Andy Raiford with new Orion pier.

I am constantly attempting new ways to make my $329 SkyView Pro mount more acurate and stable. You've most likely seen the modifications that I've made to my mount, which continue to please me to this day. Being able to withstand a slight breeze and to settle down quickly after being bumped are reflections of a mount's stability. These are not easy to achieve with inexpensive scope/mount combinations, yet Orion seems to have accomplished it to a good degree.

The decision to buy the Orion pier base for the SkyView Pro was not an impulsive one for me. I was long in pondering the issue, but slow in puchasing the pier. Since Orion is not in the habit of giving free equipment to every person with a website, I had to wait till I had the time and funds to do so.

Better late than never, I am now happy to provide this review of the steel pier mount.

Tight Azimuth Knobs

The first thing I noticed after putting everything together was how hard it was to turn the azimuth knobs. I felt sure that I was going to twist the plastic knob completely off. I realized that I had the adapter plate that connects the equatorial mount to the pier itself was too tight. It should be just snug enough to allow the use of the azimuth knobs without teetering. I got use to this quick enough. I don't even think about it anymore. It works perfectly every time.

Right: Azimuth knob on Orion Skyview Pro mount and pier.

Pier base breaks down easily.

The Pier Base

The base of pier (the legs) breaks down into three pieces. If you transport by car then you will need to break them down completely. If there is any way you can transport the pier without breaking it down into these components, then I would suggest doing that. I'll be transporting it in the back of my pickup, so I won't bother breaking it down. It isn't as easy as it seems to put them together again. I had my wife help me the first time. The extra hands were quite beneficial.

I used anti-vibration pads when I set it up the first time in the backyard. I was afraid that the steel adjustable leg/screws would simply sink down into the moistened soil. I'm not sure that I would have needed them otherwise. I do know that when I set up at Mansfield Dam (on concrete) I will not use the pads.

Shown above is the Orion pier sitting on the anti-vibration pads. Tracking motors are powered by an EverStart Maxx jump starter using an adapter from Radio Shack.

Once I was polar-aligned using the polar alignment scope and ready to begin my drift-alignment, I noticed several things right off the bat that were a huge plus:

1) There were no tripod legs to bump. I used to bump those tripod legs constantly. The large adjustable shiny screws were much easier to see and avoid.

2) The hand-controller was much easier to get to, and the larger surface of the pier made velcro attachment much handier and successful. Those skinny little tripod legs were a joke to attempt velcro-ing anything.

3) When I did shake the pier by snatching the hand-controller from it, the view settled down very quickly, even using the 5mm illuminated reticle eyepiece. Drift alignment was an easier process EXCEPT for the hard-turning azimuth knobs. I'll have to work on that.

During photography, the pier mount was a rock! I didnt worry about tip-toeing around it like I normally did with the tripod. So far the pier has suprised me positively. It's heavier than I thought it would be. I am very pleased with it and will be TOTALLY pleased with it once I get the azimuth knob kink ironed out.

My recommendation: If you own the SkyView Pro EQ and you are using it for astrophotography, buy the pier. You'll be glad you did.

Check out my Messier Marathon Gallery!