Brand: ZWO

ZWO AM3 Harmonic Drive Mount (ZWO-AM3)

ZWO-AM3

Brand: ZWO

ZWO AM3 Harmonic Drive Mount (ZWO-AM3)

ZWO-AM3

Super-light fully featured mount for the ultimate grab-and-go setup. It builds on the enormous success and reliability of it's bigger brother, the AM5, to deliver a delightful little package.
  • Portable mount that weighs less than 4kg (9lbs)
  • Payload capacity: 8kg (17.7lbs) without counter weight and 13kg (28.7lbs) with counter weight
  • Multi-function mode: Equatorial and Altazimuth modes
  • Wifi control with APP
  • Rocker Style Hand controller
  • Lightweight Design: Counter weight is not required for most setups
  • High precision control and tracking using a strain wave gear reducer with synchronous belt
$1,499.00 USD

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Why We Love It Full Details What's in the Box? Specifications Reviews and Questions

Why we love the ZWO AM3 Harmonic Drive Mount (ZWO-AM3)

We think that weight is time. Or less ambiguously, the lighter your setup, the more often you'll get out under the stars. This is especially true when you start adding in travel to dark sites.

The new AM3 is an incredibly light mount without giving up any functionality. We think pairing this with a 3" refractor, and maybe the new integrated deep sky/guide camera from ZWO will give you a rig that you can carry in a backpack, opening up all kinds of new locations to image from.

Product Description

Mount Body

The traditional equatorial mount requires heavy counterweights. It can be very difficult to keep balance in RA and DEC directions, also inconvenient for transit and storage, which bring the amateur astrophotographers a lot of pain when they are out for imaging. 

Some of the strain wave geared drive mounts are relatively simple in functions, insufficient in load capacity, also not very stable in use.

The internal structure of the body optimized with the strain wave gear reducer and synchronous belt, bringing more accurate control and an amazing reduction ratio of 300:1.  

Astronomy-Dedicated Strain Wave Gear

ZWO jointly developed the strain wave gearing system with well-known domestic manufacturers based on the actual needs of astrophotographers. It comes with very low periodic errors, smooth gearing and high torque. The guiding accuracy is 0.5-0.8 arc seconds, which makes the AM5 mount extremely suitable for astrophotography.

5.5kg Mount Weight, Large Load Capacity

While the portability is very important, the stability is also essential in use. We don't blindly pursue the lightweight of the mount body; we are more so along the lines of stability for entire use.

The capacity of this mount is 13kg without any counterweights attached, and increases to 20kg when using (up to) a 5kg counterweight.

Note: the counterweight should be secured on a counterweight bar of no more than 25cm in length.

Equatorial Mount / Altazimuth Mount

  • Equatorial Mount Mode: Suitable for tracking and photographing objects
  • Altazimuth Mount Mode: Suitable for observing objects
  • You can switch between these two methods with the app, or through the hand controller.

Other Features

  • Status Light Indicator
    • Red Light: Indicated equatorial mount mode
    • Green Light: Indicates altazimuth mount mode
  • All-Round 0-90 Degree Pitch Angle
    • Gear 1: Adjust the pitch angle grip to achieve any degree between 0 and 60
    • Gear 2: Loosen the hex-head screw, then adjust the pitch angle grip to achieve any degree between 45 and 90.
  • Wireless Control
    • Tonight's Target, GOTO, Live Preview, and so many great functions can be achieved through your phone.
  • Rocker-Style Hand Controller
    • Comfortable touch and easy to use, integrated with WiFi network allows for wireless control.
  • Power Failure Protection
    • ZWO AM5 mount is equipped with a brake design in case of a sudden power failure, which will prevent the telescope from falling and being damaged.
  • Seamless Linkage with ASAIR
    • ASIAIR can control AM5 via wired or wireless connection. The ASI package gives customers the best astrophotography experience.

What's in the Box

  • Hard Case
  • AM3 Mount Body
  • 2m USB2.0 cable
  • Performance Sheet
  • Quick Guide Brochure
  • Hand Controller
  • 2m Hand Controller Cable
  • M6 Allen key
  • M4 Allen key

Specifications

Mount type Equatorial mount
Mount mode Equatorial mode / Altazimuth mode
Drive Strain wave gear + Synchronous belt
(Reduction ratio: 300 : 1)
Periodic error <±20°
PE duration 432 S
Drive (RA) NEMA42 stepper motor + Model No. 17 (Reduction ratio: 100:1) + Brake
Drive (DEC) NEMA35 stepper motor
(Reduction ratio: 100:1) + Model No.17
Load capacity 13kg without counterweight
20kg with counterweight
Weight 5kg
Latitude adjustment range 0°-90°
Azimuth angle adjustment range ±10°
Dovetail Losmandy & Vixen 500g
Interface thread of counterweight shaft M12
Stepper motor resolution 0.17"
Max slew speed 6°/S
Slew rate 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 20x,60x, 720x, 1440x
Power port DC5.5-2.1 (12V-3A)
Power consumption 12V / 0.386A (Standby)
12V / 0.58A (Tracking)
12V / 1.7A (GOTO)
Guide port ST4
Communication interface USB/WiFi
Zero position Mechanical
Operating temperature -15°C - 40°C
Power failure protection Yes

Customer Reviews

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R
Retired

Well made, solid performance and so much lighter and easier to manage than my Celestron CGEM. I bought the CGEM to accommodate a C9.25. In hindsight I would have been better off buying the AM5 in addition to the AM3. The ZWO is an amazing mount.

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