Equatorial mount ZWO AM5

Equatorial mount ZWO AM5 with harmonic transmission gears

With the "Harmonic Equatorial Mount AM5" ZWO offers a portable mount for astrophotography. The mount weighs less than 5 kg and can carry telescopes up to 15 kg without counterweight. With the counterweight and counterweight rod (optional), the mount can carry telescopes up to 20 kg. This fascinating mount has been the subject of several years of development and several patents.

Many functions and easy operation.

The AM5 can be used in either equatorial or azimuthal mode. For astrophotography the equatorial mode is used. The mount should be aligned as precisely as possible with the celestial pole. For visual observation or lunar and planetary photography, the altazimuthal mode is sufficient. The mount is ready for use within a few minutes. The status indicator always shows which mode the mount is in: red represents the equatorial mode and green the altazimuthal mode.

No more counterweights are needed

Normally, German equatorial mounts need counterweights to balance the weight of the telescope. This is the only way to ensure proper operation. The AM5 uses robotic technology, so it does not need counterweights up to a 15 kg telescope weight. This makes the AM5 lighter, more compact and easier to handle. Only for heavier telescopes we recommend counterweights to maintain the balance between the mount and the tripod.

Smooth follow-up is ensured

ZWO checks and measures each AM5 mount prior to delivery and guarantees a periodic error ("PE") of less than +/-20 arc seconds. The periodic error occurs very slowly, so that the autoguider has enough time to correct it. Of course, the mount has an ST-4 autoguider interface. Through ASIAir or other software, the PE can also be reduced electronically.

Usable anywhere on Earth.

As you would expect from a true travel mount, the AM5 can be used anywhere on Earth, from the equator to the poles. The mount has room in any flight baggage.

Polar alignment of the mount for astrophotography

In equatorial mode, the mount must be aligned exactly with the north or south celestial pole. Small errors are of course corrected by autoguiding. The alignment of the mount is done quickly and easily with ASIAir or other suitable software.
However, Teleskop-Service and ZWO are working on an optional solution with a polar finder that mounts parallel to the mount.

No more control cables thanks to WiFi

All mount functions can be controlled via smartphone. Of course, the AM5 works especially well with ASIAir from ZWO. With ASIAIR, everything from the camera to the automatic guidance to the mount can be controlled via an app using a smartphone or tablet. The mount can also be operated with the remote control without a smartphone. Of course, the remote control also works wirelessly.New: the application now also supports Bluetooth.

Supports cable management to avoid cable tangles.

Seat plate now integrates a DC output and a type C portTo effectively prevent cable entanglement. Cable protection process ensures safe operation of the equipment: the unique design process ensures that the internal cables are not twisted or worn when the DEC rotates, which escorts the operation of the equipment.

Important notes:

There is an ASIAIR seeker shoe attached to the side panel of the AM5, intended for mounting a polar seeker. The finder shoe is not suitable for mounting an ASIAIR at this point, as both the cables and the ASIAIR antenna can be crushed.

Therefore, if you wish to place the finder shoe in a different location, such as on the side of the dovetail style mounting plate, you may want to use a different style mounting plate Losmandy & Vixen, if you do not screw the two remaining hex screws COMPLETELY into the side panel, be sure not to screw the remaining two hex screws COMPLETELY into the side panel. Keep the length of the inner part between 3 and 5 mm. Alternatively, you can use M4x3,5 mm or M4x4 mm screws there, which are available at ZWO, but also in hardware stores.

If you screw in the M4x8 mm screws completely, taking into account the compact structure of the AM5, the wires inside the mount may be pressed and damaged, which may cause the mount to fail.

Newer brackets have M4x3.5 mm screws bolted to the saddle plate, these go on the side panel when the viewfinder shoe is attached to the saddle platetogetherWith the M4x8 mm screws (will not be fastened with the short screws).

The manufacturer has prepared a product manual for the AM5 mount, you candownload the PDF here.