I like mine and Norm is pretty good about replacing incidentals or adjusting the vice as you require. The auto-bobbin is what I love the most though. I'm sending my vice in soon to get it upgraded to the adjustable. I don't see why the vice is hard to travel with either.... I bought the travel case and it fits nicely into it and I just keep it on the travel base at all times anyways.
I even inquired about a parachute post and voila... he makes one that fits right onto the vice now...