The ZWO "Harmonic Equatorial Mount AM5" is a transportable mount designed specifically for astrophotography. The mount itself weighs less than 5kg but can carry telescopes up to 15kg without counterweight. With counterweight and the counterweight rod (optional) the mount can then carry telescopes up to 20kg in weight. Several years of development and various patents have gone into this exciting new mount and the results speak for themselves.

So many functions and easy operation:
The AM5 can be operated equatorially or azimuthally. For astrophotography, the equatorial mode is normally used and 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 more than sufficient. The status indicator always shows in which mode the mount is: Red represents equatorial mode and green represents altazimuth mode so its easy to identify at a glance.

No more counterweights needed:
Normally, German equatorial mounts need counterweights to balance the telescope weight and this is the only way to ensure proper operation. However the AM5 uses robotics technology and it does not require counterweights for telescopes up to 15kg. This makes the AM5 lighter, more compact and easier to operate. Only for heavier telescopes up to a maximum of 20kg, then we recommend using counterweights to keep mount and tripod in balance.

Smooth tracking is guaranteed:
ZWO checks and measures every AM5 mount before delivery and guarantees a periodic error ("PE") of less than +/-20 arc seconds and in addition to this the periodic error occurs very slowly, so that the autoguider has enough time to correct it. Via ASIAIR or another software the PE can also be reduced electronically.

Useable 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 and the compact design of the mount means it has room in any medium sized luggage case.

Polar alignment of the mount for astrophotography:
In equatorial mode, the mount needs to be aligned exactly with the celestial north or south pole but small errors are of course corrected by autoguiding. Aligning the mount can also be done quickly and easily with the ASIAIR or other suitable software.

No more control cables thanks to WiFi:
All functions of the mount can also be controlled via smartphone when coupled with the ASIAIR for example. With the ASIAIR, everything from the camera to autoguiding and to the mount itself can be controlled via the ASI app using a smartphone or tablet. The mount can also be separately operated with the hand controller without a smartphone if preferred.

Supports cable management to prevent cable entanglement:
The saddle plate now integrates DC output and Type-C port to effectively prevent cable entanglement. The unique design ensures that the internal cables will not be twisted and worn when the DEC rotates.

Important notes:

There is an ASIAIR finder shoe attached on to the side of the AM5 which is meant for attaching a polar finder scope. This finder shoe is not suitable for mounting an ASIAIR as both the cables and the antenna of the ASIAIR can be crushed during movement.

If you want to attach this finder shoe to a different location on the mount which is more suitable, such as on the side of the Losmandy / Vixen dovetail saddle plate, then make sure not to over tighten the Hex screws fully into the side panel or you will damage the insert threads. Keep the length of the inner threads between 3-5 mm.

Newer mounts have M4x3.5mm screws screwed into the saddle plate, these go into the side panel when the finder shoe is attached to the saddle plate along with the M4 x 8mm screws (it will not hold with the shorter screws).

Mount Spec:

• Mount type: German equatorial mount
• Operating mode:    Altazimuth or equatorial
  
• Gear system: Harmonic Drive
  
• Periodic error:    less than +/- 10" - passing time 288 seconds
  
• RA Motor: Stepper motor - Synchonous belt + 17 type 100 reduction ratio strain
• wave gear + brake
  
• DEC Motor: Stepper motor - Synchonous belt + 17 type 100 reduction ratio strain
• wave gear + brake
  
• Maximum load capacity: 15kg without counterweights - 20 kg with counterweights
  
• Weight of the mount head: 5 kg
  
• Operating range: 0° to 90° north / south latitude
  
• Telescope mount: Losmandy and Vixen style quick coupling
  
• Connection for counterweight rod: M12 x 1.75 female thread
  
• Connection on the tripod sinde:    3/8" phototripod thread
  
• Maximum adjustment speed: 6° per second
  
• Correction speeds: 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 20x, 60x, 720x and 1440x
  
• Power supply: 12 V - max 3 A (with GoTo) - DC 5.5-2.1
  
• Autoguiding: ST4 port
  
• Communication: USB/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth

Tripod Spec:

• Material: Metal & Carbon Fiber
• Weight: 2.3 kg
  
• Max Payload: 50kg
  
• Transport length: 500mm
  
• Working height: 470 to 800mm
  
• Diameter of legs: 40/36 mm
  
• Compatibility: ZWO AM5, AM3, iOptron GEM40/45, Rainbow Astro 135E, Skywatcher AZ-GTi

Whats included:

1. AM5 mount head
   
2. Hand controller and cable
3. Carbon Fiber Tripod (+ Weight Bag for securing heavier Telescopes)