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I have been pressing my nose against the online dealer's virtual windows. As I struggle to decide where to invest in a new mounting. A traditional equatorial will just not do. Far too heavy and needs counterweights to match the fully sky ready OTA. So it's got to be a harmonic mounting. [Aka. strain wave] I can no longer manage to carry anything very heavy. Carrying being the operative word. If I had to carry a full solar imaging set-up 120m to clear the hedges it would kill me!
The ZWOAM5N is probably the most popular harmonic mounting. It is reasonably light, mostly well regarded and now well proven. With many reviews carrying large and quite heavy instruments. Though it's base price rises rapidly with vital accessories. The vital pier extension and even a power supply do not come with the mount. The counterweight shaft and counterweights too. If anyone plans to push the OTA weight limits too far towards the 20kg maximum load. Rumours of a larger AM7 remain mere vapourware. The cost is likely to be much higher than the AM5N.
The HAE69, from Ioptron, can carry more weight than the AM5N but is rarely reviewed. The company does not enjoy ZWO's reputation for reliability, quality control and finish. All the other names seem to offer no particular advantages. Nor greater weight capacity.
I am still investigating where I could mount permanent piers to image the sun. Preferably at all times of day and year round. Even it means installing several "posts." With an emphasis on early morning and early evening imaging. When seeing conditions are usually most favourable.
My absent neighbours [and myself] have added huge trees and hedges to the landscape over the years largely by neglect. Which makes unobstructed imaging sites extremely hard to find within the local area. Except at the height of summer. When the sun is high and rises and sets usefully. In winter the many trees come into play. Throwing long shadows over the entire area. Yet ironically, the sun shines cheerfully just beyond my boundary hedges.
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