iOptron Counterweight shaft extension for iOptron iEQ45 and iEQ45M equatorial mount

iOptron Counterweight Shaft Extension for iEQ45 and iEQ45M Mounts

Part Number: 8026
Unlock your mount’s full capacity with this essential extension for heavier payloads.

If you’re upgrading your imaging rig or switching to a larger optical tube assembly, it doesn’t take long to discover the limits of your standard counterweight shaft. Heavier payloads require proper balance—not just to protect your motors, but to maintain tracking accuracy and keep your GoTo slews fast, smooth, and precise. That’s where the iOptron Counterweight Shaft Extension comes in.

This shaft extension is designed specifically for all versions of the iOptron iEQ45 and iEQ45M GoTo German equatorial mounts. It threads directly into your mount’s existing counterweight shaft and adds an additional 9.5 inches of usable length (10.5" total), giving you the room to slide your counterweights farther out—or to add more weights altogether.

Made from precision-machined metal and finished to match the original shaft, the extension maintains the same 28mm diameter as the stock shaft, ensuring a seamless fit and full compatibility with standard iOptron counterweights, including the optional #8027 11 lb. weight.

By increasing the moment arm—the distance between your counterweights and the mount’s RA axis—this extension allows you to balance larger payloads using the same weights, or to safely add more weight to reach the iEQ45’s maximum 45-pound payload capacity. It’s an ideal upgrade for astrophotographers adding a guide scope, filter wheel, full-frame camera, or heavier OTA to their setup.

Specifications

• Length: 10.5 inches total (adds 9.5 inches of usable shaft length)

• Diameter: 28mm (matches iEQ45 stock counterweight shaft)

• Threading: Threads securely into existing counterweight shaft

• Material: Solid metal construction with machined finish

• Compatibility: iOptron iEQ45 and iEQ45M mounts

• Counterweight Compatibility: Accepts standard iOptron 28mm bore weights, including #8027 11 lb. counterweight

Observing Tip

If you find yourself needing to slide your counterweights up the shaft to balance your rig, you’re reducing your mechanical advantage—and putting more strain on the RA motor. Extending the shaft lets you keep the weights lower and farther from the axis, achieving the same balance with less effort from the mount. It’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve stability when working near the mount’s payload limit.

Final Thoughts

Balancing heavier payloads doesn’t always mean buying new counterweights. Sometimes, a simple shaft extension is all it takes to unlock your mount’s true carrying potential. Whether you’re adding a larger telescope or just refining your astrophotography gear, this extension is a smart, affordable upgrade that lets your iEQ45 mount operate at its full potential—with safer, smoother performance night after night.