{"product_id":"ioptron-8032pt","title":"iOptron Pier Top Plate","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdapts select iOptron mounts to piers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-metal construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRequires modification for some mount\/pier combinations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePre-threaded mounting holes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- more --\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFAQ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDownloads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section-center\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePier Top Plate\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Pier Top Plate is intended to adapt iOptron mounts to various piers; however, for use with the iOptron GEM45 mount, user modification is required as of September 20, 2023. This plate is a component for custom mounting solutions and is not a direct, bolt-on fit for all combinations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Note on Compatibility: Machining Required for GEM45 Mounts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis adapter plate features threaded mounting holes. Certain iOptron piers, such as the Tri-Pier, also have threaded holes for attaching the mount. To successfully mate the Pier Top Plate to such a pier for use with a GEM45, you must drill out the threads on the plate to create smooth, unthreaded through-holes, allowing bolts to pass through the plate and secure into the pier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRequired Modification:\u003c\/strong\u003e The plate's threaded holes must be drilled out to a smooth bore to work with piers that also have threaded mounting holes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntended User:\u003c\/strong\u003e This product is for observers comfortable with performing minor machining to achieve a custom fit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck Your Pier:\u003c\/strong\u003e Before purchasing, verify the mounting hole style on your pier. If your pier requires bolts to pass through the adapter plate, be prepared to modify this plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the purpose of this Pier Top Plate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Pier Top Plate is designed as an adapter to connect an equatorial mount head to a pier. It is a utility component intended for creating a secure, custom-fit connection between specific mounts and piers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat specific modification is needed to use this Pier Top Plate with a GEM45 mount on a Tri-Pier?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo use this plate with a \u003cstrong\u003eGEM45 mount\u003c\/strong\u003e and an iOptron Tri-Pier, you will need to drill out the threads in the plate's mounting holes. This creates a smooth through-hole, allowing you to pass a bolt through the plate and tighten it into the existing threads on the pier itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWill this Pier Top Plate work with my iOptron GEM45 out of the box?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. As of late 2023, direct use with a \u003cstrong\u003eGEM45 mount\u003c\/strong\u003e on certain piers requires modification. The plate is supplied with threaded holes, which may conflict with the threaded holes on your pier, necessitating the user to drill them out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhy do the holes on the Pier Top Plate need to be drilled out for some applications?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standard mounting system involves a bolt passing through a smooth hole in one component and threading into a tapped (threaded) hole in the other. If both this plate and your pier have threaded holes, a bolt cannot pass through. Drilling out the plate's threads removes this obstruction and allows for a secure connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat tools are required for modifying this Pier Top Plate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will need a drill bit correctly sized for the bolts you intend to use, a drill or drill press, and appropriate safety equipment. Depending on the bolt heads used, you may also need a countersink bit to ensure the bolts sit flush with the plate's surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs this Pier Top Plate compatible with mounts other than the GEM45?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompatibility with other mounts is not guaranteed and depends entirely on the hole pattern of the mount and the pier. This plate should be considered a semi-finished component for custom projects. Always measure your mount's bolt pattern before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility Note\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRequires some machining for the GEM45 (as of September 20, 2023)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003ePier Top Plate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-subtitle\"\u003e× 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo downloads are available for this product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/ioptron-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eiOptron 2-Year Limited Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"iOptron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52917296890141,"sku":"IOP-8032PT","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron-Pier-Top-Plate-1-8032PT_c8ac10b9-adbe-4928-a9c2-76553e452ff3.jpg?v=1789142259","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/fr-us\/products\/ioptron-8032pt","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}