AM7 ???

alastroct

Hey ZWO, how's the AM7 coming? Any ETA?

ASIMount@ZWO

alastroct Hi，AM7 is in planning, please be patient.

ASIMount@ZWO

alastroct Hello，what features do you hope AM7 will have?

Jan75

ASIMount@ZWO The main ask would be to keep the rate of change of the PE limited to enable better guiding. It's not just the maximum error value (excursion) that is now kept under +/-10" on the AM5N, but it's time-derivative: how fast does that value change. The slower change, the easier it is to correct trough guiding. Encoders could be another idea.
In any case - if the load is higher, users will put longer focal lengths on this mount, which will make precise guiding vital. Lack of precise guiding is the single most important limitation of the AM5.
(note that the plate solving function on the ASIAIR will also have to be improved for longer focal length)

Mesliz

ASIMount@ZWO Already owner of the AM5, an AM7 with 30kg+ payload would be a very interesting improvement and give perspective for other future optics.
Honnestly, strainwave mounts are a big change in the game compared to traditional worms mounts.

If I can suggest improvement, It would be nice to review the polar alignment system to make it more precise. Although we can rid of it of course, it would be nice to avoid moving by 4° when turning screws a little (more demultiplication perhaps?

Regarding, guiding if everything is correctly settled, I can achieve 0.3 rms with the FF 107 without any difficulties

SFrNly08

ASIMount@ZWO
Built-in wifi (not in the hand controller)
USB3 and power in the saddle for better cable management
at least 15 Kg/20 Kg payload (enough for an Askar 151 PHQ without counterweight)
A larger tripod with a spreader plate

alastroct

Here's my wish list:

1) 32 kilo / 70 pound payload capacity
2) Better, more precise axis controls for polar alignment (this is the weakest feature in the AM5)
3) Power & USB3.0 on the saddle
4) Comparable weight-to-payload ration as the AM5
5) Compatible tri-pier from lightweight material like carbon fiber, with a sturdy spreader.

Larry.Cable

alastroct Better, more precise axis controls for polar alignment (this is the weakest feature in the AM5)

100% this!!! the Alt/Az adjustment on the AM5 and AM5N is its worst "feature" the pitch on both is too coarse and
the backlash on the Alt in particular is terrible when changing direction!

Lain402

还有：普通老百姓能接受的价格。然后别再使用AM5上那个丑死的图画，嗯嗯。

ASIMount-ZWO

Lain402 很多用户还挺喜欢这个图案的，你喜欢什么样的吗，推荐下，看看AM7上能不能用

Bungalow_Bill

Mesliz Do we need the level bubbles on the mount ? Just a question as I have just received my AM5 this week and yet to put it into action. Silly question, do you need to plug the guide scope into the mount, I have been going through Youtube channels to work it out a not sure whether they have a OAG?

Larry.Cable

Mesliz If I can suggest improvement, It would be nice to review the polar alignment system to make it more precise. Although we can rid of it of course, it would be nice to avoid moving by 4° when turning screws a little

I cannot echo this sentiment more - the Alt/Az adjusters for P.A must be improved!

Kevin_A

Maybe encoders and servo motors… yeah, as if! Haha

ASIMount@ZWO

Kevin_A En，great idea. By the way,what do you want from servo motor?

Larry.Cable

Kevin_A encoders

+1!

Kevin_A

ASIMount@ZWO servo motors are more precise and have positional feedback capability.
High end harmonic mounts like Rainbow use servo motors and absolute encoders and are very precise. Steppers were great when mounts were all worm gears because if the user did not balance properly the stepper motor would just stall and not damage the gears. Servo motors are very precise and even better when used with high precision encoders. Just a though for moving forward. You could even use a direct drive servo and that would eliminate the belts.

Larry.Cable

SFrNly08 Built-in wifi (not in the hand controller)
USB3 and power in the saddle for better cable management
at least 15 Kg/20 Kg payload (enough for an Askar 151 PHQ without counterweight)
A larger tripod with a spreader plate

all of this! and include a USB hub and sufficient power from the mount to supply ASIAir, Cameras, EAF and EFW!

Bungalow_Bill

[unknown] HA Always after I have purchased something, purchased the asiair plus then the 256 came out, just got my AM5 this week and lo and behold the AM7 is in the planning stage. That is life I suppose, if we keep waiting for a new product to come out we would never buy anything.

ASIMount-ZWO

Bungalow_Bill No worry, It will be a long time before AM7 launches. Also,AM5 is more compact and light,that is a good choice.

SFFctq7Y

Is a long time 1 year or 3 years? I'm looking for around 20kg with no counterweight, the ability to use a scope that's over a meter long such as a 150mm refractor, more consistent guiding, and better axis adjustments. Oh, and $4,000 to $5,000 or less. If it's just a larger AM5, I'd still probably be willing to pay $3,000, but I'd really like to see something special from ZWO (who always do an amazing job on their new products). Also, I like the pattern on the AM5, but maybe for this mount you can make another competition.

ASIMount-ZWO

SFFctq7Y
Thank you for your attention and love. For the AM7, ZWO is still collecting user needs to determine the product specifications, which is really a challenging task. We have not yet determined what the payload capacity should be? What should be the weight and size of the product? What level of guiding accuracy should be achieved? What kind of telescope should be carried? What interfaces should the AM7 have? What should be the attractive points of the AM7, etc. We are still carefully considering. We hope so much to be able to develop a stable and easy-to-use AM7 for users as soon as possible.

Lain402

ASIMount-ZWO
那很简单哦！Just double the AM5 specifications in terms of payload capacity and tracking accuracy. At the same time, keep the weight, size, and of course, the price as low as possible! 搞定啦！

没那么复杂，哥。你们只要少花点时间设计那些 S50、S30、S20、S10 的玩具就行了。哦，对了，那个 rotator 到底什么时候才会上市呢？哎，不用解释哈哈哈。

JustinM

> "For the AM7, ZWO is still collecting user needs to determine the product specifications"

ASIMount-ZWO It should be able to compete with the HAE69. Ideally, it would have a payload capacity of about 70lb/32kg and a weight of about 20 lb/9 kg. It would also feature built-in cable management and EQ and AZ modes.

It would be nice if it also had the same type of screw pins (not clutches) from the Sky-Watcher Wave 150i that allows balancing the OTA in Dec and RA.

I want to be able to use a 14" Celestron EdgeHD on it, with counterweights if necessary.