Setting up the automatic level

Virtu-o-Level topic 3 - Setting up

Setting up the Automatic level

Virtu-o-Grasp

Set up the legs of the tripod so that they are firmly secured and the and the plate is approximately horizontal.
Take the level out of the box, and while still holding firmly, attach it to the head of the legs using the plate nut.
Centralise the circular bubble using the footscrews on the tribrach of the level.
Eliminate parallax - This will occur when the crosshairs are not brought into sharp focus. Parallax is present when the crosshairs appear to move when the position of your eye changes. To eliminate parallax it is necessary to bring the cross hairs into sharp focus using the eyepiece focusing screw.
Centre the vertical cross-hair on the levelling staff and clamp the telescope.
Focus onto the staff.
With the staff in the field of view as shown above, record the staff reading as shown by the horizontal cross-hair.