Pier on artificial grass

[Andrew Read]

Posted recently about installing a permanent pier and thank you to Daryl for the helpful suggestion. 

The alternative is of course a tripod or a foldable pier (such as the iOptron Tri-Pier https://www.ioptron.com/product-p/8034.htm).  But the surface will be artificial grass on top of concrete.  The artificial grass is not laid yet, but to be family-friendly it will be fairly long so as to give some bounce over the concrete rooftop.   The iOptron pier has the advantage that it is height adjustable (and an extension is also available).  Another advantage is that it can be taken out of the way leaving the area unobstructed.  But this won’t be satisfactory if the artificial grass proves to be unstable as a mounting surface.

Is it going to be ok to put the Tri-Pier on artificial grass?

[Daryl Dobbs]

I have used a skywatcher eq3 on artificial grass which admittedly is not the most stable mount on any surface, but I didn’t find any difference between the artificial grass and concrete. I would think the weight of the Mount would more than compensate for any springyness in the grass. 

[Andrew Read]

Thanks again Daryl.  Probably best if I get the artificial grass laid first and then decide, perhaps after some experiments with a photographic tripod.

[John Coffin]

I’ve just installed a permanent pier in my garden. I keep the mount on it with a Telegizmos 365 scope cover. It makes it so much easier to set up. I no longer have to carry my heavy mount and counterweights outside and polar align it. If it’s possible to have a permanent pier rather than a tripod I think it is worthwhile. My pier was from Altair Astro.

[Andrew Read]

Hi John, I have been thinking the same thing.  If the permanent pier gets in the way it can always be removed later (mine would be bolted to the concrete like a lamppost).  It’s also quite a lot cheaper that the TriPier as a local machine shop will make it for me including a custom top plate.

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