Is the AM3N the same as the AM3?

The AM3N replaced the AM3 in 2025. Both carry 8 kg without a counterweight and 13 kg with one, both have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, and ZWO lists the AM3N head at 4.1 kg. The AM3N reworks the body for cable management and adds a Type-C and a 12 V DC port on the saddle. Mine is the AM3N.

How much can the AM3N carry without a counterweight?

ZWO rates it at 8 kg. It carried my Askar SQA106 with a seven-position filter wheel and camera with the counterweight bar fitted but no weight on it.

How well does the AM3N guide?

In my ASI585MC Air review I was regularly getting about 0.4 arcseconds RMS with it. It was not part of my seven-mount showdown, so I have no side-by-side readings for it.

Does the AM3N need a hand controller?

No. It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for phone control and works with the ASIAIR, ASCOM and INDI, and the hand controller comes in the box too.

What did the AM3N carry for the images on this page?

The ZWO FF110 with a full-frame ASI6200MM Pro, and the Askar SQA60 Pro with an ASI2600MM Air, in July 2026; the header of every sub names the AM3N.

What should I buy instead?

For the same payload for less money, the JUWEI-14; for more payload in the same ZWO system, the AM5N.

ZWO AM3N review: the 4.1 kg harmonic mount

Where does it rank on our leaderboard

Nine of the 18 mounts on my board, against price
Rank	Mount	Stars for Your Buck	Recorded UK price
1	TeSeek NanoTracker	100 out of 100	£52
2	ClearSky ST25	94 out of 100	£1,259
5	JUWEI-14	89 out of 100	£632
7	JUWEI-17	85 out of 100	£669
11	ClearSky ST17 Mini	56 out of 100	£712
13	ZWO AM3N	46 out of 100	£1,599
15	Celestron CGX	38 out of 100	£2,469
17	Sky-Watcher GTi Mount	33 out of 100	£435
18	Celestron CG5	24 out of 100	£299

Contents

01 Where does it rank on our leaderboard
02 Specifications and features
03 In the hand
04 From the review video
05 What would you put on it?
06 How well does it guide?
07 What is it for? In my words
08 What it captured
09 Raw against finished
10 Watch the review
11 Should you buy it?
12 Questions and more about this review

In 30 seconds

Stars for Your Buck 46/100

Reviewed 2 Sep 2026 Updated 26 Sep 2026

Rank: #13 of 18 mounts
Verdict: With reservations

Written by Damon Scotting 6 min read

Buy it if

You run an ASIAIR and want a small ZWO mount that works with it from the box.
Your imaging rig weighs 8 kg or less and you want to leave the counterweight at home.
You want a 4.1 kg head for a small refractor that packs easily.

Skip it if

You want the most payload for your money: the JUWEI-14 carries the same 8 kg for far less.
Your rig is over 8 kg without a counterweight, or over 13 kg with one.
You already own the original AM3: the AM3N carries no more.

“I do, however, still have a soft spot for the tiny AM3 mount, so I'd continue to advocate for that.”

Specifications and features

Against the mounts I have reviewed

Compare with

ZWO AM3N reviewed #13 of 18	JUWEI-14 #5 of 18	TeSeek 11 #3 of 18	TeSeek 17 #6 of 18	ZWO AM5N #8 of 18
Recorded UK price	£1,599	£632	£252	£536	£2,099
Stars for Your Buck	46/100	89/100	93/100	88/100	71/100
Average guiding RMS	Unknown	0.98 arcsec	0.92 arcsec	0.85 arcsec	0.99 and 1.10 arcsec
Type	Harmonic drive (strain wave) mount, equatorial or alt-azimuth	Harmonic drive (strain wave) equatorial mount	Harmonic drive (strain wave) mount	Harmonic drive (strain wave) equatorial mount	Harmonic drive (strain wave) mount, equatorial or alt-azimuth
No-counterweight payload	8 kg	8 kg	5 kg	13.5 kg	15 kg
Counterweight payload	13 kg	13 kg	not recorded	18 kg	20 kg
Mount weight	4.1 kg	3.4 kg	1.3 kg	3.2 kg	5.5 kg
Periodic error	Within ±15 arcseconds, measured curve supplied	not recorded	not recorded	not recorded	±10 arcsec
Gearing	Strain wave reducer with a synchronous belt, 300:1	RA 400:1; Dec 100:1	Harmonic reducers on both axes	Two size-17 harmonic gearboxes, 400:1 on both axes	Harmonic drive and synchronous belt, 300:1
Control	Wi-Fi and Bluetooth app control; ASIAIR, ASCOM, INDI; hand controller included	USB-C, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi; controller/ST4 port	OnStep: phone app over Bluetooth or WiFi, ASIAIR, NINA and SharpCap	WiFi and Bluetooth app; ASIAIR	ZWO app over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, USB, ASIAIR; hand controller in the box
Power	12 V DC, 3 A; Type-C and 12 V ports on the saddle	12 V DC, 3 A; 5.5 x 2.1 mm socket	5 V, 2 A from a USB power bank	12 V, 2 A	12 V DC, 3 A minimum (5 A recommended); DC out and USB-C on the saddle
Tripod or pier	Head only; ZWO sells it with the TC40 tripod	3/8 inch photo tripod; AM5 three-hole fixing	38 mm Arca clamp underneath; a latitude adjuster and a tripod needed	Metal latitude base included; no tripod	Not included; ZWO's TC40 carbon fibre tripod is sold with it as a set
In the box	AM3N; foam case; hand controller and 2 m cable; 2 m USB-B cable; 1 m USB-C cable; PE report; guide; M6 hex key	Mount head	The mount	The mount; no tripod	Head, hand controller with 2 m cable, travel case, 2 m USB-B and 1 m USB-C cables, performance sheet, quick guide, M6 Allen key; no counterweight bar

In the hand

AM3 lettering

SQA60 Pro rig

Filter wheel and focuser

Ports and status lights

Fitting the SQA106

On its pier

From the review video

Two frames from my videos

SQA106 and filter wheel

FF110 rig

What would you put on it?

The AM3N's 8 kg and 13 kg ratings under a rig you can change part by part, then the same rig on six other mounts

How well does it guide?

In my words, from my videos

“I was regularly getting 0.4 RMS with my AM3N mount.”

“Overall, it tracked really nicely.”

What is it for? In my words

Two things it is for

A full-frame imaging rig

Everything in my ZWO FF110 review was shot with an ASI6200MM Pro, a full-frame mono camera, mounted on top of an AM3N harmonic drive mount.

No weights on the bar

I took a counterweight bar for my Askar SQA106, seven-position filter wheel and camera, meaning to tape a couple of water bottles to it, and left it empty.

What it captured

Five targets

NGC 7000 North America Nebula, ASI6200MM Pro, Antlia 2.5 nm SHO

Integration: 4 h 18 min (86 x 180 s)
Field: 2.70 x 1.80 degrees
Telescope: ZWO FF110
Camera: ZWO ASI6200MM Pro
Mount: ZWO AM3N
Target: NGC 7000 North America Nebula
Type: Emission nebula
Location: Bortle 6.8 (in my garden)

IC 1396 Elephant's Trunk Nebula, ASI6200MM Pro, Antlia 2.5 nm SHO

Integration: 3 h 3 min (61 x 180 s)
Field: 2.70 x 1.80 degrees
Telescope: ZWO FF110
Camera: ZWO ASI6200MM Pro
Mount: ZWO AM3N
Target: IC 1396 Elephant's Trunk Nebula
Type: Emission nebula
Location: Bortle 6.8 (in my garden)

M 31 Andromeda Galaxy, ASI6200MM Pro, ZWO LRGB

Integration: 2 h 18 min (46 x 180 s)
Field: 2.70 x 1.80 degrees
Telescope: ZWO FF110
Camera: ZWO ASI6200MM Pro
Mount: ZWO AM3N
Target: M 31 Andromeda Galaxy
Type: Galaxy
Location: Bortle 6.8 (in my garden)

IC 1805 Heart Nebula, ASI6200MM Pro, Antlia 2.5 nm SHO

Integration: 1 h 15 min (25 x 180 s)
Field: 2.70 x 1.80 degrees
Telescope: ZWO FF110
Camera: ZWO ASI6200MM Pro
Mount: ZWO AM3N
Target: IC 1805 Heart Nebula
Type: Emission nebula
Location: Bortle 6.8 (in my garden)

NGC 6960 Veil Nebula, ASI2600MM Air, SHO

Integration: 2 h 39 min (53 x 180 s)
Field: 4.84 x 3.24 degrees
Telescope: Askar SQA60 Pro
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Air
Mount: ZWO AM3N
Target: NGC 6960 Veil Nebula
Type: Supernova remnant
Location: Bortle 6.8 (in my garden)

Raw against finished

Watch the review

The 5 targets, the raw combined stack against my finished image, each with its integration, the camera and the palette:

NGC 7000 North America Nebula: 4 h 18 min (86 x 180 s) of light, ASI6200MM Pro, Antlia 2.5 nm SHO, the raw combined stack with one automatic stretch
IC 1396 Elephant's Trunk Nebula: 3 h 3 min (61 x 180 s) of light, ASI6200MM Pro, Antlia 2.5 nm SHO, the raw combined stack with one automatic stretch
M 31 Andromeda Galaxy: 2 h 18 min (46 x 180 s) of light, ASI6200MM Pro, ZWO LRGB, the raw combined stack with one automatic stretch
IC 1805 Heart Nebula: 1 h 15 min (25 x 180 s) of light, ASI6200MM Pro, Antlia 2.5 nm SHO, the raw combined stack with one automatic stretch
NGC 6960 Veil Nebula: 2 h 39 min (53 x 180 s) of light, ASI2600MM Air, SHO, the raw combined stack with one automatic stretch

Is the ZWO FF110 Worth $1,499? (ZWO FF110 + ASI 6200MM + AM3N + ZWO LRGB) · published 2 September 2026 · 6:45 · Watch on YouTube · 14,693 views, 237 likes on 2 Oct 2026

Jump to

0:23 ZWO FF110 specs
1:30 The rig: ASI6200MM Pro, AM3N mount, LRGB and 2.5 nm filters
2:19 Andromeda Galaxy (M 31), 2 hours LRGB
3:03 Heart Nebula (IC 1805) in SHO
3:54 North America Nebula (NGC 7000), the Cygnus Wall
4:28 Dumbbell Nebula (M 27)
5:18 Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396), 3 hours
6:04 Verdict after 35 hours with the FF110

Transcript of the review video 1,386 words · 10 chapters · searchable

Press a time stamp to play from there.

0:00 Can a $1,499 telescope produce exhibit worthy images?

0:02 These are all images I captured with ZWo's latest telescope, the FF110. 0:02 It cost $1,499. 0:07 And in today's video, we're going to see exactly why and what it's capable of. 0:11 I'm going to be pushing this telescope to its absolute limits by using the biggest and best camera I have to try and capture some exhibit worthy images from my back garden. 0:17 Is it possible? 0:20 Let's find out. 0:20 I'm Damon Scotting and this is Astronomical.

0:23 ZWO FF110 specs

0:25 All right, so this is the ZWO FF 110. 0:25 So that's 110 millimetres of aperture with a focal length of 766 millimetres. 0:33 So roughly an F ratio of F7. 0:35 The optics are a four element fully airspaced apochromatic design with one ED element. 0:40 And critically the field is flat natively. 0:42 There's no need for a separate flattener that you have to go out and buy and spend extra money on. 0:45 It provides a 44 mm image circle which covers a full-frame sensor corner to corner like the ASI 6200 monochrome camera which I'll be using in today's video.

0:53 Focuser, built-in rotator, weight and length

0:56 The focuser is a 3-in rack and pinion with 10:1 dual speed. 0:58 And there is a 360° camera rotator built into the back with an engraved scale, which is the sort of thing you only appreciate when you have spent 20 minutes in the cold trying to square up a mosaic panel. 1:11 The optical tube alone weighs about 5.75 kilos, and that's closer to 6.8 when you have all of the rings and the handle included. 1:18 In terms of length, it is 664 mm at its shortest. 1:21 And then with the due shield extended, we have about 815 mm at its full extension. 1:26 So first impressions, it is a very nice piece of kit. 1:30 Now, of course, we are dealing with just the optical tube here.

1:30 The rig: ASI6200MM Pro, AM3N mount, LRGB and 2.5 nm filters

1:31 So in order to capture some images of our night sky, we do also need a camera and a mount. 1:35 So everything you are about to see has been shot with an ASI 6200 monochrome Pro, which is a full-frame mono camera mounted on top of an AM3N harmonic drive mount. 1:47 Now, another key element is that in today's video, I'm going to be imaging multiple different targets. 1:49 And in order to do so, I need to use different filter sets, and they include ZWO's LRGB filter set as well as Antlier's 2.5 nanometre narrowand filters. 2:00 Now, the cost of this combination is a long way north of the price of the tube itself, so this is certainly something to factor in. 2:05 The telescope really is the cheapest component in our setup today. 2:08 You can, of course, partner it with cheaper gear, but in today's video, I'm trying to demonstrate what its true capabilities are from a light polluted English garden. 2:17 So, without further ado, let's see how well it can cope. 2:19 All right, so first up is one of our nearest galaxies, Andromeda.

2:19 Andromeda Galaxy (M 31), 2 hours LRGB

2:22 You're going to have to excuse me using a huge camera like this that costs more than twice that of the telescope itself. 2:27 Because the telescope supports full-frame cameras, I thought it was smart to push it to its limits. 2:32 And because of that decision and a few angle adjustments, I've managed to fit the entirety of the Andromeda Galaxy within the same field of view. 2:38 I think this might be the first telescope I've reviewed so far this year that has an F ratio higher than five, which is notable here because this shot does not feel as bright as my other attempts, but it is certainly still picking up some very sharp details, particularly in these galactic bands. 2:53 This was a little over 2 hours worth of integration time with the ZWO2in LRGB filter set. 2:57 I think it's done an adequate job, but to tell you the truth, at the moment, I am just whelmed.

3:03 Heart Nebula (IC 1805) in SHO

3:04 Let's see if this changes with our next target, the Heart Nebula. 3:06 For this shot, I'm using the Uber Premium Antlier 2 and 1/2 nanometre filter set, which again, sorry, I'm aware this is a bit of a mismatch since these filters collectively cost more than this telescope. 3:18 But the goal was to cut through the dense light pollution in my area to give me some stunning vibrant displays. 3:23 And as you can start to see, that's precisely what I've ended up with here. 3:27 These colours are fantastic. 3:29 I weirdly felt that the Andromeda Galaxy shot didn't really feel like a 62 megapixel shot. 3:33 Well, this one definitely does. 3:36 This shot has really given me that damn space is big kind of feeling. 3:41 This was 30 minutes worth of hydrogen alpha shots, 30 minutes of 03 shots, and 15 minutes of sulfur 2. 3:45 So yeah, I'm much happier with this capture. 3:50 I think the Heart Nebula looks genuinely impressive here, and we've really maximized our field of view. 3:53 Now, this is a great target to really stretch the muscles of this 62 megapixel camera.

3:54 North America Nebula (NGC 7000), the Cygnus Wall

4:00 The North American Nebula provides a stunning stellar landscape. 4:02 It's high above the horizon all night, practically overhead, which means it was easy to get a whopping four hours of imaging time in just one night. 4:10 The signis wall down at the bottom here is looking immense, very sharp and structured. 4:15 You can crop into this area specifically and still end up with a 4K resolution image. 4:19 Yeah, I'm very happy with these central blue colours. 4:23 I think they are gorgeous. 4:24 But I still wouldn't give the shot the award for my favourite of this video.

4:28 Dumbbell Nebula (M 27)

4:28 Could that title perhaps go to our next deep sky object? 4:30 This is the dumbbell nebula, a target that realistically would have been perfectly framed by the ASI 533 camera. 4:36 The ASI 6200, on the other hand, just feels like a huge overkill. 4:42 This target is really fun for bringing out the fainter nebulosity that is otherwise invisible in the visible spectrum of light that we can observe. 4:50 And it has most definitely done that. 4:52 But perhaps I've skimped a little bit on the integration time. 4:54 And as a result, the colours of this nebula have suffered. 4:58 Normally, there's a nice hint of these red and orange colours, but I've just failed at making them pop here. 5:04 The Dumbbell Nebula is a planetary nebula, which means you're not looking at the explosive death of a massive star. 5:08 Instead, you're watching the relatively slow demise of a star a bit bigger than our own as it sheds its outermost layers whilst knocking on Death's door and beginning its demise into a lowly white dwarf star.

5:18 Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396), 3 hours

5:18 A little underwhelming perhaps, but fear not, for I have saved the very best till last. 5:26 This is the Elephant Trunk Nebula. 5:26 And if you're a fan of stunning colour palettes, it doesn't get much better than this shot right here. 5:31 With 3 hours worth of integration time, the details and structures here are pinpoint. 5:35 It's sharp and wellframed. 5:38 It is however just a shame about that stupid bloody satellite trail. 5:42 I know half of you have already spotted it. 5:44 So to the half who hadn't, I apologize for spoiling this shot. 5:48 I think it ticks all the boxes. 5:50 The shot is stunning. 5:50 is both vibrant and sharp, whilst also feeling like an epic 62 megapixel shot of our night sky. 5:58 This is definitely the crown jewel from today's video. 6:00 The kind of back garden shot that you frame in your office.

6:04 Verdict after 35 hours with the FF110

6:04 Yeah, not bad for a $1,499 telescope. 6:07 Yeah. 6:07 [clears throat] Okay, so what do we think? 6:10 I spent about 35 hours in total with this telescope over the course of a couple of months, and I've really enjoyed it. 6:15 In fact, I've been using it quite a lot to image the sun as well. 6:19 The FF1 telescope is just one telescope that's part of a much larger range recently released by ZWOO. 6:25 So, if you do already own one of these telescopes, part of this range, then please let me and countless others know in the comments down below about your own personal experience. 6:32 Based on my time so far, I think it's a decent addition to the astrophotography market. 6:37 If you'd like to purchase one for yourself, then you can find direct product links in the description down below. 6:41 Thanks for watching. 6:41 I'm Damon Scotting and this was astronomical.

Check out more videos on the ZWO AM3N

I Tested the $3,395 Askar SQA 106 (f/4.8): Pinpoint Stars, Full-Frame Ready

12 Feb 2026

ZWO ASI585MM Air Review: Is This the BEST Beginner MONO Astro Camera?!

28 Jan 2026

Should you buy it?

46/100 Stars for Your Buck

Pros

Carried my ZWO FF110 with a full-frame mono camera through four nights of imaging
A 4.1 kg head rated for 8 kg without a counterweight and 13 kg with one
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, and it works with the ASIAIR, ASCOM and INDI
Every mount ships with its own measured periodic-error curve

Cons

The JUWEI-14 carries the same 8 kg and 13 kg for far less money
ZWO rates its periodic error at within plus or minus 15 arcseconds, so plan to guide
Past 8 kg the counterweight bar and a weight go back on, and 13 kg is the ceiling

To tell you the truth, the AM3N handled the payload like a champ. No issues or concerns whatsoever.

Who the AM3N is for

ASIAIR owner with a small refractor

Buy

It runs straight from the ASIAIR and carried my Askar SQA60 Pro with a filter wheel, focuser and guide scope night after night.

Travelling imager

Buy

A 4.1 kg head that needs no counterweight up to 8 kg, and mine carried an Askar SQA106 imaging train with the weight left off.

Value-first buyer

Skip

The JUWEI-14 carries the same 8 kg without a counterweight for far less money.

SCT or big refractor owner

Skip

Over 8 kg you are into counterweights and a 13 kg ceiling; the ZWO AM5N carries 15 kg without one.

First mount on a budget

Skip

A TeSeek 11 or JUWEI-14 teaches the same skills for far less; the AM3N earns its price mainly through how neatly it works with an ASIAIR.

Owner of the original AM3

Skip

The AM3N keeps the same 8 kg and 13 kg ratings; the upgrade buys tidier cabling and power ports on the saddle, not payload.

Three alternatives I have reviewed

Questions and more about this review

Reviewed by

Damon Scotting

The Telescope Man Verified

BSc (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics and Cosmology, Loughborough University PGCE / QTS, University of Nottingham

About Damon About Damon Damon Scotting is The Telescope Man. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Physics with Astrophysics and Cosmology from Loughborough University and a PGCE with QTS from the University of Nottingham, and taught physics in secondary schools before becoming an astronomy creator. He is a contributing writer for BBC Sky at Night Magazine and the author of 42 Wonders of Our Night Sky, and his photograph of the galaxy M100 with the dwarf planet Ceres was Highly Commended in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 competition run by Royal Observatory Greenwich. He has appeared on the BBC's Blue Peter. More than 750,000 people follow his astronomy channels on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, and he has reviewed more than 140 telescopes, mounts, cameras, filters and accessories hands-on for this site. More about Damon · How I test · Damon's book

I review all kinds of gear: most of it I buy, some is gifted and some is loaned, and all of it is reviewed the same way. How this site is funded

Six questions, answered

Questions about the ZWO AM3N

Reviewed 2 September 2026 ·Updated 26 September 2026

I review all kinds of gear. Most of it I buy, some is gifted and some is loaned, and all of it is reviewed the same way: no company sees or approves a review before it is published. Shop links marked Ad are affiliate links: I earn a commission when you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. How this site is funded

Is the AM3N the same as the AM3? The AM3N replaced the AM3 in 2025. Both carry 8 kg without a counterweight and 13 kg with one, both have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, and ZWO lists the AM3N head at 4.1 kg. The AM3N reworks the body for cable management and adds a Type-C and a 12 V DC port on the saddle. Mine is the AM3N. The specifications and the comparison table ↓
How much can the AM3N carry without a counterweight? ZWO rates it at 8 kg. It carried my Askar SQA106 with a seven-position filter wheel and camera with the counterweight bar fitted but no weight on it. From the review video ↓
How well does the AM3N guide? In my ASI585MC Air review I was regularly getting about 0.4 arcseconds RMS with it. It was not part of my seven-mount showdown, so I have no side-by-side readings for it. How well does it guide? ↓
Does the AM3N need a hand controller? No. It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for phone control and works with the ASIAIR, ASCOM and INDI, and the hand controller comes in the box too. The specifications and the comparison table ↓
What did the AM3N carry for the images on this page? The ZWO FF110 with a full-frame ASI6200MM Pro, and the Askar SQA60 Pro with an ASI2600MM Air, in July 2026; the header of every sub names the AM3N. What I captured ↓
What should I buy instead? For the same payload for less money, the JUWEI-14; for more payload in the same ZWO system, the AM5N. The verdict, the readers and the sellers ↓