ZWO AM3 Mount Review Travel Telescope Harmonic Mount Strain Wave

[@swagonman]

I was looking at the AM3 for its low weight and lower price. But in the end I sprung for the AM5 for its added carrying capacity, better case, pass-through power port, and possibly slightly better guiding due to larger harmonic gears. And it didn’t weigh all that much more than AM3. So I waited for a sale to reduce the higher price. But I’m happy with it. Both AM5 and AM3 are fantastic. BTW, ZWO sells the pier extension as an option because a lot of people have the RedCat 51 or other short refractor. Thanks for the nice video.

[@RefreshingViews]

Ah I wondered why the pier is an option but using a smaller scope makes perfect sense. Yes there isn’t much difference between the AM3-5 so I can see why you went for the more capable setup.

[@6Diego1Diego9]

this guy has great hair. im envious of his hair

[@RefreshingViews]

Cheers Diego - you’ve made my day!!

[@damienk2372]

​@@RefreshingViewsdifferent colour than mine mate 😊

[@Grahamwarrellow1]

Thanks for another great review Mark! I have an AM5 setup with my AP Traveler but added the AM3 a year ago for my RedCat61 WIFD. I use it with the pier extension, filter wheel and ASI2600MM and find it to be totally reliable and robust. I have also added exercise weights in to the fabric basket. I have been amazed at how good the autoguiding has been in conjunction with the ASI220MM and have tested exposures at 5 and 10 minutes giving me pinpoint stars. I have never been so relaxed setting up an evening run of 10 min exposures (currently trying to shoot the Squid Nebula) on the occasional clear evening in the UK :) 100% recommend!

[@RefreshingViews]

Glad you are enjoying your mount. They do some to perform well don't they? Good luck shooting the squid - not easy with these skies!

[@johnsmith-rd9rr]

Love my Am3. With a cw bar and weight, it handles a Meade 8 sct with full imaging gear behind it.

[@RefreshingViews]

Oh wow that must be quite a set up. Glad it’s working well for you.

[@chrisbeckett9908]

Great review Mark. When I first saw this type of mount I was going to buy one but realized there is no manual override where you can throw the clutches to manually slew. Love the wild flowers in your back garden!

[@RefreshingViews]

Cheers Chris - you’re right you can’t move the mount without power. That’s where your AZ GTI will do better as you have both manual and goto/tracking. How’s you in meantime? I’m sleepy today as we’ve just had a monster Aurora. I now see why people are so passionate about Aurora hunting. A familiar sight for you I’m sure but a first for me.

[@chrisbeckett9908]

@@RefreshingViews The Aurora was pretty wild here, all over the sky all at once and we could see it through some thick cirrus cloud and arcing by and over the crescent moon. But it was tough to tell what was cloud and what was Aurora.

[@MrGp3po]

Chris, although these mounts can't be manually moved, the joystick style hand control works great and moves the mount in all directions. I have never needed to manually move the mount, the GoTo works great, even just using the mount phone app. There is a slow and fast speed select-able on the hand control, plus tracking indicator light/tracking stop, go to Home position button.

[@chrisbeckett9908]

@@MrGp3po Thanks MrGp3, the idea of the joystick is appealing and I started looking around to see if one might work with my AZEQ6. My concern is if one wants to use this mount for visual and the battery runs out or you just want to do a quick session in the cold to look at the Moon or planets a different mount would be needed.

[@davidtotten3042]

I’m blessed with having both am3 and am5. I can’t imagine going back to my old mounts now. While neither are perfect, they both come close. They both track very similar to each other, and if I had to nitpick anything it would be that they don’t track quite as well as my old CGX. They have more periodic error. Good guiding negates this problem. But both of them together weighs a lot less than the CGX by itself! One thing I would suggest is to get the counter weight setup, as these tend to be top heavy and that helps a lot. I also generally put a weigh on the canvas “shelf” to really secure it. The heaviest scope I’ve had on the AM3 is my c9.25 with a slew of accessories and it handles the weight fine.

[@RefreshingViews]

Oh wow hadn’t thought of going up to a 9.25. That’s quite some payload. Good tip with weighting the little shelf.

[@davidtotten3042]

@@RefreshingViews don’t think I recommend a 9.25, but on the clear CALM night I used it it was fine. I did have to change out my guide scope to a bigger one for it to track ok. It was more of a “what if” experiment to see what would happen. The AM 5 handled it with ease. I still primarily use the CGX for it. It was tremendously top heavy with that set up.

[@kencunningham843]

Hey Mark, hello from Canada. Recently got into EAA thanks in large part to your videos. Really enjoying it, as it allows me to see so much more from my bortle 8/9 skies. Ended up getting the Am5 and it’s great. Honestly, give the small price difference, I’d go for it over the Am3. It’s still super light and easy to pack up for travel, while giving you much more weight capacity. I’m running my Borg 90fl along with my reduced C8 on it, which gives me a lot of flexibility in terms of the image scale I want to go after on a given night. EAA seems like it’s going to be a total gateway into AP… definitely going down a rabbit here.

[@RefreshingViews]

Hi Ken so glad you’re enjoying your setup. It’s fantastic isn’t it? And yes the EAA is quite something - especially if you’ve got to fight the light pollution. Where are you based in Canada? I spent a year in St Catharines ON and returned a few years later to backpack around the Rockies Whistler-Jasper-Banff. Amazing place if a tad chilly in winter!!

[@kencunningham843]

@@RefreshingViews Hey Mark, yeah EAA is really helpful with cutting through the light pollution. It's letting me see stuff I wouldn't see any other way. I wasn't sure if I would get the same sense of awe I do from doing visual, but it does as much or greater even! I live on the West Coast of Canada, in a place called New Westminster, BC. I've also lived in Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Toronto. Cool to know you come out this way sometimes. Did you end up deciding on keep the AM3? Big fan of the channel by the way!

[@RefreshingViews]

@@kencunningham843 Hi Ken - sorry for slow reply! Yes I am a big fan of this live stacking. The little scopes with a camera now have the capability of large dobs under dark skies at a fraction of the price and logistics. I hope the forest fires aren't too bad for you guys over there this year. And yes, I kept the AM3. It is getting ready for a trip to Namibia next month, wahoo!

[@kencunningham843]

@@RefreshingViews Hey Mark, Smoke here on the west coast of Canada hasn't been too bad actually and as it turns out EAA has been a gateway int AP. I'm fully down the rabbit whole at this point! Nice to hear you have kept the am3, and exciting about the trip to Namibia! Will look forward to hearing about it!

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

I have one. Beware of all that torque. If something catches damage can ensue. I use mine in alt az mode. A few oddities - sending it HOME makes it point vertical initially. This over-rides any safety elevation limits you might have set to avoid the scope hitting the mount. It also won't fit in the case in alt-az configuration. I have never seen any reviewer actually use it in alt az mode. Mine is grab and go. I do like it and it's way better than my AZGTi (and so it should be for the price).

[@RefreshingViews]

Ah good point, yes there’s quite some power in that motor. Interesting to hear you’re in altaz. I imagine that is far more comfortable for visual? And yes far more capable than the GTI. Clear skies to you!

[@mikegosling8420]

Snazzy kit Mark, I like the cases it comes in as well!

[@RefreshingViews]

Cheers Mike - hope you saw the aurora too?

[@mikegosling8420]

No we missed it, I’ve seen some cracking photos of it though.

[@OlliesSpace]

Looks such a great portable setup and a decent payload. I also had the AZGTi but this would be a great step up.

[@RefreshingViews]

Great minds! I was using the AZ GTI. They’re very different mounts with corresponding weights, priced and performance. Either way you won’t be disappointed.

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

If you buy the full bundle plus a psu, you are looking at around £2000 which I do not consider cheap by any means. I'm nearly seventy and can still man handle my EQ6-R though I will be mounting it in a permanent position in a couple of months time. I can see the attraction of SWG mounts and I will be getting one, but I will wait until Sky Watcher release their mounts for comparison. I do like the look of their 100i mount with its dual saddles. Anyway, the AM3 is also in the mix, my grab and go set up is controlled by an ASIair mini, so there probably won't be any compatibility issues, the other one I am considering is the iOptron HEM15 which is a hybrid ( SWG on RA drive only ) but is a lot cheaper at around £1150. Thank you posting this review/ demo, I look forward to part two.

[@RefreshingViews]

You’re right they’re not cheap but do have great performance. That being said if you’re happy with your existing setup there’s no need to upgrade. Like you I have left my AZEQ6 in the shed as it works just fine. Let me know which one you go for in due course. Reading online the SW mounts come out later this year, fingers crossed.

[@Astro_Gardener]

Interesting video Mark, I noticed the pier has changed during the video, have you since brought the mount and put your own extension tube on?

[@RefreshingViews]

Good spot, Peter. You’re right I’ve gone for the lighter and cheaper pier extension ready for part 2. You recovered from aurora watching?

[@stevew321]

It's the perfect mount for your W.O. refractor. Buy it!

[@RefreshingViews]

Thanks Steve! Defo will - really pleased with its performance and weight.

[@Daniel_DP83]

i have the AM5 for maybe a half year now. most i use it for H-alpha photography

[@RefreshingViews]

Glad you are enjoying your mount Daniel.

[@聖帝サウザー-s7n]

シルバーのマウントリングを付けたままだと専用のケースに入るのでしょうか？

[@RefreshingViews]

Yes it does that’s how I store mine for travel.

[@聖帝サウザー-s7n]

ご返事、ありがとうございます😊 AM3は、いいですね

[@terrizittritsch745]

Mark, interesting to see you test one of these out. I’m waiting a bit for all of the new strain wave mounts to sugar out a bit before choosing one. The ZWO and Skywatcher have me most interested. Given the small price difference I’ll probably go for the larger versions just because a bit more mass can’t hurt and even the larger versions are so much more compact than my current EQ setups that I’ll find them equally portable.

[@RefreshingViews]

Hi Terri I don’t think you’ll go wrong with either version. Few club members now have AM5 while others have AM3 - depending on budget and payload. Both are great performers. You won’t be disappointed although it is disconcerting at first to see it moving around without counterweights!!

[@MrGp3po]

Not sure about the AM3 but I have never needed the pier extension with small scopes like the RedCat51 on my AM5 and TC40 tripod. (Although it might be a critical for those larger scopes.) I usually put a 5kg counter weight in the canvas bag for stability (I have them from my HEQ5s). These are great, light weight mounts with big capacity. My AM5 has now replaced my HEQ5 on the Primaluce pier mounted in my backyard observatory. It performs so well and integrates with the rest of my ZWO cameras, EAF, and ASIAirs, that I am wonder about selling those HEQ5s. I routinely leave the mount in place and cover with a plastic trashcan to protect from wet weather. It retains its Polar Alignment so well, it just takes a few minutes to set up for a session. Thanks for the review.

[@RefreshingViews]

Ah that makes sense. I wondered why the pier was an extra. Your set up sounds perfect - and need for counterweights to lower the CG noted.

[@BrianFraser]

Why did you change the Pillar to a hollow one?

[@RefreshingViews]

Just for weight ready for my trip to Namibia.

[@mikehardy8247]

You should explain the PE200 vs PE160 piers being different, as you show assembly with 200, but also use 160 in this video. Which is why they don't provide the pier with tripod. I have both AM3, and AM5. I loved my SW SA GTI, but these are much better.

[@RefreshingViews]

Good spot! I left the different piers in as a teaser for part 2. And yes defo a step up from the SW AZ GTI.

[@jules2545]

Hi, I enjoyed your video thanks. I noticed you use two different pier extentions. What is the difference between the two, apart from the obvious please :-)

[@RefreshingViews]

Ah good spot! The larger PE200 (solid tube) costs more and is heavier but has a higher payload. I went for the lighter and cheaper PE160. More to follow in part 2.

[@CDigata]

you have 2 tripods? and the 3/4 pier head?

[@RefreshingViews]

Good spot - I saved a bit of weight (and cost) by going to the lighter PE160 pier and returned the heavier PE200.

[@BungalowBill58]

Nothing against the USA but everything seems to be priced to the US$. For the AM5, tripod,extension pier and the counterweight bar, when and if I need it in the future, I have a Redcat51 atm, I am puting out $4646 Australian.

[@RefreshingViews]

Yeah they’re not cheap are they? I guess more competition and choices will reduce price in due course.

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Nice mount.

[@oceanbreze1977]

From what I can tell, observing the universe is for those few with the ability/time. It only helps others when shared, otherwise all will be lost if others dont care.

[@RefreshingViews]

Lovely words thank you!

[@stephenc2738]

Tripod for this mount is very expensive for a mass-produced piece of kit and requires a pier extension. If you want to do visual, this tripod and pier extension is too low.

[@NMHC1978]

for a beginner it is still to pricy. if they go under 1000 USD or 1000 Euro they will be interesting

[@RefreshingViews]

Fingers crossed the prices come down - hopefully more choices and competition will help with that.

[@nikaxstrophotography]

My thoughts? they are overpriced for what the components are inside them, considering strain wave gearing have been around for over 30 plus years

[@earthling-fh2mg]

Everything is overpriced in Astro equipment. We’re ripped off but so many nerds out there are willing and able to lay down the dosh.

[@nikaxstrophotography]

@@earthling-fh2mg Exactly! and the ones who then blather on about how this is and should be because they are stupid enough to believe this is value for money when it isnt. The companies rely on stupidity to sell at a premium.

[@nikaxstrophotography]

@@earthling-fh2mg Agreed! Out of principle I refuse to purchase these as they are overpriced, I wisj=h more people did the same and add to the backlash about price gouging I don't believe anything from the marketing types about costs thats just BS

[@earthling-fh2mg]

@@nikaxstrophotography Good to hear I’m not the only one willing to “pipe up” about it. I’m usually met with silence or disdain.

[@emranphy]

I have this mount from last 6 months but when the load is around 8 kg, the performance on long exposure time (more than 90 seconds) is poor. Star elongation and u will be attaching counter weight certainly destroys the basic idea of purchasing this mount. And in my case using quattaro reflector 150 mm even with counter weight the tracking is still terrible. So better to go for am5. I will not recommend it certainly. It is just like a fancy star tracker.

[@RefreshingViews]

Sorry to hear you haven’t enjoyed your mount. You defo have a heavier set up than me. As you say unless weight is a priority (eg overseas travel) you may as well go for AM5.

[@RefreshingViews]

@@SonnyPruitt-q1s it's not essential but useful. I don't have an Air but some of my friends in the club do use them as it controls the mount, camera, focuser etc all in one place. Not essential by any means.

[@SyriusLee]

Do you use it with guiding or without guiding?