How to set mount limits with AM5

[mldee]

Just getting around to setting up my AM5 on a pier. All works ok with NINA and as I plan on remote control from the house, need to set up some mount limits for the ASCOM driver.
I can't find anything that references how to do it, such as the EQMOD mount limits setup. Is there such a thing for the AM5 ASCOM mount driver or is the NINA horizon app the only possibility?

I'm using an ADM dual mount saddle on the AM5, and near meridian, it could collide with the pier top plate.

[mldee]

Received a response from ZWO via the FB AM5 group that the ASCOM driver currently does not have a mount limits function, but stops tracking at the meridian. Whether this will be sufficient for me remans to be tested.

I have now had a chance to try out the AM5 on the second pier with the ADM side by side saddle, which will be the main mode of operation. The results were most satisfying, tracking about .8", even though PA is still about 10" due to other holiday activities intruding, with the HTM 150, NUC and ZS61 guider all installed, no balance done and no counter weight (yet). I plan on throwing on a ~2Kg, after I've completed mount interference checks. Operational pics to come.

I came across a good YT comparison of Harmonic vs EQ6 mounts, well worth a look. https://tinyl.io/7c3n

Must admit, so far I'd recommend the AM5 for a medium-duty pier. I'll get some photos of the side by side setup, probably with the RC8, NUC and ZS61. Cabling is far simplified from the EQ6.

[mldee]

Progress report.. Still haven't gotten round to rechecking meridian mount fouling, as I've been concentrating on ngc1909, which is pretty well up front and centre at shooting time.

Pic 1 shows the guiding (which did vary from ~.49" to .8"), but overall, best guiding I've ever achieved, using the ZS61 and PHD2. No balancing, counterweights or redo PA, just plonked the gear on the saddles and started shooting. Pity for the clouds later...the witch is playing hard to get.

Other pics show the simplified cabling layout with the AM5 + ADM/NUC side by side, compared to the previous AzEq6 + ADM/NUC setup.

My apologies for the ongoing reports, but the AM5 performance info deserves some dissemination amongst those who may be considering one. Highly recommended. And yes, works faultlessly with NINA and PHD2.

[AdamJL]

I'm an AM5 owner and man, I love love love it. Thanks for the write up.

I'm honestly tempted to sell my EQ6-R this year as I don't think it'll get much use with the AM5 about.

[Doubledark]

Adam, what is it about the AM5 that makes you want to sell the EQ 6 ?

[AdamJL]

Hi Steve

Weight, the first thing. I don't have a permanent setup and my backyard is basically full of trees so I can only shoot when I go visit my parents or camp in the mountains.
The AM5 carries a lot of weight, but weighs hardly anything, and only needs a small counterweight when at maximum load. Not for balance, but extra stability.
It also doesn't have the problem of Synta mounts where it's recommended to only load (depending on who you talk to) 50-75% of the recommended load capacity of the mount. The AM5 will drive what it says.

It can also supply 5A out of the side port (mount is marked for 3A, but this is an error on ZWO's part... it does supply 5A) which could be enough for many setups. So cable management is good!

It's also hyper accurate. I've not lost a sub to random star trailing at all except for user-error. I'm getting anywhere from 0.3 RMS to 0.6 RMS on a normal night, without having to tweak anything. Great performance straight out of the box. The EQ6 is a lottery on that front and you might need to tune your mount to get the same performance. Thankfully my EQ6-R is a good copy and it performs really great in that regard as well.

Downsides? Well you need to use anywhere from 0.5s to 2s for guiding. Not a big problem in my opinion. It doesn't perform as good near the meridian, but the proof is in the images and I get consistent results with it.

I've also managed to travel overseas with it.. can't do that with my EQ6-R!

I'm not 100% set on the idea of selling the EQ6 though, as it means I could potentially have a dual-setup in future. But I might either buy another AM5 or one of the new Pegasus Nyx mounts and that would allow me to shoot two targets at once.