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iOptron MiniPier for iOptron Small to Medium Mount

iOptron MiniPier for iOptron Small to Medium Mount

par iOptron
UGC IOP-8044
CA$265.00 - CA$265.00
CA$265.00
CA$265.00 - CA$265.00
CA$265.00
Égalisation de prix!
  • Adds crucial height between the tripod and mount head
  • Prevents long telescope tubes from striking the tripod legs
  • Improves stability and reduces vibrations compared to fully extended tripod legs
  • Enables uninterrupted imaging across the meridian
  • Designed for iOptron's small to medium equatorial and AZ mounts
1 en stock
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • MiniPier for iOptron Small to Medium Mount

    The iOptron MiniPier is a robust, all-metal extension that provides essential clearance between your telescope and tripod. It is the definitive solution for preventing your optical tube from colliding with the tripod legs when slewing to or tracking through the zenith. This simple upgrade enhances stability, enables more comfortable viewing positions, and allows for uninterrupted imaging sequences with longer instruments like refractors and Schmidt-Cassegrains.

    Prevent OTA Collisions: Zenith Access for Longer Telescopes

    When using a long optical tube, pointing your telescope near the zenith can lead to a physical collision with the tripod legs, risking damage to your equipment and ruining an astrophotography sequence. The iOptron MiniPier raises the entire mount head, creating the space needed for the telescope to swing freely overhead. This makes it an indispensable accessory for imagers and visual observers using refractors or SCTs with dew shields, ensuring you can access any part of the sky without worry.

    Solid Foundation: A More Stable Alternative to Extended Tripod Legs

    While extending your tripod legs can also add height, it comes at the cost of rigidity, introducing flexure and vibrations that degrade pointing accuracy and image sharpness. The MiniPier offers a far more stable solution. By keeping the tripod legs at their strongest, retracted position and adding height via a solid metal column, you create a much stiffer platform for your mount, resulting in better tracking and quicker damping times after focusing or wind gusts.

  • Which iOptron mounts is the MiniPier designed for?

    The MiniPier is designed for iOptron's range of small to medium mounts. This typically includes popular models like the GEM28, CEM26, HEM27, SkyHunter, and SkyGuider Pro, but you should always confirm compatibility with your specific mount and tripod combination.

    Will the iOptron MiniPier help with my 102mm refractor hitting the tripod legs?

    Yes, absolutely. A 102mm refractor is a perfect example of an instrument that benefits from the MiniPier. It solves the common problem of the longer optical tube colliding with the tripod when tracking objects high in the sky, especially after a meridian flip.

    Is using the iOptron MiniPier more stable than just extending my tripod legs?

    Yes. A solid pier extension provides a much more rigid and stable platform than fully extended, slender tripod legs. By using the MiniPier, you can keep your tripod at its most stable (lower) configuration while still getting the height you need, which reduces vibrations and improves tracking.

    Do I need the MiniPier for a short telescope like a RedCat 51?

    For a very short, compact telescope like a RedCat 51, a MiniPier is generally not necessary for collision avoidance. These shorter optical tubes rarely have issues clearing the tripod legs. However, some users may still prefer the added height for more comfortable visual observing.

    How does the iOptron MiniPier improve my astrophotography sessions?

    The MiniPier improves astrophotography in two key ways:

    • Uninterrupted Imaging: It prevents the telescope from striking the tripod, which is critical for automated sequences that track an object for hours across the meridian.
    • Improved Stability: The increased rigidity over extended tripod legs leads to better guiding and sharper stars by minimizing wind and ground vibrations.

    Is the iOptron MiniPier difficult to install?

    No, installation is typically very straightforward. The MiniPier is designed to sit directly between your tripod and your mount head, using the standard attachment bolts that come with your equipment. No special tools are required.

  • iOptron 2-Year Limited Warranty