Meade LX70 Series, Instruction Manual

8

8

5. 

Attach the counterweight shaft:

 Locate 

the counterweight shaft (Fig. 1, #9) and thread 
down the Locking Nut (Fig. 1, #13) until it stops. 
Next, thread the counterweight shaft into the 
threaded hole on the front side of the mount, 

below the declination setting circle (Fig. 1, #14). 
Tighten to a firm feel. Adjust the Locking Nut 
upward toward the mount until it stops. Tighten 
to a firm feel.
6. 

Install the latitude adjusting screws: 

Lo-

cate the two threaded latitude knobs (Fig. 1, #6) 
in the box. Thread the longer latitude  adjust-
ment knob into the rear of the mount and the 
shorter latitude adjustment knob into the front of 
the mount as shown.

7. 

Set the latitude:

 Setting the latitude is easier 

if it is set before you attach the optical tube and 
counterweights. Locate the latitude dial (Fig. 1,  
#8); note that there is a triangular pointer above 
the dial located on the mount. The pointer is not 
fixed; it moves as the mount moves.

Determine the latitude of your observing loca-
tion. See

 APPENDIX C:  LATITUDE CHART

for a list of latitudes, or check the internet. Move 
the latitude screws in order to move the mount 
until the pointer points to your latitude. The 
two latitude screws work in a “push - pull” op-
eration—as you tighten one, loosen the other. 

When the pointer points at your latitude, tighten 
both screws until they make contact with the 
mount. At your observing site, set up the tele-
scope assembly so that the tripod leg below the 
counterweight shaft, labeled “N”, (FIG. 1, #7) 
approximately faces True North (or True South 
in the Southern Hemisphere). For more infor-
mations see page 14 

LOCATING THE CELES-

TIAL POLE.

8. 

Attach the slow motion control cables:

The LX70 comes equipped with flexible slow 
motion control cables for both the RA & Dec 
axes.  Each cable is securely fastened on each 
axis by a small Phillips head screw.  Locate the 
RA worm shaft mounting location and notice 
that it has a flat portion on one side(see Fig 13). 
Slide one of the cables onto the shaft so the 
Phillips head locking screw is aligned with the 
flat portion on the shaft. Using the included Phil-
lips screw driver, secure the slow motion control 
cable onto the shaft until firm. Repeat this pro-
cess for the declination cable(see Fig 14). 

9. 

Attach the counterweight(s): 

Look through 

the hole in the counterweight (Fig. 1, #11) and 
note the pin blocking the hole. Loosen the coun-

Figure 9:

 Attach the counter-

weight shaft

Figure 10:

 Set the latitude

Figure 13:

 Attach the RA 

slow motion control cable

Figure 14:

 Attach the DEC 

slow motion control cable

Figure 15: 

Remove the 

safety nut

Figure 16:

 Install the counter-

weight

Figure 11:

 Latitude pointer

Figure 12:

 North tripod leg

Pointer

Pointer