Telescope Reviews: New Vixen Porta II at Orion

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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

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ranger
sage

Reged: 04/30/08

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3059446 - 04/22/09 12:08 PM

Thanks for the advice Starlighter. I am going to try getting the adapter and use the head on a sturdy photo tripod. If that doesn't work I will go the replacement leg route. It's odd that such a great head would be paired with such a *BLEEP* set of legs.

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Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion new

[Re: ranger]
#3059530 - 04/22/09 12:47 PM

If Vixen made the Portamount available with these wooden legs which I'm sure cost no more to make, they would start off with a very solid mount.

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ranger
sage

Reged: 04/30/08

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion *DELETED* new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3059568 - 04/22/09 01:03 PM

Post deleted by ranger

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codemonkey
super member

Reged: 09/16/08

Loc: Lafayette, CO

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion new

[Re: ranger]
#3060176 - 04/22/09 05:17 PM

I added the wooden legs to my Porta I - definitely an improvement. Still some play in where the legs bolt to the head, and in the plastic spider where the pins go through, so I made "bushings" from some brass tubing. Tightened things up a little more.

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Terrance
professor emeritus

Reged: 08/11/04

Loc: Near Portland Or.

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3060281 - 04/22/09 06:10 PM

Well I did the same thing-bought the wooden legs from Hands-on Optics and put them on my original Vixen PortaMount.

Then I took them off again and put the original aluminum legs back on. I noticed no difference in damping time of the legs.

Furthermore, the original tripod legs, like most tripods, but unlike the wooden set, have a simple knob to turn for shortening or extending the legs, allowing a quick length change with a single hand, while the wood replacements have 2 simple screws with wing nuts on each leg making a length change in the legs a pain and requiring 2 hands, one on each side of the leg done twice for each leg. They are now sitting unused in my garage.

Other people may have different results, but mine would make me cautious about recommending this modification for either the Portamount or Porta II.

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codemonkey
super member

Reged: 09/16/08

Loc: Lafayette, CO

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion new

[Re: Terrance]
#3060287 - 04/22/09 06:15 PM

Quote:

Furthermore, the original tripod legs, like most tripods, but unlike the wooden set, have a simple knob to turn for shortening or extending the legs, allowing a quick length change with a single hand, while the wood replacements have 2 simple screws with wing nuts on each leg making a length change in the legs a pain and requiring 2 hands, one on each side of the leg done twice for each leg. They are now sitting unused in my garage.

I have noticed the lack of a quick-turn knob for the wooden leg screws, but on the aluminum legs I could never get the knob on the aluminum legs tight enough to keep them from slipping. Very frustrating.

Neither are perfect, that's for sure. The II with the ability to put it on a real tripod is a big improvement.

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Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion new

[Re: Terrance]
#3060288 - 04/22/09 06:15 PM

Having two sets of wing nuts on each leg is most reassuring. One thing I'd hate to witness is suddenly a tripod leg loosening up thus causing the entire mount to fall over.

Ever since I began using an adjustable height observing chair, I discovered I never have to readjust the height of the tripod.

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Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3060296 - 04/22/09 06:17 PM

One other benefit of the wooden legs from Hands On Optics is the metal accessory tray. It's attached with three screws and once in place it really firms up the tripod. Nothing flexes.

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JAFE
sage

Reged: 07/04/07

Loc: Yavin IV rebel base,

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion new

[Re: Terrance]
#3061160 - 04/23/09 02:11 AM

Quote:

Furthermore, the original tripod legs, like most tripods, but unlike the wooden set, have a simple knob to turn for shortening or extending the legs, allowing a quick length change with a single hand, while the wood replacements have 2 simple screws with wing nuts on each leg making a length change in the legs a pain and requiring 2 hands, one on each side of the leg done twice for each leg. They are now sitting unused in my garage.

I think the same. The more simple you get the mount the more you use and enjoy it

. I do prefer recomended to get a set of vibration supression pads, that´s works very good. I do not had any issues with the legs of my Porta I and I like my new G&G setup very much.

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JAFE
sage

Reged: 07/04/07

Loc: Yavin IV rebel base,

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion new

[Re: Starlighter]
#3061162 - 04/23/09 02:13 AM

Quote:

One other benefit of the wooden legs from Hands On Optics is the metal accessory tray. It's attached with three screws

Oh no

more screws to deal with. Make it simple

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Starlighter
Post Laureate

Reged: 08/03/07

Loc: Sunny California

Re: New Vixen Porta II at Orion new

[Re: JAFE]
#3062082 - 04/23/09 01:11 PM

The metal tray is anchored at three points. It stabilizes the already much more stable wooden legs. It takes me no more than a minute to attach the tray.

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