{"product_id":"ioptron-8032pt-az","title":"iOptron Pier Top Plate for AZMP\/MT Mounts","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdapts iOptron AZMP and MT mounts to compatible piers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolid metal construction for stable, secure mounting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePre-drilled and threaded for AZMP\/MT bolt patterns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan be modified to fit GEM45 mounts\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\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\u003eiOptron Pier Top Plate for AZMP\/MT Mounts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThis iOptron Pier Top Plate provides the factory-intended connection between an iOptron AZMP or MT series mount and a compatible pier, such as the iOptron Tri-Pier. For these specific mounts, the plate serves as a direct, bolt-on adapter. Note that adapting this plate for use with a GEM45 mount requires significant user modification, including drilling and countersinking the mounting holes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eDirect Fit for iOptron AZMP \u0026amp; MT Mounts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThis plate is engineered as the standard adapter for iOptron's AZMP and MT mount heads. The hole pattern and threads are machined to align directly with the base of these mounts, creating a secure, stable platform without any modification. If you own an AZMP or MT mount, this is the correct component for pier installation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eRequired Machining for GEM45 Mounts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eWhile this plate can be used to attach a GEM45 mount to a pier, it is not a drop-in solution. The mounting holes on the plate are threaded, but the corresponding holes on piers like the Tri-Pier are also threaded. To achieve a secure connection, you must drill out the threads on the plate and countersink the holes so that flat-head bolts can sit flush with the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThis modification is a common DIY project for users wanting to adapt this hardware, but it requires access to a drill press, the correct drill bits, and a countersink bit. This is not a manufacturing defect; it is a known requirement when using this plate outside of its primary design for AZMP\/MT mounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat mounts is the iOptron Pier Top Plate designed for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThis Pier Top Plate is specifically designed for a direct, bolt-on fit with \u003cstrong\u003eiOptron AZMP\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eiOptron MT series\u003c\/strong\u003e mounts. For these models, no modification is necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use this Pier Top Plate with an iOptron GEM45 mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYes, but it requires user modification. The plate's threaded holes must be drilled out to a smooth bore and then countersunk to accept mounting bolts. It is not a direct fit for the GEM45 out of the box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat tools are needed to modify the Pier Top Plate for a GEM45?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYou will need a drill or drill press, an appropriately sized drill bit to remove the existing threads (e.g., 8mm for M8 threads), and a countersink bit. This ensures the bolts that fasten the plate to the pier can sit flush or below the top surface, allowing the mount to sit flat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhy do the holes on this 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\u003eThe plate is designed with threaded holes for the AZMP\/MT mounting system. However, many piers also have threaded holes. You cannot fasten a bolt through two sets of threaded holes. The modification involves removing the threads from the plate, turning it into a pass-through, so that a bolt can engage the threads in the pier itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs this the correct plate for attaching a GEM45 to an iOptron Tri-Pier?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eWhile it can be made to work with the modifications described, iOptron may offer a different adapter plate specifically for the GEM45 that would not require machining. This plate is the correct part for AZMP\/MT mounts, but for a GEM45, it should be considered a \"DIY\" solution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eDoes the Pier Top Plate come with mounting hardware?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eMounting hardware is typically not included. You will need to source the correct bolts for your specific mount and pier combination. For a modified GEM45 installation, this would likely involve flat-head machine screws of the appropriate thread and length for your pier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n  \u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNote\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRequires some machining for the GEM45\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\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\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":52917281325341,"sku":"IOP-8032PT-AZ","price":98.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron-Pier-Top-Plate-1_49864305-7385-478e-be8a-6f38ebe4a6e2.jpg?v=1789141829","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/fr\/products\/ioptron-8032pt-az","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}