ZWO AM5 opinions

[markkkk42 (Mark Kyle)]

I have a saxon AZ-EQ6-GT mount and it works a treat. I made a scope buggy for it because at my age (64) its just too heavy to shift in and out of the garage to the yard. I bought a new HEQ5-PRO with the Rowan mod thinking that would be a lot lighter....well I think I am getting weaker than I thought. Carrying it 20 mtrs to the yard almost stuffed me. I only bought it about 5 weeks ago but have decided to sell it. I could make another scope buggy but after doing some hard thinking I feel the best way would be to get a ZWO AM5. I have looked at a stack of reviews and everyone seems to love them and they are so much lighter and with the carbon tripod. Twice the price though of a HEQ5 but sometimes physical circumstances require biting the bullet. No use being the richest guy in the grave after having a heart attack trying to carry a mount.
Sorry for the long intro so I would like to hear back some real world feedback on the AM5 from those that have used them. I particularly want good guiding. I tricked up my Saxon and its regularly 0.5 to 0.7 average in tracking. The AM seems to average around 0.7 to 1...I can live with that. So looking for some feedback thanks

Mark

[Craig_]

I bought an AM5 recently and have used it twice so far. I spent a good chunk of the night last time I used it guiding around 0.25" or so. Didn't seem to go above 0.5" in that session. Had similar results the first time I used it, although not quite as good as sky conditions weren't as nice. I've attached a few screenshots taken at various points throughout the night (refer to timestamp top left.)


It's been a pleasure to use so far.

[AdamJL]

Best thing I ever bought Astro-wise as well. I wish it’d been out when I first started. The EQ6-R was nice to learn on, but it just weighs too much. It’s just so much nicer to carry something small and light around instead.
I usually get between 0.4-0-6 RMS and I’ve never tweaked anything

[markkkk42 (Mark Kyle)]

Adam and Craig thankyou for coming back to me so quickly. Its good to get real world reports. The PEC error chart you get with the AM% I wonder how varied they are with what you can actually achieve with guiding. There is hardly any stock of them in Australia although I have found 2 that say the have stock. I will order one today $4200 for the package...will lose a fair bit on the HEQ-5 when I sell it I suppose but hey its only money ....It will make my life easier. I have a farm at a Bortle 1 site and want to build a observatory there. I will use my Saxon on a pier and seeing the AM% is so light and I will just run my WO GT-71 setup on it that will be easy to setup when I want.