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ZWO AM5N Harmonic Drive Mount – Ultra-Portable Precision Equatorial Mount for Astrophotography
The ZWO AM5N Harmonic Equatorial Mount is a next-generation harmonic drive telescope mount designed for serious astrophotography and advanced visual observing. Combining strain wave gear technology, lightweight portability, and high-precision tracking, the AM5N delivers professional-level performance without the bulk of traditional equatorial mounts.
If you're searching for a lightweight equatorial mount with no counterweight required, exceptional tracking accuracy, and full ASCOM compatibility, the ZWO AM5N is one of the most advanced portable mounts available today.
Harmonic Drive (Strain Wave Gear) Technology
The AM5N uses a 300:1 reduction ratio strain wave gear system combined with synchronous belts and precision stepper motors to provide smooth, backlash-free tracking.
Periodic Error: < ±10"
Resolution: 0.17 arcseconds
PE Cycle Duration: 288s
Max Slew Speed: 6°/second
This makes the AM5N ideal for long-exposure deep sky astrophotography, high-resolution planetary imaging.
High Payload Capacity – No Counterweight Needed
Despite weighing only 5.5 kg (12.1 lbs), the ZWO AM5N supports:
15 kg (33 lbs) without counterweight
20 kg (44 lbs) with counterweight
This allows you to mount refractors, astrographs, or compact SCT setups without the complexity of heavy counterweight systems. For portable astrophotographers, this is a major advantage.
Dual Mount Modes: Equatorial & Alt-Az
The ZWO AM5N operates in:
Equatorial Mode (EQ) – optimized for astrophotography
Alt-Az Mode – ideal for visual observing and outreach
Latitude adjustment range: 0° – 90° Azimuth adjustment: ±6°
Compatible with both Losmandy and Vixen dovetail saddles.
Full Connectivity & Smart Integration
The AM5N supports:
ASCOM
LX200 protocol
USB connectivity
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
ST4 Autoguider Port
Integrated cable management keeps your setup clean and organized.
Built for Extreme Conditions
Operating temperature: -20°C to 40°C
Perfect for winter astrophotography sessions.
⚠ Recommended input voltage: 12V If voltage drops below 10.8V, the mount will emit an under-voltage warning beep. For optimal performance, use the official ZWO power adapter and properly rated power cables.
It is recommended to use a counterweight of ≤5 kg. When using a 5 kg counterweight, the lever arm should be installed within the range of 20 cm to 30 cm.
For counterweights of other masses, the installation position can be calculated as follows:
Assume the counterweight mass is m kg. The allowable lever arm length L is defined by:
10 N·m ≤ m × g × L ≤ 15 N·m
where g = 9.8 m/s², which can be approximated as 10 m/s². For example, if a 2 kg counterweight is used, the allowable range of L is from
10 N·m / (2 × 10 m/s²) = 0.5 m to
15 N·m / (2 × 10 m/s²) = 0.75 m.
Features
*Note: The recommended operating voltage for the ZWO Harmonic Equatorial Mount is 12V. When the actual input voltage is below 10.8V, the mount will emit a beeping alarm to indicate under-voltage condition. To ensure proper functioning of the equipment, we recommend using the official ZWO power adapter and an appropriately sized power cable.
Technical Specifications
Parameter
Specification
Mount type
Harmonic Drive Mount
Mount mode
Equatorial/Alt-Azimuth
Drive
Strain Wave Gear + synchronous belt (300:1 reduction ratio)
Periodic error
< ±10"
PE duration
288s*
Drive (RA)
Stepper motor + synchronous belt + 17 type 100 reduction ratio strain wave gear + brake
Drive (DEC)
Stepper motor + synchronous belt + 17 type 100 reduction ratio strain wave gear
