iOptron CEM26/GEM28 MiniPier (8')

Design: Very clumsy and poor design when it would be very easy and low cost to do it right. The extension posts meet the upper and lower sections of the pier via 3 flat interfaces each (6 total). There is a lot of play in the positions of the extension tubes and there is no way to tighten the bolts without the extensions moving as the bolt are tightened. Flatness tolerances on the interfaces are too loose, so the posts go where they want not where you want them resulting in a misalignment at all 6 of the interfaces and a generally poor appearance. Having to remove the alignment pin on the mount seemed an unnecessary complication. All the hardware was poorly packaged in the box, came out of the plastic bag, and rattled around during shipment leaving hundreds if not thousands of nicks and scratches in all of the black anodized surfaces. I am sure it will do its job but it looks like garbage right out of the box. Disappointing.