The adjustable Davis and Sanford (Tiffin) tripod is offered for light weight, compact transport. The legs retract and fold into a relatively small unit. It is recommended as the primary tripod for the 400 mount and 105 Traveler (or similar sized instruments). While it is not our first choice for the 400 mount and our 130mm or larger refractors, it's a very portable option for people who plan to transport their equipment as airline baggage for observing in exotic locations (or on a business trip). This is the tripod that we transported by air to Baja, Mexico for the solar eclipse in 1991.

The tripod is constructed of black anodized aluminum and black painted aluminum castings. We have already installed our Tripod Adapter (ADATRI) for mounting your 400 on this light-weight performer. The adapter now has six side bolt-through holes so that your mount can be oriented with one of the tripod legs facing the pole.

The 8" extension for our 6" Eagle pier (EAGLE6E8) can also be bolted into the tripod adapter (ADATRI) and used as a convenient way to increase the height of your tripod.

Important: The newest version of the tripod has a square top (6  9/16" square) and is not recommended for the Takahashi/Lapides Teegul mount due to possible interference issues with the telescope as it points up. This is not a problem with the Astro-Physics 400 mount.

Note: This tripod can also be used with the 600E or Mach1GTO, but is not recommended for the heavier loads that these mounts are capable of handling.

• Unique tension design combines rugged construction with light weight, while reducing flexure and annoying vibrations.
• Legs and tension rods attach without hardware, allowing field assembly in minutes.
• Stainless steel turnbuckles allow you to make fine adjustments for polar alignment or minor leveling.
• The center posts are constructed of aluminum tubing, the base construction is thick-wall aluminum and the legs are steel
  for strength.
• Aluminum and steel parts are powder
  coated in a black wrinkle finish.
• Astro-Physics 6", 8" and 10" Pier Accessory Trays (TRAY06, TRAY08 and TRAY10) Eyepiece Accessory Trays (TRAY06H, TRAY08H and TRAY10H) and tray support bars (TRAYSB and TRAYSB1) keep your accessories close at hand.
• Piers may contain minor cosmetic flaws, i.e. slight indentations or irregular paint pattern.

Advantages of Astro-Physics Piers

• Lightweight, breaks down into easily manageable pieces for easy transport & lifting.
• Very sturdy pier for its mass.
• Piers typically in stock for immediate shipment.
• 62" height available as standard item.
• Readily available in 6" diameter size.
• Less expensive.
• Can purchase another pier post with a different height as separate item to use with different telescope.
• Longest component is pier post which is 8" shorter than assembled height, easy to fit into your car.
• 6" Pier can be used for Losmandy G11 mount with our LM2APT Adapter.
• The 8" extension for our 6" Eagle pier (EAGLE6E8) can also be attached to our 6" diameter piers and used as a convenient way to increase the height of your setup.

10X24P

10X32P

10X42P

10X48P

10X54P

10X62P

height of pier

24"

32"

42"

48"

54"

62"

diameter of post

10"

10"

10"

10"

10"

10"

wall thickness of post

0.094"

0.094"

0.094"

0.094"

0.094"

0.094"

length of legs

25"

25"

25"

25"

25"

25"

weight of pier post

8 lbs

10 lbs

13 lbs

15 lbs

17 lbs

19 lbs

weight of pier base

18 lbs

18 lbs

18 lbs

18 lbs

18 lbs

18 lbs

weight of 3 legs

20 lbs

20 lbs

20 lbs

20 lbs

20 lbs

20 lbs

weight of 3 struts

5 lbs

5 lbs

5 lbs

5 lbs

5 lbs

5 lbs

total weight assembled

51 lbs

53 lbs

56 lbs

58 lbs

60 lbs

62 lbs

• All pier tubes, legs and connecting parts are constructed of 6061 aluminum. All bolts and screw assemblies are stainless steel.
• Aluminum parts are powder coated with your choice of graphite gray, glossy black, or cream white to match the mount. For added weather protection, a clear coating is available for an additional charge.
• Legs fold against the pier tube to allow for easy transportation and storage. No parts to lose and no tools required.
• Turnbuckle adjusters between the pier base and legs provide for precise leveling adjustments on uneven terrain.
• Foots pads are available in aluminum or hard rubber per customer request. Both types of footpads can be ordered as an interchangeable set for an additional charge.
• Pier tube assemblies are secured on both ends with aluminum plates to eliminate vibration effects The primary leg attachments blocks are welded firmly to the pier tube for improved stability.
• All piers come standard with a balanced carrying handle to facilitate transporting the assembly.
• Both the Astro-Physics standard (SPA) and rotating (RPA) pier adapter plates can be use on their respective 8" and 10" piers after a slight modification to the adapter. Modification fees do apply.
• The 3600 mount can be used with the 12" ATS pier by means of the ATS 12" Pier Flat Plate (ATS12PFP) and our 3600 Flat Surface Adapter (3600FSA). Please review important details below.
• Astro-Physics 8" and 10" Pier Accessory Trays (TRAY08 and TRAY10), Eyepiece Accessory Trays (TRAY08H and TRAY10H)and support bars (TRAYSB and TRAYSB1) keep your accessories close at hand.
• Piers may contain minor cosmetic flaws, i.e. slight indentations or irregular paint pattern.

Advantages of ATS Piers

• Single-piece construction - can't forget or misplace any parts.
• Very solid, sturdy design.
• Levelers allow adjustment on uneven terrain and slight adjustment of height.
• Cream white color available to match the mount
• Optional bubble level can be installed, must be requested when order is initiated.

ATS12X30

$2,195.00

3 Months, special order

ATS12X36

$2,295.00

3 Months, special order

ATS12X42

$2,395.00

3 Months, special order

ATS12X48

$2,495.00

3 Months, special order

ATS 12" Pier Flat Plate

ATS12PFP

$300.00

Call

Flat Surface Adapter for the 3600GTO

3600FSA

$325.00

in stock

ATS Permanent Piers

ATS also makes permanent piers for installation in your observatory. Astro-Physics does not sell the permanent piers, but if you are considering an observatory setup, you might consider these excellent piers as one of your options. Please visit the ATS website for details.

Order Terms and Information

The estimated delivery date will be provided after the order is placed. Please refer to the price list for the current estimate. ATS piers and Astro-Physics mounts will be delivered as they are completed. We cannot coordinate the shipment of the mount and pier together. As a result, you may receive your mount without the pier or the pier prior to your mount. Delivery times can vary by several months.

A 50% deposit is required for all orders. The piers are manufactured after they are ordered and the order can only be cancelled or changed at the discretion of ATS.

Please note that once the pier adapter plate or flat surface adapter is shipped to ATS for modification, it is yours. If your order is cancelled at any time, the price of the adapter and any cancellation costs incurred from ATS will be deducted from your deposit and the balance will be refunded.

For all orders shipped to addresses in the U.S., ATS piers will be drop shipped directly via UPS ground or Federal Express to the customer from Anaheim, CA. The shipping and handling charges will be billed to the customer by Astro-Physics.

Customers from California must order directly from ATS due to sales tax requirements. International orders for these products will not be accepted by Astro-Physics. Please contact ATS directly.

A three year limited warranty is provided for ATS Piers.