopecomponentsisrecom-

mended to preserve your night sight. The best viewing conditions

are when the sky is inky black.

• Hazyskies,pollution,cloudsandmoisturecanallaffecttheclarityof

your viewing image.

• Avoidtouchingtheeyepieceoropticaltubewhilelookingthrough

the telescope. The vibrations caused by this contact will cause the

objectyouarelookingattomove.Youshouldalsomakesurethat

the surface you place your telescope on does not vibrate or move as

thiswillalsocauseyourviewingobjecttomove.

• Youshouldavoidsettingupyourtelescopeinsidearoomlooking

through an open window. The difference in air temperatures may

result in a blurry image.

• Viewingthroughaclosedwindowmightalsoresultinadistortedim-

age due to the varying densities of window glass.

• Avoidviewingobjectsthatarelowonthehorizon.Objectsthatare

higher up in the sky will appear much sharper.

• Suddenchangesintemperaturemaycausecondensationtoappear

on the optical components of the telescope. It is best to set up your

telescopeaheadoftimeandthenwaitwhilethetelescopeadjuststo

the new temperature before using it.

CareandMaintenanceofYourTelescope:

Cleaning:

• Alwaysreplacedustcoversandlenscapswhennotinuse.Thiswill

minimize the amount of dust and debris that gets into your telescope.

• Cleaningshouldbeperformedonlyifabsolutelynecessary.Ifdust

hasbuiltupontheopticsuseasoftcamel’shairbrushorpressurized

air to gently remove it.

• Ifdewcollectsontheopticsofyourtelescopeormoisturecondenses

inside the optics, remove all accessories and place the telescope in a

dry, dust free environment and point the telescope downward. This

should help eliminate the moisture.

• Avoidtouchingthesurfaceofthemirror.

• Donotattempttotakeapartyourtelescopetocleanit.

Collimation of the Optics:

Theinternalopticsofthetelescopehavealreadybeen“collimated”or

“aligned”atthefactory.However,roughhandlingofthetelescopemay

knock the optics out of collimation, resulting in poor optical performance.

Please refer to Fig. 10 to better understand the internal layout of your

telescope. To determine if your telescope needs collimation perform the

following steps:

• Removetheeyepiece(Fig.1-3)fromthefocuser(Fig.1-2)andturn

thefocusingknob(Fig.1-4)untilthetubeisatitsinnermostposition.

• Pointthetelescopeataplainbackgroundandthenpeerthroughthe

emptyfocuser.Youshouldseeaseriesofconcentriccircles(See

Fig.11).Theoutermostcirclebeingareectionoftheprimarymir-

ror(withthreemirrorclips).Theinnercircleisthediagonalmirror,

which should be precisely centered inside the primary mirror. You

shouldseethereectionofyoureyeinthediagonalmirror.

Adjusting the Diagonal Holder:

If the telescope is properly collimated you should see the primary mirror

(SeeFig.10)andthreeclipsintheirentirety.Iftheprimarymirrorisnot

centeredproperly(SeeFig.12)youwillneedtoadjustthediagonal

mirror(SeeFig.10)tocorrectthis.Loosenthediagonalmirrorsothat

youcanmovethediagonalholder(SeeFig.10)withyourhand.Tiltthe

diagonal holder until the entire primary mirror is visible and carefully

retighten the screws to lock it into place. If necessary, turn the three screws

slightlytomakeneadjustments.

1918

Fig.10 Fig.11

Adjusting the Primary Mirror:

If the telescope is properly collimated you should see the diagonal mirror

(SeeFig.10)attheexactcenteroftheprimarymirror.Ifthediagonal

mirrorappearsoff-center(SeeFig.12)youwillneedtoadjusttheprimary

mirror(SeeFig.10)locatedontheoutsidelower-endofthemaintube.To

dothisyouwillrstneedtoloosentheprimarymirrorlockingscrews(Fig.

9-39).Thesearethescrewsthatareushagainstthesurfaceofthetelescope.

ThenalternatelyloosenandtightenthePrimaryMirrorTiltScrewsuntilthe

diagonal mirror is centered inside the primary mirror. The primary mirror

screwsareeasilyidentiedbecausetheystickoutfromthesurfaceofthe

telescope.Oncetheadjustmentiscomplete,re-tightentheprimarymirror

locking screws.

Night Time Star Collimation Testing:

• Totesttheaccuracyofyourcollimation,equipyourtelescopewith

the 20mm eyepiece and focus on a moderately bright star.

• Withthestarcenteredintheeldofview,slowlyturnthefocus

wheel(Fig.1-4)untilthestarisoutoffocus.

• Ifproperlycollimated,youshouldseeaseriesofconcentriccircles

aroundablackcenterdot(Fig.13-C).

• Ifthecirclesarenotconcentricandtheblackdotisnotcentered

(Fig.13A)youwillneedtomakeadjustmentstotheprimarymirror.

Loosentheprimarymirrorlockingscrews(Fig.9-39)andusethe

R.A.andDec.cablestomovethecirclestotheedgeofthetelescope

eldofview(Fig.13-B).Thenturntheprimarymirrortiltscrews

(Fig.9-40)untiltheblackdotmovestothecenteroftheimagewith

theconcentriccirclesradiatingfromit(Fig.13-C).Oncecentered,

tighten down the locking screws.

Specications:

OpticalDesign: NewtonianReector

Aperture:  114mm(4.49”)

FocalLength: 900mm(35.43”)

Focal Ratio: 7.89

FinderScope: 6x30mm

Eyepiece1:  Kellner20mm

Magnication1: 45x

Eyepiece2:  Kellner9mm

Magnication2: 100x

Mount:  Equatorial

Weight: 19.7 lbs.

Warnings:

• Neverusethistelescope(oritsviewnder)tolookdirectlyatornear

thesun.Viewingthesuncancauseinstantandirreversibleeyedamage.

• Alwayssupervisechildrenwhenusingthistelescope.

• Donotleavetelescopeunattendedatanytime.Untrainedadultsor

children may not be familiar with the correcting operating procedure.

• Donotpointthetelescopeatthesunevenwhenyouarenotlooking

through it. This will cause internal damage to the telescope.

• Handlethistelescopewithcare.Roughhandlingmightknockthe

internal optical components out of alignment.

2120

Fig.12 Fig.13

CustomerService:

We will be happy to help you with any problems you may experience

while using your telescope. Please call our toll-free customer service line

at 1-800-967-8427.

Warranty Information:

This Carson product is warranted to be free from defects in material and

workmanshipforaperiodofoneyearfromdateofpurchase.Duringthis

period Carson will, at its option and without charge, either repair any part

or assembly of parts found to be defective in material or workmanship, or

replace this Carson product with a Carson product of comparable value and

condition,subjecttothelimitationsandexclusionsnotedherein.

This warranty extends to the original purchaser only and is not assignable

ortransferable.Itshallnotapplytoanyproductthathasbeensubjectto

misuse, abuse, negligence or accident, or to any defects or damage directly or

indirectly caused by the use of unauthorized replacement parts and/or service

performed by unauthorized personnel.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspeciclegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveother

rightswhichcouldvaryfromstatetostate.Somestatesdonotallowlimi-

tations on the life of an implied warranty and/or do not allow excluding or

limitingincidentalorconsequentialdamages.Ifso,theabovelimitationsor

exclusions may not apply to you.

Warranty Procedure:

Provide proof of purchase. A receipt or other dated proof of purchase

must be included with merchandise being returned for a warranty claim to

be processed.

Call or write for authorization. Before returning any product for a warranty

claim,aReturnAuthorization(RA)numbermustbeobtained.Nomerchan-

dise will be accepted without an RA, and failure to obtain an RA will prevent

or delay processing of the warranty claim.

ToobtainanRAcall631-963-5000,orwritetoCarsonWarrantyService,

2070 5th Avenue, Ronkonkoma NY, 11779 with a description of the problem.

Include your name, address and telephone number.

Packagethereturncarefully.Shipperswillnotreimbursefordamagesdueto

insufcientpackaging,evenifthemerchandiseisinsured.

Print the RA number prominently on the top of the package.

Prepayshipping.Insurethepackage.Senditto:

CarsonWarrantyService,20705thAvenue,RonkonkomaNY,11779.

Merchandisemustbeshippedprepaid.Carsonwillnotaccept

merchandiseC.O.D.

2322

Carson RP-300 User guide

Brand: Carson

Model: RP-300

Category: Telescopes

Type: User guide

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Carson RP-300 User guide

Carson RP-300 User guide

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