{"product_id":"ioptron-8040","title":"iOptron MiniPier for CEM26, HEM27, GEM28 \u0026 HAE29 Mounts","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdds 5.5 inches of height to compatible mounts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrevents telescope and camera collisions with tripod legs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImproves stability by keeping tripod legs shorter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesigned for iOptron CEM26, HEM27, GEM28, and HAE29 mounts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnhances viewing comfort for long refractors\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 MiniPier for CEM26, HEM27, GEM28 \u0026amp; HAE29 Mounts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iOptron MiniPier provides a critical 5.5 inches of additional height for your CEM26, HEM27, GEM28, or HAE29 mount, creating the clearance needed to prevent your optical tube from colliding with the tripod legs. This solid extension is the most effective way to allow your telescope to track through the meridian and point near the zenith without interruption or risk of impact.\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\u003e5.5\" of Added Height: Eliminate Tripod Collisions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen imaging with longer optical tubes like refractors or Schmidt-Cassegrains with cameras and filter wheels attached, the risk of the equipment hitting a tripod leg is a constant concern. The MiniPier raises the entire mount head by 5.5\", moving the telescope's axis of rotation safely above the tripod structure. This allows for uninterrupted meridian flips and gives you the freedom to image objects directly overhead without having to re-orient your 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\u003eA More Stable Foundation for Your CEM26, HEM27, GEM28, or HAE29\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile extending tripod legs can add height, it often comes at the cost of rigidity, introducing flexure and vibrations. The MiniPier offers a more stable solution. By keeping your tripod legs shorter and more retracted—their most stable position—and adding height with this solid metal pier, you create a stiffer, more robust platform for astrophotography that is less susceptible to wind and ground vibrations.\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\"\u003eWhat is the primary benefit of the iOptron MiniPier for my GEM28 mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main benefit is \u003cstrong\u003epreventing your telescope or camera from colliding with the tripod legs\u003c\/strong\u003e, especially when pointing near the zenith or tracking across the meridian. The 5.5\" of added height provides crucial clearance for longer instruments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWill the MiniPier help when imaging near the zenith with a long refractor on my CEM26?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, absolutely. This is a primary use case for the MiniPier. A long refractor on a CEM26 is very likely to hit the tripod legs when aimed at objects high in the sky. The MiniPier provides the necessary clearance to avoid this, allowing for uninterrupted imaging sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the iOptron MiniPier more stable than just extending my tripod legs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. A tripod is most rigid when its legs are not fully extended. The MiniPier allows you to keep the tripod legs shorter and more stable while still achieving the necessary height, resulting in a setup with less flexure and better resistance to vibration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs this MiniPier compatible with mounts other than the CEM26, HEM27, GEM28, and HAE29?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, this MiniPier is specifically designed with the correct mounting bolt pattern and diameter for the iOptron \u003cstrong\u003eCEM26, HEM27, GEM28, and HAE29\u003c\/strong\u003e mounts. It is not intended for use with other mount models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use the iOptron MiniPier with a Celestron EdgeHD 8\" on an HAE29 mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. While an 8\" SCT is shorter than many refractors, adding a dew shield, camera, and filter wheel can create a long imaging train. The MiniPier provides extra insurance against the camera assembly hitting the tripod legs, giving you more flexibility in balancing the telescope and pointing it across the sky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eDoes the MiniPier improve viewing comfort with a refractor?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, by raising the mount head by 5.5\", the eyepiece of a refractor will be at a more comfortable height when the telescope is pointed at low to medium altitudes. This reduces the need to bend down or sit on the ground to look through the eyepiece.\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\u003eHeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eiOptron CEM26, HEM27, GEM28, HAE29 Mounts\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\"\u003eMiniPier for CEM26\/HEM27\/GEM28\/HAE29\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\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron_MinPier_Manual.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003csvg class=\"DAV-img-box\" viewbox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M0 64C0 28.7 28.7 0 64 0L224 0l0 128c0 17.7 14.3 32 32 32l128 0 0 144-208 0c-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64l0 144-48 0c-35.3 0-64-28.7-64-64L0 64zm384 64l-128 0L256 0 384 128zM176 352l32 0c30.9 0 56 25.1 56 56s-25.1 56-56 56l-16 0 0 32c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-48 0-80c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16zm32 80c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24s-10.7-24-24-24l-16 0 0 48 16 0zm96-80l32 0c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48l0 64c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48l-32 0c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16l0-128c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16zm32 128c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16l0-64c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16l-16 0 0 96 16 0zm80-112c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16l48 0c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16l-32 0 0 32 32 0c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16s-7.2 16-16 16l-32 0 0 48c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16s-16-7.2-16-16l0-64 0-64z\" fill=\"#0047a7\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eDownload Manual\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\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":52917297447197,"sku":"IOP-8040","price":139.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron-CEM26-HEM27-GEM28-HAE29-MiniPier-1_a7a852c0-1508-46e6-859e-48680f450549.jpg?v=1789142290","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/products\/ioptron-8040","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}