iOptron SkyTracker Pro Counterweight Package

Works as advertised.

Does exactly what it sets out to do, but it's so critical to proper results that I don't understand why it's not considered part of the base package.

I first used my SkyTracker Pro with just a ballhead mounted to the plate (no counterweight), and the tracker was struggling a little. My camera setup is a Nikon D7000 with a 200-500mm f/5.6, without the ballhead I am right at 3kg (6.6lb) weight limit. When the motor would struggle the tracking would be off, stars would streak. I was originally going to make something instead of buying this counterweight, but it was the manufacture's part, and looked robustly made. Plus I could have it in 3 days with shipping, and I could use my time saved to actually take some pictures. When It arrive I was surprised by the heft, but had the parts installed in a couple of minutes. I had to wait a couple of nights for the skies to clear, and test this out on the tracker in the real world. Once I adjusted the weight and got the bar balanced with the camera the tracker and no problems, even technically being over the weight limit. I was setup in 5 minutes or less, and photographing the moon. I was able to shoot about 6-stops slower with the counterweight and tracker over being fixed on a tripod. I can't wait for some really dark skies this summer. Cheers!

Honestly this isn’t really useful as any heavy lens or anything over a 200mm is too heavy for the tracker when you combine the counterweight.

I actually purchased this for the counterweight rod and weight as an extension for my SkyGuider Pro.Yes, it does work just fine. the rod is about 2/3 the length of the one that comes with the SkyGuider Pro but is the same dimension and threading and counterweight. You always want to use the counterweight with camera and/or telescope, the balance minimizes the load on the tracking motor. You also want to make sure everything is balanced for better efficiency of the equipment.