Astro-Tech 100mm Folding Pier
A Stable Foundation for Serious Observing
Modern telescope systems—particularly those using strain-wave and harmonic-drive mounts—reveal their best performance only when the base beneath them is unshakably steady. The Astro-Tech 100mm Folding Pier is designed to be that foundation: rigid, portable, and confidence-inspiring in the field.
This is not a lightweight accessory meant to be tolerated. It is a purpose-built support that allows your mount and optics to work without compromise, whether observing visually or imaging under demanding conditions.
Purpose-Built Engineering
At the heart of the design is a 100mm (3.9") diameter aluminum pier column machined from T6061 alloy and paired with stainless-steel hardware throughout. The large-diameter tube resists torsional flex far better than conventional tripod centers, while the braced folding legs create a wide, planted stance once deployed.
Height is field-practical rather than excessive, placing the mount at a comfortable working level while preserving rigidity. The pier adjusts from approximately 900 mm (35.4") in its low position to about 1000 mm (39.4") fully extended, providing generous clearance for longer optical tubes and extended imaging trains—especially important when working near the meridian. Despite its rigidity, the pier remains manageable to transport, with a net weight of approximately 8.5 kg (18.7 lb) and a folding leg design that packs down compactly. A padded carry bag is included for storage and travel.
Field Performance: Quiet Stability
In use, the Astro-Tech Folding Pier behaves the way a pier should: it settles quickly after focusing, damps vibration efficiently, and remains composed when the mount is slewed or adjusted. Compared with lightweight tripods or tall pier extensions, the solid column and rigid leg geometry keep the system calm—even at higher magnifications.
That “quiet” stability pays dividends at the eyepiece and at the camera. Fine lunar detail holds steady, faint nebular structure becomes easier to trace, and long-exposure imaging benefits from a platform that resists flex and oscillation.
Versatility Across Setups
The Astro-Tech 100mm Folding Pier is designed to support a wide range of modern observing and imaging systems. With a structural load capacity rated up to 220 lb, the pier offers substantial rigidity for telescope-mounted setups ranging from compact and mid-sized refractors to heavier imaging configurations, while also providing excellent support for giant binoculars in the 70–120 mm class when paired with appropriate mounts.
Rather than building your system around a fixed tripod, the pier becomes the constant—one solid foundation that continues to serve as your equipment evolves.
In the Field
Setup is straightforward: deploy the legs, lock them in place, level the base, and attach your mount. Once balanced, the system takes on an observatory-like feel—steady, predictable, and free from the small annoyances that chip away at productive observing time.
Breaking down at the end of a session is just as easy, making the Astro-Tech 100mm Folding Pier equally at home in a backyard observatory setup or packed into a vehicle for dark-sky travel.
Specifications
Designed for real-world observing rather than spec-sheet exaggeration, the Astro-Tech 100mm Folding Pier balances stability, clearance, and portability in a form that’s easy to live with in the field.
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Column Diameter: 100 mm (3.9")
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Material: T6061 aluminum column with stainless-steel hardware
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Height Range: Approximately 35.4" to 39.4" (900–1000 mm)
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Net Weight: Approximately 18.7 lb (8.5 kg)
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Footprint: Wide stance with folding leg design
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Included Accessories: Padded transport and storage bag
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Structural Load Capacity: Rated up to 220 lb
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Typical Applications: Telescope-mounted imaging and visual systems, robust alt-azimuth and small equatorial mounts, and giant binoculars (70–120 mm class)
Observing Tip
After mounting your telescope or binoculars, give the system a moment to settle, then fine-tune leg leveling and balance. Even small balance improvements shorten vibration settle time and make slow-motion adjustments feel smoother—especially when changing eyepieces or imaging accessories.
Final Thoughts
The Astro-Tech 100mm Folding Pier is the kind of equipment that earns trust quietly. Its strength is most appreciated not in how much it can hold, but in how calmly it behaves under real observing loads.
Rigid where it matters and portable when it needs to be, it allows your optics and mount to perform as intended—without distraction. For observers and imagers who understand that stability is every bit as important as optical quality, this pier represents a smart, long-term investment in better, more relaxed observing.
