ZWO AM3N vs. Sky Watcher Wave 100i
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29% (2 votes)
71% (5 votes)
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Interactive Sky avatar

Hi all! 👋

I’m currently weighing my options between the ZWO AM3 (AM3N) and the Sky-Watcher Wave 100i, and I’d love to hear some firsthand experiences from those who’ve used either (or both).

From what I’ve gathered so far, opinions seem a bit divided:

  • Some users report around 0.4″–0.7″ RMS with the AM3N, particularly when paired with ASIAIR

  • Others mention that the Wave 100i offers smoother periodic error and steadier guiding overall

I’m curious about how these mounts perform in real-world conditions, so any insights would be really helpful:

👉 What kind of RMS do you typically achieve during a normal session?
👉 How stable is the guiding throughout an entire night?
👉 Have you noticed any differences in star shapes or image quality?
👉 If you’ve tried both, which one did you find more user-friendly?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts—looking forward to learning from your experiences! Clear skies 🌌

Well written Respectful Concise Engaging
Franco Grimoldi avatar

What scope are you planning to pair it with?

Interactive Sky avatar

Franco Grimoldi · May 2, 2026, 06:49 PM

What scope are you planning to pair it with?

I plan to use it with 5” F/5 Newtonian and it’s weight is about 9 lbs.

Nikguy avatar

The RMS value depends on many factors!

The main factor is seeing, which in my region ranges between 2“ and 3”—well above what the mount can theoretically and practically provide!

I think you’ll get great results with either mount.

From my own experience, I can tell you that a counterweight is essential, as is a very stable tripod. I wouldn’t recommend the carbon fiber tripod.

Well written Helpful Respectful Concise Engaging Supportive
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