AM5N?

I couldn't find much info on this variant either - very strange there's nothing on the ZWO website.
The only info I could find was at the Teleskop website - perhaps its a custom model, or a variant for the European market.

Although, judging from the Teleskop website, it seems to have an ST4 interface which isn't on the standard model.

Hello, in different countries different models am5 available, possible some models come to TS.
WBR Kamil Akhunov.

It looks like just adding the same Bluetooth as the am3. I hope it can integrate the asiair.

I am working at TS,  we currently only know that the main difference is the bluetooth function. so nothing special right now We need to check it when we got one on stock.

Gary JONES:
I couldn't find much info on this variant either - very strange there's nothing on the ZWO website.
The only info I could find was at the Teleskop website - perhaps its a custom model, or a variant for the European market.

Although, judging from the Teleskop website, it seems to have an ST4 interface which isn't on the standard model.

The am5 has an ST4 port now. It's called "autoguide" 

Not really strange, to me that it's not on their website..gotta get rid of the previous gen inventory first since it appears that the price of the AM5N is in line with the normal retail price of the AM5.

If the only difference is the addition of bluetooth, I would not think that would sway many buyers to forego a current AM5 with free tripod versus a mount head am5n at full retail.

I am thinking that ZWO has tweaked a bit more than the addition of bluetooth. Perhaps the n stands for ncoders?

TiffsAndAstro:

Marc-Antonio Fischer:
I am working at TS,  we currently only know that the main difference is the bluetooth function. so nothing special right now We need to check it when we got one on stock.

cool I could plug in my bt speaker

THE BLUETOOTH DECIVE IS READY TO PAIR. Cant wait to hear that from the AM5🤣

Only difference in the description seems to be wireless handbox. So maybe wi-fi is finally built-in. I wouldn’t put my hopes on encoders though - price too low for hi-precision and cheap are useless anyway.

Not too sure about the 'wireless handbox' ...

Teleskop describes this as "Compact handbox for wireless control included in delivery", which I interpret as being the same as the AM5 - WiFI connectivity is achieved via the included wired hand-controller, which has the WiFi chip inside it.

So, you need to connect the wired controller to achieve wireless control, which just means another thing dangling from your mount. Rather clunky IMHO - WiFi without the need for the wired hand controller would be much nicer.

As far as Bluetooth, I'm not sure what benefit that provides, particularly when WiFi is already available out of the box - unless it lets you connect without needing the wired hand controller. But - I definitely wouldn't rely on BT to control my mount during an imaging session.

And I was completely wrong about the ST4 connector - the 'vanilla' AM5 does include one - just that it's called the Autoguide Port.

Vinny Vent:
Spoke to a rep I know at ZWO - the current sale with the free tripod is clearing inventory. The new AM5 will simply integrate Bluetooth just like the AM3; will have built in WiFi and a slightly higher payload capacity.

That answers the question about why its not announced yet.
They want to clear out gen 1 inventory.

very similar to how they did not publicly say the 2600 was bumped to 512mb in the newer production runs..needed to clear out those with 256mb.

If it is 50lbs with the counterweight I will pick one up and retire my cgx mount that I use with an asiair plus for my edge hd11 imaging rig.

My og am5 with counterweight works great with my 115edt that has a 61mm scope riding piggyback.

Hmmm - ZWO could certainly improve the customer experience by investing in better translations.

OK - from this, I presume the main differences as :-

1. Added Bluetooth connectivity
- presumably with the aim of connecting via ASIAir/phone/tablet.
- I honestly don't know why anyone would want to do this.
- no mention of changes to WiFi - so presumably that's still via the handset.
- Bluetooth is possibly via the handset as well - in which case it is not that helpful ???

2. Improved cable management
- by providing internal cables routed through the centres of the RA/DEC axes.
- not certain why they only mention the DEC axis ??
- with +12v and USB-C connections on the base routed through sockets on the dovetail plate.
- similar to iOptron CEM70 etc.
- no mention of how many power/USB sockets - having only one of each would be of limited use for most setups.
- IMHO - this was the main thing missing from the original AM5 - and would be a *HUGE* improvement - assuming several outputs.

3. Mechanical
- I think the high angle thing relates to the mount being more functional at higher latitudes - not sure whether that benefits most users.
- doing away with the AZ lock is not that significant IMHO.
- possibly higher payload
- for a mount marketed as 'portable', I wonder how many people would use an imaging train weighing more than 20kg ?
- that implies a longer focal length - which is less portable and less useable if using the TC40 tripod without a spreader or stabilising weights.

That's just my 2¢ worth - will post back here if I learn anything new.

Bluetooth, cable management, increased payload.  It looks to me like they got scared of the new skywatcher wave mounts and decided to react.