It is critical to keep the star centered, so over time you will need to make slight corrections to the telescope’s position in order to account for the sky’s apparent motion. Collimating the StarMax/Apex To collimate your telescope, remove the diagonal and eyepiece and look into rear opening of the tube (also remove the dust cover from the front of the tube). This should be done indoors, with the telescope pointed at a white wall in a well- lit room. Try to keep your eye centered with respect to

Once you are ready to collimate, look into rear opening of the tube. If your telescope is out of collimation, it will resemble Figure 2a, a properly collimated scope will resemble Figure 2b. The direction of the misalignment in your telescope may differ from Figure 2a, but the diagram will give you the general idea of how things will look. Note there are six alignment screws on the back of the optical tube, three large and three small.You will need 3mm and 2mm Allen wrenches to turn these screws

(Note, actual selected than 1/4 turn. alignment screw will vary.) If the alignment screw is a large screw First, using the 3mm Allen wrench, turn the large screw clockwise a small amount, no more than a 1/4 turn. (Figure 4a) Now, with the 2mm Allen wrench turn the two adjacent small screws (Figure 4b) counterclockwise no more than 1/4 turn. Locate the small screw that is 180° opposite the first screw (Figure 4c) and turn it clockwise no more than 1/4 turn. Figure 4c: Turn the small Figure 4d: Tu

Figure 4a Figure 4cFigure 4b Figure 4d Figure 4a Figure 4cFigure 4b Figure 4d Figure 4a: Using the 3mm Figure 4b: Now, with the Allen wrench, turn the large 2mm Allen wrench, turn the screw clockwise a small two adjacent small screws amount, no more than 1/4 of counterclockwise no more a turn. (Note, actual selected than 1/4 turn. alignment screw will vary.) If the alignment screw is a large screw First, using the 3mm Allen wrench, turn the large screw clockwise a small amount, no more than a 1/

Then look at the back end of the telescope and locate the alignment screw that is in the direction that the Figure 2b: With the optics properly aligned the view through the rear opening of the telescope will resemble Figure 2b. front of the telescope needs to move. For example, if the view in your telescope resembled Figure 2a, then you would want to move the front opening of the telescope scope to the right. Then the alignment screw you would start with would be the screw on the right as shown

Your StarMax or Apex’s primary mirror was aligned at the factory and should not need adjustment unless the telescope is handled roughly. This manual contains information on how to test the collimation of your telescope and instructions for proper alignment should that be needed. Star-Testing the Telescope Before you start adjusting the primary mirror of your telescope, make certain that it is actually out of collimation by performing a star test. Take your telescope out at dusk and let it acclim