If your threaded bolt(shaft) is engaging with the tripod base, then when you tighten the spreader knob you are only creating tension between the tripod head and the spreader plate. This is a good thing because it makes sure the legs are stiffened. However, tightening the spreader nut DOES NOT create a more secure connection to the AM5. Rotating the AM5 as you did is what cause the secure connection by tensioning the shaft between the threads on the tripod head and the threads on the AM5. The reason that the AVX setup allows the spreader nut to tension all the way to the AVX head is because the threads on the AVX shaft don’t engage the tripod head when the shaft is threaded into the AVX head. Hope this helps clear things up. Thus, to ensure the AM5 head is secure, you should rotate the head until snug as you suggest. BTW…nice video. Thanks.
Right, I misspoke, thanks for clarifying! Yeah, turning the AM5 to tighten it is very important because the central threaded rod doesn’t have a knob to give extra torque to tighten like the original AVX one does. Turning the AM5, helps secure not only the threads, but makes it nice and tight against the flat base of the tripod. Tightening the fluted knob only tightens the tripod spreader against the legs, making the legs tight. Thanks again for correcting me!
@@AstroBlender you could put 2 nuts on the threaded rod, halfway up and use them against each other to tighten the rod into mount. Also, to untighten if it was tuff undoing the rod from mount...
thanks for the video, so far you are the only one uploads video about AM5 with the big Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain scope, which is exactly what I am looking for to buy ones in future, keep the good work!
Thanks very much for this video! I followed the process you present here to the letter. I only got an initial chance to test it with planetary so far. But when I extended the AVX tripod legs a bit, it handled a 9kg Celestron 9.25, with a long imaging train, easily and tracked very well. I have yet to try this setup with deep sky. But this was incredibly helpful. Cheers.
Good video - I took this one step further by purchasing a ZWO PE200 pier extension and mounted that to a heaver tripod. That way you can leave the bottom bracket on your AM5 and mount it as quickly and easily as you do on the ZWO tripod. The AM5 will attach the same on either one.
That's what I'm planning on doing next once I get the pier extension. I'll just use a washer and wingnut to secure the pier extension from the inside, and then use the original ZWO hardware to secure the AM5 and the side-locking knob. Thanks for the comment!
Can you please describe a little more on how to attach PE200 to the avx tripod. Do i need any additional things to connect it or would the instuctions in the video work except that the connection is to the pier now instead of the mount? Does adding the pier increase the changes of the setup toppling over with loads less than 15lb?
wanted to see who had done AM5 and AVX mashup--glad you did it..AM5 is on my wishlist so this will definitely help with my AVX mount. I'd still like to get the carbon fiber mount too just because it's too portable and light. thanks a lot for the demonstration.
Thank you for the info on the carbon EDGE. Also at the Cedar City, Ace Hardware all the parts needed for adapting the ZWO AM5 to an AVX tripod cost less than $15.00. Probably other mounts can be adapted to that tripod.
That's a great video, Cody! Thanks for putting that together. I have to ask you something that I've gotten many conflicting reports on, especially since you've used so many different mount/telescope combinations and have first-hand experience with them. Originally, ZWO had a statement in the AM5 product description to the effect that it wasn't recommended to use the AM5 with a telescope over 900mm. Many vendors still have this statement in their product descriptions, but ZWO no longer has it on their page for the AM5. Has their recommendation changed? I'm asking because I intend to get a Celestron Edge HD925 in a few months but I'm looking around now for a second mount I can use temporarily with a small scope for Milky Way photography while using my AM5 with my Askar 107PHQ to do other imaging. Obviously, I don't want to buy something now I wouldn't be able to use later with the Edge 925, so I want to be sure that whatever I get will work well with the Edge 925 for DSO and galaxy imaging. In a nutshell, in your opinion, will the AM5 on a beefier tripod, perhaps an iOptron LiteRoc 1.75", work well with an Edge HD 925 for DSO imaging? So sorry for the lengthy comment, but opinions are all over the place and it's driving me bonkers! 🥴 Thanks so much in advance, and thank you again for all the great videos and recommendations! (Just rewatched your AM5 review from Oct 2022 and that looked promising!)
Hello, I am from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I would like to thank you very much. I have benefited from you a lot. You explain in a distinguished way.
Thank you for this video Cody…very creative! Some comments suggest a PE200 pier. Would your attachment in this video need to be re-configured to work with a pier?
Yes, one of my favorite setups! For 2023, the ASI 183 is a great choice for sampling. The 533 and 2600 cameras are also excellent choices for more well count, and better sensor characteristics overall!
Hi astroblender. Thank you for the video. I would like to ask you what you would recommend the guide scope focal length to be for using a C8 and and AM5 to achieve good guiding. I don’t have an OAG. Thank you
Thanks for the video. I am contemplating using the AM5 with a Celestron 8" Edge SCT with Off Axis Guider too. That has a 2032mm focal length. I agree that the ZWO tripod is just too light. (I've been trying to use an iOptron CEM40 mount, but iOptron cannot stop the thing from oscillating: a clean 3- 4 arcsec oscillation with a period of 5.6sec. They have driven me nuts with it.) I was hoping to see slightly better guiding than the 0.7 arcsec rms that your video shows - maybe 0.5 or 0.6 rms? Do you think my lighter, slightly smaller F.L. telescope on the AM5, with counterweight, might produce any better results than you are seeing?
Great video. You can make it a bit easier and keep your existing rod by using a metric (M8/M10/M12) to 3/8 inch adapter that then screws into the bottom of the AM5. Might save a bit of money.
Tks - that was a very useful report! I had already followed a pretty much similar cost-effective procedure and the setup is quite stable. However, I think I'll need extra room which means installing the Pier Pe200 extension. Wonder if this will also require additional hardware? Have you tried?
Thank you for this video, it's exactly what I was looking for. However, can you tell me where you got your AVX tripod?? I can't seem to find anyone selling only the tripod without the mount.
I think it's a greaty concept but what concerns me is that is there anything there to stop the AM5 mount becoming loose on the tripod thread? IE when viewed from above the mount, there doesn't appear to be anything stopping the mount moving anti clockwise and thereby unscrewing itself? To prevent this, most mounts have additional locking features like bolts that go through the mount base and into the tripod head. or locking pins that secure the mount base to the tripod head. Maybe something could be decvelpoed to secure the AM5 onto non ZWO tripods in a similar way.
In your review of the AM5 a couple of months ago you attached the mount to the AVX tripod using the standard threaded bolt on the AVX tripod (at 4:58) so I'm confused why you need to use a bespoke threaded bolt. I must be missing something pretty basic. Could you explain this please. Love the videos by the way.
Yes, ZWO recommended the standard AVX hardware to me, but it’s the wrong size! I noticed the AM5 was threading but only like one or two threads, indicating wrong size/pitch. The AVX uses 10mm threads while the AM5 uses 3/8”x16, thus you do need to make the conversion to 3/8x16 for this to work right.
m10 female to 3/8” male adapter mic adapter, search the internet, that’s what I am using, shim a little just below the tripod flat plat to fit, I used an m10 nut.
This for the video I have done the exact same procedure but I was told with such a stable tripod I don’t need a counter weight ? I am not using one but am only doing visual in alt/azi mode
Seems funny that ZWO didn't use metric for the head hole. 3/8" is so close to 10mm. If ZWO went to 10mm the AVX tripod would be an easy switch. Question, how easy is it sell the AVX head without the tripod? I wouldn't want to keep the AVX head.
Nice been thinking about getting ZWO AM5. Now I do have a dumb question, I've notice that many people don't extend the mount legs all the way out. Is there a reason for that?
need to remember, you dont get a plate with the am5, that comes with the carbon tripod or the pe200 pier. If you dont purchasethe carbon tripod orthe pe200 pier extension.... you will need to obstain the plate that screws onto the am5
Why not just buy the pier mount adapter from ZWO? You can buy this via a RMA from ZWO. That has the 10mm-3/8 inch bore on it so it can be used on the AVX mount directly.
Why not just put more weight on the ZWO tripod? It's pretty common for photographers to hang weight bags from tripods. But I agree, it would be nice if ZWO would have recognized the need for a heavier tripod.
Can you send a link to the exact vx tripod? Im having a hard time because there are so many that look alike and I cant find one named "Advanced VX Tripod".
Great vid, thanks! After a very disappointing first light with the TC40, I'm looking to do this with my EQ6 skywatcher tripod + PE200. I have to do this if only to confirm that the vibration I'm getting really does come from the TC40 tripod (as it seems), and isn't the counterweight ringing or a natural frequency of my tube on this saddle etc. The dealer is being a bit of an ass and only wants to sell me a lighter scope! The principle here looks the same - remove the square profile az stub and replace the center bolt with the one you identify 👍(skywatcher thread doesn't match PE200/AM5 and the length is too short to reach up) Also the EQ6 platform isn't as flat but I can get a thin plate made up to fix that if its really critical. Has anybody done this and can reassure me from actual experience? Also the knurled knob looks the business, but the web shop requires a US address. Has anybody sourced an equivalent that I can order from europe? I'll search for myself, but its always better with a testimonial. THANKS for any help you can give, community!
@@antoniomoratilla The big issue here is that there isn't a PE200 user manual. At least I have hunted high and low in the box and on the website and failed to find one. Meantime we have to rely on rumours and half stories. I can confirm that it DOESNT have anything that works out of the box for 2" steel tube EQ6 tripod (but it doesn't look difficult to do exactly the same thing as the AVX). I think there may be a baseplate for "skywatcher" and I think that it targets the HEQ5 tripod. But its all guesswork until ZWO document their intentions and claims.
@@antoniomoratilla I got the bits today, and can confirm that the same approach works on the old EQ6 tripod (mine's 2004) as well as the AVX tripod. I think that means all EQ5/6 skywatcher tripods will work too if you get threaded rod knobs and washers.
Very scary that the "whole thing" , telescope package , is reliant on only 3/8" of threaded rod in the bottom of the AM-5 ! If it works , it works eh ? /SRK
Not any less efficient than attaching an AVX head to a AVX mount, or a Losmandy mount to a Losmandy head, or an Eq6rpro to a …….. You just got to make sure you get enough threads engage to ensure the shaft doesn’t pull out.
Cody, I think it is okay, BUT it will be knocking its legs with counterbalance. I am using better methods and more safe than yours. I thanked to Frank C C Telescopes and did a great job! If you want photos then I will send you some and please change that method because I believe it will be awful nice to see how is it done.
If your threaded bolt(shaft) is engaging with the tripod base, then when you tighten the spreader knob you are only creating tension between the tripod head and the spreader plate. This is a good thing because it makes sure the legs are stiffened. However, tightening the spreader nut DOES NOT create a more secure connection to the AM5. Rotating the AM5 as you did is what cause the secure connection by tensioning the shaft between the threads on the tripod head and the threads on the AM5. The reason that the AVX setup allows the spreader nut to tension all the way to the AVX head is because the threads on the AVX shaft don’t engage the tripod head when the shaft is threaded into the AVX head. Hope this helps clear things up. Thus, to ensure the AM5 head is secure, you should rotate the head until snug as you suggest. BTW…nice video. Thanks.
Right, I misspoke, thanks for clarifying! Yeah, turning the AM5 to tighten it is very important because the central threaded rod doesn’t have a knob to give extra torque to tighten like the original AVX one does. Turning the AM5, helps secure not only the threads, but makes it nice and tight against the flat base of the tripod.
Tightening the fluted knob only tightens the tripod spreader against the legs, making the legs tight. Thanks again for correcting me!
Your welcome. Thanks for all the great videos. Best wishes for 2023.
Same to you, thanks!
@@AstroBlender you could put 2 nuts on the threaded rod, halfway up and use them against each other to tighten the rod into mount. Also, to untighten if it was tuff undoing the rod from mount...
@@AstroBlender 😅
thanks for the video, so far you are the only one uploads video about AM5 with the big Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain scope, which is exactly what I am looking for to buy ones in future, keep the good work!
Thanks very much for this video! I followed the process you present here to the letter. I only got an initial chance to test it with planetary so far. But when I extended the AVX tripod legs a bit, it handled a 9kg Celestron 9.25, with a long imaging train, easily and tracked very well. I have yet to try this setup with deep sky. But this was incredibly helpful. Cheers.
This was great! Thank you for taking the time to make this tutorial! Can't wait to try it!
Good video - I took this one step further by purchasing a ZWO PE200 pier extension and mounted that to a heaver tripod. That way you can leave the bottom bracket on your AM5 and mount it as quickly and easily as you do on the ZWO tripod. The AM5 will attach the same on either one.
That's what I'm planning on doing next once I get the pier extension. I'll just use a washer and wingnut to secure the pier extension from the inside, and then use the original ZWO hardware to secure the AM5 and the side-locking knob. Thanks for the comment!
"The AM5 will attach the same on either one" - but will the Pe200 attach easily to the AVX tripod?
Can you please describe a little more on how to attach PE200 to the avx tripod. Do i need any additional things to connect it or would the instuctions in the video work except that the connection is to the pier now instead of the mount? Does adding the pier increase the changes of the setup toppling over with loads less than 15lb?
wanted to see who had done AM5 and AVX mashup--glad you did it..AM5 is on my wishlist so this will definitely help with my AVX mount. I'd still like to get the carbon fiber mount too just because it's too portable and light. thanks a lot for the demonstration.
Thank you for the info on the carbon EDGE. Also at the Cedar City, Ace Hardware all the parts needed for adapting the ZWO AM5 to an AVX tripod cost less than $15.00. Probably other mounts can be adapted to that tripod.
Great Mod Cody. Many thanks for sharing this as I have an AVX mount and the AM5.
Simple and to the point. Very informative!
That's a great video, Cody! Thanks for putting that together. I have to ask you something that I've gotten many conflicting reports on, especially since you've used so many different mount/telescope combinations and have first-hand experience with them. Originally, ZWO had a statement in the AM5 product description to the effect that it wasn't recommended to use the AM5 with a telescope over 900mm. Many vendors still have this statement in their product descriptions, but ZWO no longer has it on their page for the AM5. Has their recommendation changed? I'm asking because I intend to get a Celestron Edge HD925 in a few months but I'm looking around now for a second mount I can use temporarily with a small scope for Milky Way photography while using my AM5 with my Askar 107PHQ to do other imaging. Obviously, I don't want to buy something now I wouldn't be able to use later with the Edge 925, so I want to be sure that whatever I get will work well with the Edge 925 for DSO and galaxy imaging. In a nutshell, in your opinion, will the AM5 on a beefier tripod, perhaps an iOptron LiteRoc 1.75", work well with an Edge HD 925 for DSO imaging? So sorry for the lengthy comment, but opinions are all over the place and it's driving me bonkers! 🥴 Thanks so much in advance, and thank you again for all the great videos and recommendations! (Just rewatched your AM5 review from Oct 2022 and that looked promising!)
Hello, I am from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I would like to thank you very much. I have benefited from you a lot. You explain in a distinguished way.
Excellent video Cody. Question. I noticed you had a counter weight installed. With no clutches, are you just guessing for balance. Thanks.
Thank you for this video Cody…very creative! Some comments suggest a PE200 pier. Would your attachment in this video need to be re-configured to work with a pier?
Hello. You made the video very easy. Pretty sure anyone viewing can accomplish the upgrade as you did. Thanks
Thanks for a most interesting and informative video about connecting a ZWO AM5 to an AVX tripod. Will this method work with an AM3, too?
Cody, are you still happy with the AM5/RASA 8 combo? Which ZWO camera would you recommend here in 2023? Thanks, great content!
Yes, one of my favorite setups! For 2023, the ASI 183 is a great choice for sampling. The 533 and 2600 cameras are also excellent choices for more well count, and better sensor characteristics overall!
Very well demonstrated 👏👍 Excellent video!
Hi astroblender. Thank you for the video. I would like to ask you what you would recommend the guide scope focal length to be for using a C8 and and AM5 to achieve good guiding. I don’t have an OAG. Thank you
I suppose that rather than marking the depth on the rod with tape, you could also mount the C-clip while the rod is attached to the ZWO base.
Great video , wondering if the standard am5 tripod will hold the sct1? Or I am risking to damage it
Thanks for the video. I am contemplating using the AM5 with a Celestron 8" Edge SCT with Off Axis Guider too. That has a 2032mm focal length. I agree that the ZWO tripod is just too light. (I've been trying to use an iOptron CEM40 mount, but iOptron cannot stop the thing from oscillating: a clean 3- 4 arcsec oscillation with a period of 5.6sec. They have driven me nuts with it.) I was hoping to see slightly better guiding than the 0.7 arcsec rms that your video shows - maybe 0.5 or 0.6 rms? Do you think my lighter, slightly smaller F.L. telescope on the AM5, with counterweight, might produce any better results than you are seeing?
You're brilliant do you have a much older uncle in his 50"s😁
Great video. You can make it a bit easier and keep your existing rod by using a metric (M8/M10/M12) to 3/8 inch adapter that then screws into the bottom of the AM5. Might save a bit of money.
You have a link to one of these adapters?
yes, do you have a link to theadapter mentioned? Thanks 0:02
Tks - that was a very useful report! I had already followed a pretty much similar cost-effective procedure and the setup is quite stable. However, I think I'll need extra room which means installing the Pier Pe200 extension. Wonder if this will also require additional hardware? Have you tried?
Thank you for this video, it's exactly what I was looking for. However, can you tell me where you got your AVX tripod?? I can't seem to find anyone selling only the tripod without the mount.
I posted a “wanted” ad on cloudynights classifieds and someone sold me their tripod.
Great video! Where might one purchase a Celestron AVX tripod only? It usually only comes with a mount. Thanks!
I got mine off a classified ad for cheap! Celestron doesn’t sell the tripod as a standalone.
Thanks for the great video. Works like a charm!
You're welcome, I’m happy to hear that!
I think it's a greaty concept but what concerns me is that is there anything there to stop the AM5 mount becoming loose on the tripod thread? IE when viewed from above the mount, there doesn't appear to be anything stopping the mount moving anti clockwise and thereby unscrewing itself?
To prevent this, most mounts have additional locking features like bolts that go through the mount base and into the tripod head. or locking pins that secure the mount base to the tripod head. Maybe something could be decvelpoed to secure the AM5 onto non ZWO tripods in a similar way.
In your review of the AM5 a couple of months ago you attached the mount to the AVX tripod using the standard threaded bolt on the AVX tripod (at 4:58) so I'm confused why you need to use a bespoke threaded bolt. I must be missing something pretty basic. Could you explain this please. Love the videos by the way.
Yes, ZWO recommended the standard AVX hardware to me, but it’s the wrong size! I noticed the AM5 was threading but only like one or two threads, indicating wrong size/pitch. The AVX uses 10mm threads while the AM5 uses 3/8”x16, thus you do need to make the conversion to 3/8x16 for this to work right.
m10 female to 3/8” male adapter mic adapter, search the internet, that’s what I am using, shim a little just below the tripod flat plat to fit, I used an m10 nut.
Just noticed the UND sweetheart. Sioux!
perfect, was looking for this very info!
This for the video
I have done the exact same procedure but I was told with such a stable tripod I don’t need a counter weight ?
I am not using one but am only doing visual in alt/azi mode
How do you polar align without the polar nob you removed on the tripod?
The AM5 pushes against itself for polar alignment and doesn’t need a post.
@@AstroBlender Aha, good to know. Thanks for the video :)
No problem!
I was going to ask the same thing.
Seems funny that ZWO didn't use metric for the head hole. 3/8" is so close to 10mm. If ZWO went to 10mm the AVX tripod would be an easy switch. Question, how easy is it sell the AVX head without the tripod? I wouldn't want to keep the AVX head.
I have a 20 year old 2inch CGEM tripod. Do you think it'll mount?
Nice been thinking about getting ZWO AM5. Now I do have a dumb question, I've notice that many people don't extend the mount legs all the way out. Is there a reason for that?
Yes, it’s just for extra stability. The tripod is lower to the ground and less effected by wind, and little vibrations, etc.
@@AstroBlender thank you, I was just wondering.
No problem!
People do similar with eq6 r pro
Top demais 😃 show de bola equipamentos sensacional meu camarada
need to remember, you dont get a plate with the am5, that comes with the carbon tripod or the pe200 pier. If you dont purchasethe carbon tripod orthe pe200 pier extension.... you will need to obstain the plate that screws onto the am5
awesome - thank you sir
Why not just buy the pier mount adapter from ZWO? You can buy this via a RMA from ZWO. That has the 10mm-3/8 inch bore on it so it can be used on the AVX mount directly.
Will the AM5 support the Williams optics flt 120?
Yes, for sure. You might need to get a pier extension so you don’t run into your tripod though.
Can you do this with the PE200 pier?
Hello Cody, how do you adjust the RA to perform polar alignment without the original screw on the AVx tripod?
Hi, the ZWO AM5 pushes against its own base for PA, not the tripod.
Love it. Thanks!!!
Hi how does the mount now move in RA now it is on a heavier tripod?
Why not just put more weight on the ZWO tripod? It's pretty common for photographers to hang weight bags from tripods. But I agree, it would be nice if ZWO would have recognized the need for a heavier tripod.
Can you send a link to the exact vx tripod? Im having a hard time because there are so many that look alike and I cant find one named "Advanced VX Tripod".
Celestron doesn’t sell this tripod by itself. You have to buy it with the AdvancedVX mount or find one in a classified ad (that’s what I did).
How many telescopes do you have?
Nice sweater, did you go to UND? I applied to a master program there.
Yeah, I got my masters there!
@@AstroBlender nice! I was thinking about doing their space studies program.
@@AstroBlender oh nice..another aerospace guy..woohoo..
What counterweight shaft and counter weight are you using?
This is just the standard ZWO AM5 20mm diameter counterweight shaft. The counterweight is a Celestron AVX weight.
Awesome, man. :D
Would that work on a CGEM mount?
I guess I will never know 😢
Great vid, thanks! After a very disappointing first light with the TC40, I'm looking to do this with my EQ6 skywatcher tripod + PE200. I have to do this if only to confirm that the vibration I'm getting really does come from the TC40 tripod (as it seems), and isn't the counterweight ringing or a natural frequency of my tube on this saddle etc. The dealer is being a bit of an ass and only wants to sell me a lighter scope! The principle here looks the same - remove the square profile az stub and replace the center bolt with the one you identify 👍(skywatcher thread doesn't match PE200/AM5 and the length is too short to reach up) Also the EQ6 platform isn't as flat but I can get a thin plate made up to fix that if its really critical. Has anybody done this and can reassure me from actual experience? Also the knurled knob looks the business, but the web shop requires a US address. Has anybody sourced an equivalent that I can order from europe? I'll search for myself, but its always better with a testimonial. THANKS for any help you can give, community!
Pe200 is supposed to have an adapter for skywatcher tripods. I'm planning to get one too...
@@antoniomoratilla The big issue here is that there isn't a PE200 user manual. At least I have hunted high and low in the box and on the website and failed to find one. Meantime we have to rely on rumours and half stories. I can confirm that it DOESNT have anything that works out of the box for 2" steel tube EQ6 tripod (but it doesn't look difficult to do exactly the same thing as the AVX). I think there may be a baseplate for "skywatcher" and I think that it targets the HEQ5 tripod. But its all guesswork until ZWO document their intentions and claims.
@@amp2amp800 Confirmed: EQ5 and HEQ5 tripods, ioptron, 1.75", and AVX mounts. :(
@@antoniomoratilla I got the bits today, and can confirm that the same approach works on the old EQ6 tripod (mine's 2004) as well as the AVX tripod. I think that means all EQ5/6 skywatcher tripods will work too if you get threaded rod knobs and washers.
@@amp2amp800 Great, thank you. Good luck with the vibration.
Very scary that the "whole thing" , telescope package , is reliant on only 3/8" of threaded rod in the bottom of the AM-5 ! If it works , it works eh ? /SRK
Not any less efficient than attaching an AVX head to a AVX mount, or a Losmandy mount to a Losmandy head, or an Eq6rpro to a …….. You just got to make sure you get enough threads engage to ensure the shaft doesn’t pull out.
Anyone successfully mount the am5 to a CGX tripod?
Cody, I think it is okay, BUT it will be knocking its legs with counterbalance.
I am using better methods and more safe than yours. I thanked to Frank C C Telescopes and did a great job!
If you want photos then I will send you some and please change that method because I believe it will be awful nice to see how is it done.