{"product_id":"ioptron-8457","title":"iOptron Counterweight Shaft Extension Bar for CEM26 \u0026 GEM28","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtends Counterweight Shaft Length\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesigned for iOptron CEM26 and GEM28 Mounts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnables Balancing of Heavier or Longer Telescopes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReduces the Need for Additional Heavy Counterweights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLowers Total System Weight for Increased Portability\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\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\u003eiOptron Counterweight Shaft Extension Bar for CEM26 \u0026amp; GEM28\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iOptron Counterweight Shaft Extension Bar is the official accessory for achieving optimal balance on your CEM26 or GEM28 mount when using larger or heavier optical tubes. By increasing the lever arm for your counterweights, this extension allows you to balance demanding payloads with fewer, lighter weights, preserving the portability of your CEM26 or GEM28 setup.\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\u003eIncrease Balancing Efficiency for iOptron CEM26 \u0026amp; GEM28 Mounts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis counterweight shaft extension addresses a common challenge in astrophotography: balancing a heavy imaging rig on a portable mount. Instead of adding more counterweights—and thus more total mass for the mount to carry—this bar uses the principle of leverage to make your existing weights more effective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBalance Heavier Telescopes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Securely balance longer refractors or Schmidt-Cassegrains equipped with heavy cameras and guide scopes, which would otherwise be impossible to balance on the standard shaft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduce Total System Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e By moving your counterweights further from the mount's axis, you can achieve equilibrium with less mass. This keeps your field setup lighter and easier to transport and assemble.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOfficial iOptron Design:\u003c\/strong\u003e As a genuine iOptron part, this extension bar guarantees perfect threading, a secure fit, and seamless integration with your CEM26 or GEM28 mount's counterweight shaft and safety stop.\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\"\u003eWhen do I need the iOptron Counterweight Shaft Extension for my CEM26 or GEM28 mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou need the extension bar when your telescope is too heavy to balance with your existing counterweights positioned at the very end of the standard shaft. This is a common issue when using physically long refractors or heavier telescopes like SCTs, especially with a full imaging train attached.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWill the CEM26\/GEM28 Extension Bar let me use fewer counterweights?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, in many cases. By increasing the distance of the counterweight from the mount's axis of rotation, it multiplies the balancing force (torque). This allows you to balance the same telescope with less counterweight mass, reducing the overall weight your mount has to carry and slew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eI'm trying to balance an 8\" SCT on my GEM28 mount for imaging. Is this extension bar the right solution?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, this is a perfect use case for the extension bar. An 8\" SCT with a camera, guide scope, and other accessories often requires more balancing torque than standard counterweights can provide on the default shaft. The CEM26\/GEM28 extension bar provides the extra leverage needed for a precise and secure balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use the CEM26\/GEM28 Extension Bar to balance a long 102mm refractor on my CEM26?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely. Long refractors create a significant moment arm that can be difficult to counteract. The extension bar is designed specifically for this situation, allowing you to properly balance the telescope's length and weight without having to purchase and transport extra-heavy counterweights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs this an official iOptron accessory for the CEM26 and GEM28?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, this is the official iOptron counterweight shaft extension manufactured specifically for the CEM26 and GEM28 series mounts. This ensures a perfect fit, correct threading, and safe, reliable operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the advantage of using the CEM26\/GEM28 Extension Bar versus just buying a heavier counterweight?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary advantage is reducing the total weight you need to transport and load onto your mount. While a heavier weight also achieves balance, the extension bar lets you do so with lighter weights you may already own. This makes your entire setup more portable and puts less total stress on the mount's motors and bearings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\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":52917276410141,"sku":"IOP-8457","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron-CEM26-GEM28-Ext-Bar-1_ef310102-8e39-46d0-8a00-b3f6fff71d96.jpg?v=1789141753","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/fr\/products\/ioptron-8457","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}