We are unable to locate our manual for our twinstar telescope. On the box it says it is a 114 500. Do you have any suggestions on how to get a manual or even download the manual.

From the manufacturer.

Take the lens cap off-- put the eyepiece with the largest number written on it into the focuser. DO NOT use the 2x barlow if you have one. Take it out during the daytime and practice focusing on a distant object. The moon should be your first target at night.

Clear skies

Equatorial mounts need to be polar aligned to work correctly. Once the scope is polar aligned (see manual or look online for polar alignment instructions), turn on the RA motor. Loosen your RA and DEC locks and find a object you want to view, The motor should keep the object in view for a while (depends on how good the motor tracks and how good your polar alignment is.) Spending 10 minutes polar alignment on my C8 keeps the object in view for about an hour without adjustment.

This is a reflector style telescope. Put the eyepiece with the largest number written on it into the focuser. Take it outside during the day time and practice focusing on a distant object.

If it is on an EQ mount read my EQ mount tip on my profile page. The scope will need to be polar aligned in order to use it properly if the mount is an equatorial.

This is a small refractor style telescope. You will not find a manual for that telescope. However MEADE telescopes maintains a web site for their REFRACTOR telescopes. They all assemble and are used the same way.

Look under the REFRACTOR heading on this web site for a manual similar to your telescope:
http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

Also read my TIPS on my Profile Page. This link will also help you.
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=810

and this web page also:
http://www.texasastro.org/telescope.php

This is a refractor telescope. Download a manual from Meade. They all work about the same way.

Look under REFRACTOR:
http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

yes it is a bushnell join us at www.cloudynights.com and, we can help you get the specs.

I suggest avoiding the Twinstar line of telescopes. These are sold by Taximarketer who sells a line of disappointing scopes including the Baytronix 150/1400. It is best to avoid Ebay unless you really know your stuff.

One reason is the lack of directions-- NONE!

However Meade telescopes maintains a web site with manuals for their telescopes. Look around the page and find one similar to your scope and download the manual for free.

http://www.meade.com/manuals/index.html

I really don't understand the actual problem? You have the manual-- have you assembled the scope according to the manual?

If you have --- put the eyepiece with the LARGEST number written on it into the telescope-- this is your LOWEST magnification. (Never use the 2x or 3x barlow that comes with these small telescopes -- it is useless-- just too much magnification. )

Now go outside during the daytime and point the telescope at a distant land object and practice focusing-- the moon should be your first target at night. Spend a little time during the day and line up the small finder scope which is usually mounted on top of the tube --- with the main telescope. Once they are lined up you can use the finder like a gun sight to point the telescope.

[email protected] has manuals that can be downloaded. The information is in the manual of a similar telescope.