Thank you for this video. I have an 8SE. Like so many others I'm done with my AVX mount and AA+. No slewing during PA, mount keeps dropping, etc. Was looking to move to a new mount and this looks like the one I'm getting. Clear skies to you.
Thank you for your vlog. I am at a crossroad, buy a Celestron AVX or save up for a ZWO AM5N. However, watching your vlog gives me another avenue to research, AM3. Have you taken your AM3 and C8 and imaged the sky's hidden wonders?
I am 100% mobile so I need a portable rig. AM3 is great! My only concern is if I ever need service, I've heard that ZWO customer service is not good. Here's my gallery on AstroBin: www.astrobin.com/users/BryanHudson/
Interested to hear how it performs! I purchased an AM5 with intent on eventually getting an EdgeHD 8, didn’t even cross my mind that the AM3 was able to carry one. Hope it performs well! Great set up and clear skies!
Got is out last night for the first time. Performed marvelously: (PHOTO) visioncomsolutionscom.siteprotect.net/C8_AM3_first_shots.jpg MY SUMMARY: First time using ZWO AM3 and Celestron C8 with .63 reducer. Did some quick shots and guiding test. First time ever capturing 300 second subs. Something my Star Adventurer GTI struggled doing. The reach of C8 opens up new possibilities. VERY impressed with ZWO AM3! Only needed the counterwight rod. The counterweight was too much and threw guiding off. Goto, plate solving, and autoguiding performance were excellent. ~ 6 light subs at @180 seconds for part of North American Nebula. ~ 4 light subs @300 seconds for Crescent Nebula. ~ Captured and stacked using ASIAir Plus ~ ASI533MC Pro main camera with Optolong L-Pro ~ Bortle 4 Sky with 80% moon ~ ASI120MC-S guide camera ~ Stacked with flats and bias frames ~ Processed using Pixinsight, Lightroom, and Photoshop
Well seeing this video confirms my choice that the AM3 will do the trick for me. I normally shoot wide and once in a while I would shoot with a 102 refractor. Looking forward to seeing how the Am3 tracks with the extra weight. Thanks for the video.
It will work well. AM3 handles 17 pounds without counterweight and 28 pounds with counterweight (I mis-spoke when I said 23 pounds). Good tracking goes with good auto guiding.
Thanks! I’m tapped out now having purchased all this gear! LOL! Also, I like the focal reach of C8. I use Canon L 300mm f/4 (600mm effective focal length with ASI 533MC Pro) for Hyperstar like field of view.
Great post Bryan. I have just purchased the AM3 myself and looking to buy a C8 with Hyperstar 8 v4 to speed the data capture at F1,9. May be well worth while considering Hyperstar for your set up also, adding another string to your bow as such. I found your Pixinsight processing post very informative as well. Keep up the great work mate. Clear skies 👍
Thanks! Certainly aware of hyperstar, but don’t want it. I purchased the Celestron C8 for the reach of 2032mm and 1280mm with .63 reducer. I have other rigs and focal lengths: 300mm f/4, 135mm f/2, 10-20mm, f/3.5, etc www.astrobin.com/users/BryanHudson/
Another great video Bryan. I've recently setup my 8" SCT on a second AM5 but haven't imaged yet. My set-up looks similar to yours with the Celestron focus reducer and T-adapter, ZWO spacers (or OAG and filter drawer) and then the ASI camera to get the 105mm back focus. I also use the ASIAIR Pro. What I can't find any where is how to frame images with this setup when everything is threaded connections and you have to maintain the back focus. I'm used to my two refractors (Redcat 51 and Askar V) that have the rotators that allow me to frame images with the camera. How do you frame with this threaded SCT setup? Something like the California nebula for example definitely needs framing or you'll miss part of it. Thanks for any expertise you can offer.
Thank you! I use plate solving to do the framing. There is something called "auto centering" within the ASIAIR app. After using to Goto function, auto centering will frame up the target using plate solving.
Hi Bryan. Thanks for posting this video!👍There continues to be a ton of AM5 box opening vids & review vids appearing on YT, but not a lot of AM3 vids, so this one is especially valuable.👍BTW, good idea with the bubble level!👍 FYI, I am commenting a couple of days after you posted this vid, so I hope that you did indeed get those clear skies! I am looking forward to your follow-up vids about this mount. While I don't have a C-8 (...yet...lol..), I do have the Roki 135mm & a mini guidescope on an Astrodymium ring system, plus a RedCat 51, and a RedCat 71. The AM3 should have no issues supporting those three, but I am not sure if my fully tricked-out WO FLT91 and/or my 102mm & 130mm refractors will be too much of a challenge for the AM3. p.s. One question: Is that the stock ZWO counterweight & stock ZWO counterweight shaft that can be ordered from retailers?
Thanks! ZWO AM3 is a great piece of tech. A game changer for portability. It is overshadowed by its big brother, AM5! I like using the lightest, most nimble, and capable gear I can find. (PHOTO) visioncomsolutionscom.siteprotect.net/C8_AM3_first_shots.jpg MY SUMMARY: First time using ZWO AM3 and Celestron C8 with .63 reducer. Did some quick shots and guiding test. First time ever capturing 300 second subs. Something my Star Adventurer GTI struggled doing. The reach of C8 opens up new possibilities. VERY impressed with ZWO AM3! Only needed the counterwight rod. The counterweight was too much and threw guiding off. Goto, plate solving, and autoguiding performance were excellent. ~ 6 light subs at @180 seconds for part of North American Nebula. ~ 4 light subs @300 seconds for Crescent Nebula. ~ Captured and stacked using ASIAir Plus ~ ASI533MC Pro main camera with Optolong L-Pro ~ Bortle 4 Sky with 80% moon ~ ASI120MC-S guide camera ~ Stacked with flats and bias frames ~ Processed using Pixinsight, Lightroom, and Photoshop
To your question: That is counterweight shaft from my Star Adventurer GTI. Counterweight is a microphone boom weight. As it turned out, I didn't need to counterweight. AM3 can handle 17.5 lbs without counterweigh 28lbs with counterweightt. My rig is 16lbs.
@@VisionCommunications Thanks Ryan. Good to know that the shaft for the GTI fits...it's probably less expensive than the ZWO one. Also, that is a great choice of counterweight, as it will be less of a 'wind sail' & less likely to lead to accidental bumps, cable snags, etc.👍 Last, IMHO, you are close enough to the theoretical weight limit that using a counterweight is prudent, especially the wind is gusty or there are a lot of people walking around. 👍cheers, and clear skies!
Hi, I have recently acquired a similar setup (AM3, C8 EdgeHD, Evoguide 50ED and the ASI2600MC as the main camera and ASI462MC as the guide camera). This takes my set up just a little over 10kg. My only issue is that I am close to the equator (4° lat) and my counterweight is too close to the piere extension. Your counterweight looks like it could be a posible solution. Could you share where you got it, and how much it weighs? Thank you for sharing your video.
Thank you for viewing! I used the counterweight rod from a different Astro mount. I used this counter weight which is for a microphone stand boom: a.co/d/e1fCo5d You can get counterweight rods from Agena Astro. Just make sure it's the correct thread size agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/10164/s/ioptron-counterweight-shaft-for-hem27-mount-8456sl/ I'm also aware that the mount has a setting where you can adjust it if you're close to the equator. It's in the manual and they have supplied in Allen wrench to make that adjustment
@@VisionCommunications thank you. I have the counterweight rod but just need the right counterweight without hitting the tripod. I think you can adjust the mount with the wrench for latitudes from 45° - 90°, but I have the opposite problem with a low latitude of 4° 😅
Hi, very useful video. I am a beginner with a C8 Edge and 533. what is your stuff for autoguide? I see a ASI 120 , right? and the finder is? Is suitable using this setup for autoguide instead of an OAG? Thank you very much
What is the pier extension you are using on your tripod? I have a Radian carbon tripod and I’d love to put one on that to let me keep it low and wide with a sturdy bit of height increase.
Using the ZWO pier extension designed for ZWO TC40 Carbon Fiber Tripod: agenaastro.com/zwo-pier-extension-am3-am5-mount-pe160.html Don’t know if it will work with other tripods
Thanks. I’ve been looking at the AM5 and I see their tripod/pier can be bundled for a discount. I see there are some good bundles for the ASI 6200 with OAG and filters/wheel. I’m waiting for the new year sales. 😊
That’s a good question, I don’t know from experience. Assuming that the payload is within spec, can’t see a reason why it would not support a Newtonian telescope.
I use it all the time with excellent outcomes. Here is my gallery on AstroBin. You can look at the descriptions to see when the C8 was used with AM3. www.astrobin.com/users/BryanHudson/
Thank you for this video. I have an 8SE. Like so many others I'm done with my AVX mount and AA+. No slewing during PA, mount keeps dropping, etc. Was looking to move to a new mount and this looks like the one I'm getting.
Clear skies to you.
ZWO AM3 is a great mount. Supports up to 28 pounds
Thank you for your vlog. I am at a crossroad, buy a Celestron AVX or save up for a ZWO AM5N. However, watching your vlog gives me another avenue to research, AM3. Have you taken your AM3 and C8 and imaged the sky's hidden wonders?
I am 100% mobile so I need a portable rig. AM3 is great! My only concern is if I ever need service, I've heard that ZWO customer service is not good.
Here's my gallery on AstroBin: www.astrobin.com/users/BryanHudson/
Clear skies hopefully came for you. I'm awaiting my AM-3 and tripod... should be soon. Thanks for this intro.
It's a great mount!
Interested to hear how it performs! I purchased an AM5 with intent on eventually getting an EdgeHD 8, didn’t even cross my mind that the AM3 was able to carry one. Hope it performs well! Great set up and clear skies!
Got is out last night for the first time. Performed marvelously:
(PHOTO) visioncomsolutionscom.siteprotect.net/C8_AM3_first_shots.jpg
MY SUMMARY:
First time using ZWO AM3 and Celestron C8 with .63 reducer. Did some quick shots and guiding test. First time ever capturing 300 second subs. Something my Star Adventurer GTI struggled doing. The reach of C8 opens up new possibilities.
VERY impressed with ZWO AM3! Only needed the counterwight rod. The counterweight was too much and threw guiding off.
Goto, plate solving, and autoguiding performance were excellent.
~ 6 light subs at @180 seconds for part of North American Nebula.
~ 4 light subs @300 seconds for Crescent Nebula.
~ Captured and stacked using ASIAir Plus
~ ASI533MC Pro main camera with Optolong L-Pro
~ Bortle 4 Sky with 80% moon
~ ASI120MC-S guide camera
~ Stacked with flats and bias frames
~ Processed using Pixinsight, Lightroom, and Photoshop
@@VisionCommunications any chance you could post a guide log if you have? Thanks
@@dominickzaucha Thanks! I don’t look at guide logs. Only pay attention to the graph and the quality of the stars.
That's a good question, but I have no idea.
Well seeing this video confirms my choice that the AM3 will do the trick for me. I normally shoot wide and once in a while I would shoot with a 102 refractor. Looking forward to seeing how the Am3 tracks with the extra weight. Thanks for the video.
It will work well. AM3 handles 17 pounds without counterweight and 28 pounds with counterweight (I mis-spoke when I said 23 pounds). Good tracking goes with good auto guiding.
Thanks for the reply!@@VisionCommunications
Damn that’s a sharp lil rig 🙌🏼
Thx!
Quite a rig :) You have to try it also with hyperstar - F2 with 8 inch aperture could be phenomenal to EAA/AP
Thanks! I’m tapped out now having purchased all this gear! LOL!
Also, I like the focal reach of C8. I use Canon L 300mm f/4 (600mm effective focal length with ASI 533MC Pro) for Hyperstar like field of view.
Sometimes, admiring a nice telescope setup like these indoors makes the clouds go away faster. ;)
I was setting this up for the first time indoors before the weather cleared to go out. It has worked very well. www.astrobin.com/users/BryanHudson/
Great post Bryan. I have just purchased the AM3 myself and looking to buy a C8 with Hyperstar 8 v4 to speed the data capture at F1,9. May be well worth while considering Hyperstar for your set up also, adding another string to your bow as such. I found your Pixinsight processing post very informative as well. Keep up the great work mate. Clear skies 👍
Thanks! Certainly aware of hyperstar, but don’t want it. I purchased the Celestron C8 for the reach of 2032mm and 1280mm with .63 reducer. I have other rigs and focal lengths: 300mm f/4, 135mm f/2, 10-20mm, f/3.5, etc
www.astrobin.com/users/BryanHudson/
Another great video Bryan. I've recently setup my 8" SCT on a second AM5 but haven't imaged yet. My set-up looks similar to yours with the Celestron focus reducer and T-adapter, ZWO spacers (or OAG and filter drawer) and then the ASI camera to get the 105mm back focus. I also use the ASIAIR Pro. What I can't find any where is how to frame images with this setup when everything is threaded connections and you have to maintain the back focus. I'm used to my two refractors (Redcat 51 and Askar V) that have the rotators that allow me to frame images with the camera. How do you frame with this threaded SCT setup? Something like the California nebula for example definitely needs framing or you'll miss part of it. Thanks for any expertise you can offer.
Thank you! I use plate solving to do the framing. There is something called "auto centering" within the ASIAIR app. After using to Goto function, auto centering will frame up the target using plate solving.
Hi Bryan. Thanks for posting this video!👍There continues to be a ton of AM5 box opening vids & review vids appearing on YT, but not a lot of AM3 vids, so this one is especially valuable.👍BTW, good idea with the bubble level!👍
FYI, I am commenting a couple of days after you posted this vid, so I hope that you did indeed get those clear skies! I am looking forward to your follow-up vids about this mount. While I don't have a C-8 (...yet...lol..), I do have the Roki 135mm & a mini guidescope on an Astrodymium ring system, plus a RedCat 51, and a RedCat 71. The AM3 should have no issues supporting those three, but I am not sure if my fully tricked-out WO FLT91 and/or my 102mm & 130mm refractors will be too much of a challenge for the AM3.
p.s. One question: Is that the stock ZWO counterweight & stock ZWO counterweight shaft that can be ordered from retailers?
Thanks! ZWO AM3 is a great piece of tech. A game changer for portability. It is overshadowed by its big brother, AM5!
I like using the lightest, most nimble, and capable gear I can find.
(PHOTO) visioncomsolutionscom.siteprotect.net/C8_AM3_first_shots.jpg
MY SUMMARY:
First time using ZWO AM3 and Celestron C8 with .63 reducer. Did some quick shots and guiding test. First time ever capturing 300 second subs. Something my Star Adventurer GTI struggled doing. The reach of C8 opens up new possibilities.
VERY impressed with ZWO AM3! Only needed the counterwight rod. The counterweight was too much and threw guiding off.
Goto, plate solving, and autoguiding performance were excellent.
~ 6 light subs at @180 seconds for part of North American Nebula.
~ 4 light subs @300 seconds for Crescent Nebula.
~ Captured and stacked using ASIAir Plus
~ ASI533MC Pro main camera with Optolong L-Pro
~ Bortle 4 Sky with 80% moon
~ ASI120MC-S guide camera
~ Stacked with flats and bias frames
~ Processed using Pixinsight, Lightroom, and Photoshop
@@VisionCommunications Thanks for sharing the link to your first images, Ryan. They are awesome, and clearly you have the mount working well ! 👍
To your question: That is counterweight shaft from my Star Adventurer GTI. Counterweight is a microphone boom weight. As it turned out, I didn't need to counterweight. AM3 can handle 17.5 lbs without counterweigh 28lbs with counterweightt. My rig is 16lbs.
@@VisionCommunications Thanks Ryan. Good to know that the shaft for the GTI fits...it's probably less expensive than the ZWO one. Also, that is a great choice of counterweight, as it will be less of a 'wind sail' & less likely to lead to accidental bumps, cable snags, etc.👍 Last, IMHO, you are close enough to the theoretical weight limit that using a counterweight is prudent, especially the wind is gusty or there are a lot of people walking around. 👍cheers, and clear skies!
Is there an official counterweight bar and weight? Yours look nicer than some others I’ve seen.
That is the counterweight bar from my Star Adventurer GTI
Hi, I have recently acquired a similar setup (AM3, C8 EdgeHD, Evoguide 50ED and the ASI2600MC as the main camera and ASI462MC as the guide camera). This takes my set up just a little over 10kg.
My only issue is that I am close to the equator (4° lat) and my counterweight is too close to the piere extension. Your counterweight looks like it could be a posible solution. Could you share where you got it, and how much it weighs?
Thank you for sharing your video.
Thank you for viewing! I used the counterweight rod from a different Astro mount. I used this counter weight which is for a microphone stand boom: a.co/d/e1fCo5d
You can get counterweight rods from Agena Astro. Just make sure it's the correct thread size
agenaastro.com/catalog/product/view/id/10164/s/ioptron-counterweight-shaft-for-hem27-mount-8456sl/
I'm also aware that the mount has a setting where you can adjust it if you're close to the equator. It's in the manual and they have supplied in Allen wrench to make that adjustment
@@VisionCommunications thank you. I have the counterweight rod but just need the right counterweight without hitting the tripod. I think you can adjust the mount with the wrench for latitudes from 45° - 90°, but I have the opposite problem with a low latitude of 4° 😅
What is the biggest Newtonian telescope can you put on this mount?
Just now seeing this question. It supports up to 28 pounds
Hi, very useful video. I am a beginner with a C8 Edge and 533. what is your stuff for autoguide? I see a ASI 120 , right? and the finder is? Is suitable using this setup for autoguide instead of an OAG? Thank you very much
Yes, that is the ASI120S-C with SVBONY SV165 Guide Scope. I use it with other rigs as well. My guiding is always less than .7 RMS even with the C8.
What is the pier extension you are using on your tripod? I have a Radian carbon tripod and I’d love to put one on that to let me keep it low and wide with a sturdy bit of height increase.
Using the ZWO pier extension designed for ZWO TC40 Carbon Fiber Tripod: agenaastro.com/zwo-pier-extension-am3-am5-mount-pe160.html
Don’t know if it will work with other tripods
Thanks. I’ve been looking at the AM5 and I see their tripod/pier can be bundled for a discount. I see there are some good bundles for the ASI 6200 with OAG and filters/wheel. I’m waiting for the new year sales. 😊
@@leeq999 The bundle is hard to beat. Lightweight and very stable. I can fit an entire kit with AM3 and lenses in a carry on bag for lights.
Can AM3 handle a 8-10” newtonian?
That’s a good question, I don’t know from experience. Assuming that the payload is within spec, can’t see a reason why it would not support a Newtonian telescope.
HI, what camera are you using for DSO pictures ? Thanks and clear skies
Thanks for viewing! It is listed in the video. ASI533MC Pro
What battery bank you use for this setup? How long is your battery last for running this setup? Thank you!
I use this one. Last's 9-12 hours. a.co/d/h0oHaei
have u or anyone tested a C8 in field with AM3? how r the results?
I use it all the time with excellent outcomes. Here is my gallery on AstroBin. You can look at the descriptions to see when the C8 was used with AM3.
www.astrobin.com/users/BryanHudson/
@@VisionCommunications wow thank you for the reassurance. i was contemplating if i shd go for AM5. do u use counterweights?
what is your guiding setup?
@@sreeshab4093 guiding is done through ASIAir using the ASI120MC-S Camera
@@sreeshab4093 I don't need the counterweight because rig is under the payload limit. I show it here to make people feel more comfortable!😊
do you need a computer to operate the am3?
I use ASIAir Plus