Orion Tritech 40811 User manual

Orion®Tritech™CFX Carbon Fiber Tripod
with 3-Way Pan Head
#40811
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Congratulations on your purchase of a quality Orion product. The Tritech
CFX Carbon Fiber Tripod provides solid support and smooth panning
and pointing control for small telescopes, spotting scopes, binoculars,
and cameras weighing up to 15 lbs. With its carbon ber legs for weight
reduction and 3-way aluminum pan head for outstanding operational
versatility, the Tritech CFX makes an excellent tripod for discerning
observers and photographers on the go.
IN 602 09/17
Orion®Telescopes & Binoculars
Corporate Offices: 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville CA 95076 - USA
Customer Support: www.OrionTelescopes.com/contactus
Copyright © 2017 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
All Rights Reserved. No part of this product instruction or any of its contents may be reproduced,
copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of Orion Telescopes & Binoculars.

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To get the most from your new tripod, please take a few minutes to read these
instructions and operating tips. Refer to Figure 1A to familiarize yourself with the
parts of the Tritech CFX tripod and pan head.
Figure 1. A) Parts of the Tritech CFX, B) The small pan handle controls the lateral tilt
adjustment.
Figure 3. Attach the three grip posts to the
mask with the included thumbscrews. A
B
Bubble level
Lock lever
Short pan
handle
Long pan
handle
Ballast
loop
Horizontal
axis tensioner
Center column
lock knob
Foam grip
Tilt
90°
Center
column
1/4"-20 threaded post
Mounting shoe
Shoe release button

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Assembly
Remove the tripod and two pan handles from the carrying bag.Thread the handles
into the threaded receptacles on the altitude (longer handle) and lateral tilt axes,
turning them clockwise until lightly tightened (see Figure 1A).
Adjusting the Legs
Each tripod leg can be independently angled to one of four positions. This comes
in handy if you need to set up on an uneven surface. Press the leg angle adjust-
ment tab at the top of the leg (Figure 2) and lever the leg upward to the next detent
point.
Adjust the leg length by ipping up the leg lock on one or both leg sections and
siding the leg section to the desired length. The re-clamp the leg lock.
Dual Rubber/Spike Feet
The Tritech CFX is equipped with dual-purpose feet that consist of a retractable
rubber boot and a metal spike (Figure 3). The rubber feet are intended for use
of the tripod indoors or on a smooth surface. The metal spikes are desirable for
achieving a rm grip on soft surfaces. To use the rubber feet, thread the boot coun-
terclockwise until the metal spike is recessed below the rubber. To expose the
spike feet, thread the rubber boot clockwise until the spike protrudes from the rub-
ber. In some instances you may wish to remove the rubber boots altogether so
more of the metal spike is exposed. This can be done by just pulling the rubber
boots off their anchors. They can be pressed on again at any time.
Approximate leveling of the tripod should suffice for use with binoculars or spotting
scopes. For photographic use, the built-in bubble level on the pan head aids in
achieving more precise leveling.
Using the Pan Head
AThe Tritech CFX’s precision aluminum pan head has three axes of rotation: hor-
izontal, vertical, and lateral tilt. Use the long pan handle to move the head in the
horizontal and vertical axes, and the short pan handle to adjust the lateral tilt (see
Figure 1B). Twist the long pan handle grip counterclockwise to loosen the tension
on the altitude axis for panning, and twist it clockwise to lock it in position. Do the
same for the short pan handle to adjust and lock the tilt. Use the long pan handle
Leg angle
adjustment
tab
Figure 2. Press the leg angle adjustment
tab and lever the leg up or down to one of
four position angles.
Figure 3. The tripod feet have a retractable
rubber boot and a metal spike.
Rubber
boot
Spike

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also to move the head in the horizontal plane. The tensioner for the horizontal axis
is the large knob on the side of the pan head.
Note that with your instrument mounted normally – pointed away from the long
pan handle -- you cannot achieve a zenith (straight up) orientation. However, it is
possible to point to the zenith by mounting the instrument so that the front of it is
pointing in the same direction as the long pan handle (Figure 5). This way the han-
dle will not contact the tripod itself and hinder the tilt. The ability to point straight up
is especially useful when using the tripod for astronomical observation.
The removable mounting shoe allows quick attachment and removal of your instru-
ment. The shoe has a 1/4"-20 threaded post and a cork grip mat, and is retained by
both a detent pin and a quick-release lock lever. When mounting an optical instru-
ment, you must rst remove the shoe from the head by releasing the lock lever and
pressing the shoe release button (Figure 1A). Attach the shoe to the instrument
by turning the D-ring of the ¼"-20 post under the plate, then replace the shoe on
the head. Make certain the shoe is locked securely in place before releasing the
instrument from your grip.
Raising and Lowering the Pan Head
The Tritech CFX has a center column that allows up to 10-1/4" of additional height.
To raise or lower the pan head you must loosen the center column lock knob
(Figure 1A).
Secondary Mounting Base
One of the nifty features of the Tritech CFX tripod is the secondary mounting base
at the bottom end of the center column (Figure 5). Particularly for photographers, it
allows attachment of an optional ball head mount to its 3/8" threaded post in order
to position a camera low to the ground, as shown in Figure 6. It can be removed for
easier camera attachment and removal by pressing the two spring-loaded detent
pins inward, then pulling off the base piece (Figure 7).
Another way the secondary mounting base can be used is as a replacement for
the entire center column and pan head, when a low (but upright) instrument posi-
tion is desired. This removes the center column from getting in the way when you
need to get really low. Basically, you remove the secondary base as described
above, then pull the pan head and center column out of the tripod. Then insert the
secondary mounting base in the tripod where the center column had been (Figure
8).You can mount the pan head directly onto the secondary mounting base (by rst
unthreading it from the center column), or attach an optional ball head, as shown
in Figure 9. Now with the center column removed, you can widen the tripod stance
to achieve a very low position of your camera or instrument.
Ballast Loop
You’ll notice that the Tritech CFX tripod has an eyebolt at the top of the tripod
(Figure 1A). It is a “ballast loop,” which allows you to hook or hang a heavy object
on the tripod to help stabilize it in windy conditions.

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Figure 4. Pointing your instrument to the
zenith is possible by mounting it “in reverse,”
so it points up along with the long pan
handle.
Figure 6. A camera and ball head mount
(not included) are shown mounted on the
secondary mounting platform, to get low to
the ground.
Figure 8. The secondary mounting platform
can be inserted in place of the center column
to allow a low-prole tripod stance (see also
Figure 9).
Figure 5. A secondary mounting platform
with a 3/8" threaded post is at the bottom
end of the center column.
Figure 7. The secondary mounting platform
can be removed for easier attachment of
your camera or scope.
Figure 9. A ball head and camera (not
included) are shown in a low-prole stance,
made possible by replacing the center
column and pan head with the secondary
mounting platform.
Zenith
Secondary
mount
Detent
pins

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Specifications
Load capacity: 15 lbs. (6.8 Kg)
Height fully extended, center column extended: 64-3/4"
Height fully extended, center column retracted: 54-1/2"
Length folded: 29"
Center column travel: 10-1/4"
Pan head type: 3-way
Mounting attachment: ¼"-20 threaded post
Secondary mounting platform: 3/8" threaded post, bottom of center column
Maximum leg diameter: 1.1" (28mm)
Case: Water-resistant fabric, padded, with zipper and shoulder strap
Weight: 6 lbs., 2.3 oz. (2.78 Kg)

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One-Year Limited Warranty
This Orion product is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for
a period of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benet of
the original retail purchaser only. During this warranty period Orion Telescopes &
Binoculars will repair or replace, at Orion’s option, any warranted instrument that proves
to be defective, provided it is returned postage paid. Proof of purchase (such as a copy
of the original receipt) is required. This warranty is only valid in the country of purchase.
This warranty does not apply if, in Orion’s judgment, the instrument has been abused,
mishandled, or modied, nor does it apply to normal wear and tear. This warranty gives
you specic legal rights. It is not intended to remove or restrict your other legal rights
under applicable local consumer law; your state or national statutory consumer rights
governing the sale of consumer goods remain fully applicable.
For further warranty information, please visit www.OrionTelescopes.com/warranty.
Orion®Telescopes & Binoculars
Corporate Offices: 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville CA 95076 - USA
Customer Support: www.OrionTelescopes.com/contactus
Copyright © 2017 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
All Rights Reserved. No part of this product instruction or any of its contents may be reproduced,
copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of Orion Telescopes & Binoculars.