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Raise your AM3 or AM5 by 200mm so long scopes clear the tripod legs
Why we like the PE200:
- Solves the leg-strike problem: with no counterweight shaft to swing around, the AM3 and AM5 sit low on the tripod, and a long refractor or a camera with a filter wheel can hit the legs near the zenith. The PE200 lifts the mount 200mm to clear them.
- One-knob setup: it drops onto the tripod, the mount drops onto it, and you tighten the locking knobs. Nothing else to adjust.
- Solid, not flimsy: a CNC-machined aircraft-grade aluminum tube rated for 50kg (110lb), far more than an AM5 carries, at just 1.6kg (3.5lb).
- Worth knowing: it raises the eyepiece and center of gravity too, so on a windy site keep the tripod legs spread wide and the legs short.
The ZWO PE200 Pier Extension is a 200mm-tall aluminum riser that goes between a ZWO harmonic mount and its tripod. It's made for the AM3, AM3N, AM5 and AM5N on the ZWO TC40 carbon fiber tripod, and it also fits 1.75" steel tripods from iOptron and Sky-Watcher and the 2" Celestron Advanced VX tripod. It's one of the accessories we add most often with a ZWO mount, especially for refractors over 80mm and SCTs with a camera on the back.
Key specs: 200mm tall × 124mm diameter · CNC-machined aircraft-grade aluminum · 50kg (110lb) load rating · 1.6kg (3.5lb) · fits AM3, AM3N, AM5 and AM5N · Sky-Watcher adapter plate included
When you need a pier extension
- Long refractors and SCTs: an 80–130mm refractor or an 8-inch SCT on an AM5 can swing into the tripod legs when pointed high. The extra 200mm gives it room.
- Imaging trains: a cooled camera, filter wheel and off-axis guider add length behind the scope, which is where leg strikes usually happen.
- Meridian flips and unattended imaging: more clearance means fewer pointing limits to set in the ASIAIR or N.I.N.A. and less risk overnight.
- Visual comfort: on refractors, it lifts the eyepiece to a more comfortable standing height.
How it installs
On the ZWO TC40 tripod: set the PE200 on the tripod head and tighten it, then set the AM3 or AM5 on top and tighten the locking knobs. That's it.
On an iOptron 1.75" tripod: remove the silver head plate from the extension and fasten it to the tripod with the two included M6 × 25 screws.
On a Sky-Watcher 1.75" tripod: remove the silver head plate, fit the included Sky-Watcher adapter plate with three screws, and lock it down with the tripod's M10 center knob and spreader.
What to add for the best results
- ZWO TC40 carbon fiber tripod: the matching tripod, light enough to carry with the extension attached.
- ZWO AM5N counterweight bar: for payloads near the AM5N's no-counterweight limit, a counterweight keeps the taller setup balanced.
- A mount: the ZWO AM5N with TC40 tripod or the ZWO AM3N with TC40 tripod.
PE200 vs. PE160 vs. Pier Mount 90
| ZWO PE200 | ZWO PE160 | William Optics Pier Mount 90 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Riser for a tripod | Riser for a tripod | Full pier (replaces the tripod) |
| Added height | 200mm | 160mm | Not applicable |
| Design | Solid aluminum tube | Three thin pillars, lighter to carry | Freestanding pier |
| Mounts | AM3, AM3N, AM5, AM5N | AM3, AM3N, AM5, AM5N | AM5N, AM7 |
| Best for | The most clearance and stiffness | Travel and lighter setups | A freestanding pier for an AM5N or AM7 |
See all mount accessories.
What's in the box
- ZWO PE200 pier extension
- Sky-Watcher adapter plate
- Two M6 × 25 screws (for iOptron tripods)
The mount and tripod are sold separately.
ZWO PE200 Pier Extension FAQ
Do I need a pier extension for my AM5?
If you use a short refractor (under about 80mm) with a compact camera, usually not. If your scope is longer, or you have a filter wheel and off-axis guider behind it, the PE200 prevents the scope or camera from hitting the tripod legs when pointed high.
Does it fit the AM5N and AM3N?
Yes. It fits the AM3, AM3N, AM5 and AM5N, which share the same base.
Will it fit my iOptron or Sky-Watcher tripod?
It fits 1.75" steel tripods from iOptron (such as the CEM40/GEM45 tripod) and Sky-Watcher, using the included screws or adapter plate, and the 2" Celestron Advanced VX tripod.
PE200 or PE160?
The PE200 is taller and a solid tube, so it's stiffer and gives the most clearance. The PE160 uses three thin pillars, which is lighter for travel.
Does it make the setup less stable?
The extension itself is very rigid, but any added height makes a tripod a little more sensitive to wind. Spread the legs fully and keep them short for the best results.
Specifications
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Height | 200mm (7.9 in) |
| Diameter | 124mm (4.9 in) |
| Weight | 1.6kg (3.5lb) |
| Load rating | 50kg (110lb) |
| Material | CNC-machined aircraft-grade aluminum, matte black |
| Compatibility | |
| Mounts | ZWO AM3, AM3N, AM5, AM5N |
| Tripods | ZWO TC40; iOptron 1.75" steel; Sky-Watcher 1.75" steel (adapter plate included); Celestron Advanced VX 2" |
| Package | |
| Package size | 185 × 185 × 260mm |
| Model / SKU | ZWO-PE200 |