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Advanced Telescope Systems Portable Pier
| Brand | Advanced Telescope Systems |
| Part Number | |
| Availability | available |
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Reviews
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Jul 25, 2007
A perfect blend of price, solidity, craftsmanship and convenience...
Pros:Solidity, superb for imaging, craftsmanship, quick and easy to set up
Cons:The wait while ATS makes it for you...
Comments:Requiring a pier for both permanent and portable usage, I was looking for a convenient (no assembly required) integrated pier with fold away legs while maintaining the extreme rigidity necessary for astro-photography.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
After reading some excellent reviews, I ordered a 10" wide, 42" high ATS portable pier for my AP1200GTO mount and AP155 F/7 refractor and imaging rig. I am delighted with the piers craftsmanship, robustness and rigidity. All vibrations dampen immediately, and leaning against it is like leaning against a wall... in fact the pier feels solid enough to attach the anchor chain of an oil tanker to! ..yet when collapsed it is portable and manageable to transport. ATS conveniently fitted the Astro-Physics rotating pier adapter plate and a bubble level and the leveling process is really quick and simple.
I was so pleased with my 10" pier that I recently purchased a second 8" wide, 42" ATS pier with a 12" extension tube for my AP900 mount and AP180 EDT F/9 which requires a lot of clearance... even with the additional height of the extension tube it is just as solid.
The ATS pier design exceeds expectations and is highly recomended by this reviewer...
Chris FordApr 18, 20071 out of 1 people found this review usefulATS Portable Piers are Solid as a Rock!
Pros:ATS Portable Piers are well made look beautiful, and most important are solid.
Cons:None that I can think of.
Comments:I now own 2 ATS Portable Piers. An 8 X 42” for my AP900 and 600 mounts and a 10 X 42” for my AP1200 mount. These piers are well made and beautifully power coated. I opted for AP white in both cases. ATS piers are easy to setup and takedown and are extremely solid for their size and weight. I think people tend to overlook the importance of a solid pier.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
At our last club observing session, I brought my AP 600 and Tele Vue NP-127. I set it up on a friend’s heavy duty camera tripod that he uses for his AP400 mount. The dampening time was 3 seconds. With my ATS Pier the damping time is 0. That’s right 0 solid as a rock!
When I first got my AP900 mount I needed a portable pier. I looked around at what was available at the time. There were 3 choices AP, ATS, and the other guy at more than twice the price as the ATS. I am sure the AP Pier is fine, but it lacks the ease of setup, and the versatility of leveling on rough terrain that I was looking for. The other guy I am sure is very well made and solid, but I can’t see spending more money for a pier than I spent on my first new car.
When it came time to get a pier for my new AP 1200 mount there was no hesitation for me, ATS was my first choice. When I set up my AP 1200 I use two scopes with a tandem bar, the Tele Vue NP-127 and a Celestron C-14. Again “Solid as a Rock!”
I purchased both piers directly from ATS. They are a pleasure to deal with.
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