SkyShed Piers

When we embarked upon creating an observatory company we realized that we needed to supply piers as an accessory for those who might be in need of one.

After thoroughly researching the market we came up with a new approach to pier design. Now after 15 years and hundreds of piers sold, our happy customers agree that we have devised an innovative pier design that is attractive, highly functional and affordable.

The SkyShed Pier design incorporates a dual leveling ability, and a pier top that turns and locks to line up your telescope in the direction of your choice. The design also includes anti vibration stabilizer fins at the base and multiple adapter plates will allow you switch many telescopes on just one pier.

We teamed up with a high quality steel fabricator to supply our customers with a design that is quick and easy to install, and is easily transportable should you change your observing location in the future.

POD MAX Pier
Celestron 14" Edge on 10 3/4" HD Pier

8" LX200 GPS mounted on 6 5/8" X 42" Pier

Our design features include a dual leveling ability and a pier top that rotates and locks to line up your telescope in the direction of your choice. The design also includes anti-vibration stabilizer fins at the base.

Our customers have used SkyShed Piers for many different scope/mount configurations for the last 15 years and their testimonials tell us they like our piers a LOT.

Whether it's a Meade, Celestron, Takahashi, Astro Physics, PLanewave, Bisque, iOprton, AOrion, etc. , there's a good chance one of our configurations can do the job you need.

Large 1/2" bolts located at 120 degree angles to lock the pier cap in azimuth, so you can use the same size wrench for all pier adjustments and longer threaded rods between the plates for greater height adjustment.

We will email you a step by step construction guide for installing a pier footing, and consult with you about pier height.

Pier Top Turns! - Pier cap and adapter plate with New 3 larger 1/2" azimuth lock bolts and longer threaded rods for greater height adjustment.

Choosing the Right Pier Size The type of observing you do will help determine the pier size you need.

If you plan on doing visual observing only you can go with a smaller diameter pier. For astrophotography and/or using an equatorial mount you will probably want to use a larger diameter pier for increased stability.

A 6 5/8" diameter pier will provide more stability and less vibration than a standard tripod. If you remove the pier cap and add paving sand to the hollow pier pipe this will reduce vibration duration further.

Pier Base - showing base plate and mounting/leveling bolts. In this photo the close up lens makes the anchor bolts appear slightly askew. In reality they are exactly perpendicular
to the pier base.

2019 - Michael L. Writes: Because of a minor software problem related to T-Point, Software Bisque asked me to post my T-Point data. They mentioned that my data (RMS = 1.4 arcsecs) was the best they had ever seen for an ME II. So your 8 5/8" HD pier ended up providing the best mount performance and stability Bisque has ever seen! … Michael
With adapter plates for Meade, Celestron, Astro Physics, Takahashi, Atlas, Orion, iOptron, Losmandy, Bisque, and others
Pier Prices (in US Dollars) + Shipping. Average cost for shipping in the U.S. and Canada is $200 U.S. via UPS Ground for 6 5/8" and 8 5/8" piers.
4 1/2" diameter up to 42" in height	Suitable for Meade or Celestron type telescopes up to 8". Small to Medium APO's	$650.00
6 5/8" diameter up to 44" in height	Suitable for Meade or Celestron type telescopes 8" to 12", Medium APO's	$850.00
8 5/8" diameter up to 44" in height	Suitable for 10 - 14" SCT, RC, CDK, APO's, etc.	$950.00
8 5/8" HD diameter up to 44" in height	Suitable for 14 - 16" SCT, RC, CDK, APO's, etc.	Call
10 3/4" HD diameter up to 54" in height	Suitable for 14 - 20" SCT, CDK, RC, APO's, etc.	Call
* It is important to determine the correct adapter plate to match the bottom of your telescope or equatorial mount to the top of the pier. Flat-Bottomed Meade and Celestron Fork Mounted Scopes bolt to our Standard Meade and Celestron Adapter Plates (appropriate Meade or Celestron plate is included in the pier cost). All other scopes/mounts need the addition of an adapter collar or donut at costs ranging from $120 -$250. We will determine the adapter type needed when we receive your information via email.
* If your telescope or equatorial mount is a non standard type we will need a template of the bottom to create a matching adapter for the pier.
* Non Standard /Custom Pier adapter plates and piers longer than 42" will require an additional charge.