Orion PARAGON 5370, PARAGON 5360 User Manual

Orion® Paragon™
Field Tripod & Fluid Pan Head
#5370 Paragon HD-F2 #5360 Paragon-Plus XHD
To use the rubber feet, thread the foot counterclockwise until it stops. In this position, the metal spike will be well recessed within the rubber. Be sure all three rubber feet are flat on the floor, not tipped sideways.
To expose the spike feet, thread the rubber foot clockwise until the spike protrudes from the rubber. In some instances you may wish to remove the rubber feet altogether so more of the metal spike is exposed. This can be done by just pull­ing the rubber feet off their anchors. They can be pressed on again at any time.
Adjusting the Tripod’s Stance
The Paragons have a very wide stance for enhanced stability. The widest stance is achieved when the tri-brace is as far down as it will go on the elevator shaft housing. The brace lock knob should be tightened to secure the stance.
If you are using the tripod in a confined space, the stance can be narrowed by loosening the tri-brace lock knob, and push­ing the legs closer together. The tri-brace will move up on the elevator shaft housing. Retighten the lock knob to secure the legs in the new position. Be aware that the tripod will become more “tippy” as its stance is narrowed. Be very careful when mounting an instrument with an unwieldy center of gravity on the tripod, especially if it is somewhat heavy.
Congratulations on your purchase of a quality Orion product. These sturdy aluminum tripods provide solid support for bin­oculars, small telescopes, still cameras, or video cameras. Designed for use either indoors or outdoors, the Paragons feature a smooth, two-way pan head and quick-release shoe for convenient operation.
To get the most from your new tripod, please take a few min­utes to read these instructions and operating tips. Refer to the labeled figure for the names of specific parts of the tripod.
Adjusting the Legs
Your Paragon tripod comes fully assembled. Note that each leg has two telescoping sections. To extend a leg, loosen the ridged helical lock knob by turning it counterclockwise, then extend the leg. When it has been extended to the desired length, turn the lock knob clockwise until tight. Before mount­ing an instrument on the tripod it is a good idea to press down on the pan head to make sure the legs are locked securely and will not give way under the instrument’s weight.
Dual Rubber/Spike Feet
The Paragons are equipped with dual-purpose feet that con­sist of a retractable rubber foot and a metal spike. The rubber feet are intended for use of the tripod indoors or on a smooth paved surface. The metal spikes are desirable for achieving a firm grip on soft surfaces.
Two-way pan head
Handle lock knob
Elevator shaft
Elevator hand crank
Quick release shoe
Pan head handle
Elevator lock knob
Elevator shaft housing
Brace lock knob
Tri-brace
Helical leg
lock knobs
Rubber feet
Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975
Customer Support (800) 676-1343 E-mail: support@telescope.com
Corporate Offices (831) 763-7000
89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076
IN 129 Rev. D 02/09
Approximate leveling of the tripod should suffice for use with binoculars or spotting scopes. For photographic use, the built-in bubble level aids in achieving more precise leveling.
Using the Fluid Pan Head
The Paragons feature a precision fluid-type pan head, which has a range of motion of 180° on the vertical axis and 360° on the horizontal axis. Both axes are equipped with a large tension-adjustment knob and a lock knob. The tension­adjustment knobs allow you to set the desired ease of motion for each axis.
Panning is easy using the pan head handle. Its angle rela­tive to the mount head is adjustable. Loosen the handle lock knob, then remove the handle from its sleeve completely. Reinsert the handle into the sleeve at the desired position and thread the lock knob back in until tight.
The removable mounting shoe allows quick attachment and removal of your instrument. The shoe has a 1/4"-20 threaded post and a ribbed mat, and is retained by a spring-loaded, quick-release lock lever. When mounting an optical instru­ment, you must first remove the shoe from the head by releasing the lock lever. Attach the shoe to the instrument, then replace the shoe on the head. Make certain the shoe is locked securely in place before releasing the instrument from your grip. It is recommended that the instrument be removed from the tripod for transportation.
It is possible to point an instrument at the zenith (straight up). This is especially useful when using the tripod for astronomi­cal observation. Instead of pushing the handle down to tilt the pan head up, tilt the pan head so that the handle points upward. This way the handle will not contact the tripod itself and hinder the tilt. You will have to rotate the instrument 180° on the pan head from its normal position to point it upward in this “reversed” way.
Raising and Lowering the Pan Head
To raise or lower the pan head, first loosen the elevator lock knob. Then use the hinged hand crank to move the aluminum rack-and-pinion elevator shaft up or down. Retighten the ele­vator lock knob to secure the instrument at the new height.
The elevator friction will need to be adjusted depending on the weight of the instrument on the tripod. To adjust the
elevator friction, rotate the elevator shaft housing with your hands. Rotating it clockwise will increase friction, and makes the elevator hand crank harder to turn. Rotating the elevator shaft housing counterclockwise reduces friction. The elevator friction should be adjusted so that the pan head maintains its position and the hand crank is easy to turn.
General Care and Cleaning
When using the tripod in direct sunlight, be aware that its black anodized surface can become hot. If the tripod is used in wet conditions, dry it completely with a soft cloth after use. Clean the tripod with mild detergent and a soft cloth.
Specifications:
Paragon HD-F2 Paragon XHD
Height fully extended: 69-1/2" 66"
Height folded: 31-1/2" 34-3/4"
Elevator travel: 13-1/2" 10-3/4"
Rotation axes: two two
Weight: 7.5 lbs. 9 lbs.
Suggested Accessories
Orion Precision Slow-Motion Adapter
Attach this adapter to the tripod pan head to add micro­motion altitude and azimuth control. Very useful for fine terrestrial panning or for manually tracking celestial objects with binoculars or spotting scopes. Built-in 1/4"-20 threaded socket for attachment to tripod; has 1/4"-20 threaded post for attachment of instrument.
#7033
Soft Case for Paragon HD-F2 Tripod
Highly recommended for protection, storage, and convenient transport of the Paragon Tripod. Made of heavy polyester stock and fully padded, this case has strap handles and an adjustable-length shoulder strap. Full zipper access. Navy with black trim. Does not fit Paragon-Plus XHD.
#15167
One-Year Limited Warranty
This Orion Paragon HD-F2 or Paragon-Plus XHD Tripod is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit 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 to: Orion Warranty Repair, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076. If the product is not registered, proof of purchase (such as a copy of the original invoice) is required.
This warranty does not apply if, in Orion’s judgment, the instrument has been abused, mishandled, or modified, nor does it apply to normal wear and tear. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state. For further warranty service information, contact: Customer Service Department, Orion Telescopes & Binoculars, 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076; (800) 676-1343.
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