|
|
This Makes Tri-Pier2 Particularly Attractive:
Right: Click on image to see the streaming video of the similar roll-off roof TeleStation 2 Observatory with similar Tri-Pier2 elevating Pier.
Video will download in Apple Quicktime format. The one minute presentation amounts to 31,166,260 bytes.
- The Tri-Pier2 provides the owner with the flexibility to either:
• install Tri-Pier2 into an observatory setting by bolting the center column onto the optional Pier-Tech Anchor Plate or
• travel into the back yard or to around the world and set the Tri-Pier2 on site as a portable support stand. And with the optional Pier Caddy, simply roll it in or out.
When operating in areas with pronounced winds or when approaching maximum payload with a high torque lengthy telescope, then the column can retracted to operate with an even lowered center of gravity, even down to at knee level.
- Pneumatic Strut piston rods extend to assist opening the legs to the same position time over time. So if you place Tri-Pier at the same place and in the same orientation on your viewing platform then you need not repeat leveling the pier.
- Tri-Pier2 electronically adjustable height spans (dimensions are ± ½ inches):
• minimum can be set to between 28 inches (71 cm) and 38 inches (97 cm), or
• maximum height depends on the minimum height setting but can span from 28 inches (71 cm) up to 48 (122 cm) or from 38 inches (97 cm) up to 58 (147 cm)
So if you currently have a comparatively short telescope such as a SCT, and in the future go to a longer telescope such as a refractor, then the minimum height can be set to suit either application. And even lower minimum heights are available on special order.
The pier provides 20 inches (50.8 cm) of precision vertical adjustment keeping your telescope polar aligned and level. The payload remains level and polar aligned at every height. Guaranteed or your money back!
- Professional quality mechanical design to assure precision elevation, retraction, and good longevity. Tri-Pier2 is a patented (US Patent#7,048,238) electro-mechanical telescope pier designed for the observer who wishes to raise and lower the pier locally by push buttons on the supplied hand held pendant.
- simply push the button on the hand pendant to raise the eyepiece to your eye, while still keeping the telescope level and polar aligned GUARANTEED! Best of all, target stays in the field of view!!!!
To read more about the repeatability precision and how this is determined read Polar Alignment Repeatability in our Pier-Tech Notes & Interesting Articles
- Similar construction to the Pier-Tech 1 and other Pier-Tech models, with the main beam consisting of built in slots on all for sides for mounting accessories to the sides of the pier such as the Pier-Tech Eyepiece Tray or Laptop/Accessory Tray.
- This is an pleasing contemporary design made of aluminum and stainless steel, with the Pier section finished in Silver and with Black Top and Base panels. The finish is durably anodized and/or powder coated for corrosion resistance. However, when not in use we recommend covering the Pier to protect the surface finish and to prevent fading from excess exposure to sunlight.
- The Tri-Pier2 weighs 70 lbs. (32 kg).
- The Tri-Pier2 has a total working payload lift capacity of 400 lbs (182 kg). For those requiring capacities for even larger payloads we recommend the Pier-Tech 3 or even the greater capacity Pier-Tech 4.
- Includes a precision machined flat Top Plate with hole pattern drilled to accommodate your telescope, Latiwedge, or other equatorial Wedge hole patterns (please specify when ordering). This service is included in price.
In time if you change telescopes then the Top Plate may be removed by the user and returned to have a new hole pattern drilled if necessary.
Optional telescope Mount to Pier adapters are available to hold most third party mounts that require a recessed fitting.
- You can install this Pier atop almost any rigid structure with our optional Anchor Plate; all you have to do is bolt the Anchor Plate onto a flat surface or set the Pier-Tech Adapter Plate with 'J' bolts into the freshly poured concrete of your pier foundation. Then bolt the Tri-Pier onto the Adapter Plate. The bottom plate of the Tri-Pier is bolted onto the Anchor Plate by four (4) 3/4" 10 tpi stainless steel anchor studs. To complete the task, make minute adjustments to the tilt and leveling of the Pier by adjusting the four bolts.
The Anchor Plate should be ordered by the customer and in hand before the pier foundation is constructed.
- The Tri-Pier2 operates by means of an 24 volt DC electric motor and is supplied with a 24 volt rechargeable battery controller. The controller is connected to either an AC/DC Regulated Power Supply, or to batteries (two 12 volt batteries wired in series for example) so you can take Tri-Pier2 to your favorite dark sky site or star party.
- Audible low voltage alarm lets you know if batteries need charging.
- Each leg tip is furnished with a 3 inch (76 mm) diameter vibration dampening Leveling Pad for maximum ground contact.
- Bull's-eye Bubble Level is recessed in bottom ring; this and the tripod leg Pads facilitate precise leveling the pier.
- Pier-Tech products are engineered and provided largely assembled and with good documentation so that installation and set up will go smoothly - even for the mere mortal.
- Pier-Tech piers can be disassembled and relocated easily.
- Pier-Tech has engineered a comprehensive array of accessories for their piers and observatories including:
- Pier-Tech has developed the Tele-Station observatories, each with a roof panel that retracts. And so with the elevating pier raising the telescope to or above the wall level, one can observe from horizon to zenith!
- Optional Auto-Pier Telescope Pier Control Software & Hardware permits the complete remote operation of the pier. Or control the observatory and pier with commands transmitted by hardwire or by cellular communications with the Advanced Observatory Control Software & Hardware - all from the comfort of your own home or from another part of the world, with the optional Wi-Fi or Cell tower Communication Module.
- Solar Panel Power System to operate the pier and observatory for remote installations or simply for those who wish to make an environmental statement.
- Tri-Pier2 can be made even more easily moveable with optional leg and castor attachment. The leg assembly comes with 3 castors for mobility and 3 leveling feet for leveling the Pier.
- Company Seven can provide as much support as the customer prefers: consulting and sales, facility preparation (foundation work, utilties, permits), construction, systems integration, and operator training. Just tell us what type of telescope and mount you have, and we can take care of the rest.
- Company Seven preaches "the best telescope is the one that gets used". And so the convenience of having the telescope set up in an observatory, with the mount aligned and ready to go increases the instances when the owner will enjoy the night sky.
Product Gallery
click on the picture to view enlarged image
Tri-Pier2 Fully Extended
|
Tri-Pier2 Partially Extended
|
Tri-Pier2 Legs Closed
|
Tri-Pier2 Legs Open. Note battery pack alongside.
|
Tri-Pier2's feet mount onto slots atop the optional Pier Caddy allowing you to wheel your assembled system to and from your garage, driveway or viewing platform. Levelers extend to take the load off the wheels and prevent movement.
|
Tri-Pier2 Bubble Level
|
Tri-Pier2 in fully extended with Paramount ME in its parked position. Here bolted to wooden pedestal atop a reinforced wood floor. The legs remain to add stability and distribute weight; this seems to be helpful when the Pier is fully raised.
|
Tri-Pier2 supports a Paramount ME plus two imaging trains: 1. Celestron C-11 with Optec TCF-S focuser, an OAG with SBIG STL Remote Guide Head and SBIG ST-2000XM with CFW-10 filter wheel. 2. Takahashi FSQ-106EDX + FLI PDF focuser + STL-CFW8 + STL-11000M. The total weight including the mount Appx. 280 lbs.
|
|
|
Tri-Pier2 Adjustable Height Pier Pricing: |
|
TP2 |
Tri-Pier2 for 24 volt DC operation |
P.O.R. |
|
Tri-Pier2 is made in Silver with Black Top and Base panels:
Silver Metallic
|
Matte Black
|
| |
|
|
|
Pier-Tech, Inc. is a US based manufacturing company. The company was established for the purpose of making fixed and portable Piers that can accept astronomical German Equatorial or Fork Mounts or other instruments. In time they expanded their production to develop astronomical observatories with slide-off roof, and most recently in 2008 they expanded production to include observatory domes for use by professional and home astronomical observatories, and planetaria constructed of galvanized steel in diameters from 8 feet (2.4m) up to 30 foot 6 inches (9.3 meters)! So by 2008 Pier-Tech was offering almost everything that an amateur or professional astronomer could want to house their telescope or other project.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
NASA