Spyke
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/22/03
Posts: 1916
Loc: Scotland
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Hi all.
I'm considering ordering a Vixen Porta mount for use with my ED80 and (seperately) my PST.
In early reviews some mention was made of play in the axes and the quality of the slow-motion controls. I'm just wondering if these have been addressed with later models or will they still need to be tweaked if I ordered one?
I'm assuming it will handle my Skywatcher ED80 + 2" Diagonal + Pentax XL eyepiece ok weight-wise? I've seen pics of a TV85 on one, so....
Thanks for any advice,
Ant
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GSO 8" f6 Dob (Hi-Lux coated)
ED100 Pro, ED80
Skymax 127 Maksutov
Coronado Ha PST
Vixen GP, Porta-mount, multiple AZ-3 mounts.
Berkut 10x50 Binos, 'reasonable' no. of eyepieces
Should I buy an Equinox 120ED? 
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DennisF
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Northern IL
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I have a Porta Mount that I got when I bought a Vixen ED80SF (an excellent scope BTW). I found the slo-mo controls to have no problems. No backlash or play at all. Some people voiced complaints with the slip-on fit which gets a little loose over time. I solved that potential problem before it occurred by drilling and tapping for a cap head screw. Now it's solid as a rock. A very simple, quick fix. I'm very pleased with how the slo-mo controls work. First time I've had them and they're nice to have.
Of course I've used the Vixen on the mount and I also used a SV80ED, SV102ED, and a C6 SCT as well-all with a 2" diagonal and heavy EPs. Personally, I'd be more concerned with vibration issues which can also be easily remedied.
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10" XTi
C6 SE
ETX 125 (no more)
SV 102ED
SV80ED
PortaMount (no more)
SV M1
Original AYO EzTouch mount
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FKincaid
newbie
Reged: 07/22/06
Posts: 1
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I also have a Vixen Porta Mount and have no problems with it. As Dennis said, it is rock solid and the slow motion controls work great. The slow motion knobs are indeed the cheapest part of the whole mount. They are made of a plastic shaft that slip onto the slow motion shaft (no screws). I could imagine over time that they could become a problem, but maybe not. I replaced mine with a longer and flexible slow motion cable type. Not because I felt I had to, but because I wanted a loner and more flexible slow motion control. This would not be a reason to not buy this mount. Everything else about it is great. I use a 90/fll refractor w/2" diagonal and a 130/f5 reflector on mine without problems. No play in the axes!
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bbyrd
member
Reged: 10/08/06
Posts: 78
Loc: north carolina
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Quote:
I also have a Vixen Porta Mount and have no problems with it. As Dennis said, it is rock solid and the slow motion controls work great. The slow motion knobs are indeed the cheapest part of the whole mount. They are made of a plastic shaft that slip onto the slow motion shaft (no screws). I could imagine over time that they could become a problem, but maybe not. I replaced mine with a longer and flexible slow motion cable type. Not because I felt I had to, but because I wanted a loner and more flexible slow motion control. This would not be a reason to not buy this mount. Everything else about it is great. I use a 90/fll refractor w/2" diagonal and a 130/f5 reflector on mine without problems. No play in the axes!
I'm searching for cable replacements on my Porta. Where did you find yours?
Thanks.
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Ouranos
sage
Reged: 11/07/06
Posts: 325
Loc: Illinois
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I just bought a portamount. Love it! I paid $279 for mount alone. Today, however, someone has it on sale w/ a Vixen 70mm scope on it for $224.00! See under refractor forum - "What to buy for $300 or less".
Paul
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East/Central Illinois
Orion XT10
Celestron Omni 102
SV Nighthawk 7
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DennisF
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Northern IL
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Quote:
Quote:
I also have a Vixen Porta Mount and have no problems with it. As Dennis said, it is rock solid and the slow motion controls work great. The slow motion knobs are indeed the cheapest part of the whole mount. They are made of a plastic shaft that slip onto the slow motion shaft (no screws). I could imagine over time that they could become a problem, but maybe not. I replaced mine with a longer and flexible slow motion cable type. Not because I felt I had to, but because I wanted a loner and more flexible slow motion control. This would not be a reason to not buy this mount. Everything else about it is great. I use a 90/fll refractor w/2" diagonal and a 130/f5 reflector on mine without problems. No play in the axes!
I'm searching for cable replacements on my Porta. Where did you find yours?
Thanks.
These may work. Not sure about the size of the rod.
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_cstal.htm
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10" XTi
C6 SE
ETX 125 (no more)
SV 102ED
SV80ED
PortaMount (no more)
SV M1
Original AYO EzTouch mount
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Spyke
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/22/03
Posts: 1916
Loc: Scotland
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Thanks for the recommendations! Sounds ideal then. Now to find one...
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GSO 8" f6 Dob (Hi-Lux coated)
ED100 Pro, ED80
Skymax 127 Maksutov
Coronado Ha PST
Vixen GP, Porta-mount, multiple AZ-3 mounts.
Berkut 10x50 Binos, 'reasonable' no. of eyepieces
Should I buy an Equinox 120ED?
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KWB
Postmaster
Reged: 09/30/06
Posts: 7618
Loc: Westminster,Co Elev.1646Meters
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Here's an improvement I highly recommend. The Panhandle mod by Manny.
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Kenny
"When dealing with a mystery,choose the most unlikely of the likely possibilities"-Sherlock Holmes
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Spyke
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/22/03
Posts: 1916
Loc: Scotland
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Does that just add a steering arm to the fork? Clever idea - is there a post about it?
I've ordered one - but delivery isn't due for 2-3 weeks!:( I hate waiting....
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GSO 8" f6 Dob (Hi-Lux coated)
ED100 Pro, ED80
Skymax 127 Maksutov
Coronado Ha PST
Vixen GP, Porta-mount, multiple AZ-3 mounts.
Berkut 10x50 Binos, 'reasonable' no. of eyepieces
Should I buy an Equinox 120ED?
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DennisF
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/03/06
Posts: 829
Loc: Northern IL
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Quote:
Does that just add a steering arm to the fork? Clever idea - is there a post about it?
I've ordered one - but delivery isn't due for 2-3 weeks!:( I hate waiting....
Checking Manny Myles posts is probably the easiest way to find threads about his mods. I had both and they made a definite improvement to the mount. The 1st mod was basically a panhandle that fit between the dovetail bracket and the Alt mount. I found it easier and faster to use than moving the scope, YMMV.
The second mod was a right angle bracket that allowed you to change the position of the dovetail bracket in relation to the rest of the mount. It shifts the COB more over the tripod. I found it indispensable in using my C6 SCT with the Porta Mount. FWIW, when using refractors I preferred to just use the panhandle. Without it, the focusing knob was above the visual back which meant you couldn't use a diagonal in the vertical position. Had to be less the 45 deg. IIRC.
Workmanship was excellent and I'm sure it's only gotten better. Manny has since upgraded his production equipment and he has always taken pride in his work.
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10" XTi
C6 SE
ETX 125 (no more)
SV 102ED
SV80ED
PortaMount (no more)
SV M1
Original AYO EzTouch mount
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Scott Ayer
member
Reged: 11/23/06
Posts: 87
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I got the idea of filling the aluminum legs with spray foam (cant remember where, nmight have been on CN) I disassembled the legs and sprayed expanding foam in them (there are several Brands available at your hardware store) The portamount used to take 4-5 seconds to quit "vibrating" whenever I touched the scope. Now its less than 2 seconds. The job is kinda messy(had to clean up excess with paint thinner), but it works. The Wooden legs may be the best route to go , but for about 6 bucks and a couple hours work it made a big improvement.
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15 " Obsession
20" OBSESSION
8" meade lightbridge
C80ED
TV101 on a Losmandy GM8/GIBRALTAR MOUNT
120 Eon APO
Lunts 60mm Ha (on pre-order)
Coronado PST
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WilRobinson
member
Reged: 02/04/08
Posts: 35
Loc: DSM. IA
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I didn't like the two hand screw's that hold the dovetail on the OTA in place, so I had ADM modify the screw holes on one of his Vixen Style Saddle mounts. Now the scope is very secure and the dovetail doesn't get chewed up when I use the Porta Mount.
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TMB 130 SS
Intes M603
W/O 66mm ZenithStar
W/O 80mm ZenithStar
AT 102 ED
Vixen Porta-mount
Meade LXD75/Autostar
Meade 10" Starfinder/Magellan 1
DSI II
Set of W/O SWANS
Set of W/O UWANS
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Spyke
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/22/03
Posts: 1916
Loc: Scotland
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Aha! Sounds like CN-ers are being as inventive as ever - nice to hear these modifications and improvements! Thanks
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GSO 8" f6 Dob (Hi-Lux coated)
ED100 Pro, ED80
Skymax 127 Maksutov
Coronado Ha PST
Vixen GP, Porta-mount, multiple AZ-3 mounts.
Berkut 10x50 Binos, 'reasonable' no. of eyepieces
Should I buy an Equinox 120ED?
|
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