26 replies to this topic

[Oldfracguy]

I just saw that Agena is now carrying that Sky-Watcher 8" Pier Extension column that fits a variety of Sky-Watcher mounts and tripods, as well as the Celestron Omni CG-4, old CG-5, and the old Orion SkyView Pro and Vixen GP mounts:

 

https://agenaastro.c...-extension.html

 

Before we had to purchase these from either FLO in the UK or TS in Germany.

 

Here is what one looks like in operation:

 

Edited by Oldfracguy, 20 March 2025 - 12:42 PM.

[kgb]

Yes. Wonder why they went with the 8” instead of the 16”?

[emflocater]

I just saw that Agena is now carrying that Sky-Watcher 8" Pier Extension column that fits a variety of Sky-Watcher mounts and tripods, as well as the Celestron Omni CG-4, old CG-5, and the old Orion SkyView Pro and Vixen GP mounts:

 

https://agenaastro.c...-extension.html

 

Before we had to purchase these from either FLO in the UK or TS in Germany.

 

Here is what one looks like in operation:

 

101_2820.JPG

Will it fit the CG5-ASGT Mount without any modifications...need 100% confirmation?

 

Cheers

Don

[Refractor6]

  Looks to me like a good match to a EQ6 type mount. Can't imagine due to the width, height and length of the post pictured working for something like my 2 old EQ5 mounts.

Edited by Refractor6, 21 March 2025 - 11:31 AM.

[Refractor6]

  Here's pictures and measurements of the post and such on the tripod hub for a EQ5 type mount in this old CN thread. Looks very similar but not an exact match to my 2 and they are in black:

 

https://www.cloudyni...watcher-az-gti/

 

 Given this information looks to me this extension's not a match for a EQ5 hub....  thoughts from others?

 

 

[Oldfracguy]

  Looks to me like a good match to a EQ6 type mount. Can't imaging due to the width, height and length of the post pictured working for something like my 2 old EQ5 mounts.

It won't fit the EQ6 mount.  You need this pier extension:

 

https://agenaastro.c...ion-s30102.html

[Oldfracguy]

Will it fit the CG5-ASGT Mount without any modifications...need 100% confirmation?

 

Cheers

Don

Here is the top of a CG-5 tripod:

 

 

 

The width across the top of the tripod is 5-1/8" (green arrow).

The width across the inner recessed area is 62 mm, or 2-17/16" (orange arrow).

The distance from the M10x1.5 center bolt to the GEM polar alignment pin is 1.5" (yellow arrow).

 

Note that the AVX mount uses the same tripod as the CG-5, but the GEM polar alignment pin on the AVX tripod is way out at the edge, so these SW Pier Extensions that fit the CG-5 tripod perfectly will not work with an AVX mount head.

Edited by Oldfracguy, 20 March 2025 - 11:35 PM.

[Dave Novoselsky]

I hate to weigh in with this observation but doesn’t it strike any of you that the prices for what are in essence relatively simple metal tubes grossly inflated by the manufacturer?  This is unfortunately too typical of the prices charged for accessories in this hobby.

[waso29]

the 8in height is more manageable than the 16in.
i’d pay double if it was designed similarly to vixen’s half pier cutout for easier on/off mount head installation.
or losmandy style with slots for quick head bolts install.
sure beats fumbling with hex bolts in the dark trying to remove the original 16in extension.

difficult to wean off prc pricing, sure beats legal fees.

Edited by waso29, 21 March 2025 - 08:34 AM.

[Refractor6]

Here is the top of a CG-5 tripod:

 

101_3570_2.JPG

 

 

The width across the top of the tripod is 5-1/8" (green arrow).

The width across the inner recessed area is 62 mm, or 2-17/16" (orange arrow).

The distance from the M10x1.5 center bolt to the GEM polar alignment pin is 1.5" (yellow arrow).

 

Note that the AVX mount uses the same tripod as the CG-5, but the GEM polar alignment pin on the AVX tripod is way out at the edge, so these SW Pier Extensions that fit the CG-5 tripod perfectly will not work with an AVX mount head.

  That clears it up...thanks.

 

 Not a match for my old 2002-2003 black EQ5 mounts {like in my link in white} but will work for the later CG-5 type tripod with the rectangular and higher post...saved me some money.

[zjc26138]

I hate to weigh in with this observation but doesn’t it strike any of you that the prices for what are in essence relatively simple metal tubes grossly inflated by the manufacturer?  This is unfortunately too typical of the prices charged for accessories in this hobby.

I agree.  The one I need for my CEM60 is 148.00. Wish I knew a machinist, probably could make something cheaper and still as functional. 

[Refractor6]

I agree.  The one I need for my CEM60 is 148.00. Wish I knew a machinist, probably could make something cheaper and still as functional. 

  The one linked by Oldfrackguy is $120 Can. plus tax.. plus shipping ...hell of a lot of cash for a 8" tube of metal.

 

 Did some research with Canadian vendors while narrowing down if it would work for my needs.....

[Oldfracguy]

  The one linked by Oldfrackguy is $120 Can. plus tax.. plus shipping ...hell of a lot of cash for a 8" tube of metal.

 

 Did some research with Canadian vendors while narrowing down if it would work for my needs.....

For comparison, here is where we used to have to purchase these:

 

https://www.teleskop...en-gp-etc-17597

 

https://www.firstlig...5-eq-al55i.html

 

Plus, don't forget to add the shipping and the currency conversion charge.  The Agena price of $87 USD with free shipping is a real bargain compared to the other options.

[Refractor6]

For comparison, here is where we used to have to purchase these:

 

https://www.teleskop...en-gp-etc-17597

 

https://www.firstlig...5-eq-al55i.html

 

Plus, don't forget to add the shipping and the currency conversion charge.  The Agena price of $87 USD with free shipping is a real bargain compared to the other options.

 Bargain indeed on your side of the border.....

 

I went and put one in checkout on a Canadian vendor site out of curiosity....ouch on the total cost with shipping to my location 

[Oldfracguy]

 Bargain indeed on your side of the border.....

 

I went and put one in checkout on a Canadian vendor site out of curiosity....ouch on the total cost with shipping to my location 

I found a Canadian dealer in Quebec who has them in stock:

 

https://astronomyplu...r &_ss=e&_v=1.0

 

Here is another one:

 

https://khanscope.co...8113d7d60&_ss=c

Edited by Oldfracguy, 21 March 2025 - 02:55 PM.

[Refractor6]

I found a Canadian dealer in Quebec who has them in stock:

 

https://astronomyplu...r &_ss=e&_v=1.0

  Yes...that's one I found and put in checkout then calculating shipping cost to my location....not cheap.

[Oldfracguy]

  Yes...that's one I found and put in checkout then calculating shipping cost to my location....not cheap.

What about the KhanScope price and shipping?  

[Refractor6]

Same price and Khan has a very bad reputation here in Canada...do a google search on customer reviews here on old CN threads...interesting read.

[PIEJr]

Yes. Wonder why they went with the 8” instead of the 16”?

Iffen you cut the 16 into two pieces, you double your profit.  

[Oldfracguy]

Iffen you cut the 16 into two pieces, you double your profit.  

The 16" might be in the works:

 

 

 

I was really surprised that Agena has the 8" in stock, so perhaps the 16" model will be available in the future as well.

[PIEJr]

the 8in height is more manageable than the 16in.
i’d pay double if it was designed similarly to vixen’s half pier cutout for easier on/off mount head installation.
or losmandy style with slots for quick head bolts install.
sure beats fumbling with hex bolts in the dark trying to remove the original 16in extension.

difficult to wean off prc pricing, sure beats legal fees.

Losmandy uses what is called a bayonet mount. And very precise tolerances.

What I did was get the 12" extension with mine to give my camera et all clearance to swing. I built what I call my Portable Pier.

I recon the way I did it, I have 16" between the Tripod and the RA. Because there is a 4" MA on top of the tripod, and I mount the 12" extension to it with the hand screws.

I got the hand screws and put those at my break points, effectively making sections for moving everything.

The RAEXT was the last thing I added to make the RA and DEC dividable. Because having the RA and DEC as a one piece was just terribly heavy.

So, I have the HD Tripod, the 12" column and RA, the DEC, and finally everything from the clamp up.

4 chunks that all go together with hand screws at the connections.

 

I never got around to getting an extension for my AVX. I wanted one, but it only lasted me 3.5 years.   I got one of the bad ones. 

When my AVX died for its third and last time, I had a 4 month wait imposed because it was right at Christmas. I was asked to wait until February. And I used it to get every detail in order for my replacement mount. I bought my GM811 on February 2nd of whatever year it was.

And I corrected everything about my AVX I wished was different, in my GM811G HD

Choices. Didn't have many back then, shucks, I didn't know I'd like this sport enough to stick with it.

But here I am, way deep in this black hole. 

 

A big part of the cost is the engineering that goes into, and what the market will bare. It does cost a lot to make the commitment to invest in the machines and a Brick & Mortar place of business in the long shot your work will sell.

If you don't like the prices, you could do what Scott Losmandy did in the 1980's, start building your own.

But I wouldn't. Oh heck no.

 

A column extension can make your mount work so much better for you. But it is jumping deeper into the Black Hole. 

[Oldfracguy]

This morning I found another use for the Sky-Watcher EQ-AL55i # S30501 20 cm Pier Extension that is now available from Agena in the U.S. that we used to have to purchase from either First Light Optics in the UK or Teleskop Service in Germany:

 

 

 

Just switch out the M10-theaded bolt in the top of the Pier Extension with a 3/8"-16 bolt to attach a Stellarvue M002C Alt-Az mount head.

 

Also, these Sky-Watcher Pier Extensions can be stacked.  I took the top off mine and attached it to the bottom: perfect secure fit.  If you are looking for the taller 40 cm (16") Pier Extension and it's not in stock, you can stack two 20 cm (8") Pier Extensions.

Edited by Oldfracguy, 26 March 2025 - 12:53 PM.

[Astrodave]

Mine should be here tomorrow so I can attach my GPDX and GP2 to my Skywatcher 1.75" tripod. I want to bring the legs in as far as possible so I can easily get the tripod out of my sliding glass door and still have the mount high enough to view without having to raise and re-level the legs every time. I think this will be perfect for that and am looking forward to using it. Thanks to OP for letting me know this was available state side now because FLO has been out of stock for weeks.

[Oldfracguy]

Mine should be here tomorrow so I can attach my GPDX and GP2 to my Skywatcher 1.75" tripod. I want to bring the legs in as far as possible so I can easily get the tripod out of my sliding glass door and still have the mount high enough to view without having to raise and re-level the legs every time. I think this will be perfect for that and am looking forward to using it. Thanks to OP for letting me know this was available state side now because FLO has been out of stock for weeks.

Mine should also arrive tomorrow or the next day as well.  It was a no-brainer to order it from Agena.  If I ever do get another long 4" f/11 scope I can just piggyback one Pier Extension on top of the other.

 

I know about having to raise and lower those Sky-Watcher and Celestron 1.75" tubular steel legged tripods.  Eventually one or more of those M8-threaded tripod leg locking thumbscrews will strip.  It happened on the first CG-4 tropod I bought after about two years.  On that one I took the tripod legs apart and drilled and tapped the holes to accept larger 3/8"-16 Large Rosette Thumbscrews from ScopeStuff.com:

 

 

 

 

Just a few days ago one of those M8-threaded tripod leg screws stripped on a used SW HEQ5 tripod I picked up a few weeks ago, so I just screwed in an M8 hexbolt to keep it tight.  There's a running CN thread asking do you extend the tripod legs or not?  One thing these Pier Extension columns will help with, besides being able to get the tripod out the door, is that with some scopes the Pier Extension will permit the tripod legs to remain fully retracted all the time.  That would be with some Alt-Az mounts with slow-motion position controls, but GEMs and these friction-type "push-to" Alt-Az mounts like the Stellarvue M002C and Supermount models, for example, need to have the mount level.

Edited by Oldfracguy, 26 March 2025 - 06:03 PM.

[Ar3s701]

Just putting this out there, but I highly recommend doing the mod on this post: https://www.cloudyni...on-improvement/

 

Essentially you take an M12 threaded rod, grind off some portion (this took me a long time on a bench grinder), then use that to connect the mount to the tripod base instead of just the pier extension. makes it a lot more stable and secure. Personally, I took it a step further. I added a turnbuckle and connected it to the base of the dolly I made.

 

Here is my Askar 130PHQ and EQ6R. The rod goes from the mount head all the way to thru the base of the dolly.