{"product_id":"ioptron-8459","title":"iOptron HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft \u0026 Adapter","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnables counterweight use on the iOptron HAZ46 mount\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImproves balance for heavy or long optical tubes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReduces strain on the strain wave drive system\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncreases tracking stability for astrophotography\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOfficial iOptron accessory for guaranteed fit\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\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\u003eHAZ46 Counterweight Shaft \u0026amp; Adapter\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlock the full potential of your iOptron HAZ46 mount with the HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft \u0026amp; Adapter. This essential accessory allows you to perfectly balance heavier or physically long telescope payloads, reducing strain on the harmonic drive and significantly improving tracking stability for critical imaging applications.\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\u003eBalancing Demanding Payloads on the iOptron HAZ46\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the iOptron HAZ46 mount is engineered for counterweight-free operation with many setups, large instruments like long-focal-length refractors or SCTs with heavy camera trains can exceed the mount's inherent balancing capacity. Adding a counterweight provides the necessary counterbalance to prevent undue stress on the drive gears, ensuring smoother, more precise tracking across the sky.\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\u003eFactory-Spec Design for Secure Integration\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a genuine iOptron accessory, the HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft \u0026amp; Adapter is designed to integrate seamlessly with your mount. The components provide a rigid, secure connection, eliminating any flexure or wobble that could compromise your imaging data. This ensures your entire setup remains stable and performs as a single, cohesive unit.\u003c\/p\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\"\u003eWhy would I need a counterweight for the HAZ46 mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrain wave gear mounts like the \u003cstrong\u003eiOptron HAZ46\u003c\/strong\u003e operate without counterweights for many payloads. However, for optical tubes that are particularly heavy or have a long moment arm (like a large refractor), adding a counterweight improves stability, reduces load on the drive motors, and can lead to more accurate tracking for long-exposure astrophotography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft necessary for imaging with my 8\" SCT?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt depends on your imaging train. An 8\" SCT by itself may not require it, but if you add a heavy cooled camera, filter wheel, and off-axis guider, the total weight and its distribution can create an imbalance. The \u003cstrong\u003eHAZ46 Counterweight Shaft\u003c\/strong\u003e allows you to perfectly balance this heavier configuration for optimal tracking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWill adding the HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft make my setup less portable?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, adding the shaft and one or more counterweights will increase the total weight of your setup. This is a direct trade-off for achieving better balance and stability with larger telescopes. The shaft itself is lightweight and can be easily removed for transport, but the counterweights themselves add significant mass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat counterweights fit the HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis shaft is designed to be compatible with standard iOptron counterweights. Please refer to your mount's documentation to ensure you select a counterweight with the correct bore diameter for the shaft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eI'm imaging with a 120mm f\/7 refractor on my HAZ46. Would this help?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely. A 120mm refractor, especially with a dew shield and a full imaging rig, creates a long moment arm. The \u003cstrong\u003eHAZ46 Counterweight Shaft \u0026amp; Adapter\u003c\/strong\u003e is highly recommended in this scenario to provide a stable, balanced platform, which is critical for achieving sharp, round stars during long exposures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eDoes the HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft \u0026amp; Adapter include the actual counterweights?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. This product includes only the counterweight shaft and the adapter needed to attach it to the HAZ46 mount. Counterweights must be purchased separately based on the needs of your specific telescope payload.\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eiOptron HAZ46 Strain Wave Gear Mount\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\"\u003eCounterweight Shaft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-subtitle\"\u003e× 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eMount Adapter\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\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/ioptron-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eiOptron Warranty Policy\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"iOptron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52917273723165,"sku":"IOP-8459","price":145.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron-HAZ46-Counterweight-Shaft-Adapter-1_fe986cef-b3de-4932-848d-9b9ab352710d.jpg?v=1789141676","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/fr-us\/products\/ioptron-8459","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}