ZWO AM7 Harmonic Drive Equatorial Mount with Apertura Heavy Duty Tripod

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Harmonic Driven High Payload Capacity
At the core of this lightweight powerhouse is a pair of harmonic gear and belt drive systems that have become the signature of ZWO's AM series. This combo provides a 300:1 gear reduction ratio on the axes, allowing the AM7 to glide up to 44 lb. of gear across the sky at 6°/s with no counterweight and minimal bulk. This matches some heavier class conventional mounts with just a fraction of the footprint, an incredible feat in itself. However, adding a weight to the included counterweight 25 mm diameter bar pushes the AM7 past these options by giving you an additional 22 lb. of headroom for an astounding 66 lb. max* in form factor that is still compact relative to the conventional competition. This not only makes the AM7 the perfect pick for those considering heavy duty conventional options, but also those looking to push this mount's smaller sibling to the max; as this effortlessly matches the absolute max payload while giving you room to grow.

*Please Note: A counterweight is not included. ZWO has calculated the payload capacity with a telescope that has a center of mass approximately 4" from the saddle. Telescopes that are under the stated weight rating may still exceed this mount's capacity if the center of mass is further away. For more information, click here to open ZWO's supplement in a new tab. For systems that require a counterweight, we recommend the Apertura 22 lb. Counterweight For AM7.

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Precision Guaranteed
It isn't enough to merely lift your gear when it comes to creating dazzling astrophotos, you need precision motion as well to keep your frame locked in place. To ensure your frames can realize the sharpness and clarity of your optics, ZWO has rated the AM7 Harmonic Equatorial Mount for less than +/-10" of periodic error which combined with today's autoguiding assistance will freeze objects in place even at longer exposure times. This range comes guaranteed from the factory, with each AM7 mount including its factory PE test results.

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Dual Saddle with Cable Management
The AM7 doesn't just have the mechanical muscle to lift the majority of observing and imaging systems on the market today, it has the supporting design too! With a V-Style and D-Style compatible saddle, this mount is ready for the vast amount of telescopes in use. Clamping your scope securely is easy, with the hex key stowed in the body able to be inserted through the knobs for additional leverage or fine tuning. Wrangling the cables from your telescope mounted gear has been made easier, with power and USB outputs right on the saddle. With 12V 5A power, this solution is perfect for today's cooled cameras and ZWO's ASIAIR camera solutions. No need to fear snags from cables crossing the mount axes, simply guide your cables to these conveniently located ports and go!

Please Note: The USB port on the AM7's DEC saddle is not a passthrough, and is only an alternate way to connect to and control the mount.

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Equatorial and Altitude-Azimuth Modes
Whether you prefer the simplicity of AltAz or benefits of an equatorial design, this is the mount for you! Simply use the adjustment bar at the back of the mount to adjust the the Latitude setting to its maximum, then use the hex key to undo the bolts in the side slots, adjust the head further back, reinstall the bolts, and your mount converts from EQ operation to AltAz mode. This gives you two mounts in one, without any of bulk associated with conventionally geared dual operation options or compromise of choosing a single operation mount.

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WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB Connectivity
Control AM7 the way you want, with the comprehensive connectivity suite! For straightforward mount control, the included hand controller allows you to make simple and intuitive movements with a joystick and two movement speeds. To access a more rich, yet still simple, control experience connect your mobile device to the Bluetooth (built-in) or WiFi (emitted via the hand controller) hotspots and access controls, GoTo, and digital planetarium and more through the SkyAtlas app. For an accessible yet powerful experience, this connectivity can be utilized for ZWO's ASIAIR system as well*. With saddle and mount body USB port you can additionally integrate that excellent control center with a wired connection, or use this to connect your ASCOM capable laptop or miniPC and astrophotography software suite of choice! With auto-homing, effectively exerting this control from a distance has also been made simple.

* 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.

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Apertura Heavy-Duty Carbon Fiber Tripod Included
Realize the AM7 Harmonic Equatorial Mount's full potential with the Apertura Heavy-Duty Carbon Fiber Tripod! With thicker carbon fiber leg segments than most common carbon fiber tripod options on the market today, this stout offering confidently shoulders up to 110 lb. of equipment, allowing you to push the AM7 to its payload limit. Spike feet provide "bite" to keep your system platform planted when loaded up, and feature adjustment knobs that allow you to level a fully built out AM7 system without needing to lift the legs. This robust tripod provides its solid stability while only weighing 5.5 lb., giving you a reliable platform when you need it and a portable package when you're ready to pack up!

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Large Adjustment and Operating Range
The AM7 features a 0-90° latitude range and 15° azimuth adjustment range for aligning your mount. This wide range allows you to polar align at virtually any latitude, and provides a generous amount of room for honing in your azimuth to help prevent tripod readjustment when your rough pointing is further off than anticipated. With a -4°F to 104°F operating temperature range, ZWO has helped ensure you can not just align, but run the AM7 in the extreme temperatures you may encounter across its latitude range!

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Accessible Power Requirements and Failure Protection
Driving the AM7's dual strain wave gears requires just 12V 5A, meshing nicely with most power supplies and portable power solutions in use today. We recommend using a 5A power supply like the Apertura 5A Universal Power Supply. When the unexpected strikes, you don't want to lose more than just your time on target! With an emergency RA axis brake, the AM7 ensures that your gear is not taking a tumble towards the tripod when the power blinks or your power pack taps out earlier than expected. To recover, simply power cycle the mount off and then back on and the brake will release.

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ASIAIR Compatible (Sold Separately)
Easily unlock the powerful potential of your AM7 mount with the ZWO ASIAIR system (sold separately)! With finder shoe mountable standalone units and camera & control center combos, adding a digital planetarium, image scheduling, plate solving, mosaic planning, guiding, and more to your imaging system is a straightforward affair. Designed for the ZWO ecosystem, the AM7 effortlessly integrates with ASIAIR. Connect to the saddle mounted USB port or use the Bluetooth connection menu in the ASIAIR app, and you're ready to send the AM7 to your object of choice!

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New Wave Mount
With its high payload capacity and lightweight design, the AM7 embodies the star power of the New Wave of mounts perfectly! At almost 3:1 payload:weight, this mount is perfect for users looking to construct large optical systems without the traditional mount bulk. With ZWO's renowned technology behind it, the AM7 additionally makes its 44 lb. of mechanical might accessible to a wide array of control systems. Its 15 lb. footprint and relatively compact build is even more incredible when considering its dual EQ/AltAz modes, which can be utilized across a wide variety of latitudes and environments. For these reasons, the AM7 earns our New Wave badge! To read more about the New Wave category and how it compares to the other mount classes, check out our Astrophotography Mount Guide!