This listing is for the ZWO AM5N Mount Head only. A high-quality carbon fibre tripod is available separately, or you may choose a bundle that includes both the mount and tripod.
For the best stability and portable astrophotography performance, we recommend pairing the AM5N with the ZWO TC40 Carbon Fibre Tripod. View the ZWO TC40 Tripod.
The ZWO AM5N Harmonic Drive AZ-EQ Mount represents a major evolution in portable mount design. It enables seamless switching between EQ and Alt-Az modes, and its harmonic-drive system removes the need for counterweights in most setups — making transport, setup, and operation significantly easier.
Despite its compact size, the AM5N has a strong payload capacity: up to 15 kg without counterweights and up to 20 kg with a 5 kg counterweight. This versatility makes it suitable for a wide variety of visual and imaging configurations.
Advanced features for precision and stability
At the core of the AM5N is ZWO’s customised strain-wave geared reducer, providing precise tracking performance with accuracy better than ±10″. This level of precision greatly benefits long-exposure astrophotography.
The mount offers an altitude adjustment range of 0°–90°, supporting both EQ polar alignment and Alt-Az observing angles. This ensures smooth positioning and excellent usability regardless of observing location or target.
Traditional equatorial mounts depend on heavy counterweights to balance the RA and DEC axes, making them bulky and slow to assemble. The AM5N overcomes these limitations, offering high load capacity with or without counterweights while maintaining excellent stability and vibration control.
Key capabilities of the AM5N (2024 Edition):
- Counterweight-free operation for payloads up to 15 kg
- Up to 20 kg payload with a 5 kg counterweight
- Tracking precision ≤ ±10″
- Dual-mode EQ and Alt-Az operation
- 0°–90° latitude adjustment
Compatibility and adaptability
The AM5N is compatible with a wide variety of tripods, allowing you to configure your observing or imaging setup to your preference.
For example, attaching the mount to a Celestron AVX tripod requires the Berlebach 11178-GP-3/8 adapter plate, providing a secure, stable interface between the two components.
Power requirements
Important: The recommended operating voltage for the AM5N is 12 V. If the input voltage drops below 10.8 V, the mount emits a beeping alarm to indicate under-voltage.
For best performance and hardware protection, use the official ZWO power adapter and a properly rated cable to avoid voltage drop during operation.
Always operate the mount with a regulated 12 V power supply to prevent voltage-related interruptions.
