ZWO AM3N Harmonic Drive Equatorial Mount Head (2025)
A Superb Portable Pick for Your Lightweight System!
If you're looking for a lightweight mount that is rich in features, ZWO's AM3N Harmonic Drive EQ Mount delivers! Leveraging the New Wave of mount technology, this mount allows you to cut out the counterweights and heavy-weight components without making big sacrifices to your grab-and-go telescope build. Read on to discover how this 2:1 payload to weight harmonic hero can give your compact system a boost!
ZWO's AM3 line brings you the power of harmonic gear reduction and rich features in their most portable mount package. The AM3N Harmonic Drive EQ Mount drives this line forward, keeping the same excellent payload:weight specs and general design while giving you more convenient cable management, wider operating temperature range, and quality of life improvements! Its sleek red anodized aluminum construction houses mechanical muscle capable of driving 17.6 lb. without a counterweight, in footprint weighing just about 9 lb. This can be further expanded to common traditionally geared mount territory with a counterweight, giving you a mount that is at home, on-the-go, or in the backyard depending on its configuration. The dual V and D-Style compatible saddle has been updated to feature USB-C and 12V DC power output, allowing you to connect and power an ASIAIR or AIR Camera without needing to worry about cables crossing the axis and getting tangled. All this mechanical design is supported by ZWO's tried-and-true electronics, with integrated Bluetooth, WiFi, manual control via the included hand controller, and USB connectivity. If a portable mount with cutting edge technology and a surprising amount of payload for its size is what you're after, this is the option for you!
Learn More About the AM3N Mount
ZWO has designed the AM3N mount head to be incredibly portable while also packing in a healthy feature set! Check out some of these features below to learn how the superb synchronous belt harmonic gearing, wide range of adjustment and compatibility, connectivity, and more, will help you craft a powerful portable system!
Harmonic Drive Gear Reducers
Harmonic drive gearing on both the RA and DEC axis give this mount a
surprising amount of payload for its size and a simpler setup when compared
to traditionally geared mounts! While more traditional EQ mounts require
counterweights and careful balancing, harmonic/strain wave gear systems can
drive their axes without the need for counter-balancing and only ballpark
balance of your equipment front-to-back. ZWO has designed this system to
provide an incredible 300:1 gear reduction, providing this
counterweight-less strength. These systems can still be counter-balanced
however, which unlocks even greater payload potential; pushing this AM3N's
17.6 lb. capacity to 28.6 lb. with an M12 threaded shaft and counterweight.
Quality of Life Improvements
ZWO has improved upon the
excellent AM3 platform to bring you an even more convenient experience! The
dual V-Style/ D-Style DEC saddle now features a USB Type C port and 12V DC
Power Port to make powering systems like the ASIAIR/ AIR Camera and
connecting them or a mini PC
an easier and cable-snag worry free experience! Bluetooth
has additionally been built into the mount head itself, allowing you to
establish a wireless connection to compatible control hardware without the
hand controller attached. ZWO has additionally improved this mount's cold
weather resistance, rating the mount to 9°F lower than the previous
generation with a new minimum operating temperature of -4°F. For more
convenient tool storage ZWO has additionally built-in a magnetic storage
slot for the hex wrench used to convert between EQ and ALtAz modes, and
slotted the adjustment knobs so that this tool can double as a lever for
easier adjustments! All this additional functionality has been added with
only about 0.4 lb. of extra weight and almost imperceptible increase to
power consumption.
Please Note: The USB port on the AM3N's DEC saddle is not a
passthrough, and is
only an alternate way to connect to and control the mount.
Dual Mount Style
ZWO gives you two mounts in one, with the AM3N able to be converted between
EQ and AltAZ modes! Where dual-mode traditionally geared mounts introduce
notable additional mass and bulk over a single-mode counterpart, this mount
keeps things compact. Conversion is simple, allowing you to switch from the
intuitive control and simple alignment of AltAz operation to the
astrophotography oriented EQ mode quickly and easily!
Three Mount Control Options
Regardless of whether you're looking for manual control, PC connectivity, or
wireless simplicity, the AM3N is your mount! For those looking for a quick
hands-on approach, ZWO has packed in a hand controller with eight-way
directional adjustment and dual speed. This setup can generate a WiFi
hotspot, allowing you to connect your mobile device with ZWO's dedicated app
for GoTo functionality on top of manual adjustments. Using this or the
built-in Bluetooth you can also control your mount wirelessly with ZWO's
ASIAIR* and AIR Cameras for a streamlined setup. Finally, for PC users the
AM3N additionally features USB connectivity on both the main housing and the
saddle to allow you to use you telescope mounted miniPC/ ASIAIR or
stationary control center to guide the AM3N across the night sky!
* Please Note: ASIAIR Plus (2024) models and all Air Camera models
feature Bluetooth compatibilty. Some older ASIAIR Plus 256GB and 32GB
models can be used, if 'ASIAIRPLUS' is present in IC number on bottom of
device (late production models). ASIAIR Mini, Pro, and original models do
not support Bluetooth.
PE Curve Performance Guaranteed
The design of ZWO's strain wave gearing system is the result of ZWO working
with well-known manufacturers, and it was developed with the needs of
astrophotographers in mind. Just some of the amazing features of the ZWO
AM3N mount that makes it a must-have addition to astrophotography setups are
the very low periodic errors, smooth gearing, and high torque. ZWO measures
each mount and equips it with the exclusive PE curve before it leaves the
factory to ensure performance is guaranteed!
0-90° Latitude Adjustment Range
This ZWO AM3N mount comes with a latitude adjustment range of 0-90°. For the
first gear, adjust the pitch angle grip to achieve between 0° to 60°. For
the second gear, loosen the hex-head screws through the slots in the side of
the housing with the hex wrench stored in the mount body and adjust the
pitch angle grip to get between 45° and 90°. Not only does this allow you to
use the AM3N in alt-azimuth mode, but it also allows astrophotographers in
altitudes at the extremes use this mount in EQ mode!
Power Failure Protection
To keep you delicate
equipment safe even when the unexpected strikes ZWO has built the AM3N with
fail-safe protections in mind. The RA axis features an electronic brake
safety, which engages in the event of a power failure. This safeguard will
keep the RA from free-swinging in the event the motors become suddenly
un-energized, keeping your setup safe from damage!
ASIAIR Compatible (Sold Separately)
This mount slots
into ZWO's ever growing and evolving ecosystem perfectly, bringing you a
seamless experience with their powerful
ASIAIR
and
AIR Camera
lines! These incredible wireless control systems synergize with the AM3N's
new saddle to create cable-snag concern free and streamlined setups.
Equipping your AM3N with these stellar systems opens the door to enhanced
object selection experience, object centering, automation, and auto-guiding.
For more information on how ASIAIR can bring these fantastic features to
your AM3N, be sure to check out our
ASIAIR Ultimate Guide!
Perfect for On the Go Imaging or At-Home Observing
If you're in need of a mount that is at home in your backyard and on-the-go,
ZWO's AM3N offers an ideal solution! Its lightweight 9.04 lb body stows in
the included foam carry case for travel, with the harmonic gearing saving
you additional space and weight! With wireless connectivity, you can operate
a streamlined system with the app or ZWOs ASIAIR/ AIR Camera. When you're at
home you can enjoy this simplified set up, or add a counterweight for even
more equipment capacity. With ASCOM and INDI compatibility, this can
effortlessly interface with your home command center of choice. With
features like these, the ZWO AM3N Harmonic Drive Equatorial Mount earns our
High Point Scientific Mount Classification Badge
of New Wave Harmonic!
Astronomy Hub: Your one-stop-shop for Astrophotography Knowledge!
Our Gear Experts have compiled a wealth of information to help expand your astrophotography knowledge! Below you’ll find links to articles, videos and "how-to" guides. Just one more reason that our Astronomy Hub is a one-stop-shop for all your astronomy and astrophotography needs!
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