ZWO AM3 Unboxing, Overview, and AM5 Comparison
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ส.ค. 2023
- Taking a look at the ZWO AM3 harmonic drive telescope mount!
AM3 ► bit.ly/458nkAW
AM3 + Tripod ► bit.ly/47sHsPI
AM5 (big brother) ► bit.ly/3qrf4Nx
ASIAir Plus ► bit.ly/3OH834R
Power ► bit.ly/3oATghm
Counterweight Bar ► bit.ly/3N15oBM
Recommended telescope or something similar in weight/ focal length ► bit.ly/3C7xHrK
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#astrophotography #astronomy #deepspace #deepsky #nebula #beginners #spacephotography #galaxy #zwo #zwoam3 #telescope #telescopes - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Another great video Sarah! The comparison between mounts is very helpful! Thank you!!
Thank you! I'm glad you found this helpful!
Thanks for the detailed UB! I'm looking forward to seeing real-world results. 🤩
Thanks, Tony! :)
Another great video, Sarah!!
Thank you, Krystal!
Thank you for the video, kind of glad I went with the AM5 instead due to the long wait since preorders started back in April. Keep up the great work!
Yeah, I'm not totally sure why the long wait. But as far as the AM5, I too am really happy with it. It will be interesting to test out the AM3 and see how it does though. Thanks for stopping by! Cheers :)
Cool review! Thank you for detailed information about AM3 👍
Thanks! And thanks for saying hello :)
@@SarahMathsAstro Yeah! ;) I'm your new subscriber and your videos is very-very useful! ;) Do you plan to review SW Star Adventurer GTi GoTo 2023? It's more cheaper than AM3, but in options more functional than SW Star Adventurer, and I think it's good item for beginners. It will be great! ;) Thanks! 😊
Another excellent video!
Thank you so much, Janet!
Nice unboxing video. Looks like the PE spec on your particular mount is pretty good! I have an AM5 with a min-max PE of 13-28 arcseconds, and still it guides very well.
Thanks! I'm looking forward to seeing how the AM3 performs. I'm also glad to hear that your AM5 performs well, too.
Good review as always! I was tempted by one of these to replace my EQ6R-Pro, but the power-through for the AM5 is a really nice feature which this one doesn't have. Also, we call them allen keys!
The power-through with the AM5 is a nice feature, no doubt. And thanks for the info about the naming. I always find it interesting to learn about the different names people give items, etc throughout the world. Thanks for the kind words as well!
Several of the commenters have criticized the AM3 for lacking the 12v output, and I agree with them. I am 73 and purchased the AM5 and ASIAIR Plus back in late May to simplify setting things up (formerly my SA GTi with an OMSystem OM-1 and Olympus 100-400mm telephoto zoom lens controlled with a Dell laptop for guiding in PhD2) as well as lightening the setup. So far I I really like the Air+ and AM5 with the ZWO 533mc, all of which I purchased together-a pretty penny there-but which should serve me well for several years and keep me in the hobby. I wonder why ZWO didn’t include the 12v output on the AM3 because not having it just seems to add complexity as another power source will be needed to operate an AIR if the user goes that route. I found your comparative review very well done, and it reinforced my decision to buy the AM5 rather then wait for the less expensive AM3.
I have a few theories as to why they didn't include the pass-through 12V Out. Size constraints, use cases for those who would be using this compared to the AM5, etc. I've powered my AM5 directly with the 12V AC to DC converter wall mount adapter to an extension cable to my house and then for the ASIAir I will sometimes power that through a portable battery. My portable battery is very small and about $150. But then again, the cost already rises right there. It will be interesting to see the use cases play out with this one. Thanks for stopping by and providing your input! Cheers
For me simplicity of the complete setup was key, so the 12V pass-through was really important, for it allowed me to avoid dealing with another piece of equipment such as a battery. But your setup is working well for you, and that’s all that matters.
@@ABCMO-bl5pi I totally understand that. Simplicity is beauty.
It's obvious why they have not included all the conveniences, bells and whistles.... they want to encorage buyers who want more to go to the more expensive version. They are not trying to compete with themselves, they want to provide an entry level version to attract buyers who would not shell out for the AM5 anyway.
Good job Sarah! I love my AM5 and would expect this would perform just as well.
Thank you, Tom! Very glad to hear your AM5 is treating you well :)
Going to try mine out this weekend.
Awesome!! Congrats
Great video as usual. Thank you so much.
The carrying case for the Seestar S50 looks similar if not the same to the AM3 carrying case.
Thank you. Yes, they're very similar to another. Just some slight differences in the dimensions really but some material and look.
Great review! Decided on the AM5 after seeing your review. The AM3 also lacks the locking knobs for the alt/azmuth screws. The altitude scale is in front instead of on the side and there are no bubble levels. Thank you and clear skies!
Thank you! And you are spot on, thanks for including those additional differences. I hope you have been enjoying your AM5. Thanks again for stopping by and wishing you clear skies as well!
I acknowledge the existence of this video. Dare I say it, I even appreciate it.
I acknowledge the existence of this comment. And if it's not too bold to say, I also appreciate it.
Mine arrived today. First impressions Oh Yessssssss
Oh heck yeahhhh! Congrats!
Wow! I love these toys❗️😁
They have been great to work with :)
Good video. Thank you. I am looking forward to your review in putting this to use. It would be great to see this being used side-by-side with the AM5 and similar telescopes to compare the guiding accuracy, all else being the same.
Thank you, and thank you for the testing recommendations. I'm very curious to see how this will perform. Cheers!
Sarah, I found your videos on TH-cam because of my recent obsession with astrophotography. I've been into astronomy since the early 1990s, but I have never been able to afford the equipment until now. I find your videos very helpful and you are obviously an experienced, educated and reliable source of information. I just wanted to let you know I really appreciate you doing these reviews of these items so that I can further understand what to expect and how to use them. Keep up the great work
Hey there, that's so cool that you've been into astronomy since the early 90s. I'm sure it's been pretty crazy to see the equipment evolve over the years, too. Thanks for taking the time to share a bit about your journey and for stopping by on the channel. Your feedback means a lot! Wishing you all the best - cheers!
Nice unboxing and overview! Just in anxiety to receive mine soon! Waiting also for some real tests on the field with this little portable mount, hope it performs well to manage a 1,16arcsec/px, that I will face with my 6" newtonian. For sure with my small Zenithstar 61 it will perform perfectly!
Thanks! That’s awesome that you’re receiving your AM3 soon here! I’m very curious how it will perform with the 6” Newtonian as well. Wishing you clear skies!
What a calming voice, would listen to you reading the phonebook. Thx for the great content.
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the kind words.
Solid!
Top KEK!
Peace be with you.
Many thanks! Cheers
Great video, doing well.with your presentation..
Looks an superb lightweight alternative to other styles of EQ mounts, more leaning towards Apps and PC for control too as tech advances...and yes know what you mean about weight and setting up and tearing down after sessions..take care, keep safe
Thank you for the kind words. It's been cool to see the evolution towards apps and PC for control. Being able to basically automate your entire imaging session is a big allure. As is saving one's back :) cheers!
Welcome...yes tech evolved so fast in the last few years and Star Trek level now since I got into astronomy in my early teens
I am loving your channel. Great reviews and explanations. I would love to see a EAA video series using a ZWO and SvBony sensors and SharpCap. Clear Skies.
Thanks so much and thank you for the video/ series suggestions. I'll add everything to my list! Clear skies to you too.
Have the AM5 and really like it. Waiting for the AM7!...
Me too! :)
I’m glad I went with an AM5. I like that it can power my ASIair. Just needed a power supply with a 10 amp output because of standard 12v 5A bricks couldn’t hack it.
Glad to hear you're enjoying your AM5!
I have seen these harmonic drive mounts in the field. They guide extremely well and can handle a large payload, however I will stay with my Losmandy G11. There is something I find very satisfying in lifting the heavy tripod and assembling the mount and counter weights. Maybe it's a man thing. You give excellent videos, I have subscribed.
I can understand that. Thanks so much, it's much appreciated!
Thanks for the review Sarah
Currently deciding between these two mounts after my skywatcher star adventurer gti broke 😢
I like them both so I guess it’s all about payload
Oh dang, sorry to hear about your GTi :( can Sky-Watcher not fix it for you? I like the AM3 and the AM5, too so it would come down to payload if I were deciding between the two as well. Thanks for stopping by! Cheers
@@SarahMathsAstro Lookimg into it at the moment, may be fixable after all phew 😮💨 I’m probably right at the payload limit so even so the AM3 or AM5 are looking attractive right now
Cheers
Si
Looks awesome! I was aiming to get one of these until they were delayed. I ended up with an Ioptron HEM15 which I'm loving and which honestly better suits my needs. 2.5kg, integrated polar scope, and 12v out.
I think the main thing you miss out on with the HEM15 is alt-az mode, which isn't too concerning for me as I'm primarily imaging.
The HEM15 looks like a great mount. I’m happy to hear you’re loving it and that it was a good choice. I do like that it comes with an integrated polar scope. Certainly a nice feature especially if you’re using something other than an ASIAir to control the rig, etc. What do you use as a power source for the mount?
I would love to test an HEM15 out in the near future though. So far it looks like harmonic drive mounts are here to stay. Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you clear skies!
@@SarahMathsAstro - Thanks! I tried it out with both a Celestron Powertank Lithium Lt (which only outputs at 3A, as opposed to the 5A that the HEM15 says it requires) as well as a Celestron Powertank Lithium Pro. With an Asiair plus, guide scope, and dummy battery for my DSLR, I was seeing about six hours of battery life on the 78Wh Lithium Lt, so the HEM15 really doesn't seem to draw much power while tracking/guiding.
I pack everything in a hiking backpack and bus to a darker part of my city to image as I don't drive, so weight really matters to me. It's exciting that I can have a setup as advanced as this thanks to harmonic drives, and I'm seeing about 0.9" rms, which is more than good enough for my 420mm focal length.
I also should've said that the other main difference of the AM3 is that it has harmonic motors in DEC as well as RA, while the HEM15 has a worm/belt in DEC.
Thank you for the detailed response on this. It’s really insightful/ helpful! Much appreciated!
Thanks. Would be nice to see the bottom of the mount for alternative tripod mounting options.
Drive folder here: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wXbtDjSRaAVE-zlJQ2C6xhen_GgxVfDq
Image 1: bottom of the AM3 without the M6 screws (M6 screws + washers are on the lower right with the hex wrench)
Image 2: bottom of AM3 with M6 screws + washers screwed in
You can use a tripod that has a center hole that can take a 3/8" bolt / i.e., the AM3 has a standard 3/8" thread for tripod connection.
Hope this helps!
@@SarahMathsAstro Wow, Thanks. Can you do the same for the AM5?
Of course. I've uploaded two additional images to the Google Drive that are from the AM5: IMG_5338.jpg and IMG_5337.jpg
IMG_5338.jpg: drive.google.com/file/d/1J7X-g_If3I6-6e5ImJzGPFwOV-Oq15bc/view?usp=share_link
IMG_5337.jpg: drive.google.com/file/d/13ZJh5yKPER783Iar8zxPQs0Ke6QI_zXU/view?usp=share_link
Very interested in this mount, looking forward to some real world guiding and PHD2 graphs
Looking forward to testing it and seeing how it performs as well. Cheers
@SarahMathsAstro any updates on the AM3 yet Sarah? I read that ZWO have reduced the period to 288s on the AM3, which concerns me in respect of guiding and PE ramps
No updates yet. Still testing!
@@SarahMathsAstroHi Sarah what happened?
Nice Review, this release should serve notice on the 2 or 3 big guys that they need to start innovating or lose sales.
Agreed! The next couple of years, or even months, will be very interesting.
SO where's mine. I ordered one of these and the 2600 DUO back on April 13. As of today, no product and no word from ZWO!!
I know..........WAH WAH!
BUt thanks for the preview. Looks a lot like the AM5 (I have two of those) but without the 12V out for powering the ASIAIR Plus. At least that's how I set up mine. That kinda sucks!
Good job as usual SarahMaths. Thanks again for this video.
From my understanding they’re sending the pre-orders out by date of order which is good!
As far as powering, I’m going to test if it’s possible to power the AM3 through the ASIAir if weather holds tonight.
@SarahMathsAstro
That's right. Hopefully mine gets here soon. Even though were not getting a lot of cs here in upstate NY.
Powering the asiair plus off the am5 makes for good cable mgmt. So once I get the am3 I'll run it and the plus off one of my 12v ps's and the run the cam (I have several zwo cams) off the plus for still good cable mgmt. That's all I ever run off the plus as my dew straps run off a thousand oaks dedicated ps for those. I just velcro the cables together and so far no prob with merid flips, etc.
Your idea should work. Just not sure of the asiair's pe (power) output or the am3's pe needs.
Lmk how that works as your experience with astrophoto setup will pan out for you, I'm sure.
Best to you and cs.
@twobrotherskayaking4736 I hope the skies remain that way for you. Agreed about the cable management with the 12v thru though. I’m still waiting on some clear skies here so I can test thoroughly. Cheers
I ordered the AM5 as I needed one of these for the recent solar eclipse 10/13/23 and the AM3 was delayed. I wish the AM3 had been available as I found the nearly 17 pound carry weight of the AM5 difficult across 6 airports to and from my destination especially since the mount was only carrying a load of maybe 10 pounds for the eclipse, which the AM3 would handle effortlessly.
It is unlikley that I will ever air travel with a "large , heavy scope" that exceeds the limit of the AM3 [without weights] ~ 17 pounds so I will likely be selling the AM5 and getting the AM3.
BTW, the AM5 is a stellar performer.
I
17 pounds would get very heavy after awhile. I'm happy to hear the AM5 had stellar performance though. I can't say enough awesome things about my AM5. It has truly been a game changer. I hope it was wonderful to see/ image the annular solar eclipse. Cheers!
not sure if Missed it but it would have been nice to see them side by side for size comparisons. I realize you had two separate photo comparing them. it was difficult to see the difference as they taken at a different distance and angles live side by side view would have preferable. thanks for the video I didn't know about the AM3 missing a power port as compared to AM5
I agree with you, I should have included a live side-by-side comparison of the two. I'll be sure to do that in any following videos. Thanks for the feedback!
I very much enjoy my AM5, best astro purchase I've made. AM3 looks awesome. And I'm also a huge fan of the art on the front plate, and the carry case of the AM5. AM3 case is boring haha. Great unboxing video!
Thanks, Caleb! I'm glad that the AM5 has been a worthy addition to the team. I like how the art of the front plates/ the AM5 carrying case was chosen from an art contest. I don't know why, but that makes me happy, lol. I hope you've been well!
I've been well, hope the same to you. I did not know it was art from a contest! Very awesome! @@SarahMathsAstro
Hope to see an AM1 that can compete directly with SA GTI!
That would be pretty neat!
A use case for HC is wifi support
Yep! That too :D
Wow! i have been out of astronomy for about three years now and things have really moved on, I mean really!
It’s crazy to see how things are moving so quickly!
I love my two AM5s, I though about an AM3 but for the price difference a second AM5 was a better choice for me. I would definitely miss that power out port and the case is kind of cheap looking. I really hoped for am AM7
I'm happy to hear that you're loving your AM5s. Maybe they'll consider the AM7 in the future though!
@@SarahMathsAstro I'd love to see a premium harmonic drive mount with encoders and sky modeling. Now that would be mint!
That would be a dream.
@@StarlancerAstro available I believe just not from ZWO as of yet
Great video (again)! I have the AM5, but considering the AM3. Have you been able to do some additional testing? I have the Askar V and a ASI2600 Duo. Thanks!
Thanks! I've been testing the AM3 and have been really impressed so far. I've tested it with the carbon fiber tripod from ZWO along with the Askar V 80mm objective lens and optical accessories - so far so good. More testing to come.
@@SarahMathsAstro Great, thank you and for the quick reply! I use the carbon fiber tripod with the pier extension (not the solid one). When seeing is just okay (or better), the AM5 is an amazing piece of equipment. Looking forward to your update!
Just wanted to follow up and see if you still are happy with the AM3? Now that it’s on sale, I’m thinking about buying it and selling my AM5. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
I failed to tell you why the question on memory. When I was trying to figure out what I didn't need to buy or could delay, I noticed the ASIAIR plus comes in 2 versions, $100 difference. It's the memory, 56 vs 256. I was wondering if it's maybe not used since the camera's 256 memory. Just looking for places to save some cash.
Really just depends on how often you transfer data off of it onto another memory device like an external SSD or your computer or if you just end up deleting the data. I have a regular ASIAir Plus and do just fine with the storage it has.
I think perhaps you should have mentioned the lack of power cable, when you were talking about power.
Thanks for that. I will note that for the review.
Congratulations on your new AM3! I also have pre-ordered one and am anxiously awaiting a shipping notification. Can you tell me when you ordered yours? It's supposed to be in the order of the order, so I could calculate when mine will be shipped :-)
Many thanks and CS
Thanks! ZWO sent this but I've been waiting since April/ May :)
@@SarahMathsAstrot thanks vor your respomse 🙂
Allen Key in the UK.
Thank you for that. Cheers!
Hi Sarah, any update on when the embargo will be lifted for a full review of the AM3 can be released?
Hi Roy, I’m still testing it but am hoping to have a review of it in the coming months. Thanks for your patience :D Cheers
well done young lady 👍
Thank you, Mike!
you are quite welcome@@SarahMathsAstro
Hi Sarah, wondering if you’ll have a chance at doing a guid test with counterweight and max load?
Hi there, yep, I'll be testing it quite a lot over the coming month with a variety of tests. Fingers crossed I get some clear skies here.
question - I noticed the AM3 does not have the locking levers on either side of the lower base flange as does the AM5. Please explain how to unlock and lock the Polar Alignment adjustments made with the right/left black plastic knobs ?
Great question. I'll have to test this on my own when I go through polar alignment with the AM3, but from ZWO's website, they stated the following regarding the removal of the upper and lower locking handles: "The tightness of the upper and lower structural components of the mount is achieved through four locking screws. This allows for lateral movement and provides a certain level of strength, eliminating the need for locking handles."
That being said, the AM5 does not have the four locking screws like the AM3 has on the bottom of it. Here in this photo of the bottom of the AM3's base (drive.google.com/file/d/1q_OGqx0oDrxrvRj6OiVS4ct4ayA-Dgsg/view?usp=share_link), there are four screws near the circumference. I believe these are the four screws ZWO is referring to in their statement (please note: the three screws in the middle are for attaching a mount head plate for connecting the AM3 to a tripod or pier extension).
But again, I'll have to see if this change causes any issues or not during my own tests.
excellent reply. I went on ZWO's website, but evidently didn't dig deep enough for the answer. Thank you again young lady, your videos are very informative@@SarahMathsAstro
One final question, if you have both the AM5 & AM3 under review. I'm wondering if the AM3 bottom plate is a retro fit for the AM5 ? I find it a little bit frustrating while doing Polar Alignment with the Locking Levers loosened. After tweaking the Adjustment Knobs, PA is slightly different after tightening the Locking Levers on either side of the AM5 base. Anyway, just a thought. I have learned how to compensate. I tend to get wrapped around the axle at times in pursuit of perfection@@SarahMathsAstro
Thanks for the video, i just want buy an AM3 and want to know if i can power it with my Asiair like i do actually with my SA GTI please?
I would probably advise against powering the AM3 with the ASIAir. Personally, I power both devices separately. I fear that the mount may draw more from the ASIAir at times so I've avoided testing this. For portability, I would get a separate battery, like a Jackery that will accommodate both. There may be folks out there who disagree though, I just haven't taken the chance.
Hello Mrs. Sarah! Did you get a chance to take the am3 outside to find how quite and smooth it is under a load? I'm so far behind the tech curve I don't know if I could ever catch up. Last time I had my SW EQ6R Pro out I let it wrestle me to the ground. I had a hard time getting out from under that thing. I'm glad no one was around to see me. Oops, I just told on myself!
Hello there! I haven't had a chance to test it yet, but am hoping to soon here. Oh man! Ouch! That's not good at all. I hope you are/ were okay!
Just hurt feelings!@@SarahMathsAstro
Hi, still waiting for your detailed review of AM3 which could help me to decide the purchase. Thanks.
Hi there, thanks for the letting me know. It's on my list of videos. Cheers
Did you keep the AM3? I'm looking to get a second mount, lighter weight for now and was considering the AM3.
It’s still on loan. It’s a nice little mount.
Hello super beautiful Astro Sarah! Are you going to test the Seestar S50?
Hello there, yes, I have been testing it for several months now. I hope to finish my review of it in December.
Nice! I got most of the answers I need. Is the head plate for the TC40 supplied with the AM3? I bought my TC40 with an AM5 and PE200 but found the tripod not up to crrying the intended payload. So I moved that scope AM5 and PE200 over to EQ6 tripod. I'm not sure, but I dont think I have any head plates spare/left over though.
The tripod head plate for the TC40 does not come with the AM3. Based on what you told me, you should have one remaining mount head plate which could then be used with the AM3 and TC40. I'm guessing you're using the PE200's Sky-Watcher adapter plate instead of the other mount head plate to connect it to your EQ6 tripod. If that's the case, then you should have the other mount head plate that came attached to the PE200 as well as the mount head plate that came with the TC40 (same one). I would then guess you're using one of those to connect your AM5 to the PE200. By that, then you should have the one remaining mount head plate which could be used with the AM3 to attach it to the TC40 tripod. Hope this helps :D
@@SarahMathsAstro Thankyou so much! You have indeed figured out what my old brain couldn't remember. I found it stowed away in a "safe place" (still in the tripod packed away in its bag).🙂
Awesome!! Happy to help :)
First, excellent presentation. Allen/hex, doesn’t really matter. Also referred to as wrench and key. As a newbie, I've learned enough at this point to be dangerous and created a shopping list of "oooo that's nice" parts for first system. Oops, back to reality. I've left a few items off my list for Santa and changed from 925 to 800 (still edgehd) and AM-3. Wacked the initial buy by 50%. Here's a technical question. If the camera (ASI533MC) has memory, the ASIAIR and laptop also have memory, which one raises their hand and says me first, or only me, during image capture? This has been quite an adventure. When I get to it, software is going to be a challenge. I have watched your 3 processing videos.
Thank you! The camera doesn’t have memory on it. The ASIAir does. You also wouldn’t really need a laptop if you’re using an ASIAir since it basically can control your entire setup. But, for example, if you were to use something like a DSLR with a memory card in it, you can tell the ASIAir to save images to the memory card, too as well as to the ASIAir. This would be done under the main imaging camera section of the ASIAir App. I hope this helps!
Hello Sara. I have purchased the AM3 and ASIAir. Could you please answer my question? Can I fully use auto-guiding without a guide camera and the actual guider? I'm having trouble setting up the mount on the Polar Star. It says that Plate Solve is not enabled. Could this be because I don't have a guide camera and the actual guider? I am using the AM3, ASIAir, ASKAR 400/5.6, and ASI533MC Pro. Thanks)
Hello there, congrats on your new equipment! For auto-guiding, you will need a guide camera and a guide scope along with the ASIAir. The guide camera should be connected directly to the ASIAir via a USB-C (back of guide camera - most guide cameras have this port) to USB 2 of 3 (to ASIAir). You will need to make sure that the guide camera and guide scope are on in the ASIAir App with the correct focal length of the guide scope inputed. You will also need to make sure that the guide camera and guide scope are in focus with the tiniest stars possible and select an appropriate gain level. Then, perform a calibration within the guiding view in the ASIAir app. The calibration should happen after you've performed a GoTo to your desired imaging target and before the imaging plan begins. This should automatically happen in most cases once you start an imaging Plan in the ASIAir. Once the GoTo has occurred, and the guiding has been calibrated, auto-guiding should begin and your imaging session should start. You may also want to enable dithering within the guiding feature in the ASIAir app - I would read up on this further, as it is a very beneficial step to include if you are guiding.
As far as plate solving, the ASIAir uses the main imaging camera (ASI533MC Pro) and your main imaging scope's focal length (your Askar 400mm FL) to plate solve. To my understanding, it only uses these values/ hardware, not your auto-guiding equipment. That being said, be sure your main imaging camera has power and that the camera is also connected to the ASIAir via USB (there should be two separate cables - one for power that is connecting your camera's power input port to your camera's power source and then the second cable you should have is a USB 3.0 to USB 3.0 to connect your camera to the ASIAir for controlling the camera). Also be sure that the main imaging camera and scope are correctly selected in the ASIAir (it's focal length) and be sure that you're using the appropriate Gain for the camera (usually 100 for that camera). You'll also want to be sure you have input the correct numeric value of your scope's focal length into the main imaging scope's focal length box within the ASIAir (should be 400mm but you could also enter 0 if you didn't know what the focal length was and then once successfully plate solved, the focal length will update - but the initial value can only be the correct focal length or 0 - anything else and it will make plate solving fail). Also, be sure everything is in focus and that there are enough stars visible to plate solve with. You may want to wait until it's pretty dark out so more stars are visible. But generally you should be okay attempting to plate solve at nautical twilight. This will be especially true if you're using a narrowband filter of some kind. Lastly, be sure your mount is connected to your ASIAir as well and selected in the mount section of the ASIAir.
Hope this helps!
@@SarahMathsAstro Thank you very much for the information. )))
You’re very welcome! Best of luck!
Sarah, nice video. (Here's a question for anyone that may know: is this a GO-TO mount as is, from the box?
If not what else do I need to purchase to make it GO-TO?)
(A second question, can you polar align from the box???)
Thank you. To your question(s), it is a GoTo mount as is with the hand controller and the accompanying ASI Mount mobile app. You can download and use the app for iOS and/or Android devices (smartphone or tablet). The hand controller doesn't have a screen on it which is one reason why you would need to use the mobile app with the hand controller. Alternatively, you could also use a PC with ASCOM drivers as an example and the ASI Studio software app for GoTo as well, I believe. Also, you could use something like an ASIAir.
If the hand controller had a screen then I suppose technically you wouldn't need anything else for GoTo though. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the quick review ✨️
That power through was how I powered my Asiair and feed all my devices power. I use a jackery and I always travel to a dark spot to do my imaging, so does this mean I will power my asiair from the jackery (direct dc power cable ) and then power the Am3 from Asiair? Will that work? I dont think so
According to ZWO you can power the AM3 with the asiair.
I’m going to be testing the ASIAir powering the AM3 this evening if weather holds up.
@NoaKamelot I thought originally, ZWO said to never power the mount from the Asiair 🙃
@@SarahMathsAstro🤞🤞
Love my AM5 and was considering the AM3, but concerned about the lack of a power port to run my ASIAIR, ASI294MC PRO & EAF. Too many trees at hom, so I have to travel to a different place to setup. I run everything off of a Jackery Battery. Would I need to run a second power cable to the ASIAIR. Thanks and great video!
Hey there, thanks for saying hello and thanks for sharing your equipment. What Jackery Battery model do you use? Cheers!
@@SarahMathsAstro I have a Jackery 240. I see that you did a review on the Askar V. I will have to watch, but I hope you didn’t find anything bad, since aI already own it (and love it!)
@kurtbauch5491 Thanks for the response! As far as the Askar V, overall a great telescope system, especially for the money. Some CA, but not a dealbreaker (for me at least)!
BTW, upgraded to the ZWO ASI2600 Duo and it works great with the Askar V (I’ve only used it at 600mm and 360mm so far). Still contemplating the AM3 , but I was getting Total RMS around 0.25 for a while and 0.4 for the whole evening (3 hours), so it’s hard to give that up!
I was eating fruit pastels (not sure if you have these in the US) during your review :)
I believe we do have them here in the US, although, sadly, I have not had the good fortune of trying them yet. Do you have a favorite flavor? I hope you've been well! :)
@@SarahMathsAstro I guess you can describe them as sugar coated fruit flavoured chewy "jell-o" and I like the green (lime flavoured) the best :) I well thank you and how are you doing? Very busy I can see :) Mainly watching classic British Sci-fi series Space 1999 and RedDwarf :)
Thanks for the nice unboxing review.
Not huge deal but they really downgraded the case quality. That looks like just plain foam which could wear out quite quickly. I have the AM5. I obviously didn't buy it for the case but I really appreciate its quality.
As others have noted here, the lack of pass through power is also notable.
Thanks. Yeah, it's the same material they made the Seestar smart telescope case out of. I haven't had any issues with them at least.
Pass through power is a huge bonus with the AM5, no doubt.
Could the asiair connect to the am3 over Bluetooth?
I don't think so..?
You have to make a choice between a car for your family or a budget astrophotography setup.
I'm grateful prices are going down from what they were 10, 20, 30 years ago, but they're still very expensive. Hoping the price trend continues downwards though as tech gets better.
@@SarahMathsAstro Me too)
Nice video Sarah. I have an asi air plus. Could I power it using the air+ 12v outputs? How would you power both the air and the am3?
Hi there, that's a great question. I haven't tested this but have read that some folks have tried this even with their AM5 if they didn't use the power-thru. Currently though, I would power my AM3 via the ZWO 12v AC to DC power converter wall cable to my house and then use a small portable battery (from Universal Astro optcorp.com/products/universal-astro-mini-powerbank), to power the Air. I'm sure this is not the best solution out there, but I'm still working through my other options. To be continued...
@@SarahMathsAstro thanks for the quick response. That’s what I feared. I’ll have to deal with two power bricks. Good thing I have two 110v ports on my EcoFlow river2 power bank.
Hi Sarah, here's a video suggestion: I live in the city and I only have a south view from my balcony. Have you tried the full sky polar alignment available in the ASI Air? This could be a game changer for people with small backyards or limited views of the sky. It would be interesting to see the accuracy of the AM3/AM5 tracking when PA'd using the full sky PA mode. Thanks again for your great videos!
Thanks for the video suggestion on this! I’ll add that to my test.
I had a doubt, I am thinking of getting redcat 51mm scope. but it is pretty wide view, so I am also thinking of getting the explore scientific127mm scope for clicking something like bubble/ring nebula.
my question is is it a good idea to get 2 scopes or should I just get an 86mm founder optics scope for less hassle?
also, is 127mm an overkill? i have an option between 106mm v/s 127mm and I thought that maybe with that scope + zwo m533 that images would be too zoomed in and it'll be difficult. so the 2nd question is if I should get the 127mm or 106 mm scope
thank you, I enjoy your videos. learned a lot
Hey, thanks so much. I would maybe look into something like the Askar V. It’ll give you a range of FOV at a relatively fair price. It won’t have as much reach as the 127mm but will still have some deep views possible. Thoughts?
Askar V Modular Telescope Review - Is it Worth It?
th-cam.com/video/jG9_Oiz3lmI/w-d-xo.html
@@SarahMathsAstro THANKS FOR REPLYING!
I watched your askar video earlier but unfortunately my country doesn't have askar scopes available :(
so could you please suggest something based on my original comment. thanks a lot again!
Oh, got it. Well, if I wanted to capture images of larger, bright nebulae that are in the northern hemisphere, I would probably go with a triplet refractor that has a focal length around 600mm. Since you're going to be using the ASI533MC, I think the 86mm Founder Optics scope would be a nice pair if this is your objective and is a nice middle ground between the deep and wide FOVs. You can always get a telephoto lens like a Rokinon 135mm for very wide FOVs of the night sky if you do want to do that.
Or you could do the Explore Scientific 127mm with its reducer. That will cost more money of course, but will give you some more options for FOV. I haven't used either there 86mm or the the Explore Scientific 127mm so I can't speak to quality of optics personally. So, it kind of comes down to budget now. These are just my thoughts and I don't necessarily want to give definitive advice since a lot of factors go into one's purchasing decisions. But, I hope this helps a bit!
@@SarahMathsAstro thank you sooo mcuh for taking so much time to reply to my doubt! i really appreciate it! i hope your channel grows a lot!
i used blackwaterskies and tried looking at FOV from different scopes like 51mm, 86mm, 102mm and 127mm and I think 51mm and 127mm compliment each other the best so I'll get them. can't wait for your next video! clear skies
@winnershandbook1069 of course! Thanks for the great questions. It’s really nice being able to have that range of focal lengths (the RedCat 51 and Explore Scientific 127mm). Lots of possibilities for different targets and compositions. Thanks for the kind words as well and for all of your support. Wishing you all the best in your astro journey!
I've ordered mine 3 months ago. ZWO is yet to ship it...
Just read an update from ZWO's Facebook and it stated that shipments are heading out in the order they received them. I hope you get yours soon here.
@@SarahMathsAstro Yeah, that's what they told me. It is October, and still no shipment. I canceled the ZWO order and purchased the mount from another store. They have it in stock and shipped the next business day. So, the first-come-first-serve statement is not really true.
Do you do imaging at the popular star parties across the country??
Not yet! Have you?
@@SarahMathsAstro
No, not yet. I've only done visual work at a couple of star parties
What is a land line telephone? 🤔
A relic of communication to which much joy was had, particularly those with rotary dials.
Could you please tell the size of the box? I can't find this data nowhere, and it would be important for travelling in planes. ... Nice video by the way 😊 Greetings from Germany!
Hi there :) of course and great question. The dimensions for the AM3 carrying case are:
L: 11 in / 28 cm
W: 6.5 in / 16.5 cm
H: 10 in / 25.4 cm
Cheers!
@@SarahMathsAstro Thanks, that helps a lot! Take care and all the best!
that's a Innensechskant- or Imbusschlüssel where I am 🙂
So cool! Thanks for the info :)
Mathematician: 4,751g. Scientist: 4.8kg +/- 49g. Engineer: 5kg.
lol, this is accurate.
Will Done Sara, Just a small tip from an old man. Always cut away from yourself when cutting open a box.
Thank you, I appreciate the tip! Safety is important :) cheers
not 12volt output , another running cable
For the AM5?
Nice video. For us in the USA I would have liked to see the weights and other measurements in USA numbers not KG for example.
Thanks for the feedback, I’ll keep that in mind for future videos.
ZWO has changed (more like downgraded) their strain wave gears from a period of 432 sec to 288s. As a result, newer mounts are less stable and more difficult to guide than the first release. No doubt those AM3 have the same gears. Buyers beware!
Do you have a source for this claim?
@@richards3192 There is a lot of info about this on the ZWO forum.
We will have to see how it performs here soon.
Good evening My Dear !!! ..
Question to pick your insight .
As i like capturing night sky images . Even though one is not a member of the Society of putting things on top of other things " !! ( photo stacking ) .
Why is nobody unwilling to capture whilst using DSAG ( deep sky astro gear ) a credible single capture of a DST ( DEEP SKY TARGET ) . All the channels i see all PS .
Hello there, just so I'm understanding your question: are you referring to why deep sky astrophotographers choose to take multiple images and stack them together as opposed to taking one long image?
@@SarahMathsAstro Single Capture .. Considering the price of the Gear i would expect it to at least be good enough to get a single capture worthy of the price point
@colintraveller gotcha. Yes, you can technically capture a single image. But there will be more noise from keeping the shutter open that long, etc. Also, if there is any movement to the camera setup during the exposure, the image will be blurry to that effect. Also, if a satellite or plane passes through your field of view, the trails are more or less stuck there unless you’re good at the healing tool in Photoshop (you’re still distorting the image though). All those reasons are why taking several images in place of a single image is better. It’s far easier to calibrate out noise and have better signal with multiple images stacked, and it’s easier to throw out one bad exposure that was blurry from a gust of wind or something than ruining your entire final single long exposure image. Similarly, it’s easier to calibrate out or remove an image with plane trails or satellite trails in a final stacked image. Signal to noise ratio is really the most important thing here and why stacking is important as is getting several images so you can remove the ones that were hampered by poor atmospheric seeing or transparency or from movement to the setup. Hope this helps!
Great review! Can you get subs in spanish ? Thks From Argentina
Thanks! I’ll work on that. Cheers from the US
Thank you for the video. My 2 bits -- too technical. Tell a story. "The App matters to me because _____ " "When I used the ____ it made me want to do ___ with the other thing". Keep going. Just remember, on YT, you're in the entertainment business, not the hardware specification business.
Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and thank you for your thoughtful feedback. It's well received and much appreciated.
OK! I've hit th elike button and might have subscribed, but I went to your channel to look for a demo/test/reeview of this mount you had in your posetion 8 months ago and found NOTHING!!! When can we expect a little more? There is precious little information out there on this mount.
Hey Greg, I'm still testing out the AM3. Not sure when I'll have an AM3 video out though. I may do a write-up review.