ZWO AM5 experiences

[pmrid]

I am poised on the brink of a decision - do the virtues of the AM5 justify a price point so far ahead of other conventional mounts?

Does it’s performance measure up to the hype?

Has anyone been using one long enough for a considered opinion?

[AdamJL]

Hi Peter. I've been using one for a while; in fact, I use it much more than my EQ6-R now. It was supposed to be my secondary mount, but that has changed. It's definitely the primary one.

The portability is one thing. That's fantastic. I no longer have to carry a heavy mount to whatever tripod I'm using. It also takes up much less room in the boot of my car! That alone is a winner with my family when we go camping, as "dad's stuff" no longer hogs every inch of available space.

I also had a night a while back where I didn't lose a single sub to trailing stars. I've never had that on the EQ6. People talk about random spikes in guiding in the PHD2 logs and that's true, but it has had zero effect on my images, and for the images of others.
I usually use 1 second exposures for PHD2 with everything else as default and it's working fine.

You also don't have to think about the "50-75%" rule (which is a rule no one seems to agree on) regarding OTA weight support. I run an imaging setup of about 17kg and I do use the counterweight extension. This isn't for balance, but for mechanical stability over the centre axis of the tripod. If you've got a solid tripod, I doubt you'd need the counterweight at all. When I get an adapter made for my EQ8 tripod, I'll test it out without a counterweight.

Any downsides? One or two, mostly software related that are and have been fixed. The first issue I had was in relation to the ASCOM driver, which wasn't performing a meridian flip at the right time (1 hour early!). I just happened to wake myself up one night camping and stopped the mount slamming into the tripod with mm to spare. With such a strong gear, your risk of damage with a strain wave mount is much greater than a conventional mount. ZWO have released an updated driver that apparently fixes this but I've yet to test it.
Also, I can't seem to manually update the GPS location all the time in the driver, if it doesn't pull it correctly from Windows. I use NINA to manually sync it instead. Apparently this is another thing that has been fixed but again, I've yet to test it.

I also haven't tried it with the ASI Air at all, though I should since that's why I bought it initially.

The carbon fibre tripod is nice, but do make sure you support it with some weight using the provided pouch. I have used my 17kg system on it and it was fine, but it does need some support.

I also have both extension systems and they are great for small scopes. If you have a longer setup, like my Esprit 120, then you'll want to wait for their new extension pier releasing soon.
I had Josh Bunn make me an adapter before I knew ZWO were releasing a new pier, but no regrets. Josh made me something that could probably support my house if needed :D

Polar aligning is simple too; the knobs to lock down your Alt-Az are solid, and the mount is easy to move. Do note if you plan to use it on an EQ6-R tripod that has an Azimuth bolt, you'll need to find a way to lock it down somehow to prevent rotation as that's what the Azimuth bolt does on the EQ6-R tripod. Josh Bunn's adapter includes locking holes for me.

Also, I did purchase an adapter for my Polemaster from Buckeyestargazer because using the TPAA in NINA is a bit frustrating. There's no way to natively mount the Polemaster to the mount, hence the adapter purchase. It now sits in the syta shoe on the side of the mount. Haven't tested it yet, as the adapter only arrived this week.

I haven't really used the hand controller so can't comment too much except to say it works.

All in all, I think it's an amazing mount. I don't balance in Dec or RA and that's awesome in itself. The OTA just gets chucked onto the top and away we go.


tl;dr if all strain wave mounts start off with this level of excellence and quality (didn't even mention the build quality, which is excellent!) then the majority of mounts into the future will be strain waves, IMO (except for observatory class mounts)

[gbeal]

I've had mine since late July, and absolutely love it.

At the time it arrived, I also had an iOptron CEM70, on a Berlebach Planet tripod. The CEM70 combo was stunning, but at my old age, lifting it in and out of the shed was becoming a chore.

Now with the AM5 and C/F tripod, lifting it in and out, and anywhere it needs to go is simple. Even with the likes of the FMA230 complete imaging kit, or the TS CF90 apo imaging kit, or the OMC140 Mak, all are within my older muscles capabilities.

The one scope I own which now doesn't really go on it is the old home-made 10" f5 newt. At 11kgs, (Adams comment about his weight limits notwithstanding) I feel it is a bit heavy, certainly not easy (for me) to lift on and off, but I did try it once, with a suitable C/W, and it worked.

Seamless operation with the rest of the ZWO ecosystem, especially the ASIAIR+. CEM70 et al went about a week after the AM5 arrived. I'm waiting to see what the next model from them is, and what it costs.

[Crater101]

Seconded. After the disaster of the Star Adventurer GTi, I'm looking for an alternative. The AM5 has some very good reviews, but I'm looking for the joker in the deck before I decide.


Sounding good from what's been posted thus far...

[pmrid]

Thank you for your thughts. It has helped focus my thoughts.

Adam: What can you tellme about ZWO's new pier/extension? I haven't seen anything on that yet.

[pmrid]

Given the growing number of harmonic drive mounts coming into the market, I wonder whether there will be a Skywatcher/Synta entrant any time soon.

[AdamJL]

that was me. Tested the waters with the GTi, which was rubbish and went with the AM5 in the end. No regrets



This is the new one:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/zwo-pier-extension-for-am5-mount-pe200

This is what it's replacing:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/zwo-pier-extension-for-am5-mount-2

This is the other option, and it's lightweight but doesn't support larger loads:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/zwo-pier-extension-160mm-for-am5-mount

I have both current extensions from ZWO, and the one by Josh. They're all very good.



Before they released the GTi, on the Sky-Watcher podcast they mentioned they weren't looking at strain wave drives, but were betting on the GTi instead. This was at the start of the year. Maybe they've changed their mind seeing how poorly received the GTi is, and how much traction strain waves are getting.
But if their quality control on the GTi is anything to go off, I'm sure their strain wave product will be full of bugs.

[pmrid]

Well, it just goes to show what a weak-willed fellow I am. I just placed an order for AM5 plus Tripod. It just seems “right” given the many positive responses here and elsewhere.

Haven’t told my wife yet. Hmmm!

[oska]

Blame xelasnave, it worked for me :)

[pmrid]

Well Alex! You heard the man. It’s your fault and it arrived today - less than 2 weeks from order. I call that pretty good service.

Now to put it together and fire it up.

Very excited.

[gbeal]

Update all the firmware first Peter, hand-controller, and the mount.
Set the "Home" position (I did mine purely by eye).
Have fun, if you also have the ASIAIR, it's a blast. Just don't connect the AA+ to the side, using the conveniently placed dovetail.

[oska]

Congrats Peter!

[pmrid]

The firmware is all current I’m pleased to say.

As for the AA+, I moved the “shoe” from the side of the AM5 up to the top dovetail. Is this a potential problem? I made sure the short screws went into the .side of the AM5 body where the “shoe” was on arrival. I gather that’s OK.

[pmrid]

I don’t like either of the options for attaching an AA+ to the AM5. It makes no difference which orientation you use, the AA+ fouls the body of the AM5 when pointing near zenith - particularly for objects in the north. Looks like I’ll have to keep the AA+ attached to the OTA instead.
Pity.

[AdamJL]

^ this. That side dovetail is misleading. It's not for the AA+ at all.
I just mount it on the OTA, and it's fine.

[pmrid]

That’s clearly right. I wonder what it is for. It seems to create problems no matter what.

[xelasnave]

Congratulations Peter...I can't help but feel that I need one..sounds great.
Alex

[AdamJL]

I’ve got the Polemaster in that slot currently. I had to buy an adapter for it but that’s what it will be used for

[Phillip_Kidd]

Pulled the trigger on AM5 and asiair plus. First night out was really impressive. PA so easy, focus easy, goto's ... every one was centre of frame. Guiding, even with patchy high cloud rolling in and out was under 1.0 RMS. Dithering quick and simple to set up.
And the weight... or lack of. Gear takes up so much less space as well.
Managed to get 14 out of 20 120 second frames of NGC2070. Clouds wiped out the other 6.
Whole setup was very stable. Looks good for future.
Just need to sell the old mount now.

[pmrid]

Of course you need one Alex. All those ASIAIR Plus’ need it sooo badly. You know it in your inner self mate. Let you super-ego loose!

[AdamJL]

Yep, it's a fantastic setup. New people to the hobby really have it easy (okay, easier!) now.

[gbeal]

There is discussion ad nauseum about where to mount or not mount the AA+.
In my case I always have it as part of the OTA, that way there is a single power cord running from the AA+ to the AM5, nothing else. Everything is on the OTA, so cabling is/can be neater.

[AdamJL]

A few posts is ad nauseum?

[Nikolas]

Not here but in the facebook and ZWO forums

[gbeal]

Thank you Nik. Yes, on the F/B pages, more than a few.

[AdamJL]

Just setting up my EQ6-R today, and I'd completely forgot how annoying it is to balance all of my gear.
When I'm driving about 17kg, I have to get it perfect, including factoring in being east heavy..

Love the fact that I just eye-ball the Dec on the AM5 and then add a small 5kg counterweight on the RA without ever balancing it. Saves so much time!

[ChrisV]

Love to see some guiding traces and more importantly images from these harmonic mounts ...

Thanks Chris

[xelasnave]

I have mine, arrived last Friday and caught me out but I finished it's new pier on the Saturday..... but have to set up the rig ( eight inch, OAG, Mono) and do a few things to the new pier so it will take the new mount...

I get my counter weight rod tomorrow and I have the threaded rod and nuts to fit the mount to the steel extention I have on the new pier...I am going to try and balance it by testing the current draw in each direction when loaded up and adjust things so the amp meter registers the same draw in either direction..on both axis.

No rush no doubt it will be months before I get a clear sky.

Alex

[AdamJL]

as in the logs? Next time I shoot, I'll do it.

Tried to use this mount last night but my dew heater died so I got no images.

I will say this, though. After I wrote my comment above, we went out and enjoyed the awesome skies last night around Sydney. I set the EQ6-R up at first with my Esprit 120 and image train. And had an absolute nightmare experience. Nothing worked. Part of that was down to me (wrong calculations for field flattener), but some of that was the mount. DEC was playing up (likely because I was driving 17kg of gear) and like I mentioned, balancing heavy gear is a huge pain.

Thankfully I took the AM5 as a backup, and what a different experience. It took less time to put together, didn't need balancing, connected well with NINA and I was off polar aligning before I knew it. If the dew heater didn't cause me grief, I'd have had a successful night with the AM5.

It's so good.

[Craig_]

I got first light with my AM5 last night. I used a fairly un-demanding rig on it, imaging at 1.94"/px in Ha only but nonetheless, having taken about 45x 3 min subs, I did not need to discard a single one.


Very pleased so far.


Do owners of this mount typically loosen the pitch angle tensioner knobs before storing it?

[pmrid]

I haven’t heard that being suggested before. I suppose you are referring to the altitude adjustment - and I struggle to see why you would loosen it. Can you explain please?

[Craig_]

It's a hangover from needing to loosen the clutches before storing the EQ6-R :) Wasn't sure if these knobs had a similar requirement, or not. (I realise they aren't clutches.)

[AdamJL]

no I don't. For the EQ6-R (and any worm gear mount) you're supposed to loosen the Dec and RA clutches to prevent any damage in case the mount is bumped when moving it.
Since you can't loosen those clutches on the AM5, well you can't loosen them! :)
And the Alt-Az adjustments are fine being locked as their strength/function is from the screws. Loosening them won't make a difference IMO.

p.s. killer Carina shot as well!

[Craig_]

Cheers Adam.

[ArcFortnight]

I've been using the AM5 for just over a month and it has surpassed my expectations. It handles my C9.25 EdgeHD with sub arc second guiding, but I have added the counterweight bar. An Eagle 4S makes a great counterweight.

I have been getting 10 min subs from the first night.

I was concerned about tripod stability, but with a trip to Bunnings and change from $100, I was able to make an aluminium spider that attaches to the tripod legs with 3M double lock tape about 2 inches off the ground. A 12Kg 100Ah battery provides all the stability you could ask for (even with the 200mm ZWO pier extender).

The result is a rig that is as stable as a tectonic plate, guides like a labrador and is super portable.

[DavidLambert]

[QUOTE=pmrid;1574429]I am poised on the brink of a decision - do the virtues of the AM5 justify a price point so far ahead of other conventional mounts?

Does it’s performance measure up to the hype?






The AM5 is super light and can handle big payload. What I factor in when buying a mount is what I plan on doing with it.


For portability and travel.The AM5 is a great mount.


Taking a look at another mount that would cost close to the AM5 and has the same weight capacity is the EQ6 R Pro. I think it has the same weight capacity as the AM5.


In my opinion it would be better to save up for the better mount due to the weight capacity limits rather than getting a less expensive mount now and then wanting to upgrade the mount because you want to get a bigger telescope.





What do you plan on doing with it.