[jase (Jason)]

Other than balancing heavier equipment, I don't see any major benefits. If there were, I'm sure mount manufacturers would make them longer.

Let’s take Bisque and Astro-physics for example. Both make some impressive (to say the least) mounts. At present both present CW shaft extensions as optional add-ons.

http://www.astro-physics.com/product...es.htm#m12601c

https://www.bisque.com/help/paramoun...ght_shafts.htm

There are other mount manufacturers that have similar options.

Comes back to personal preference - add heavier weights to a "standard" shaft or extend the shaft and use the original weights (just further down the shaft). The net affect is the same.