Equatorial
Polar-align the mount to track the sky during long exposures.
- Best suited toDeep-sky imaging
- SetupSet the mount to your latitude and polar-align
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ZWO
ZWO AM5N Harmonic Drive Mount
$2,999.00
$3,499.00
-14%
ZWO AM5N
A strain wave mount for heavier imaging rigs.
The AM5N combines a 5.5 kg head with a strain wave and belt drive. It gives you equatorial tracking for imaging and a separate alt-azimuth mode for visual observing.
5.5 kgMount head
Carry the head separately
The head packs into its own foam case. Count the tripod and any counterweight hardware separately when planning what to carry.
15 / 20 kgRated payload
Size the mount to your complete rig
ZWO rates it at 15 kg without a counterweight or 20 kg with one, based on a 25 cm reference load arm.
±10″Periodic error limit
See how your mount tested
ZWO tests each mount’s drive and includes its individual periodic error report. The figure describes mechanical tracking error over a 288-second cycle. Guided results depend on your setup.
Mount gallery
What can the AM5N carry?
Weigh the telescope with its camera, guider and accessories fitted. How far that load sits from the mount matters as much as its weight.
- Without a counterweight15 kg reference rating
- With a counterweight20 kg reference rating
ZWO advises fitting a counterweight once the rig reaches 15 kg. It recommends up to 5 kg of counterweight, positioned 20–30 cm along the lever arm when using a 5 kg weight.
Use a stable tripod and check for tipping as the mount slews. The M12 × 1.75 counterweight bar and the weight are sold separately. ZWO AM5N user manual
Equatorial and alt-azimuth modes
Alt-azimuth
Track in altitude and azimuth for visual observing. Field rotation limits long exposures.
- Best suited toVisual observing
- SetupSet the mount to 90° and follow the tube orientation in the ZWO AM5N user manual
Switch modes with the mount powered off and unloaded.
Saddle connections and mount control
USB-C and 12 V at the saddle
Connect a compatible ASIAIR or computer to the mount at the saddle. The adjacent DC port can power compatible accessories. The saddle accepts Vixen and Losmandy dovetail bars.
SkyAtlas or hand control
Use the included hand controller or control the mount from SkyAtlas. Bluetooth connects directly to the mount. Wi-Fi uses the hand controller’s hotspot.
ASIAIR and computer control
The AM5N supports ASIAIR, ASIStudio, ASCOM and INDI. The main panel also has a USB-B port and an ST-4 autoguider input.
Good to know
Use one 12 V supply
Allow at least 3 A for the mount and extra capacity for accessories powered through it. Connect a supply to just one DC port at a time. The mount sounds a low-voltage alarm below 10.8 V.
Heavy-load mode slews more slowly
The maximum slew rate drops from 1,440× to 720× sidereal in heavy-load mode. The mount’s rated operating range is −20°C to 40°C.
Return to zero before shutdown
The right ascension axis has a power-off brake. For a planned shutdown, return the mount to its mechanical zero position before disconnecting power.
In the box
AM5N mount head and foam case
Hand controller and 2 m controller cable
2 m USB-A to USB-B cable
1 m USB-A to USB-C cable
Individual periodic error report and quick guide
M6 hex key stored in the mount
Tripod, pier extension, counterweight hardware and power supply are separate. The ZWO TC40 is a compatible tripod.
Specifications
Drive and tracking
Drive system
Strain wave gears and synchronous belts, 300:1 overall reduction
Periodic error
Within ±10 arcseconds over a 288 s cycle
Mount modes
Equatorial and alt-azimuth
Power-off brake
Right ascension (RA) axis
RA drive
Stepper motor, synchronous belt, type 17 strain wave gear (100:1) and brake
Dec drive
Stepper motor, synchronous belt and type 17 strain wave gear (100:1)
Resolution
0.17 arcseconds
Slew rates
0.5×, 1×, 2×, 4×, 8×, 20×, 60×, 720× and 1,440× sidereal
Maximum slew speed
6°/s (1,440× sidereal). Heavy-load mode caps slewing at 720×.
Zero position
Mechanical
Payload and fit
Mount head mass
5.5 kg
Rated payload
15 kg without counterweight / 20 kg with counterweight at a 25 cm reference load arm
Counterweight guidance
Up to 5 kg. For a 5 kg weight, use a 20–30 cm counterweight lever arm.
Dovetail saddle
Vixen and Losmandy styles
Counterweight bar thread
M12 × 1.75
Latitude adjustment
0° to 90° in two ranges (0°–60° and 30°–90°)
Azimuth adjustment
±6°
Operating temperature
−20°C to 40°C
Power and control
Saddle connections
USB-C (USB 2.0) and 12 V DC
Power warning
Low-voltage alarm below 10.8 V. Use one DC supply at a time.
Wireless control
SkyAtlas via mount Bluetooth or Wi-Fi through the hand controller
Computer and imaging control
ASIAIR, ASIStudio, ASCOM and INDI
Main power input
12 V DC, 3 A minimum, centre-positive 5.5 × 2.1 mm barrel connector
Current draw at 12 V
0.4 A standby, 0.7 A tracking, 0.9 A GoTo and 1.7 A in heavy-load mode
Main panel connections
USB-B 2.0, ST-4 autoguider and hand controller ports
Mechanical drawings
Store locator
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ZWO AM5N
A strain wave mount for heavier imaging rigs.
The AM5N combines a 5.5 kg head with a strain wave and belt drive. It gives you equatorial tracking for imaging and a separate alt-azimuth mode for visual observing.
5.5 kgMount head
Carry the head separately
The head packs into its own foam case. Count the tripod and any counterweight hardware separately when planning what to carry.
15 / 20 kgRated payload
Size the mount to your complete rig
ZWO rates it at 15 kg without a counterweight or 20 kg with one, based on a 25 cm reference load arm.
±10″Periodic error limit
See how your mount tested
ZWO tests each mount’s drive and includes its individual periodic error report. The figure describes mechanical tracking error over a 288-second cycle. Guided results depend on your setup.
Mount gallery
What can the AM5N carry?
Weigh the telescope with its camera, guider and accessories fitted. How far that load sits from the mount matters as much as its weight.
- Without a counterweight15 kg reference rating
- With a counterweight20 kg reference rating
ZWO advises fitting a counterweight once the rig reaches 15 kg. It recommends up to 5 kg of counterweight, positioned 20–30 cm along the lever arm when using a 5 kg weight.
Use a stable tripod and check for tipping as the mount slews. The M12 × 1.75 counterweight bar and the weight are sold separately. ZWO AM5N user manual
Equatorial and alt-azimuth modes
Equatorial
Polar-align the mount to track the sky during long exposures.
- Best suited toDeep-sky imaging
- SetupSet the mount to your latitude and polar-align
Alt-azimuth
Track in altitude and azimuth for visual observing. Field rotation limits long exposures.
- Best suited toVisual observing
- SetupSet the mount to 90° and follow the tube orientation in the ZWO AM5N user manual
Switch modes with the mount powered off and unloaded.
Saddle connections and mount control
USB-C and 12 V at the saddle
Connect a compatible ASIAIR or computer to the mount at the saddle. The adjacent DC port can power compatible accessories. The saddle accepts Vixen and Losmandy dovetail bars.
SkyAtlas or hand control
Use the included hand controller or control the mount from SkyAtlas. Bluetooth connects directly to the mount. Wi-Fi uses the hand controller’s hotspot.
ASIAIR and computer control
The AM5N supports ASIAIR, ASIStudio, ASCOM and INDI. The main panel also has a USB-B port and an ST-4 autoguider input.
Good to know
Use one 12 V supply
Allow at least 3 A for the mount and extra capacity for accessories powered through it. Connect a supply to just one DC port at a time. The mount sounds a low-voltage alarm below 10.8 V.
Heavy-load mode slews more slowly
The maximum slew rate drops from 1,440× to 720× sidereal in heavy-load mode. The mount’s rated operating range is −20°C to 40°C.
Return to zero before shutdown
The right ascension axis has a power-off brake. For a planned shutdown, return the mount to its mechanical zero position before disconnecting power.
In the box
AM5N mount head and foam case
Hand controller and 2 m controller cable
2 m USB-A to USB-B cable
1 m USB-A to USB-C cable
Individual periodic error report and quick guide
M6 hex key stored in the mount
Tripod, pier extension, counterweight hardware and power supply are separate. The ZWO TC40 is a compatible tripod.
Specifications
Drive and tracking
Drive system
Strain wave gears and synchronous belts, 300:1 overall reduction
Periodic error
Within ±10 arcseconds over a 288 s cycle
Mount modes
Equatorial and alt-azimuth
Power-off brake
Right ascension (RA) axis
RA drive
Stepper motor, synchronous belt, type 17 strain wave gear (100:1) and brake
Dec drive
Stepper motor, synchronous belt and type 17 strain wave gear (100:1)
Resolution
0.17 arcseconds
Slew rates
0.5×, 1×, 2×, 4×, 8×, 20×, 60×, 720× and 1,440× sidereal
Maximum slew speed
6°/s (1,440× sidereal). Heavy-load mode caps slewing at 720×.
Zero position
Mechanical
Payload and fit
Mount head mass
5.5 kg
Rated payload
15 kg without counterweight / 20 kg with counterweight at a 25 cm reference load arm
Counterweight guidance
Up to 5 kg. For a 5 kg weight, use a 20–30 cm counterweight lever arm.
Dovetail saddle
Vixen and Losmandy styles
Counterweight bar thread
M12 × 1.75
Latitude adjustment
0° to 90° in two ranges (0°–60° and 30°–90°)
Azimuth adjustment
±6°
Operating temperature
−20°C to 40°C
Power and control
Saddle connections
USB-C (USB 2.0) and 12 V DC
Power warning
Low-voltage alarm below 10.8 V. Use one DC supply at a time.
Wireless control
SkyAtlas via mount Bluetooth or Wi-Fi through the hand controller
Computer and imaging control
ASIAIR, ASIStudio, ASCOM and INDI
Main power input
12 V DC, 3 A minimum, centre-positive 5.5 × 2.1 mm barrel connector
Current draw at 12 V
0.4 A standby, 0.7 A tracking, 0.9 A GoTo and 1.7 A in heavy-load mode
Main panel connections
USB-B 2.0, ST-4 autoguider and hand controller ports
Mechanical drawings
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