ZWO AM3N Harmonic Drive Mount

ZWO AM3N Harmonic Drive Mount — Compact Power, Simplified Precision

Streamlined Control Meets Advanced Harmonic Drive Engineering

ZWO’s AM3N Harmonic Drive Mount redefines what a portable GoTo mount can be. It delivers professional-grade tracking accuracy and torque in a design so clean, quiet, and lightweight that it feels effortless to use. By integrating its Type-C and DC power ports directly into the saddle, eliminating external cables, and refining the overall ergonomics, the AM3N simplifies setup without sacrificing the precision that astrophotographers demand.

Whether imaging deep-sky targets, running a dual-purpose travel rig, or setting up for planetary sessions in the field, the AM3N delivers stability, accuracy, and portability in one elegant harmonic-drive system.

Strain Wave Drive Precision

At the heart of the AM3N lies ZWO’s custom-engineered strain wave gear system, tuned for exceptionally smooth motion and minimal periodic error. The harmonic drive delivers a 300:1 reduction ratio, converting small motor inputs into ultra-precise movement that remains free of backlash and mechanical play.

Each mount is individually tested and certified before shipping, with a factory-measured periodic error curve report included for every unit. The AM3N maintains a verified ±15 arcsecond PE, offering performance that rivals much larger observatory-class mounts—without their bulk or complexity.

This harmonic gear train operates in concert with a synchronous belt drive, ensuring quiet, fluid motion across both axes. The result is pinpoint tracking for long-exposure astrophotography and responsive slewing for visual observing.

Lightweight Design, Serious Payload Capacity

The redesigned AM3N weighs only 4.1 kg (9.0 lb)—barely more than a medium telephoto lens—yet it supports up to 8 kg (17.6 lb) without counterweights and an impressive 13 kg (28.7 lb) with a counterweight system attached.

That’s more than triple its own weight, making it one of the strongest mounts in its class. The harmonic gearing provides high torque with negligible backlash, allowing the AM3N to carry compact refractors, small Newtonians, or imaging rigs equipped with filter wheels and guide scopes—all without the need for heavy balancing hardware.

When portability is paramount, this power-to-weight ratio gives imagers the freedom to travel light while maintaining observatory-level precision.

Equatorial or Alt-Azimuth Flexibility

Like its predecessor, the AM3N can operate in both Equatorial (EQ) and Alt-Azimuth (AZ) modes. Switching between modes is effortless—just select your configuration in the SkyAtlas app or on the hand controller.

• Equatorial Mode: Ideal for long-exposure astrophotography, eliminating field rotation and maintaining precise tracking across the celestial sphere.

• Alt-Azimuth Mode: Perfect for visual observing, live-stacking, and planetary work, providing intuitive movement and quick setup without polar alignment.

The mount’s 0°–90° altitude adjustment range accommodates any observing latitude, with a two-gear system that provides both coarse and fine tension control. It’s as comfortable imaging at the equator as it is tracking circumpolar objects from northern latitudes.

Integrated Power and Cable Management

The AM3N introduces a significant usability upgrade: integrated Type-C and 12V DC ports directly built into the dovetail saddle. This clean design eliminates external power runs and minimizes cable clutter around the mount head—a common source of tangles and snags in the field.

A magnetic hex key attaches securely to the mount body, ensuring that adjustment tools are always on hand. Together, these small refinements dramatically streamline setup and teardown, letting you focus on imaging rather than wiring.

Wireless Control & Software Integration

ZWO designed the AM3N around complete wireless freedom.

• Bluetooth Control: Connect your smartphone directly—no hand controller required—for complete wireless operation.

• Wi-Fi Connectivity: Provided through the hand controller for high-bandwidth communication and firmware updates.

• ASIAIR Integration: The AM3N is fully compatible with ZWO’s ASIAIR ecosystem, providing synchronized control of mount, camera, focuser, and guiding through one app.

Control options include SkyAtlas, ASIAIR, and ASCOM / INDI drivers, offering flexibility across desktop, mobile, and third-party astrophotography platforms.

Through the mobile app, imagers can enjoy intuitive control features such as on-screen joystick movement, GoTo, Tonight’s Target, Live Preview, and real-time image capture—making the AM3N as simple to use as it is powerful.

Mount Performance & Build Quality

• Reduction Ratio: 300:1 strain wave gear + synchronous belt

• Periodic Error: ±15 arcseconds (verified per unit)

• Payload Capacity: 8 kg (17.6 lb) without counterweight / 13 kg (28.7 lb) with counterweight

• Mount Weight: 4.1 kg (9.0 lb)

• Counterweight Support: ≤5 kg (11.0 lb) on a ≤25 cm bar

• Altitude Range: 0°–90°, dual-gear adjustment

• Connectivity: Type-C, 12V DC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (via controller), ASCOM / INDI

• Power Requirement: 12V @ 3–5A

• Saddle Type: Dual Vixen / Losmandy dovetail

• PE Curve: Included factory test report

• Construction: CNC-machined aluminum housing

Final Thoughts

The ZWO AM3N Harmonic Drive Mount continues the AM-series tradition of compact strength and precision, now refined for modern astrophotographers who value both performance and simplicity. Its improved cable management, verified PE certification, and integrated power ports bring order to the field—transforming complex setups into streamlined systems that simply work.

Backed by ZWO’s ecosystem and supported by seamless ASIAIR connectivity, the AM3N offers unmatched versatility in a travel-ready mount. It’s the natural evolution of harmonic precision—quiet, accurate, and elegantly practical.

For imagers who want to spend less time managing gear and more time capturing the night sky, the AM3N delivers a near-perfect balance of technology and design.