MiniPier for iOptron Small to Medium Mount

Elevate your telescope setup and enhance stability with this precision‑machined pier extension — designed specifically for small to medium computerized mounts. Whether for field use or semi‑fixed installations, the MiniPier adds the extra height and rigidity you need when you’re mounting heavier optical trains or struggling with clearance near tripod legs.

Key Features:

• Adds approximately 7″ (178 mm) of height above your tripod or base.
• Top plate diameter: 124 mm; bottom plate diameter: 134 mm, with three recessed holes for leveling accessories.
• Mass: ~4 lbs (≈1.8 kg). Compact footprint: ~8 × 7 × 5 inches.
• CNC‑machined metal construction for durability and vibration resistance.
• Versatile mounting compatibility: supports a wide range of iOptron small/medium GOTO mounts (e.g., CEM26/HEM27/GEM28/HAE29, CEM40/HAE43/HEM44/GEM45, SkyHunter, SkyGuider Pro) when paired with the right plate or adapter.
• Allows use of certain mount heads on tripods or supports they wouldn’t normally fit, by providing extra height and adjustable interface.

Why It’s Useful:

• When you’re using a longer optical tube or heavier imaging rig, clearance from the tripod or mount base can become a limiting factor. This pier extension gives you extra height so your scope, camera, filter wheel, etc., won’t hit tripod legs or banging into the mount’s base plate while slewing.
• Improves ergonomics: raising the mount slightly can also make viewing or imaging more comfortable (especially when seated or using heavier gear).
• Enhances stability by grouping the mount interface directly into a solid pier/extension rather than relying on fully‑extended tripod legs.
• Great for upgrading an existing tripod or mount without having to replace your entire support system — just insert the MiniPier between the tripod and mount head.

Typical Use Cases:

• You already own a small–medium weight computerized mount and want to run a larger refractor or imaging train, and you need a bit more height and stability.
• You’re doing field astrophotography and want a compact, transportable pier extension rather than a full fixed pier.
• You have clearance issues with your current tripod/Mount arrangement (e.g., the scope tube or accessories bump the legs during slewing near horizon/deep sky) and want to alleviate them.
• You plan to use a mount head on a different tripod or base than originally supplied — the MiniPier’s flexible mounting options help facilitate that.

Important Notes & Compatibility Tips:

• While the MiniPier makes many mount/tripod combinations possible, balance your setup carefully. Extra height = more leverage, so steady support and careful leveling become more critical.
• Verify the mounting holes and adapter interface match your tripod and mount head. The product description lists which mounts/tripods are compatible (and which are not) for that specific version.
• Even though this extension improves clearance, you still need to ensure your entire support (tripod, pier, mount) is suitably stable for your payload and imaging goals. The extension does not replace the need for proper tripod stiffening or pier anchoring.
• Be mindful of transport and setup: although the MiniPier is lightweight for what it is, it adds height and therefore slightly changes the center of gravity and may require more care when packing and leveling.