Stock photos provided by the manufacturers may not represent the actual item. Please verify this picture accurately reflects the product described by the title and description before you place your order.
Advanced Telescope Systems portable telescope piers meet the exacting requirement of a rigid base for your observing platform while being very portable, extremely solid, easily leveled and impervious to all weather.
Attaching a precision and expensive equatorial head and optical system to a shaky tripod degrades the performance of both the optical and guidance systems. Piers manufactured by Advanced Telescope Systems are designed for portability and yet maintain the rigidity required for a quality observing experience. Our piers are easy to transport, easy to set-up, easily leveled and impervious to weather. All of these features allow the portable piers to maintain their usability and quality for many years.
Total pier height is calculated from the ground to the top of the pier in set-up mode. Pier adapters are not included in the price. Custom pier adapters are available for an additional fee depending on the machining required. Prices do not include shipping, handling, or any applicable taxes. All prices are in U.S. Dollars.
* The portable telescope pier contains no parts which will rust when exposed to weather. All machined parts are constructed of high quality 6061 aluminum and powder paint treated for a durable and attractive finish.
* All bolts and screws are stainless steel.
* The telescope pier tube assembly is secured on both ends with aluminum plates to eliminate vibration effects. The primary leg attachment blocks are welded firmly to the pier tube for improved stability.
* Piers of 8" OD are made with 0.125 inch wall (thickness) aluminum tubing. Piers of 10" and 12" OD are made with 0.25 inch wall tubing. Piers of 8" OD can be made with 0.25 inch wall tubing for an additional $100 charge.
* Pier legs are constructed of square tubing and are TIG welded together for improved strength and rigidity. Fold down legs provide for easy transport to remote locations. No tools are required for set-up. Foot pads are available in aluminum or hard rubber, per customer request.
* Turnbuckle adjusters between the pier base and legs provide for precise leveling adjustments on uneven terrain.
* Telescope pier adapters are rigidly constructed to insure a solid connection in the critical junction between pier tube top and mount. Available adapters include Meade, Celestron, Losmandy, Paramount, Astro-Physics, Takahashi and other mount manufacturers. Custom adapters available. Pier adapters are not included in the pier pricing.
* Weight of the portable telescope pier ranges between 30 and 70 pounds depending on the pier diameter and height. All telescope piers come standard with a balanced carrying handle to facilitate easy carrying.
* Custom pier heights are available upon request.
* For added weather protection, a clear polyurethane coating is available for an additional $100 per pier.
Portable Telescope Pier Specifications
8 Inch O D Pier |
30"
|
36"
|
42"
|
48"
|
54"
|
60"
|
Height Closed (inches) |
36
|
42
|
48
|
54
|
60
|
66
|
Foot Radius (inches) |
21
|
22
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
Load Rating (pounds) |
350
|
350
|
350
|
350
|
350
|
350
|
Weight (pounds) |
26
|
30
|
34
|
38
|
42
|
46
|
10 Inch O D Pier |
30"
|
36"
|
42"
|
48"
|
54"
|
60"
|
Height Closed (inches) |
39
|
42
|
48
|
54
|
60
|
66
|
Foot Radius (inches) |
21
|
23
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
Load Rating (pounds) |
550
|
550
|
550
|
550
|
550
|
550
|
Weight (pounds) |
34
|
38
|
42
|
46
|
50
|
54
|
12 Inch O D Pier | Custom Built |
Portable Telescope Pier Pricing
Pier Height |
30"
|
36"
|
42"
|
48"
|
54"
|
60"
|
8" Pier O D |
$2,095
|
$2,195
|
$2,295
|
$2,395
|
$2,495
|
$2,595
|
10" Pier O D |
$2,295
|
$2,395
|
$2,495
|
$2,595
|
$2,695
|
$2,795
|
12" Pier O D |
$2,495
|
$2,595
|
$2,695
|
$2,795
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Shipping Rates and Information
Pier |
Shipping Cost
|
Weight
|
8" OD Piers |
$180.00
|
35-60 lbs.
|
10" OD Piers |
$210.00
|
50-75 lbs.
|
12" OP Piers |
$225.00
|
50-75 lbs
|
Total pier height is calculated from the ground to the top of the pier in set-up mode. Pier adapters are not included in the above prices. Custom pier adapters are available for an additional fee depending on the machining required. Prices do not include shipping, handling, or any applicable taxes. All prices are in U.S. Dollars.
Manufacturer Pier Recommendations
8" Tube Diameter (Maximum Load = 350 Lb.)
Mountain Instruments - MI 250 GoTo (MI adapter)
Losmandy - GM-8 or G-11 Mounting (Losmandy adapter)
Losmandy - Titan Mounting (Losmandy adapter)
Astro-Physics - AP 900GTO Mounting (AP adapter)Meade - LX200 Mounting - 8" to 12" (ATS adapter)
Orion Atlas
Meade - LX90 Mounting (ATS adapter)
Meade - LXD 650 and LXD 750 Mountings (ATS adapter)
Celestron CGE Mountings (ATS adapter)
Celestron Nexstar 8 & 9.25
Parks Optical 10" and 12.5" GEM
Takahashi NJP (ATS adapter)
Takahashi EM-200 & EM-400 (ATS adapter)
10Micron - GM2000 (ATS adapter)
10" Tube Diameter (Maximum Load = 550 Lb.)
Astro-Physics - AP 1200GTO Mounting (AP adapter)
Software Bisque - Paramount 1000 (ATS adapter)
Software Bisque - Paramount 1000S (ATS adapter)
Meade - LX200 - 16" (ATS adapter)Mathis MI-500 (Mathis adapter)
Parks Optical 16" GEM
10Micron - GM4000 (ATS adapter)
12" Tube Diameter (Maximum Load = 700 Lb.)
Meade MAX mounting (ATS adapter)
Astro-Physics 3600GTO (ATS adapter)
Large Equatorial Mounting - Base Plate Larger than 10"
(Custom ATS adapter required)
Standard Colors
Astro-Physics Creme: The off-white color match used on their quality mounts.
Gloss Black: Slick, clean, and ultra-dark.
Stardust Silver: Contrast compromise, offered in smooth or textured.
Alternate Colors
Silver Flake: A fantastic metallic, that shines in the sun with a lightly-glittered look. This choice require a clear overcoat ($100).
Meade Blue: The dark blue color match to their LX series telescopes.
Tinfoil Silver: The shade of gray that matches the Mathis mounts. This choice requires a custom color charge ($100).