ZWO AM5 vs. Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Payload Test

We compared the ZWO AM5 to our Wave 150i in a payload stress test.

The ability to balance large payloads using the Wave 150i's unquiet balance capability allows your to push the Wave 150i to is highest listed payload without issue. Keeping your system balanced prevents any slipping when under heavy loads and keeps your telescope system safe.

[AnotherAstronomer]

Good to see the Sky-Watcher 150i mount can move a heavy payload. What would also be interesting is a tracking comparison with this same weight. I noticed you use the same heavy tripod for a more even comparing of the two mount heads. Would think it more sensible to use a stationary grounded pier for the 14", or a much heavier tripod, but hey, the demonstration looks impressive :) Good to see Sky-Watcher come into the strain wave gearing mount era.

[OlliesSpace]

Thats a good looking mount Kev. Nice to see this test comparison and like you said in a comment, people will overload these so good to see.

[SKYSTRY]

I really like the 150i . . . except the saddle. It really needs to be longer. About the size of the saddle on the EQ6. I would love to also see a demonstration of guiding with these long focal length scopes.

[YNPpro]

Thanks for showing what the mount is capable of handling. I’m considering your mount for my C11 for visual only use. Interested in how well its goto system works and that it can talk to and be controlled with Skysafari through WiFi.

[NautilusCL]

Also a really useful comparison will be using the same OTA and measure the autoguiding performance. That is all matters. No point on the hability to slew a C14 if the numbers of autoguiding error are on the roof.

[KJRitch]

It’s nice to see this experiment but I’m interested in the guiding performance when using an SCT at focal lengths above 1280mm. What is the largest SCT that can guide at less than 1” RMS using an OAG? I have a C8 and I’m up in the air between strain wave and a gem design. Thanks.

[JimCutler]

Sold. Ordering that 150i mount for my C11EDGE. 1) Would you please share which heavy metal tripod that is? And 2) what the extender is between the tripod and the mount? Thank you in advance.

[ageprevention]

Excellent 👍 All I need now is an Edge hd14 and one of these mounts 😗

[siegfriednoet]

Wow, almost getting a heart attack seeing that AM5 slipping ..., Question though, is that the CQ350 tripod that you are using here ?

[patclark]

I was concerned about the short saddle as well. I'm thinking about putting my old 12" lx200 on one of these. Is that crazy based on your "do not try this at home" note for the c14?

[SunlitEarth]

great video of a groundbreaking mount, Kev!

[gianlucabeccani]

Can't wait for my local seller to have the 150i available: I love this mount, at least on paper, and I really hope it will be able to guide my C9.25HD at 0.6-0.8", just like my AZ-EQ6 does since 2017. I don't need anything more, as seeing is the real limit when out there under the stars.

[SHS-wi]

@SkywatcherUSA My question was will the 150i perform well for visual with a 5” f/7.8 refractor weighing 16 lbs (AT 125EDL)? I’m concerned about the moment arm. Needing counterweights isn’t a deal breaker. Do I need a bigger mount? I’m on Cloudy Nights so imaging with my AT CFT90 was never my concern for either the AM5N or 150i.

[stadtchronistjennersdorf]

Great show Kevin...now please take the ESPRIT 150 ED triplet refractor and show us how good the Wave 150i can not only hold but track it, thx.

[IvorStiffan]

I'm looking at the C11 XLT with this mount and an Evoguide MK2 mounted to the Losmandy bar.

Pegasus PBA and Mini PC with an Altair 585c, Altair 26m or 678m and Pegasus OAG with Altair 674m. Add a potential Starizona 0.63 CC Reducer and do we still have a sturdy mount?

I would hope to see a price reduction in the future as £2, 300 is nearly as much as the C11 XLT!

:-)


Also, can we get a reducer for the Skymax 127.. I would love to make it a more versatile scope for travelling with 🙏🏻👌🏻

[ziggyfrnds]

Great comparison! I've always used Skywatcher mounts and found them to be very well built, I have an AZ EQ5 and a synscan dobsonian. I guess i'll start saving up for a wave 150i now 🙂

[TubenStefan]

Are you sure that 33 pounds of counterweights are allowed for this mount? For most strain wave mounts 5kg is the limit because the counterweight bar is not a prolongation of a mount axis, it is only fastened to a part of the mount housing. The housing and/or the threads might be damaged by too much weight...

[eynki]

Quick question What pier did you use in these? I just bought a HAE69CEC and was hoping to use in to use my old DX tripod. pretty much the same one you are using. Im trying to figure out compatibility and/ or if i need to buy adaptors. Thx

[garymyers]

what is the max counterweight one can use, per the design, with the 150i? Is it at least 33# as used here for the C11? Additionally, what is the torque available so one can determine the true capability of the mount? Give us a chart showing weight vs. offset to COG of load so we can determine what is or isn't safe! [this ignores the "low mass" description that SW offered me for this mount when considering using it with a Quattro 10" - and removes "wind" as a rationale against it, TRIPOD stability is just as if not more important a factor in that regard assuming the drive can take the wind sail loads]

[vincentvdb]

As an owner of the Wave 150i a question on a future pier build. So, I am thinking about pouring myself a concrete pier that can hold this Wave 150i mount and hold my smallest scope being the Redcat 51 and at this very day the biggest being the Esprit 120ED. There are ideas to add in the future a fair size newtonian scope as well. Given the smaller size compared to the EQ6R-Pro so I wonder what max diameter you advice for the concrete pier to ensure no parts hit the pier in any position.
Thank you for your insight already (y)