Vixen PORTA II User manual

Instruction Manual for
Vixen PORTA / MINI PORTA
Altazimuth Mount Telescopes
60ki-3-
(
8199
)
-2S-60.0-
(
Miz
)(
K
)(
M
)
5-17-3 Higashitokorozawa,Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-0021, Japan
Phone [phone](International)
F a x [phone](International)
http://www.vixen.co.jp

Preface
*This manual is prepared in common with all the PORTA II / MINI PORTA mount series telescopes. You may occasionally find descriptions in the
text not relevant to your model. The manual explains usage of the PORTA II mount by mainly using pictures of the PORTA II A80Mf by way of
example. *Be sure to refer to an instruction manual of the optical tube assembly unit, if available, in conjunction with this manual.
*Always keep the instruction manual near your mount or telescope to enable any operational queries to be easily answered.
*This instruction manual describes necessary precautions for the safe use of the product to prevent yourself and others from possible injuries as
well as damages to the equipment. Only use the mounting/telescope after you are completely sure that you understand all the features.
Read carefully the instructions before use, and follow them precisely.
Caution
WARNING!
Thank you for your purchase of a Vixen astronomical telescope from the “PORTA II /
MINI PORTA” series of altazimuth mounted telescopes.
Do not leave the telescope’s optical tube uncapped in daytime. It may cause a fire by sunlight passing
through the objective lens or mirror of the optical tube or finder scope.
Do not use the product while transporting or walking, where injuries could arise from collision with
objects or stumbling or falling.
Keep caps, desiccant, or vinyl packing materials away from children, to avoid danger of swallowing
or suffocation.
Do not leave the mounting or telescope inside a car in the scorching sun or, in front of any heat sources,
particularly radiators of high temperature.
When cleaning, do not use organic solvents such as paint thinners or similar cleaners.
Prevent the product from being exposed to rain, water droplets, heavy dew, mud or sands.
Avoid touching any lens or mirror surface directly with fingers. If the lens or mirror becomes dirty
with fingerprints or general smears, gently wipe it using commercially available lens cleaner and
lens cleaning paper or consult your dealer.
Blow off dust on lens or mirror using commercially available blower blush.
For storage, keep in a dry place, where it is not exposed to the direct rays of the sun.
Handling and Storage
Never look directly at the sun with your naked eyes or through
any telescope or it’s finder scope or guiding scope.
Permanent and irreversible eye damage may result.
2

Preparation
Table of Contents
Preface -----------------------------------------------------------------------Page 2
----------------------------------------------------------------Page 2
------------------------------------------------------Page 3
Warning
!
Table of Contents
-----------------------------------------------------------------Page 4Before Use
-------------------------------------------------------------------Page 4
--------------------------------------------------------Page 4
-------------------------------------------------------------Page 5
-------------------------------------------------------------Page 5
Parts List
Parts Description
Specifications
Optical Tubes
◎
◎
◎
◎
------------------------------------------------------------------Page 6
Setting up the Tripod/Attaching the Slow Motion Handles
Preparation for Mounting the Optical Tube
Mounting the Optical Tube
Attaching the Eyepiece
Attaching the Finder Scope
(PORTA II A80Mf and PORTA II R130Sf)
Attaching the Finder Scope (PORTA II A70Lf)
Attaching the Finder Scope (PORTA II / MINI PORTA Telescopes with the XY Red Dot Finder)
Using an Optional SXG Half Pillar
(For PORTA II Only)
Ⅰ
Ⅱ
Ⅲ
Ⅳ
Ⅴ-1
Ⅴ-2
Ⅴ-3
--------Page 6
---------------------------Page 6
----------------------------------------------Page 7
---------------------------------------------------Page 7
---Page 8
--------------------------Page 8
---Page 8
---------------------Page 9
--------------------------------------------------------Page10Basic Operation
--------------------------------------------------------------Page13Adjustments
-------------------------------------------------Page10
--------------------------------------------Page10
---------------------------------------------Page10
---Page11
--------------------------Page11
---Page12
Quick Slewing Motion
Fine Motion and Tracking
Balancing the Optical Tube
Aligning the Finder Scope
(PORTA II A80Mf and PORTA II R130Sf)
Aligning the Finder Scope (PORTA II A70Lf)
Aligning the Finder Scope (PORTA II / MINI PORTA Telescopes with the XY Red Dot Finder)
Ⅰ
Ⅱ
Ⅲ
Ⅳ-1
Ⅳ-2
Ⅳ-3
---------------Page13
--------------------------Page13
--------------------------Page14
-----------------------------------------------------Page14
Adjusting the Altitude/Azimuth Slewing Motion
Adjusting the Altitude Handle Position
Adjusting the Azimuth Handle Position
Terrestrial Viewing
Ⅰ
Ⅱ
Ⅲ
Ⅳ
--------------------------------------------------------------Page15
-------------------------------------------------------Page15
Observation
Observing the Moon
3

The PORTA II / MINI PORTA altazimuth mount
and tripod box contains the parts listed below.
Make sure that your shipment contains all the
parts.
For contents other than the above parts (instruments
such as optical tubes), refer to a list on a facing page.
Contents of the PORTA II / MINI PORTA
PORTA II / MINI PORTA Mount and Aluminum
Tripod Legs Set
4mm Allen Wrench(PORTA II) / 5mm Allen Wrench(MINI PORTA)
3/16”Allen Wrench(PORTA II) / 6mm Allen Wrench(MINI PORTA)
Altitude/Azimuth Slow Motion Handles
Accessory Tray
Instruction Manual (This booklet.)
Parts List
Parts Descriptions
Shown PORTA II
Mount with Tripod
Altitude/Azimuth
Slow Motion Handles
Allen Wrench
(for attaching the dovetail block)
Smaller Allen Wrench
(for adjusting tension
of altitude/azimuth motion)
Allen Wrench
(for attaching the dovetail block)
Smaller Allen Wrench
(for adjusting tension
of altitude/azimuth motion)
Accessory Tray
PORTA II A80Mf telescope shown,
your telescope may differ
R130Sf telescope shownR130Sf telescope shown
Dovetail Lock knob
Altitude Slow Motion Handle
Finder Scope
Finder Bracket
Eyepiece
Diagonal Prism
Focus Knob
Tripod Leg Base
Tripod Leg
Tripod Leg Spreader
Accessory Tray
Tray Lock Knob
Leg Extension Clamp
Dew Shield
Objective Lens (Inside)
Tube Ring Lock Screw
Optical Tube
Tube Ring
Before Use
Before Use
Eyepiece Eyepiece
Focus KnobFocus Knob
Finder ScopeFinder Scope
Safety Screw
Dovetail Mounting Block
Azimuth Slow Motion Handle
Safety Screw
Dovetail Mounting Block
Azimuth Slow Motion Handle
4

VMC95L
Precision Spherical
Mirror
95mm
1050mm
f / 11
184x
1.22”
11.7
-
42mm
31.7mm
355mm
106mm
1.9 Kgs
Dot Finder
NPL20(53x)
NPL6(175x)
-
-
-
ED80Sf
Apochromatic
Lens
80mm
600mm
f / 7.5
131x
1.45”
11.3
64mm
60mm, 42mm
50.8mm, 31.7mm
570mm
100mm
3.4 Kgs
9x50mm
-
-
-
ED100Sf
Apochromatic
Lens
100mm
900mm
f / 9.0
204x
1.16”
11.8
64mm
60mm, 42mm
50.8mm, 31.7mm
880mm
100mm
3.7 Kgs
9x50mm
-
-
-
R130Sf
Parabolic
Mirror
130mm
650mm
f / 5.0
345x
0.89”
12.3
40mm
42mm
31.7mm
572mm
160mm
4.0 Kgs
6x30mm
PL20 (33x)
PL6.3 (103x)
-
-
Specifications
Optical Tubes (Your optical tube may differ.)
Mount
Altitude (Vertical) Motion
Azimuth (Horizontal) Motion
Optical Tube Attachment
Max. Loading Weight
Tripod
Adjustable Length
Total Weight (Inc. Tripod)
PORTA II Altazimuth Mount
Whole-circle Fine Motion and Quick Slewing Motion
Whole-circle Fine Motion and Quick Slewing Motion
Dovetail Tube Plate Attachment System with Safety Screw
About 5 Kgs.(11 lb)
Two-section Aluminum Legs with Accessory Tray
Adjustable from 90cm to 130cm in length
5.7 Kgs.(12.5 lb)
MINI PORTA Altazimuth Mount
About 3.5 Kgs. (7.7 lb)
Adjustable from 70cm to 130cm in length
2.8 Kgs.(6.17 lb)
The PORTA II / MINI PORTA altazimuth mount features simple altitude (vertical) and azimuth (horizontal) motion controls
designed to easily point a telescope tube to the object you want to view.
Model
Objective Design
Effective Aperture
Focal Length
Focal Ratio
Light Gathering Power
Resolving Power
Limiting Magnitude
Drawtube Diameter
Threads on Focusing Tube
Eyepiece Push-fit
Optical Tube Length
Optical Tube Diameter
Optical Tube Weight
Finder Scope
Eyepiece (Lower Power)
Eyepiece (Higher Power)
Flip Mirror
Diagonal Prism
Tube Rings
Dovetail Tube Plate System
VMC110L
Precision Spherical
Mirror
110mm
1035mm
f / 9.4
247x
1.05”
12.0
-
42mm
31.7mm
360mm
119mm
2.1 Kgs
Dot Finder
NPL20(52x)
NPL6(172x)
-
-
-
A70Lf
Achromatic
Lens
70mm
900mm
f / 12.9
100x
1.66”
11.0
40mm
42mm
31.7mm
865mm
76mm
1.9 Kgs
6x24mm
PL20 (45x)
PL6.3 (143x)
-
A80Mf
Achromatic
Lens
80mm
910mm
f / 11.4
131x
1.45”
11.3
44.5mm
42mm
31.7mm
860mm
90mm
2.5 Kgs
6x30mm
PL20 (46x)
PL6.3 (144x)
-
Before Use
Before Use
= Supplied Note : The above specifications are subject to change without notice.
5

①
※
※
※
Stand the tripod on an
even and sold ground.
Adjust the height of the
tripod as the occasion
demands.
To change the height, loosen
the leg extension clamp of
each tripod leg. Be sure to
tighten all the leg extension
clamps securely after adjusting
the height of the tripod.
There are two altitude worm shafts, one on either side of the
altitude slow motion unit, and there are another two azimuth
worm shafts on the azimuth slow motion unit. Use whichever
one you find more convenient.
The two slow motion handles are the same and you can use
whichever for altitude slow motion control or for azimuth slow
motion control.
②Pull the tripod legs
apart until the tripod
leg spreader has been
fully extended to let the
tripod stand by itself
③Take off the tray lock
knob at the center of
the tripod leg spreader
and reveal the screw
bolt.
Attach the slow motion control handles onto each
of the worm shafts for altitude adjustment and
azimuth adjustment on the mount. Orient the
metal sleeve so that the dent on the sleeve goes
to the flat portion of the worm shaft. Slide the
metal sleeve on the slow motion handle over the
worm shaft.
④Place the accessory
tray over the tripod leg
spreader and position it
so the screw bolt on the
tripod leg spreader fits
the matching hole at the
center of the accessory
tray. Then, fix the
accessory tray with
the tray lock knob.
Tray Lock KnobTray Lock Knob
Accessory TrayAccessory Tray
Leg Extension
Clamp
Leg Extension
Clamp
Tripod Leg SpreaderTripod Leg Spreader
Tray Lock KnobTray Lock Knob
Altitude HandleAltitude Handle
Azimuth HandleAzimuth Handle
Azimuth HandleAzimuth Handle
Dent Dent
Sleeve on the Slow
Motion Handle
Sleeve on the Slow
Motion Handle
Azimuth worm shaftsAzimuth worm shafts
Altitude
worm shafts
Altitude
worm shafts
Dovetail Mounting Block Dovetail Mounting Block
Safety ScrewSafety Screw
Flat portion of the
Worm Shaft
Flat portion of the
Worm Shaft
⑤
①Turn the dovetail moun-
ting block by hand so
that the dovetail lock
knob is on top.
②Loosen both the dovetail
lock knob and safety
screw until the tips of
these screws no longer
extend into the inner
part of the adapter block.
Preparation
Preparation / Assembling the Telescope
Setting Up the Tripod / Attaching the Slow Motion Handles
Preparation for Mounting the Optical Tube
Assembling the Telescope
Dovetail Lock knobDovetail Lock knob
Dovetail Lock knobDovetail Lock knob
6

Visual Observation with the ED80Sf or ED100Sf
Visual Observation with the VMC95L or VMC110L Visual Observation with the A70Lf, A80Mf or R130Sf
Attach the dovetail mounted
scope into the dovetail moun
-ting block of the PORTA II /
MINI PORTA mount, tighten
the dovetail lock knob onto the
dovetail tube plate centering
notch until snug.
Make sure that the dovetail tube plate is flat against
the dovetail mounting block. Tightening the dovetail
lock knob with a gap between there parts may
result in the telescope unexpectedly falling off.
Optical tube assemblies are seriously damaged if
dropped. Tighten the dovetail lock knob securely.
The safety screw should also be screwed in
completely.
Preparation
Preparation / Assembling the Telescope
Assembling the Telescope
Mounting the Optical Tube
Attaching the Eyepiece
WARNING ! WARNING !
Dovetail Lock
knob
Dovetail Lock
knob
Dovetail Lock knobDovetail Lock knob
Dovetail Mounting
Block
Dovetail Mounting
Block Safety ScrewSafety Screw Leave No Gap!Leave No Gap!
(For other PORTA II / MINI PORTA telescopes, refer to instruction manuals supplied with them.)
Focus Knob
Eyepiece Adapter
42mm to 31.7mm
(Supplied)
Eyepiece Adapter
42mm to 31.7mm
(Supplied)
Eyepiece 31.7mm
Eyepiece
31.7mm
Eyepiece
31.7mm
Eyepiece
31.7mm
Eyepiece
50.8mm
Eyepiece
31.7mm
Eyepiece 31.7mm
A80Mf
OTA
A70Lf
OTA
R130Sf
OTA
Erecting Prism
Diagonal 31.7mm
(Supplied only with
A70Lf and A80Mf)
Erecting Prism
Diagonal 50.8mm
Next, tighten the small chrome
safety screw onto the adapter
until snug.
Focus Knob
Focus Knob
50.8mm sleeve
Focus Knob
Focus Knob
Flip Mirror
7

Take off the two finder
bracket fixing screws on
the telescope.
Attach the bracket on the
finder scope as shown in
the figure, tighten the finder
bracket fixing screws secu
-rely.
Preparation Attaching the Finder Scope to the Telescope
Preparation / Attaching the Finder Scope to the Telescope
Attaching the Finder Scope (PORTA II A70Lf)
Back out the adjustment
screws on the finder brac
-ket to allow passage of
the finder scope. (Make
sure the adjustment screws
do not fall off the bracket.)
Slide the rubber O-ring onto the eyepiece end of the
finder. There are two grooves on the finder tube.
Position the O-ring on the narrow groove at the middle
of the finder tube.
Pull up the fixed stud on
the bracket ring and pull
it so that the finder tube
slides into the bracket ring
from its eyepiece end.
Release the fixed stud at
the position that the wide
groove on the finder tube
is underneath the stud.
Tighten the two adjust-
ment screws so that the
finder scope is aligned
as shown in the figure.
Loosen the finder bracket
lock screw on the tele
-scope.
Attach the finder bracket
as shown in the figure,
tighten the finder bracket
lock screw securely.
Attaching the Finder Scope (PORTA II A80Mf and PORTA II R130Sf)
Adjustment ScrewsAdjustment Screws
Finder BracketFinder Bracket
Groove (narrow side) O-ring
Finder Scope
Adjustment Screws
Finder Bracket
Lock screw
Finder Bracket
Lock screw
Finder Bracket
Lock screw
Finder Bracket
Lock screw
Finder Bracket
Fixing Screws
Finder Bracket
Fixing Screws
Finder Bracket
Fixing Screws
Finder Bracket
Fixing Screws
Attaching the Finder Scope
(PORTA
II / MINI PORTA Telescopes with the XY Red Dot Finder)
Loosen the chrome finder
bracket lock screw on the
telescope.
Attach the bracket on the
dot finder as shown in the
figure, tighten the finder
bracket lock screw securely.
②
Finder Bracket
Lock screw
Finder Bracket
Lock screw
Finder Bracket
Lock screw
Finder Bracket
Lock screw
Dot FinderDot Finder
8

Preparation
Preparation / Using an Optional SXG Half Pillar
Using an Optional SXG Half Pillar (For PORTA II Only)
You can easily separate the tripod from the PORT II Altazimuth mount assembly with the provided lock knob
underneath the tripod head. It enables you to use an optional SXG half pillar and other accessories sold separately.
1. An optional SXG half pillar can be used with the PORAT II .
2. With the installation of the SXG half pillar, an optional SX-HAL130 tripod can be used for the PORTA II .
3. An optional SX tabletop tripod can be used with the PORTA II .
*For usage of the SXG half pillar, refer to instruction manuals supplied with the SXG half pillar.
Example: Attaching to the SXG half pillar
*Refer to the set up chart below as for the installation of other optional
tripods available for the PORTA II .
Loosen the lock knob underneath the tripod head of the PORTA II
and take the mount body off.
*Make sure to hold the mount body in one hand securely to avoid
falling off while you loosen the lock knob in the other hand.
Attach the SXG half pillar onto the tripod head so that the center
projection on the bottom of the SXG half pillar fits the sunken tripod
head. Tighten the lock knob underneath the tripod head securely.
Attach the mount head
of the PORTA II onto the
SXG half pillar and tighten
the lock knob as shown
in the figure.
Tabletop Tripod
SXG Harf Pillar
*The metal peg is not used
*Standard supplied for PORTA II
PORTA II Adapter
PORTA II Mount Body
AL130-SP
Tripod for SKYPOD *The SXG half pillar is
needed
SXG-HAL130 Tripod
20.7cm
Lock Knob
Lock Knob
Lock Knob
PORTA II Mount Body
SXG Harf Pillar
❶
❸❷
Setup Guide
Tripod
9

For fine target positioning, rotate the altitude or
azimuth slow motion handles in either direction
while looking at the target through the eyepiece.
The PORTA II / MINI PORTA mount will rotate the
telescope smoothly into position.
On an alt-azimuth mount, it is best to put celestial
targets at the edge of field and allow the motion of
the Earth to drift them across the field of view while
observing. This will allow for steadier views and less
manual tracking.
At high power, it is hard to
follow celestial target in
the field of view of the tele-
scope by pushing / pulling
the mount by hand.
The altitude and azimuth
handles allow smooth slow
motion control of the tele-
scope in order to search
for and track objects.
Basic Operation Slewing the Telescope
Basic Operation / Slewing the Telescope
If the optical tube moves because of unbalance,
shift it to the center of balance.
With the optical tube in the horizontal position,
hold the optical tube and loosen slightly the tube
ring lock knobs so the optical tube can slide.
Grasping the optical tube, rotate it on the altitude
axis. If it feels overweighed on one end, slide the
optical tube toward the other end. Repeat until
the optical tube is balance.
Tighten the tube ring lock knobs before proceeding.
Tube Ring Lock KnobsTube Ring Lock Knobs
You can quickly move the telescope toward the desired
target by grasping the tube and moving it in altitude or
azimuth. Do this to center the target in the finder and
then fine-tune the position in the eyepiece by following
the steps below.
Do not swing the Telescope by pulling or pushing
the altitude or azimuth slow motion handles.
Doing so may bend the worm shaft or even cause
the shaft ends to break off.
Quick Slewing Motion
Fine Motion and Tracking
Balancing the Optical Tube
Hint
Altitude HandleAltitude Handle
Azimuth HandleAzimuth Handle
10