Steps for Removing The LX200 Corrector!!

By Bruce Johston

1. Aim the OTA (optical tube assembly) slightly up! (This is obvious, but it's always listed as an important step. I guess it's for those dummies that don't have sense enough to not have the scope aiming DOWN when they take everything apart!)

2. Remove the Allen screws holding the ring around the front of the corrector. Be sure to only remove ONE AT A TIME! (I put this part in so that it sounds more complicated than it is. Haven't yet figured out how to remove the screws more than one at a time anyway!)

3. Gently lift the ring off of the corrector plate. (Gently? As if anyone is going to BANG it off! Hell, just REMOVE it!)

4. Notice the cork spacers that around the outer diameter of the corrector plate. They hold the corrector pretty much centered. (This step actually has a use. In case one is ready to slip off or something. You'll notice it and can make sure it goes back where it came from when you replace the corrector.)

5. Look around the edge of the corrector for a white mark. It should be pretty thick and look like a mark of white-out. There should also be a white mark on the OTA that's directly in line with this mark. (Again, this truly is a valid step. The marks are used to align the corrector when reassembled.) If, somehow, there is no mark, then make one with a felt tip marker or whatever. (I suppose the mark might be black, but I've only seen white marks so far.)

6. Now, the difficult part. Decide which hand you're going to use for the next step. If you're left handed, I recommend the left. Otherwise, use your right. Unless, of course, you're ambidextrous. In that case, you'll have to take a vote of friends and neighbors as to which hand to use.

7. Having chosen the proper hand, grab the housing part that holds the secondary mirror with your fingertips. That's the big black disk in the middle of the corrector plate with three screws in it. It holds the secondary mirror, which reflects the light coming from the primary. (Again, I want to sound like this is very difficult and that I'm talking to someone that has no idea as to what a secondary mirror is, and also has not a drop of common sense in his body!)

8. Take three slow, deep breaths. On the third breath, let half of the breath out, hold it, and lift the corrector out of the recess at the end of the OTA. (Where ELSE could you lift it out from??)

9. Since by now you no doubt have both eyes closed in fear, slightly open one and peek at the corrector in your hand. Pause a moment...

10 Gently put the corrector back in place. You may now let your breath out and continue to breathe.

11. Align the mark on the corrector with the mark on the OTA.

12. Do NOT put the screws back into place after you carefully put the ring for the corrector back in place.

13. Pause. Walk away from the scope. Wait for the shaking in your hands to stop and for your heart to settle back to a normal beat. Have a cup of coffee.

14. Now, screw up your courage and again approach the scope. Do this from an angle where the scope can't see you. You're sneaking up on it at this stage.

15. Quickly step out in front of the scope, and before the scope can realize what's happening, use the selected hand and quickly reach up and again grab the secondary disk with your fingertips.

16. Pausing only briefly this time, again lift the corrector out of place, pause, and again set it back into place.

After having done this exercise multiple times, you may now close the scope up and actually put the ring and screws back into place.

Congratulations!! You've just passed the final test for removal of the corrector! You're now qualified to remove any corrector from any SCT, land a 747 when both pilots are disabled, or perform brain surgery in the field!!!!

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