{"product_id":"ioptron-8607","title":"iOptron Cube Counterweight shaft","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e150mm (5.9 in.) Length\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e19mm (0.74 in.) Diameter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eM14 Female Thread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 11 oz\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\u003eCube Counterweight shaft\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 150 mm (5.9 in.) long counterweight shaft is the essential accessory for properly balancing telescope setups on Cube-style alt-azimuth mounts. With a standard 19 mm (0.74 in.) diameter, it accepts common small counterweights and attaches securely to the mount head via its M14 female thread. The shaft itself weighs only 11 oz, adding minimal dead weight to your system before you add the counterweights needed for smooth, precise tracking.\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\u003eBalance Your Cube Mount: The 150mm Counterweight Shaft\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you add a camera, a heavy eyepiece, or a larger-than-stock telescope to a Cube mount, the system's balance point shifts. This shaft provides the necessary extension to attach counterweights, offsetting the primary payload. The 150 mm length creates sufficient leverage to balance typical instruments used on these mounts, preventing motor strain and improving GoTo accuracy.\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\u003eCompatibility Check: 19mm Diameter and M14 Thread\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis shaft is engineered to specific mechanical standards for a secure fit. The M14 female thread is designed to screw directly onto the corresponding male thread on compatible Cube mount heads. Its 19 mm diameter is a common standard for smaller counterweights, ensuring you can easily find weights to fit.\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 purpose of the Cube Counterweight shaft?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cube Counterweight shaft allows you to add counterweights to a Cube-style mount. This is critical for balancing the telescope, especially after adding heavier accessories like a DSLR camera or a large 2\" eyepiece. Proper balance reduces strain on the mount's motors and gears, resulting in smoother tracking and more accurate GoTo slewing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow do I know if this counterweight shaft will fit my mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most important specification to check is the thread. This shaft uses an \u003cstrong\u003eM14 female thread\u003c\/strong\u003e. Your mount must have a corresponding M14 male threaded post for this shaft to attach correctly. Please verify your mount's specifications before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat size counterweights fit on this 19mm shaft?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis shaft has a \u003cstrong\u003ediameter of 19 mm (0.74 in.)\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is compatible with any counterweight that has a center bore slightly larger than 19 mm. These are common sizes for smaller mounts and star trackers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eI have a 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain on my Cube mount. Do I need this counterweight shaft?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt depends on how you are using it. For visual use with standard 1.25\" eyepieces, a 90mm Maksutov is usually light enough not to require counterweights. However, if you add a heavy 2\" diagonal, a large eyepiece, or a camera to the back, the scope will become back-heavy. In that scenario, this 150 mm shaft and a small counterweight would be necessary to restore balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use the Cube Counterweight shaft to balance a short-tube 80mm refractor with a camera?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, this is an ideal use case. An 80mm refractor, especially with a field flattener and DSLR or dedicated astronomy camera attached, creates a significant load that must be balanced. The 150 mm length of this shaft provides the leverage needed to offset that kind of imaging payload, ensuring your mount can track smoothly for astrophotography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow much total weight can the Cube Counterweight shaft hold?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shaft itself is made of solid metal and is very strong. However, the total counterweight capacity is determined by your mount's payload rating, not the shaft itself. Always refer to your mount's manual for its maximum payload capacity and ensure your combined telescope and counterweight load does not exceed it.\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\u003eDiameter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e19 mm (0.74 in.)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLength\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 mm (5.9 in.)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThread\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM14 (female)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 oz\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\"\u003eCube Counterweight Shaft\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\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":52917303083293,"sku":"IOP-8607","price":39.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron-Cube-Counterweight-shaft-1_7fa79336-dab8-4c5f-af6f-53f6de728e47.jpg?v=1789142382","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/products\/ioptron-8607","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}