{"title":"ZWO AM3 Mounts","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore ZWO AM3 harmonic-drive mounts for compact astrophotography systems. The AM3 combines a lightweight, travel-friendly design with EQ and AZ operation, making it well suited to portable imaging rigs and smaller telescope setups.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"zwo-am3n-harmonic-equatorial-mount","title":"ZWO AM3N Harmonic Equatorial Mount | Compact EQ\/AZ Mount (8–13 kg Payload)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"dcs-product space-y-6\"\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eZWO AM3N Harmonic Equatorial Mount\u003c\/strong\u003e delivers precise harmonic-drive performance in a lightweight, travel-friendly package. With dual Equatorial and Alt-Az modes, a clean cable-management layout, and a surprisingly strong payload for its size, the AM3N is an excellent choice for portable deep-sky imaging and visual observing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/1650\/4241\/files\/am3nsideview2.webp?v=1758003475\" alt=\"ZWO AM3N side view\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat’s new in AM3N vs AM3\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eIntegrated \u003cstrong\u003eUSB-C\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e12 V\u003c\/strong\u003e outputs on the saddle for clean cable routing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMagnetic hex-key storage and improved ergonomics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSubtle mechanical refinements while keeping the same ultra-portable footprint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/1650\/4241\/files\/am3nsideviewright.webp?v=1758003475\" alt=\"ZWO AM3N right view\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePortable performance\u003c\/strong\u003e — approx. 4.1 kg mount head with high-torque harmonic gearing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile operation\u003c\/strong\u003e — choose \u003cem\u003eEQ\u003c\/em\u003e mode for long-exposure imaging or \u003cem\u003eAlt-Az\u003c\/em\u003e for visual\/EAA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClean cable management\u003c\/strong\u003e — on-saddle power and data minimise cable drag and snag risk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual-standard saddle\u003c\/strong\u003e — supports \u003cem\u003eVixen\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eLosmandy\u003c\/em\u003e dovetails.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eField-ready adjustments\u003c\/strong\u003e — smooth altitude and azimuth controls for quick alignment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/1650\/4241\/files\/am3nrearview.webp?v=1758003475\" alt=\"ZWO AM3N rear view\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%; border-collapse:collapse;\" role=\"table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eDrive system\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eStrain-wave (harmonic) + synchronous belt, 300:1 reduction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eOperating modes\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eEquatorial (EQ) and Alt-Azimuth (AZ)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003ePeriodic error\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003e≤ ±15″ (period ≈ 288 s)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003ePayload capacity\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eUp to 8 kg without counterweight; up to 13 kg with counterweight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eMount weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003e≈ 4.1 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eSaddle\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eDual Vixen \u0026amp; Losmandy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eAltitude adjustment\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003e0°–90°\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eAzimuth adjustment\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003e±6°\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eOn-saddle I\/O\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eUSB-C data + 12 V DC output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eCounterweight bar thread\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eM12 × 1.75\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n  \u003cth style=\"text-align:left; padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003eSupported counterweight\u003c\/th\u003e\n  \u003ctd style=\"padding:8px; border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;\"\u003e≤ 5 kg; recommended bar ≤ 25 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended accessories\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eTC40 carbon-fibre tripod or similar compact field tripod.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eM12 counterweight bar and ≤ 5 kg counterweight for heavier optical loads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eStable 12 V power source to make use of the saddle I\/O ports.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a counterweight?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003eMost setups up to around 8 kg work counterweight-free. For heavier imaging trains or improved wind performance, use the M12 bar and a ≤ 5 kg counterweight (≤ 25 cm bar length).\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I switch between EQ and Alt-Az?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003eYes. Use \u003cem\u003eEQ\u003c\/em\u003e mode for long-exposure astrophotography and \u003cem\u003eAlt-Az\u003c\/em\u003e mode for visual or EAA. Switching modes is fast and doesn’t affect portability.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat periodic error should I expect?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003eTypical periodic error is ≤ ±15 arcseconds with a ~288-second cycle. Good balance and accurate polar alignment help optimise guiding.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my dovetail fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003eYes — the dual saddle supports both \u003cem\u003eVixen\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eLosmandy\u003c\/em\u003e dovetail plates.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n  \u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s improved in AM3N?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003eThe AM3N adds integrated saddle I\/O, ergonomic tweaks, magnetic tool storage, and minor mechanical refinements while retaining the trusted AM3 performance.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- FAQ Schema --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Do I need a counterweight?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Most setups up to around 8 kg work counterweight-free. For heavier imaging trains or improved wind performance, use the M12 bar and a ≤5 kg counterweight.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Can I switch between EQ and Alt-Az?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes. Use EQ mode for long-exposure astrophotography and Alt-Az for visual or EAA.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What periodic error should I expect?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Typical periodic error is ≤ ±15 arcseconds with a ~288-second cycle.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Will my dovetail fit?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes — the dual saddle supports both Vixen and Losmandy dovetail plates.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What’s improved in AM3N?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The AM3N introduces integrated saddle power\/data, improved ergonomics, and magnetic hex storage compared to the original AM3.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"ZWO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55279469232504,"sku":"ZWO-AM3N-HEAD-ONLY","price":1599.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/1650\/4241\/files\/AM3Nsideview.webp?v=1758003475"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.darkclearskies.co.uk\/collections\/zwo-am3-mounts.oembed","provider":"Dark Clear Skies ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}