How to Setup and Level the Tripod

Written By: John Keller (and one other contributor)
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Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

10

Time Required

00:05:00 - 00:10:00

Sections

1

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Introduction

This guide will show you how to setup and level your tripod. Leveling the telescope will prevent errors in the telescopes alignment, guidance, and tracking systems.

  1. Locate the buckle on the tripod strap. When storing the tripod, it is best to tighten the tripod strap using the adjustment on the strap. If the strap is adjusted too tightly, you may want to loosen it before you unbuckle it.

    • Locate the buckle on the tripod strap.

    • When storing the tripod, it is best to tighten the tripod strap using the adjustment on the strap. If the strap is adjusted too tightly, you may want to loosen it before you unbuckle it.

  2. Unbuckle the tripod strap and rest it on the ground, out of the way. Unbuckle the tripod strap and rest it on the ground, out of the way. Unbuckle the tripod strap and rest it on the ground, out of the way.

    • Unbuckle the tripod strap and rest it on the ground, out of the way.

  3. Slowly pull the tripod legs apart, taking care that the tripod doesn't tip over. Slowly pull the tripod legs apart, taking care that the tripod doesn't tip over. Slowly pull the tripod legs apart, taking care that the tripod doesn't tip over.

    • Slowly pull the tripod legs apart, taking care that the tripod doesn't tip over.

  4. Place one hand on the tripod leg connector, and push the center down, extending the legs of the tripod. Continue pushing down until the tripod leg connector is as far down as it will go. Continue pushing down until the tripod leg connector is as far down as it will go.

    • Place one hand on the tripod leg connector, and push the center down, extending the legs of the tripod.

    • Continue pushing down until the tripod leg connector is as far down as it will go.

  5. Rotate the tripod tray from its storage position to its active position, where the legs are align in the groove of each point of the tray. Rotate the tripod tray from its storage position to its active position, where the legs are align in the groove of each point of the tray. Rotate the tripod tray from its storage position to its active position, where the legs are align in the groove of each point of the tray.

    • Rotate the tripod tray from its storage position to its active position, where the legs are align in the groove of each point of the tray.

  6. Tighten the telescope tray knob, which is underneath the telescope tray. Tighten the telescope tray knob, which is underneath the telescope tray.

    • Tighten the telescope tray knob, which is underneath the telescope tray.

  7. Look at the bubble level on the top of the tripod to see if the tripod is level. If the bubble is within the center of the circle, your telescope is level, if it is off to one side you will need to adjust the tripod legs to accommodate uneven ground.

    • Look at the bubble level on the top of the tripod to see if the tripod is level.

    • If the bubble is within the center of the circle, your telescope is level, if it is off to one side you will need to adjust the tripod legs to accommodate uneven ground.

    • Generally you will want to raise the leg opposite (furthest) from the the bubble. You may need to adjust two legs. If you are unsure, gently raise one leg and watch the bubble.

  8. Turn the knob at the base of the tripod leg counterclockwise to losen it. Turn the knob at the base of the tripod leg counterclockwise to losen it. Turn the knob at the base of the tripod leg counterclockwise to losen it.

    • Turn the knob at the base of the tripod leg counterclockwise to losen it.

  9. Slowly raise or lower the tripod leg as needed. Watch the bubble as you adjust the leg to determine where the tripod is level. Watch the bubble as you adjust the leg to determine where the tripod is level.

    • Slowly raise or lower the tripod leg as needed.

    • Watch the bubble as you adjust the leg to determine where the tripod is level.

  10. Tighten the knob at the base of the tripod leg by turning it clockwise until it is secure. Tighten the knob at the base of the tripod leg by turning it clockwise until it is secure. Tighten the knob at the base of the tripod leg by turning it clockwise until it is secure.

    • Tighten the knob at the base of the tripod leg by turning it clockwise until it is secure.

Conclusion

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1212159. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.

Author

with 1 other contributor

John Keller

Member since: 10/15/2012

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