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This is the latest iPad M4

@@nathanmay3658 Thanks for checking it out!

Thanks, but my objective is simplicity and time savings.

I only use the laser for polar alignment. Aligning the laser with the mount is not as difficult as it seems. Actually, ASI PA is not better. I did a laser alignment followed by ASI PA and verified that reality. Plate solving and guiding corrects for small errors of polar alignment whether using the laser or ASI PA. I've been using this method for many months, and my guiding is always .70 or better.

I haven't had any connectivity issues.

@@VisionCommunications there are two versions on Amazon. Do you know the difference between the two? The other one has a USB C connection port on the pencil. Is that the older version?

Thank you for taking the time to check it out!

Follow the Amazon link

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality.

You can draw with it but there is no varying of width or pressure sensitivity, so it's no good for artistic level drawing. As I tried to say, it's just a stylus for selecting and moving items around on the screen. It can do handwriting recognition, which is something else I don't need. At $26, it is good for what it is good for, which is very little! :-)

Thank you for viewing and commenting. AM3 doesn't have a power output. I send 12Volt power from my battery bank to ASIAir Plus. From there power is sent to the mount, to my camera, and the USBC connections. Works flawlessly with no problems.

Thanks for the question! I like the size and weight of AM3, and I'm not going to put anything on it bigger than my Celestron C8 rig. It also easily fits to into my carry on bag for flights with other gear. It wasn't a matter of money. I can afford any mount that I wanted.

Thanks! I'm not quite a full service TH-camr! :-) You can Google every item brand that I mentioned or showed on the screen. The laser is something I put together from parts I already had.

I use it all the time with excellent outcomes. Here is my gallery on AstroBin. You can look at the descriptions to see when the C8 was used with AM3. www.astrobin.com/users/BryanHudson/

@@VisionCommunications wow thank you for the reassurance. i was contemplating if i shd go for AM5. do u use counterweights?

what is your guiding setup?

@@sreeshab4093 guiding is done through ASIAir using the ASI120MC-S Camera

@@sreeshab4093 I don't need the counterweight because rig is under the payload limit. I show it here to make people feel more comfortable!😊

Thank you for viewing! I used the counterweight rod from a different Astro mount. I used this counter weight which is for a microphone stand boom: a.co/d/e1fCo5d You can get counterweight rods from Agena Astro. Just make sure it's the correct thread size agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/10164/s/ioptron-counterweight-shaft-for-hem27-mount-8456sl/ I'm also aware that the mount has a setting where you can adjust it if you're close to the equator. It's in the manual and they have supplied in Allen wrench to make that adjustment

@@VisionCommunications thank you. I have the counterweight rod but just need the right counterweight without hitting the tripod. I think you can adjust the mount with the wrench for latitudes from 45° - 90°, but I have the opposite problem with a low latitude of 4° 😅

Thank you! I use plate solving to do the framing. There is something called "auto centering" within the ASIAIR app. After using to Goto function, auto centering will frame up the target using plate solving.

My Celestron C8 rig is well under the payload capacity AM3. It would be nice to change the date in order to do simulations based upon the time of day preferred.

I've had no tech issues with my ZWO gear so far. Hoping I don't have any problems because I've heard that ZWO customer service is terrible! Thanks for checking out my AstroBin gallery!

@@VisionCommunications That's quite reassuring. Thank you and have a Happy Easter.

There is a mounting point on the saddle of AM3. You can see it looking at a close-up of AM3. Perhaps look at product literature

You certainly have options. I've mounted mine on the saddle so I can more easily swap out different telescopes and lenses.

Yes we do! @@VisionCommunications

Works great! Spend more time imaging than fooling around with PA.

It will work well. AM3 handles 17 pounds without counterweight and 28 pounds with counterweight (I mis-spoke when I said 23 pounds). Good tracking goes with good auto guiding.

Thanks for the reply!@@VisionCommunications

AM3 payload without CW is 17 lbs. My C8 rig is 16 lbs. No issues with five minute exposures using laser pointer to align. ASIAir plate solving and auto guiding correct for any lack of perfect alignment. Without that, there would be some star trials if I only depended on tracking. All of my deep sky images with AM3 use the laser (AstroBin gallery linked). For my Star Adventurer GTI, I use optical polar alignment. For me ASIRAir PA is a headache. www.astrobin.com/users/BryanHudson/

@@VisionCommunicationsVery interesting, as the YT "giants" all stress very precise PA in order to get the best results. I may try your method to see what results I get, although clear nights are so hard to come by recently, I hesitate to do any kind of experimentation at all if I get one, LOL!

My method only works with ASIAir and autoguiding, which uses plate solving for precision. There is a lot of "religion" and "boxes" in astrophotography-and some snobbery as well. They say stuff like "a mount can only be loaded to 50-60% of its payload" (that was true with older less well engineered mounts), must to use big heavy mounts, polar alignment has to be "perfect," and other things. I focus on my results, avoid debates, do my alignment in 30 seconds, and enjoy imaging sessions. To each his own, or as my father use to say, "knock yourself out!" My guiding is always under .7 RMS and the stars are always round. Thanks for the comments.

I use this power bank: GOLABS R300 Portable Power... www.amazon.com/dp/B08P5SFV4D?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Thanks for taking time to watch! I bought the bubble level from Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09F3XB5LG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

@@VisionCommunications forgot to say thanks! I ordered some. Appreciate you :)

Thank you for watching! Clear skies!

That is the counterweight bar from my Star Adventurer GTI

Thanks! Rig weights: C8 = 16.5 lbs, Canon 300mm = 9 lbs, Samyang 135mm = 7 lbs. AM3 does not need a counterweight for under 17 pounds. I still use a 3 pound counterweight for the C8 rig

From what it looks like, you are saying: Samyang rig (7 pounds) + the AM3 (8 pounds) = 15 pounds total? Thanks again, I appreciate your response.@@VisionCommunications

I forgot to ask how you are attaching that ASIair to the mount. Would be a great video on the makeup of your rigs and how you travel with it. @@VisionCommunications

@@user-dp4ev9ec8f it’s mentioned on this video at :39, th-cam.com/video/QC9Ol7bkyV4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=0XmeoOtvyAUf_ghE

Thank you for viewing! I like AM3 because it is smaller, lighter, and does everything I need a mount to do with all my rigs. If you have rigs over 30pounds (14kg), AM5 is best..

I already know Polaris is not true North. As I stated, ASIAir plate solving and guiding software corrects for the error. Otherwise, I couldn't get .7 RMS or better guiding with all my rigs, including Celestron C8. Plate solving is the feature that makes this work.

Works great! Always under .7 RMS. Here is a video: th-cam.com/video/aIhhlkXEb-k/w-d-xo.htmlsi=o1MaHY8-m_KU7OJ_ Photo: facebook.com/share/p/ap9p1nJg7z8aT5Aq/?mibextid=K35XfP

Thank you for checking it out! In this hobby, we help each other!

Thanks for taking time to check it out!

There's a 12V battery bank under the tripod supplying power to ASIAir Plus. From there, 12V power is going to the mount and to the camera. AA+ supports up to four 12V outputs.

@@VisionCommunicationsThank you! I had heard conflicting information regarding the ability of the ASIAIR Plus to power the mount, like the mount needed more power than the ASIAIR Plus could provide, but it looks like its working great for you!

@@JethroXP AA+ only passes 12V power along to other devices. It is a robust unit. Been using mine for over a year with no problems.

Yes, that is the ASI120S-C with SVBONY SV165 Guide Scope. I use it with other rigs as well. My guiding is always less than .7 RMS even with the C8.

Thx for commenting! Was a necessity for me since I often change rigs on AM3. Also limits cables getting hung up.

@@VisionCommunications gotcha. Also, do you remove it after every shooting session?

@@MrMrduke1975 It stays attached to AM3. I use a different bag to store and transport it as it will not fit the case that was made for it.

@@VisionCommunications ok, i figured. I thought about just taking it off when done and assembling. It’s not like I’ll be doing it everyday. If I did, I would worry about the plugging and unplugging every time would wear on the sockets

@@MrMrduke1975 It is a robust unit. I leave mine connected for quick start to an imaging session.

Thanks for watching!

Thanks! I put that laser rig together from parts I already had. There are plenty of low power green lasers available on Amazon. The key is to get one where you can press the switch and it stays on.

Using the ZWO pier extension designed for ZWO TC40 Carbon Fiber Tripod: agenaastro.com/zwo-pier-extension-am3-am5-mount-pe160.html Don’t know if it will work with other tripods

Thanks. I’ve been looking at the AM5 and I see their tripod/pier can be bundled for a discount. I see there are some good bundles for the ASI 6200 with OAG and filters/wheel. I’m waiting for the new year sales. 😊

@@leeq999 The bundle is hard to beat. Lightweight and very stable. I can fit an entire kit with AM3 and lenses in a carry on bag for lights.

Thx!