I solved my frustration with the Celestron AVX mount. I threw it in the trash....literally. I've replaced the motor control board, hand controllers (yes, 2 of them), did numerous hardware updates, bought new power supplies and now I will never have to mess with that nightmare mount again. I just bought the ZWO AM3 from you guys today which will work with every scope I own. I did keep the AVX tripod legs as I think they may come in handy down the road.

Nice job fellas. Very insightful. Well presented. Quite enjoyable to watch. I'm sold on the AM3: very lightweight, but robust enough for my 6" CTS or small refractor. Thanks for posting! Kind regards.

Need more videos from the two of you.

Fun video thanks! Good points too! I moved my 130APO from my 20yr old EQ6 (that wasn't broke) over to an AM5+PE200. I'm very nostalgic about the EQ6, but totally happy with the result (after two slipped disks nearly put me out of action permanently). I still run this on the EQ6 tripod, no need for a counterweight or ballast as its wider at the base and heavy enough in its own right to lower the CofG. It's an easy mod. Now the load in the camping cart I use for transport and setup has roughly halved (from 70kg to 35kg). One thing I did find out the hard way is that the TC40 + hammock + ballast story is wishful thinking in the ZWO sales department. If you have anything bigger than a C8, 6" newt, or a 4" refractor you don't want to go down the TC40 route. Modern tech. and materials don't change the old fasioned principle that a lightweight tripod WILL become a vibration prone wobbly monstrosity if you put a heavy load on top (especially a long tube newt or refractor). But I liked the AM5 so much that I also bought/ordered an FF80 astrograph+reducer+2600duo+AM3+PE160+ASIair mini, to put on the carbon TC40 tripod as a wide field grab and go. I really like that as a concept. It will work well as a package. This is coming in at 15kg all-up including the battery weight. So I hope that when all parts are delivered and assembled, I'll be able to pick it up and carry it over my shoulder.

@studywithme8055

5 ай бұрын

Interesting, did you setup the atrograph, I am on the same boat but wonder if the am3 would be enough for a lightweight setup.

@amp2amp800

5 ай бұрын

@@studywithme8055 Oh yes! The FF80 rig as described above is exceeding all my expectations. AM3 is a delight. It guides like a dream ~0.6"-0.8". Its a lovely little instrument and the one that gets used most now. It stays assembled in the living room, and can be carried out in one piece, and the smaller size helps it fit on my balcony too (the asiair has an all sky polar alignment that works great for that). Unless I really want deep reach or need the aperture, there's no need to build up on the roof terrace and stand guard in the cold. I'm really enjoying wide fields and the 2600mc duo. I added a pegasus pocket power box micro to tidy up the cables and for dewcontrol, and an EAF. Couldn't be more satisfied.

@amp2amp800

5 ай бұрын

@@studywithme8055 Yes I did, and its now the telescope I use the most! I'm very happy with it. I added a pegasus pocket power box micro to the description given above, and that, together with the 2600 DUO avoiding the need for a separate guide scope/cam, makes the wiring very clean. Its unlikely to snag against doorhandles etc. in transport. I can indeed pick it up and carry it in one piece (as per plan) so I don't need to build and disassemble every time. I would say it is on the very limit if that level of convenience is your goal - (a 60mm OG would be a more comfortable load). I have a little rucksack to carry the battery (and lightframe) making the journey to our appartment's shared roof terrace a single trip in the elevator (no need to leave expensive equipment unattended). The biggest win is that the smaller instrument can be set up on my private balcony. Although sky visibility is limited there the asiair's all sky polar align works a treat for me, and the short tube doesn't have danger spots where it might slew or track into an obstacle. After setup I can manage it in comfort from indoors, or set it up to run a plan while I cart it's big brother up to the roof.

I just bought the AM5 and PE200 pier extension from you guys! I also bought the rods, that allow me to downsize to the P120 you reviewed here. You mention the plates on the pier being directly interchangeable with other manufacturers Tripods. My discussion with your store didn't support this claim. I also want to mention that you seem to have inventory when the bigger stores may be back ordered.

I hope you can make soon a video with simon tang, about solar photography!

I've been waiting for AM3, but it's still not there, so HAE29 it is!

Can my ASIAIR plus power this mount along with my EAF and zwo camera? I have a Jakery to power my ASIAIR.

Would have liked a side by side comparison for size and dimensions and payload test

I have the AM5 (love it) however, I still struggle with locking down the adjustments during polar alignment. If you loosen too much and then tighten when aligned, everything gets thrown off. Lately I’ve found that you can actually move the adjustments if not totally locked down….do you think I could cause damage by not loosening that all when making adjustments?

@tma2001

11 ай бұрын

first I've heard of this complaint - what did you seller have to say ? you may have a faulty unit. Have you asked arounf on the astro forum AM5 owners threads for advice ?

@josephluciani5531

11 ай бұрын

Yes, I’ve seen this complaint in various forums, etc., There just doesn’t seem to be an easy answer. My problems are doubled because I set up on my deck and since my presence on the deck actually effects the alignment, I need to make adjustments, jump inside the house to see the reading, go out to the mount, make the new adjustments, yada, yada. The final adjustment of tightening the adjustments is…well, hit or miss. If I’m lucky 15 minutes, if unlucky 20+. I probably wouldn’t be complaining about this issue if I didn’t have to leave the deck to get my reading.

@tma2001

11 ай бұрын

@@josephluciani5531 I'm surprised as the review by The Narrowband Channel was the complete opposite i.e. it was a joy to align. Considering how expensive it is, I would of sent it straight back for a replacement.

@l0nemonk100

10 ай бұрын

I always loosen it for polar alignment. Yes it can be frustrating doing the alignment as if you go past where you want it, when going in the opposite direction the screw has to get to tension (where the mount just starts to move) in order to adjust it to where you want it. After you start adjusting I usually just tighten the accension just enough so that I feel friction and then I can fine tune it. This also has prevented losing adjustment after polar alignment when I fully tighten it.

Please make a current video with "Prima Luce Lab" and the founder Phillipo and as well, Tom Bramwell

Which one is better for precise polar Alignment? Are the smaller sized parts like knobs and clutches of AM3 as robust as on AM5?

@l0nemonk100

10 ай бұрын

Almost exactly the same. I have no problems with either AM3 or AM5. The knobs are the same.

Hello. Can I use a C8 on the am3 mount. ?

I have the AM5 and the counterweight bar. That is fine, but why does no one talk about what counterweights are available for the AM5? I would like to know.

@l0nemonk100

10 ай бұрын

You need a 11 pound maximum counterweight which is not sold by ZWO.

I have been considering both mounts for my 80mm refractor. Is the guiding performance similar on both units?

@l0nemonk100

10 ай бұрын

Get the AM5. Depending on the scope and image train you shoould get the bigger version. Yes I have used my 80mm on my AM3 with no problems but it is a better fit on the AM5. Yes guiding is the same.

ZWO don't list the dimensions of the included AM3 and AM5 padded cases. I would like to know for flying abroad to dark sites as overhead cabin luggage. For example low cost carriers with an Airbus fleet are limited to a standard size of 56 x 45 x 25 cm.

@coreywelch

8 ай бұрын

I have the AM5 and the padded case is 12.5 x 13 x 7 inches. Or 32 x 33 x 18 cm for the metric people.

Are these mounts not really good for just visual use

I have the AM5. How do you determine how much counterweight to use? ZWO has nothing about that in the manual. I have the tripod with the solid pier. I use two 20lb light stand sand bags in the bag the tripod has.

@nikaxstrophotography

7 ай бұрын

5 kg max for counterweight

I know this out of context but how do I use my reward points on your site? Seems like there is no way to use them and if so why even give them to the customer if they cannot do anything with them!?

For those of you that own the AM5 with the ZWO tripod, do you find the tripod too low for your comfort level?

Seems the AM5 is just a little more money if you want to add a heavier scope later without buying a new mount, just get the AM5 now.

@michakubisz535

10 ай бұрын

It's "only" 50% more money ;)

@wololo10

8 ай бұрын

@@michakubisz535 33% more

AM3, not 12volt outlet , one more cable to run from the asi airpro plus to the power source ,not good

@alexandrarosa264

9 ай бұрын

So does the ASIAIR power the am 3?

None of these mounts in my opinion is grab and go, they will always need a computer to control and addedsoftware/hardware to polar align

@amp2amp800

3 ай бұрын

I use an asiair mini to control my rig. Its smaller than a cigarette packet, and I control it from the asiair app on my phone. Its always attached to the telescope.The whole rig (an FF80 80mm petzval quad APO with reducer and an asi2600mc duo camera on a TC40 tripod with PE160 and AM3) is completely "grab and go". I just pick it up and carry it out on my shoulder whenever its clear. I have a small backpack to help me take the battery and the flatfield generator in a single journey with the telescope (to the roof terrace, or to the car and back again at the end of the night). I have an above knee leg amputation and walk with a prosthetic leg. My dominant right hand is paralysed. I figure that if I can manage it, then its portable for anyone. It would be even more convenient with an FF65, zenithstar, redcat or similar.

Promo'SM 😓

I watched at 1:40 Hmmm, I need a counterweight for 50 lbs?

@yuqiwan135

11 ай бұрын

Definitely. Honestly at 50lbs you should probably consider something that's even larger like the IOptron hae69 or at least the NYX-101 from Pegasus which has the payload rating of 69 lbs and 44lbs respectively if I remembered correctly.

So! You've been using these as door stops for NINE MONTHS!!!! Are they empty housings??? Here's a radical idea, plug one in and turn it on!!!!!!

I will not buy both products, because "Harmonic drive" doesn't have accuracy (PEC) .

@ddiver7908

8 ай бұрын

Uh oh. We have a hater here😂

@bakus-hobby-ch

8 ай бұрын

@@ddiver7908 Uh oh. I have a hater here😂 .The accuracy is +-30" and no periodic in "Harmonic drive" .This is true. Those products can't be used for "Deep space".

@ddiver7908

8 ай бұрын

@@bakus-hobby-ch that's actually good to know. i was going to get the AM5 and use it as a travel for widefield, like a redcat51. For like my 120mm i'm still going to use my EQ6. Thanks for clarifying.

@nikaxstrophotography

7 ай бұрын

@@bakus-hobby-ch um, you use these with guiding and they ARE very useful for deep space.

@bakus-hobby-ch

7 ай бұрын

​@@nikaxstrophotographyI believe that the deep space photography you are talking about is of large nebulae. Instead, it would be difficult to Align and guide a comet of magnitude 18 as it approaches the solar system, but would it be possible to photograph it? The shooting time is mostly around sunset or sunrise. What do you do when there are no other stars to guide for comettes? Is it possible to photograph the nearby ISS, which is less than 400km away, over f=4000? The equatorial mount I have can do that.