AM7 announced
Maybe I’m crazy but it’s a bit underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, more options is always great though. Only 5 more KG (10 w/ counterweight) is nice, but it uses a different threads on the counterweight bar than the AM3 and AM5. Being only $500 more than the AM5N is also nice, as well as only weighing like 3 more lbs.
To me it’s not enough of a change to wanna upgrade, but if you need the capacity it’s worth a look.
Quinn Groessl · Jan 28, 2026, 02:21 AM
Maybe I’m crazy but it’s a bit underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, more options is always great though. Only 5 more KG (10 w/ counterweight) is nice, but it uses a different threads on the counterweight bar than the AM3 and AM5. Being only $500 more than the AM5N is also nice, as well as only weighing like 3 more lbs.
To me it’s not enough of a change to wanna upgrade, but if you need the capacity it’s worth a look.
I was also a bit underwhelmed, allthough i’m not really sure why. It just doesn’t seem like a huge step forward, I think in my head i was hoping it would compete more with the EQ-8? Idk.
It looks like these Harmonic Drive mounts are pretty easy to build. The software is open source and you can buy the parts on Aliexpress. I thought it might be a fun project. There is a reason why all of these Harmonic drives are coming out.
An important thing to note: moment arm has been reduced from 25cm (AM5) to 20cm (AM7) ..means that it will struggle on handling apertures above 10 inches that require ~25cm moment arm
Keep that in mind before thinking that its capable to handle a 14” SCT just because it is advertised to handle 30kg payload
Rabeea Alkuwari · Jan 28, 2026, 09:08 AM
An important thing to note: moment arm has been reduced from 25cm (AM5) to 20cm (AM7) ..means that it will struggle on handling apertures above 10 inches that require ~25cm moment arm
Keep that in mind before thinking that its capable to handle a 14” SCT just because it is advertised to handle 30kg payload
That was my concern immediately following the teaser they released, the mount looked identical in rough size to AM5, so any weight capacity increase is immediately counteracted by the moment arm being too small.
I was initially anticipating this mount as a potential upgrade from my EQ6R so that I may create a larger-aperture system, but after seeing the reveal and the lackluster nature of this mount, consider me uninterested.
I will likely wait for Sky-Watcher to release a Wave 200i/250i before I upgrade to a trig mount. At least they understand how to make a harmonic mount with a decent moment arm.
ZWO LOGIC
Tim Patton · Jan 28, 2026, 08:52 AM
It looks like these Harmonic Drive mounts are pretty easy to build. The software is open source and you can buy the parts on Aliexpress. I thought it might be a fun project. There is a reason why all of these Harmonic drives are coming out.
Hi Tim,
Do you have a link to any of the projects? I’m been hearing about them, but haven’t seen one.
Thanks,
Chris Kramer · Jan 30, 2026, 12:24 PM
Tim Patton · Jan 28, 2026, 08:52 AM
It looks like these Harmonic Drive mounts are pretty easy to build. The software is open source and you can buy the parts on Aliexpress. I thought it might be a fun project. There is a reason why all of these Harmonic drives are coming out.
Hi Tim,
Do you have a link to any of the projects? I’m been hearing about them, but haven’t seen one.
Thanks,
Easy to find with a quick search on YouTube and Google.
Honestly don’t see the point in these 30kg+ capacity strain waves. Any scope that size isn’t really portable in most cases and would be permanently mounted on a traditional GEM.
The thought process of “I’ll get a 30kg scope then get a tiny little mount to save some weight and make it more portable” is a bit baffling.
Craig Towell:
Honestly don’t see the point in these 30kg+ capacity strain waves. Any scope that size isn’t really portable in most cases and would be permanently mounted on a traditional GEM.
The thought process of “I’ll get a 30kg scope then get a tiny little mount to save some weight and make it more portable” is a bit baffling.
Take your sound logic elsewhere Sir, this is the internet!
Chris Kramer · Jan 30, 2026, 12:24 PM
Tim Patton · Jan 28, 2026, 08:52 AM
It looks like these Harmonic Drive mounts are pretty easy to build. The software is open source and you can buy the parts on Aliexpress. I thought it might be a fun project. There is a reason why all of these Harmonic drives are coming out.
Hi Tim,
Do you have a link to any of the projects? I’m been hearing about them, but haven’t seen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n8UGZOzBm4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJY71n7lTHo
Here’s a few.