ZWO AM3 Strain Wave Drive Equatorial Mount Head

Astrophotographers have been raving about the ZWO AM5's performance and portability, and it has quickly become one of the hobby's best-selling mounts. Now, ZWO has introduced its little brother, the even more portable AM3!

ZWO AM3 Equatorial Mount with Harmonic Drive Gears
With the Harmonic Equatorial Mount AM3, ZWO offers a transportable mount for astrophotography. The mount weighs less than 4 kg and carries telescopes up to 8 kg without counterweight. With counterweight and the counterweight rod (not included) the mount can even carry telescopes up to 13 kg. Several years of development and various patents have gone into this exciting mount.

Many functions and easy operation
The AM3 can be operated in equatorial or azimuth mode. For astrophotography, the equatorial mode is used. The mount must be aligned as accurately as possible with the celestial pole. For visual observing or lunar and planetary photography, the altazimuth mode is sufficient. The mount is then ready for use in a few minutes. The status indicator always shows in which mode the mount is: Red represents equatorial mode and green represents altazimuth mode.

No more counterweights needed
Normally, German equatorial mounts need counterweights to balance the telescope weight. This is the only way to ensure proper operation. The AM3 uses a harmonic drive from the robotics industry, it does not require counterweights up to a telescope weight of 8 kg. This makes the AM3 lighter, more compact and easier to operate. Only for heavier telescopes we recommend counterweights to keep mount and tripod in balance.

Smooth tracking is guaranteed
ZWO checks and measures every AM3 mount before 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 autoguiding interface. Via ASIAir or other software the PE can also be reduced electronically.

Useable anywhere on Earth
As you would expect from a true travel mount, the AM3 can be used anywhere on Earth, from the equator to the poles. The mount has room in any flight baggage.

No more cables thanks to WiFi
All functions of the mount can be controlled via smartphone. Of course, the AM3 works especially well with ASIAir from ZWO. With ASIAIR, everything from the camera to autoguiding to the mount can be controlled via app using a smartphone or tablet. The mount can also be operated with the handbox without a smartphone. The handbox also works wirelessly, of course.

ZWO AM3 Specifications List

• Mount type: Equatorial mount
• Mount mode: Equatorial mode/Altazimuth mode
• Drive type: Strain wave gear + synchronous belt (300:1 reduction ratio)
• Payload Capacity without Counterweight: 17.5lbs (8kg)
• Payload Capacity with Counterweight: 28.5lbs (13kg)
• Mount Head weight: 8.5lbs (3.9kg)
• Latitude adjustment range: (0º - 90º)
• Azimuth angle adjustment range: ±6º
• Periodic error: ±15 arcseconds
• Periodic error duration: 288 seconds
• Saddle type: Losmandy & Vixen (500g)
• Drive (RA): NEMA35 stepper motor (model number 14, reduction ratio 100:1) with brake
• Drive (Dec): NEMA35 stepper motor (model number 14)
• Interface thread of counterweight shaft: M12
• Stepper motor resolution: 0.17"
• Max slew speed: 6º per second
• Slew rates: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 20x, 60x, 720x, 1440x
• Power port: DC 5.5x2.1mm (12V, 5A)
• Power consumption (standby): 12V / 0.5A
• Power consumption (tracking): 12v / 0.5A
• Power consumption (slewing/GoTo): 12V / 0.7A (1.3A Heavy Load Mode)
• Guide port: ST-4
• Communication interfaces: USB/WiFi/Bluetooth
• Zero position: Mechanical
• Operating temperature: -15ºC (5ºF) to 40ºC (104ºF)
• Power failure protection: Yes
• Mount base diameter: 122mm

What's in the Box