Eq6 pier extension - any good ?

[MarkInSpace]

Hi IISers
I have an NEQ6 and have recently run into trouble with the camera wanting to bump into the tripod legs.
I think the skywatcher pier extension would solve the problem- but is it ok with the standard tripod when used for photography?
Thoughts and alternatives appreciated...

[VPAstro]

Hi Mark, I use one on the standard tripod. I find it great, as I was having the same issue with my 10" newt coming close to the legs.
It does add a bit more weight to the rig when carrying it out (I have to set up each imaging session). The only issue I have found is that it can rotate at the base, even when you have it done up very tight. You have to remove the AZ pin from the top of the tripod and relocate it to the top of the pier. People on the net have come up with ways to deal with this, but I haven't worried about it.

[Merlin66]

Yeah,
It works very well.

[AstroApprentice]

Hi Mark,
I agree it’s a very heavy and solid extension. I found it a bit too long for my needs, so cut it in half and drilled some new holes for the adapter.

[Hemi]

I have it, and used it for a long while. It’s built solidly, and does the job it was intended to do. But I too found it far to easily rotated. It’s a bit of a design flaw, as there is no way of preventing it, without a mod. Sometime it would move just by manually moving the scope with slightly stiff clutches. I etched some alignment marks, so could rotate back to where it should be....fine for visual AZ, but not for eq. Messes up PA and goto model.

I got a pier eventually, so didn’t mod it and don’t use it now.

[Merlin66]

Hemi,
I can appreciate your comments.
My extension is held securely with a fixed centre bolt on the top of a pier.
If there is any tendency of the bottom plate to rotate I’d suggest adding a “ring” of fine emery paper between the bottom of the tube and the top of the tripod.
The centre bolt obviously must be tight, tight.

[Astronut07]

Hi All

I have similar pier extension but I made modifications to prevent slippage & easier transportation
I cut a piece out pier as can be seen ( a fellow astro club member suggested mod )
It has worked flawlessly for my setup
See image

Cheers

[Merlin66]

Ben,
Interesting.
How does it tighten the extension against the top of the tripod??

[Astronut07]

Ken

So there are the 3 hex bolts that hold the adapter plate to pier but the main spreader/ bolt it what holds pier to the tripod

If that makes sense.
I was going to make another adapter plate for a more secure connection between pier & tripod but need a lathe

[Zuts]

Testar offers the pier with a $100 modification. They install 3 grub screws which they say securely fasten the pier to the tripod and stop any rotation.

Cheers
Paul

[AstroApprentice]

A fix for extension rotation is described here:
https://www.siderealtrading.com.au/modifications/modifying-the-skywatcher-pier-extension/

[Merlin66]

Thanks for the link.
Looks like a good idea.