ZWO AM5N Telescope Mount Full Review for Astrophotography
After spending six months with ZWO's latest strain wave equatorial mount, the AM5N, I'm ready to share my experiences with this impressive piece of astrophotography gear.
The AM5N continues what the original AM5 started, keeping the compact, lightweight design while bringing some significant improvements. Using a strain wave gear system (also called harmonic drive), this little powerhouse can support up to 33 lbs (15 kg) without a counterweight and 44 lbs (20 kg) with one. For astrophotographers who travel to dark sky sites, this is a game changer.
Strain wave mounts are a pretty interesting shift from traditional equatorial mounts, like my trusty EQ6-R Pro, which uses a worm gear system. Worm gears have been the standard for years, and they work well, but like anything, they come with some trade-offs. They’re heavier, they require careful balancing, and there’s more that can introduce backlash into your guiding.
Strain wave mounts, like the AM5N, take a different approach. Instead of worm gears, both the RA (right ascension) and Dec (declination) axes use strain wave gears. This design allows for high torque and precise movement in a much more compact and lightweight package.
For example, the AM5N weighs just 12 lbs (5.4 kg) compared to around 40 lbs (18 kg) for my EQ6-R Pro that has the same maximum payload of 44 lbs (20 kg) as the AM5N. That’s a big difference when you’re hauling gear out to a dark site or having to set up and tear down each clear night from home. And one of the things I really appreciate is how forgiving the setup is. You don’t have to spend time balancing everything perfectly, which makes it quicker and easier to get started when clear skies pop up.
Additionally, ZWO has made some thoughtful upgrades to the AM5N, including a redesigned base for easier polar alignment, integrated cable management, and improved tracking accuracy with reduced periodic error of just ±10 arcseconds from ±20 arcseconds compared to the original AM5. Which means better stability for long exposures in terms of tracking and autoguiding. The red, black, white, and silver design isn't just for looks; it actually helps when you're checking your setup in the dark. Which I appreciate as someone who doesn’t have the best vision, especially in the dark.
The mount comes in a foam-padded carrying case with everything you need: the mount head, hand controller and hand controller cable, a magnetically-secured hex wrench in the mount’s body for easy access, USB cables including a USB-C option, and a periodic error test report for the specific mount. ZWO also provides a 2-year warranty.
In terms of features, the mount offers both EQ (equatorial) and Alt-Az (altitude-azimuth) modes, making it versatile for astrophotography and visual astronomy. It supports ASCOM and INDI driver software, works with NINA and other popular image acquisition software, and integrates perfectly with ZWO's ASIAir platform. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi options let you control everything through the SkyAtlas mobile app.
There are some compromises, though. The AM5N doesn't have a built-in polar scope (though digital alternatives work well), requires external power since there's no onboard battery, and lacks manual clutches, so you need powered control for axis movement (a common design feature for most strain wave mounts these days).
In real-world testing with my Redcat 51 and Askar 103 APO setups, the AM5N performed admirably. I saw guiding RMS around 0.32" with the lighter Redcat setup and 0.47" with the heavier Askar near the celestial equator. That's quite good for strain wave mounts. I even managed clean 2-minute unguided exposures with the lighter setup.
At $1,995 USD, the AM5N competes with mounts like the Sky-Watcher Wave 150i at $2,195 and similar offerings from iOptron and Pegasus Astro. For the price, it delivers excellent performance, portability, and ease of use.
Whether you're getting your first equatorial mount or looking to upgrade to something you can actually take on trips without a forklift, the ZWO AM5N deserves consideration.
What are your thoughts? What's your current go-to for portable imaging? Let me know in the comments on YouTube.
Clear skies and happy imaging!
Sarah