@@LogansAstro I think you will be very pleased with the mount Logan!🙂IMHO, the only 'issues' the AM5 & other 'harmonic mounts' have are (a) the matching tripod is often so light that the mount head alone makes it top heavy. Consequently, you need to extend the legs enough to get a wider base for it, as well as you need to place a heavy object in the tripod bag that hangs between the tripod legs....plus, (b) all harmonic mounts (*) have a 'periodic error' that is large, has very sudden changes, and isn't truly 'periodic'. Consequently, for astrophotography, the mount needs to make guide corrections two times per second (..although you may be able to get away with one guiding correction per second with your relatively short focal length telephoto system...) (*) Exceptions: harmonic mounts with encoders like the Rainbow Astro RST135E or the iOptron HAE29EC/HAE43EC/HAE69EC.
Great video, I have just built almost exactly the same rig. Regarding balance: you can forget all about it. The AM5 requires no balance whatsoever with such a tiny load.
Thanks very much. That’s good to know re balance. Yes I agree this little setup won’t really have any balance issues with this mount but i might try and balance it anyway for use on my other mounts. It’s certainly nice to be able to pick up this mount and all attached and easily move it around without any unwieldy weight hanging off the end. CS
I can attest to the fact that if you're going to image with a small rig (e.g. telephoto lens, a RedCat 51 or 71, an 80mm refractor, or a C6....), then the AM3 is all you need,🤔Yes, the AM3 is not inexpensive either, but the cost is significantly lower than the AM5.👍
Great review Logan, really nice mount that! I need to know your secret though! How did you get the purchase approved from the ‘New Management’?? Congrats either way mate! Looks like some nice gear, and with the carbon fiber tripod too! Looking forward to first light. I’ve also got rain and clouds forecast for next two weeks! So frustrating! Clear skies to us all Logan 👍
Thanks Simon. Well, strictly speaking it was my 60th birthday present, just delayed a bit so it saved ‘management’ from having to think of something to get me 😊. Yes, clear skies to us all….PLEASE!!
Great video Logan, as usual, can I ask why you need to get it perfectly balanced, with ASIair and guidescope, on each side, as I thought balance was not that important with harmonic mounts…?
Thanks Stewart. In theory I don’t need perfect balance for a harmonic mount but i’ve heard people suggest to get it roughly close. With my little rig currently on it, the filter wheel being off to one side hopefully shouldn’t make a difference. But I might try to get this rig better balanced anyway to use on my other mounts. Clear skies.
Nice looking kit Logan should be an ideal portable mount 👍
Yeah it’s certainly very easy to move around, especially with no heavy counter weight hanging off the end.
Congratulations Logan, re the purchase & arrival of your new mount! I hope 'first light' happens soon! Fingers crossed for clear skies in NZ !
Thanks Derek. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the clear night might appear soon as i’m itching to get to use this mount and see how ell it performs.
@@LogansAstro I think you will be very pleased with the mount Logan!🙂IMHO, the only 'issues' the AM5 & other 'harmonic mounts' have are
(a) the matching tripod is often so light that the mount head alone makes it top heavy. Consequently, you need to extend the legs enough to get a wider base for it, as well as you need to place a heavy object in the tripod bag that hangs between the tripod legs....plus,
(b) all harmonic mounts (*) have a 'periodic error' that is large, has very sudden changes, and isn't truly 'periodic'. Consequently, for astrophotography, the mount needs to make guide corrections two times per second (..although you may be able to get away with one guiding correction per second with your relatively short focal length telephoto system...)
(*) Exceptions: harmonic mounts with encoders like the Rainbow Astro RST135E or the iOptron HAE29EC/HAE43EC/HAE69EC.
congrats on the new gear. I'll buy some more gear over here to try and pull the clouds in my direction
Haha thanks Jason, that would be greatly appreciated if you could encourage the white fluffy things towards the northern hemisphere for a bit. CS
Great video, I have just built almost exactly the same rig. Regarding balance: you can forget all about it. The AM5 requires no balance whatsoever with such a tiny load.
Thanks very much. That’s good to know re balance. Yes I agree this little setup won’t really have any balance issues with this mount but i might try and balance it anyway for use on my other mounts. It’s certainly nice to be able to pick up this mount and all attached and easily move it around without any unwieldy weight hanging off the end. CS
Great video Logan. I've been considering an AM3 or AM5 myself. I see you failed to decline the box of free clouds that come with most purchases. 🤣
Thanks James. Haha yes I thought I had made it clear that I didn’t need the box of clouds but seems they ignored me. Damn!
Nice Logan, it's still out of my price range unfortunately I really do want a harmonic drive for the portability but waiting for prices to come down
I can attest to the fact that if you're going to image with a small rig (e.g. telephoto lens, a RedCat 51 or 71, an 80mm refractor, or a C6....), then the AM3 is all you need,🤔Yes, the AM3 is not inexpensive either, but the cost is significantly lower than the AM5.👍
Thanks Nik. Yes unfortunately they are not the cheapest things in the world. Hopefully the price will come down once they become the norm.
Great review Logan, really nice mount that! I need to know your secret though! How did you get the purchase approved from the ‘New Management’?? Congrats either way mate! Looks like some nice gear, and with the carbon fiber tripod too! Looking forward to first light. I’ve also got rain and clouds forecast for next two weeks! So frustrating! Clear skies to us all Logan 👍
Thanks Simon. Well, strictly speaking it was my 60th birthday present, just delayed a bit so it saved ‘management’ from having to think of something to get me 😊. Yes, clear skies to us all….PLEASE!!
@@LogansAstro Happy belated birthday Logan 😀
@@LogansAstro A belated Happy Birthday Logan...and welcome to the 'over 60 club'..i.e., the folks who most appreciate these new 'harmonic mounts'! lol
Great video Logan, as usual, can I ask why you need to get it perfectly balanced, with ASIair and guidescope, on each side, as I thought balance was not that important with harmonic mounts…?
Thanks Stewart. In theory I don’t need perfect balance for a harmonic mount but i’ve heard people suggest to get it roughly close. With my little rig currently on it, the filter wheel being off to one side hopefully shouldn’t make a difference. But I might try to get this rig better balanced anyway to use on my other mounts. Clear skies.
Late to the party. Could one not simply use the 3/8-16 UNC threaded mount directly into the base of an AM3/AM5?
Do we know if the AM3 will fit on the iOptron tripod similarly?