User Guide

5. Install counterweight (CW) shaft

: Thread the CW

shaft into the CW shaft mounting holes. For low

latitudes (<10°), a special CW mounting house is

needed. (Contact iOptron for more information)

6. Install counterweight

: Before putting on CW, make

sure the mount is at its zero position, i.e., CW shaft

points to the ground. Insert Allen wrench to lock the

RA axle and disengage the R.A. Gear Switch to set the

R.A. axis free before loading the CW. Remove the CW

Safety Cap at the end of CW Shaft. Glide the CW over

the shaft with the larger opening facing down.

Tighten the CW Locking Screw to hold the CW in

place. Place the Safety Cap back onto the shaft.

Move the CW to the bottom of the shaft and tighten

the CW locking Screw.

[TIP: CEM26 comes with a 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg) CW, which

should be sufficient for an 8” scope with total

payloads up to about 13 lbs (6kg). Use extra CW or

CW Extension Bar to balance higher payloads.]

7. Install telescope

: CEM26 has a Vixen dovetail saddle,

with center adjusting block. Release the dovetail

Saddle Locking Knob and slide the telescope dovetail

plate into the saddle. Tighten the Saddle Locking

Knob.

8. Balance payload

: After attaching the scope and

accessories, the mount head assembly must be

balanced in both DEC and RA axes to ensure

minimum stresses on the mount driving mechanism.

CAUTION: The telescope may swing freely when the

R.A. or DEC Gear Switch is disengaged. Always hold

on to the mount and/or telescope assembly before

releasing the Gear Switches to prevent it from

swinging, which can cause personal injuries and/or

equipment damages.

Set the mount at Zero Position. Disengage both RA

and DEC gear switches and move the mount to

Latitude Locking Lever

Button

Lat. Adj. Knob

Latitude Scale

Wrench

Saddle Locking Knob

Center Adjusting Block