6" Eagle Folding Pier with Accessories:
Shown with Mach1GTO, Control Box Adapter (CBAPT),
Single and Bi-Level Tray Support Bars (TRAYSB1)&(TRAYSB)
and Accessory Trays (TRAY06) and (TRAY06H)
(note that photos shown are earlier Eagle model)

Low Position Example

A Newtonian Owner's Dream Setup! Even at the 6" Eagle's lowest setting, there is still room for lots of astro-gear. This example also illustrates the optional 10.7" long x 1.875" diameter counterweight shaft (M1053-A) and safety stop (M12676) along with the 5 lb. counterweight (5SCWT). In addition, note that the servo cable has been neatly routed through the mount. In the example shown here, the GTOCP3 control box on its Control Box Adapter (CBAPT) is attached to the 6" Eagle at the top pier height adjustment ring (TR-H1) using the Control Box Adapter's tab (4) and a 5/16-18x1" screw. Two Eyepiece Accessory Trays (TRAY06H) are mounted with two Single-Level Support Bars (TRAYSB1) on the northwest and northeast sides using two 5/16-18x3/4" screws. The ring of solid Pier Accessory Trays (TRAY06) completes the picture. They are mounted on three Single Level Support Bars (TRAYSB1) attached at the bottom pier height adjustment ring (BR-H4) with three 5/16-18x1" screws. 5 - TRAYSB1 3 - TRAY06 2 - TRAY06H 1 - CBAPT

Middle Position Example

Our Mach1GTO sits proudly atop a nicely outfitted 6" Eagle in the middle height position. The Control Box Adapter (CBAPT) is attached on the south side so the cables are well out of the way. The angled tab (4) on the Control Box Adapter was used to allow the Adapter and GTOCP3 control box to clear the pier's height adjustment knob and the pier's leg hinges. It is fastened at the mount attachment slot (Top) with the mount's pier knob. The two Eyepiece Accessory Trays (TRAY06H) mounted above the leg hinges are on Single-Level Support Bars (TRAYSB1) attached at the piers top height adjustment holes (H1) with 5/16-18 x 3/4" button head screws. A ring of three solid Accessory Trays (TRAY06) is attached using three Single Level Support Bars (TRAYSB1). The support bars are fastened at the fourth adjustment hole (H4), also with 5/16-18 x 3/4" button head screws. 5 - TRAYSB1 3 - TRAY06 2 - TRAY06H 1 - CBAPT

High Position Example

Practical and convenient - this sample configuration should allow even the most gadget obsessed observer to keep everything close at hand. The EAGLE6 at left is shown in its highest setting (without the 8" Extension (EAGLE6E8)). The Control Box Adapter (CBAPT) is attached on the south side at the first adjustment hole (H1) with a 5/16-18 x 3/4" button head screw. Two Eyepiece Accessory Trays (TRAY06H) are mounted on the bottom positions of a pair of Bi-Level Support Bars (TRAYSB) that are each attached at the mount attachment slot (Top) with the pier knobs. The top positions of the support bars are left empty to avoid possible interference with the counterweights (only an issue at lower latitudes). A second ring of Accessory Trays (TRAY06) is attached using three Single-Level Support Bars (TRAYSB1). The Support Bars are fastened at the fifth adjustment hole (H5), also with 5/16-18 x 3/4" button head screws. Again, note how two of the photographs illustrate the Mach1GTO's unique "through-the-mount" cabling. 2 - TRAYSB 3 - TRAYSB1 3 - TRAY06 2 - TRAY06H 1 - CBAPT

High Position with 8" Extension (EAGLE6E8)

Here's a real "Tower of Observing Power!" The 6" Eagle shown at right is in the highest position and has the 8" Extension (EAGLE6E8) attached. The legs were brought in slightly to give an overall pier height of 42". The two knobs joining the pier's center column to the 8" Extension on the northwest and northeast sides have been replaced with 1/4-20 x 5/8" button head screws with washers to facilitate the accessories. The Control Box Adapter (CBAPT) is mounted flat against the 8" Extension using the extension's pier slot and the adapter's hole (1) and a 1/4-20 x 1" flat head screw to replace the pier knob. With the control box on the south side and the cables run through the mount, there is virtually no chance of either the scope or the counterweights getting tangled up. A pair of standard Accessory Trays (TRAY06) are mounted on the bottom slots of two of our Bi-Level Support Bars (TRAYSB) to keep well out of the way of the counterweights or a scope tracking past the meridian. The Bi-Level Support Bars are attached using 1/4-20 x1" flat head screws in place of the pier knobs. As noted above, the knobs immediately below the trays have also been replaced. Just above the pier's leg hinges are a pair of Eyepiece Accessory Trays (TRAY06H) on two Single-Level Support Bars (TRAYSB1). The solid trays above them will help provide a bit of dew relief for the eyepieces in these trays. The support bars are fastened at the second adjustment hole (H2) with 5/16-18 x 3/4 button head screws. At the bottom of this setup, we have a complete ring of solid trays on three Single-Level Support Bars, all held in place with 5/16 x 3/4 button heads at (H5) on the pier's center column. Note that by using the northwest and northeast for the top two tiers, we left a handy space in back for the keypad to hang. 5 - TRAYSB1 2 - TRAYSB 5 - TRAY06 2 - TRAY06H 1 - CBAPT

One truly great thing about using the accessories with the 6" Eagle is that you don't have to remove (and then lose) all the hardware for transport to and from your favorite observing spot. The individual Accessory Trays and the GTOCPx Control Box come off without any tools. Then, just leave your Control Box Adapter (CBAPT) and your Tray Support Bars (TRAYSB1) in place and fold the unit up. This also greatly simplifies setup the next time you venture out. Please note that accessories attached to the top mounting slot will need to be removed when the mount itself is removed from the pier.

Back to top

Back to Pier Accessories Chart

This page was last modified: August 29, 2022

Astro-Physics, Inc.
11250 Forest Hills Road, Machesney Park, IL  61115, U.S.A.
Phone: 815-282-1513   Fax: 815-282-9847