I think you won’t achieve what you want or what users actually expect. Life has already taught me it’s better to pay more and be 100% sure things will work.
What do users need? A solid, as compact as possible mount with a 30–35 kg payload capacity, with or without absolute encoders. It must maintain quality, precision in build, and a declared max guiding error of 0.5 arcseconds. Compared to the AM5, the RA and DEC axis locks need to be improved — because sorry, but what’s in the AM5 is a failure. Those side clamps and the one-way screw don’t hold the position — a second screw on the back is needed for proper and stable locking. Right now, changing to a different target during the night = redoing polar alignment 2 or 3 times.
YES, I want to pay $10,000 for a mount and have peace of mind that the whole session will run flawlessly — not pay $3,000 and constantly babysit it to check if guiding needs real-time corrections.
