Paragon XHD tripod questionPosted By Joseph Dudziuk |
Hi Darian,
I have both models of the paragon tripods, the HD-F2 & the XHD. The XHD is quite good and solid. The head is actually the weak link IMHO. If you're only gonna use it for terrestrial spotting, where you'll mainly be panning left-right(Azimuth), with the scope fairly level, then it should suffice. For pointing the scope up at the night sky it probably won't be that good, especially with a narrow FoV of a Mak.
On my XHD I actually removed the head and replaced it with a Universal Astronomics microstar, alt-az, mount. With this combo, I mount either my Orion 80ED or my AT-66ED. I have been able to use magnifications of over 200X with the 80ED, even on my second story, wooden deck. Vibration suppression pads make a notable improvement on the deck. Set up on the ground, I probably wouldn't need the VS pads at all.
At the current sale price from Orion, or as a "2nd", it is a great deal, and it doesn't seem as painful, economically, to replace the head.
Take care,
Joe
I have both models of the paragon tripods, the HD-F2 & the XHD. The XHD is quite good and solid. The head is actually the weak link IMHO. If you're only gonna use it for terrestrial spotting, where you'll mainly be panning left-right(Azimuth), with the scope fairly level, then it should suffice. For pointing the scope up at the night sky it probably won't be that good, especially with a narrow FoV of a Mak.
On my XHD I actually removed the head and replaced it with a Universal Astronomics microstar, alt-az, mount. With this combo, I mount either my Orion 80ED or my AT-66ED. I have been able to use magnifications of over 200X with the 80ED, even on my second story, wooden deck. Vibration suppression pads make a notable improvement on the deck. Set up on the ground, I probably wouldn't need the VS pads at all.
At the current sale price from Orion, or as a "2nd", it is a great deal, and it doesn't seem as painful, economically, to replace the head.
Take care,
Joe
