Do I need the ZWO pier extension for my AM3 or AM5 mount?

If you use a refractor, especially one with a focal length over 600mm, or have a long imaging train, the pier extension is highly recommended. It prevents your telescope or camera from colliding with the tripod legs when pointed near the zenith.

Will the ZWO 160mm pier extension fit other mounts or tripods?

No, this pier extension is specifically designed for the ZWO AM Series mounts and the ZWO carbon fiber tripod. It uses a proprietary bolt pattern and is not compatible with other brands of mounts or tripods.

Does adding the pier extension reduce the stability of the mount?

When correctly installed, the extension adds minimal flexure and has a negligible effect on stability for most imaging loads. It is machined from aircraft-grade aluminum to maintain rigidity. Raising the center of gravity can make the setup more susceptible to strong wind gusts, which is a normal trade-off for any pier.

Can I stack two ZWO pier extensions for more height?

ZWO does not recommend stacking pier extensions. Doing so could compromise the stability of the mount system and introduce significant flexure and vibration, which would negatively impact guiding performance.

How much height does the ZWO pier extension add?

The ZWO pier extension adds exactly 160mm, or approximately 6.3 inches, of height between the top of the tripod and the base of the mount head.

ZWO 160mm Pier Extension

by ZWO

SKU ZWO-PE160

$99.00 - $99.00

$99.00

$99.00 - $99.00

$99.00

Price Match Policy!

160mm (6.3") Height Extension
Prevents OTA Collision with Tripod Legs
Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Construction
Hollow Design for Reduced Weight
Compatible with ZWO AM3 and AM5 Mounts, and Carbon Fiber Tripod

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ZWO 160mm Pier Extension for the AM5 Mount

The ZWO 160mm Pier Extension for the ZWO AM Series mouts is the factory-designed solution to a single, critical problem: giving your long refractor the clearance it needs to slew past the zenith without colliding with your tripod legs. It's a simple, robust component built to solve a common point of mechanical interference for imagers, especially those operating at higher latitudes where the mount's position is naturally lower.

This extension isn't an optional accessory for many setups; it's the enabling component that unlocks the full tracking potential of your AM3/AM5 mount. By raising the mount head a full 160mm (6.3 inches), it creates the physical space required for longer optical tubes to track objects high overhead, eliminating the risk of a catastrophic impact and a ruined night of imaging. For refractors longer than 600mm focal length, this clearance becomes essential for meridian flips and tracking targets through their highest point in the sky.

Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Body for Rigid Support

The core of the extension is a single-piece, hollow cylinder machined from aircraft-grade aluminum. This material choice provides a high stiffness-to-weight ratio, ensuring that the 160mm of added height does not introduce flexure or vibration into your imaging system. The result is a stable platform that feels like a direct extension of the tripod itself, not an afterthought.

This rigidity is critical for long-exposure astrophotography. Any flex in the pier would translate directly into trailed stars and lost sub-exposures. ZWO's engineering ensures the pier can handle the full payload capacity of the AM5 without compromising the mount's tracking accuracy, even when loaded with a heavy optical tube and imaging train.

Precision-Mated Mounting Flanges

The pier extension features precisely machined top and bottom flanges that mate perfectly with the ZWO AM3/AM5 mount head and the ZWO carbon fiber tripod. This is not a universal-fit component; it is designed as part of an integrated system. The bolt patterns and contact surfaces ensure a flush, secure connection that prevents any twisting or shifting under load.

This system integration eliminates a common source of tracking error found in mismatched setups. By using the factory-designed extension, you maintain the mechanical integrity of the entire mount assembly, from the tripod feet to the dovetail saddle. This ensures that the mount's periodic error and guiding performance are not degraded by a weak link in the mechanical chain.

Hollow Design for Portability

While rigidity is paramount, ZWO designed the pier extension with portability in mind. The hollow construction significantly reduces the overall weight, making it an easy addition to a grab-and-go AM3/AM5 setup. Weighing just 1kg (2.2 lbs), it adds minimal burden to your field kit while providing a massive improvement in functionality.

The only trade-off for this lightweight design is the potential for resonance in extremely windy conditions, a common characteristic of any pier extension. However, for the vast majority of imaging nights, its performance is indistinguishable from a solid pier, while being far easier to transport and set up.

Unlocking Uninterrupted Imaging

Imagine tracking the Cygnus Loop high overhead with your 80mm triplet refractor. Without the extension, your imaging software might halt the sequence as the camera and filter wheel approach the tripod legs. With the 160mm Pier Extension installed, your system can complete the meridian flip and continue tracking seamlessly, allowing you to capture hours of uninterrupted data on a single target as it transits the best part of the night sky.

This is the practical, in-field benefit of the pier extension. It removes a major source of anxiety and operational planning, letting you focus on your target rather than the physical limitations of your equipment. For any AM5 owner with a refractor or a Cassegrain with a long imaging train, this extension is a fundamental component for reliable, all-sky imaging.
Do I need the ZWO pier extension for my AM3 or AM5 mount?

If you use a refractor, especially one with a focal length over 600mm, or have a long imaging train, the pier extension is highly recommended. It prevents your telescope or camera from colliding with the tripod legs when pointed near the zenith.

Will the ZWO 160mm pier extension fit other mounts or tripods?

No, this pier extension is specifically designed for the ZWO AM Series mounts and the ZWO carbon fiber tripod. It uses a proprietary bolt pattern and is not compatible with other brands of mounts or tripods.

Does adding the pier extension reduce the stability of the mount?

When correctly installed, the extension adds minimal flexure and has a negligible effect on stability for most imaging loads. It is machined from aircraft-grade aluminum to maintain rigidity. Raising the center of gravity can make the setup more susceptible to strong wind gusts, which is a normal trade-off for any pier.

Can I stack two ZWO pier extensions for more height?

ZWO does not recommend stacking pier extensions. Doing so could compromise the stability of the mount system and introduce significant flexure and vibration, which would negatively impact guiding performance.

How much height does the ZWO pier extension add?

The ZWO pier extension adds exactly 160mm, or approximately 6.3 inches, of height between the top of the tripod and the base of the mount head.

Height	160mm (6.3")
Diameter	124mm
Weight	1kg (2.2 lbs)
Material	Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Alloy
Mount Compatibility	ZWO AM5 Harmonic Equatorial Mount
Tripod Compatibility	ZWO TC40 Carbon Fiber Tripod

- M6 Socket Head Cap Screw
  
  × 6
- Pillar
  
  × 3
- Upper Plate
  
  × 1
- Bottom Plate
  
  × 1
- Hex Wrench
  
  × 1
- Quick Guide
  
  × 1
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