About this product
Model: zwo_am3_tc40
Part Number: ZWO-AM3-TC40
ZWO AM3 Harmonic Drive Mount with TC40 CF Tripod.
Traditional equatorial mounts require counterweights, and maintaining balance in RA and DEC directions can be difficult. Their size/shape can also make them inconvenient for transit and storage.
Some strain wave geared mounts are relatively simple in function, insufficient in load capacity, and not very stable in use.
To solve the above issues, ZWO developed their ASI Mount series. With a body weight of only 3.9kg, the AM3 has a large load capacity from 8kg (without counterweight) to 13kg (with counterweight).
Portability is important, but so too, is stability. Instead of pursuing only the lightest mount body weight, ZWO has paid careful attention to stability and ease of use. The body's internal structure is optimised for the strain wave gear reducer and synchronous belt, bringing more accurate control and an amazing reduction ratio of 300:1.
It can be used as an equatorial or altazimuth mount and controlled via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a hand controller.
Portable and stable
The body's internal structure is optimised for the strain wave gear reducer and synchronous belt, bringing more accurate control and an amazing reduction ratio of 300:1.
Customised Strain Wave Gear
ZWO developed the special strain wave gear based on the actual needs for astrophotography, so it has a very low periodic error and high torque. Each mount is tested at the factory and includes a PE curve chart to maintain quality and performance.
3.9kg Net Weight
ZWO has achieved this low body while maintaining stability and ease of use.
8kg-13kg payload
The load capacity of AM3 without the counterweight is 8kg and 13kg with the counterweight.
* The counterweight should be secured on a counterweight bar of no more than 20cm in length.
Equatorial Mode / Altazimuth Mode
The mode can be switched via ASI Mount App or hand controller.
Equatorial Mode: Suitable for tracking and photographing objects
Altazimuth Mode: Suitable for visual astronomy
All-round 0°-90° Pitch Angle
Gear 1: Allow you to adjust the pitch angle grip to achieve a degree between 0 and 60.
Gear 2: You can loosen the hex-head screw and then adjust the pitch angle between 30 and 90.
Wireless Control
Tonight’s Target, GOTO, Live Preview and other functions can be set using your smartphone.
Rocker-style Hand Controller
Comfortable touch and easy to use. Integrated with Wi-Fi network allowing for wireless control. You can easily upgrade the firmware of the hand controller and mount it on the webpage.
Seamless Linkage with ASIAIR
ASIAIR can control AM5 via a wired or wireless connection. The ASI package gives customers the best astrophotography experience.
What’s in the box
Optional accessories include:
① Pier Extension
With the pier extension, telescopes with a long focal length are less likely to hit the tripod legs.
② Carbon Fiber Tripod
Compact and portable for easy transport inside your hand luggage.
Carbon fibre material: High strength and high impact resistance.
Adjustable height: 470-800mm. Dual-section legs provide a stable and rigid platform for telescopes and cameras.
Spreader plate: Increase the stability of the tripod.
Weight bag: Provides additional stability by filling it with suitable weights such as stones or your telescope battery pack.
Fixed spread angle: Easy to use.
Customer reviews
| Average Rating (2 Reviews): | |
15 August 2024 | Tony
Having bought a StellaMira 80ED f6.25 refractor, a ZWO ASi 585MC imaging camera, a ZWO ASi 120MM guide camera, a ZWO EFA focuser and the ASi Air-Mini to run it all, I found that my SW Star Adventurer 2i Pro was both struggling and unsteady on my Manfrotto 053 tripod. I also own a 3-legged-thing Winston2 carbon tripod so tried that with little joy - clearly the SW SA mount was the weak point so next thing was to add this mount. I debated whether to go with teh AM5 or the AM3 and settled on the AM3 because this is intended to be a travelling bundle so weight is an issue. I also have an HEQ5 Pro that sits in the garden and doesn't get used enough (and is likely to gather more dust / cobwebs now I have this mount).
Wow - what an improvement! Of course it wasn't cheap (even without the pier and ZWO tripod) and so the amount of clouds within the box were significant. It is however so easy to use and polar align with the ASi-Studio app that I run on my iPad.
What additional points would I make any potential buyer aware of:
1 - The mount is quite heavy but even then you will need a sturdy tripod and I hang my 150W Lithium Power Pack under the tripod,.This ensures the cables aren't too tight and gives a lower centre of gravity and so enhances stability.
2 - I have found that running a single power feed from my Power Pack to the ASi Air-Mini and then from one of the Mini's auxiliary outputs to the mount works absolutely fine.
3 - Whilst ZWO isn't mean in cables it supplies with all these bits, I found it worth using shorter USB to USB-A cables for the mount and focuser and a shorter USB to USB-C cable for the guide camera so I could keep the cables neatly bundled and they don't snag whilst doing extended sessions. I didn't change the main camera's USB to USB-A cable to ensure best data transmission.
And what about the SW SA 2i Pro? I may well keep that so I can track celestial motion with my digital camera at wider angles such as meteors, Milky Way etc.
17 December 2023 | Kim
I've had this combo for several weeks. As the younger relation to the AM5 the AM3, despite lacking the 12V power out socket plus a few other goodies assigned to its big brother, is still no slouch when it comes to capabilities. It's a perfect companion to my StellaMira 90mm ED 'scope and is well within specified payload limits without the need for a counterweight. Together with the TC40 Tripod the whole kit makes an easily transportable combination and looks great (particularly if your into colour coordination!). Some teething problems with the AM3 saddle flatness were sorted out for me in quick time by the FLO team. Although I'm ashamed to say the kit is still waiting first light operation (hence 4 star rating for the time being) due to a mixture of poor weather conditions and priority home improvements I'm confident of good results after having performed several successful indoor 'dry runs' with an ASiair mini in the loop. I'll update this review when I get to try it out in anger, hopefully early in the New Year. Shipped and well packed as always by the FLO team! Thank you.
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