Why Purchase from All-Star Telescope?
Free Expert Support
Whether you are a first timer needing help with setting up or an enthusiast that can't quite make that one thing work, our expert staff are ready to support your needs. With decades of knowledge and first hand experience we've been there and we can help you through it!
Stress Free, Secure Transactions
You can trust purchasing and delivery with All-Star Telescope. All of our transactions are 100% secure and Level 1 PCI DSS compliant thanks to Shopify's ShopPay platform. For additional protection, we insure 100% of the value of every shipment we make. If it get's lost during shipment, we replace it. If it gets damaged during shipment, we repalce it. We make sure your product arrives exactly as you would expect it to; we promise.
We also ensure privacy protection. We never keep any of your credit card information on file and any of your personal data is stored accordign to our policies.
30 Day Return Policy
Buy with confidence knowing that we accept returns up to 30 days after purchase. We want you to have something you will actually use and we are confident that we keep good quality products in our store with No Junk.
Price Match Promise
Shipping around for the best price is tough, we make it easier by offering the best pricing in the market. But if you find a better price on an in-store item somewhere else we will match it!
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Why we love the ZWO AM3 Harmonic Drive Mount (ZWO-AM3)
Product Description
The traditional equatorial mount requires heavy counterweights. It can be very difficult to keep balance in RA and DEC directions, also inconvenient for transit and storage, which brings amateur astrophotographers a lot of pain when they are out for imaging.
Some of the strain wave geared drive mounts are relatively simple in functions, insufficient in load capacity, also not very stable in use.
To solve the above issues, ZWO developed the ASI Mount series. No need for a counterweight. With a self weight of 3.9kg, AM3 has a large load capacity from 8kg to 13kg. While portability is very important, stability is also essential in use. Instead of blindly pursuing the lightweight of the mount body, ZWO is more so along the lines of stability for entire use. The internal structure of the body is optimized with the strain wave gear reducer and synchronous belt, bringing more accurate control and an amazing reduction ratio of 300:1. It is also multi-functional that can be used as both an equatorial mount or an altazimuth mount. You can either control the mount via Wi-Fi and bluetooth, or a hand controller.
Portable and stable
The internal structure of the body is optimized with the strain wave gear reducer and synchronous belt, bringing more accurate control and an amazing reduction ratio of 300:1.
Customized Strain Wave Gear
ZWO developed the special strain wave gear based on the actual needs for astrophotography. It comes with very low periodic error and high torque. Each mount is tested and equipped with an exclusive PE curve before it leaves the factory so that the quality can be guaranteed.
3.9kg Net Weight
Instead of blindly pursuing the lightweight of the mount body, ZWO is more so along the lines of stability for entire use.
8kg-13kg playload
The load capacity of AM3 without the counterweight is 8kg, and 13kg with counterweight.
* The counterweight should be secured on a counterweight bar of no more than 20cm in length.
According to the engineering calculations, we can calculate the maximum load capacity of AM3 mount:
- 8kg without the counterweight
- 13kg with the counterweight.
- Supported counterweight:≤5kg
- The counterweight should be secured on a counterweight bar of no more than 25cm in length.
Equatorial Mode / Altazimuth Mode
Can be switched via ASI Mount App or hand controller
- Equatorial Mode: Suitable for tracking and photographing objects
- Altazimuth Mode: Suitable for visual astronomy
All-round 0°-90° Pitch Angle
Gear 1: Allow you to adjust the pitch angle grip to achieve a degree between 0 and 60.
Gear 2: You can loosen the hex-head screw and then adjust the pitch angel grip to achieve a degree between 30 and 90.
Wireless Control
Tonight's Target, GOTO, Live Preview and so many great functions can all be achieved with your phones.
Rocker-style Hand Controller
Comfortable touch and easy to use. Integrated with Wi-Fi network allowing for wireless control. You can easily upgrade the firmware of hand controller and mount on the webpage.
Seamless Linkage with ASIAIR
ASIAIR can control AM5 via wired or wireless connection. The ASI package gives customers the best astrophotography experience.
Accessibility tools
① Pier Extension
With the pier extension, the telescope with a long focal length will be greatly avoided from hitting the tripod legs.
② Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Short and portable. Easy to transport inside your hand luggage.
- Carbon fiber material: High strength and high impact resistance.
- Adjustable height: 470-800mm. Dual-section legs provide a stable and rigid platform for telescopes and cameras.
- Spreader plate: Increase the stability of the tripod.
- Weight bag: Provides additional stability by filling it with suitable weight such as stones or your telescope battery pack.
- Fixed spread angle: Easy to use.
What's in the Box
Specifications
| Mount Type | Equatorial mount |
| Mount Modes | Equatorial mode / Altazimuth mode |
| Drive | <+-20" |
| PE duration | 288 S |
| Drive (RA) | NEMA35 stepper motor +Model No. 14 (Reduction ratio: 100:1) + Brake |
| Drive (DEC) | NEM35 stepper motor +Model No.14 |
| Load capacity | 8kg without counterweight 13kg with counterweight |
| Weight | 3.9kg |
| Latitude Adjustment Range | 0-90 degrees |
| Azimuth angle adjustment range | +/-6 degrees |
| Dovetail | Losmandy & Vixen (500g) |
| Interface thread of counterweight shaft | M12 |
| Stepper motor resolution | 0.17" |
| Max slew speed | 6 degrees per second |
| Slew Rates | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 20x, 60x, 720x, 1440x |
| Power Port | DC5.5-2.1(12V-3A) |
| Power consumption | 12V / 0.386A (Standby) 12V / 0.58A (Tracking) 12V / 1.7A (GOTO) |
| Guide Port | ST4 |
| Communication interface | USB/WiFi/Bluetooth |
| Zero Position | Mechanical |
| Operating Temperature | -15C to 40C |
| Power failure protection | Yes |
