HARMONIC DRIVE Mounts Showdown! HEM27 vs. AM5

Use this link to get $25 off your PPA membership: https://www.ppa.com/join/nico-carver/dec22 In this video I review two new harmonic drive mounts: the iOptron HEM27 and ZWO AM5. I also compare them to my tried-and-true Sky-watcher EQ6-R. Product Links (affiliated) ============================= ZWO AM5 Mount - https://tinyurl.com/ZWO-AM5 iOptron HEM27A Mount (with iPolar) - https://tinyurl.com/HEM27A Sky-watcher EQ6-R Pro Mount - https://tinyurl.com/HPS-EQ6R Apertura EQ6-R Case Set - https://tinyurl.com/EQ6R-Case-Set ZWO TC40 Carbon Fiber Tripod for AM5 - https://tinyurl.com/ZWO-TC40 iOptron Carbon Fiber Tripod for HEM27 - https://tinyurl.com/ioptron-HEM27-tripod ZWO Counterweight Bar for AM5 - https://tinyurl.com/AM5-CW-Bar HEM27 Counterweight Shaft - https://www.ioptron.com/product-p/8456sl.htm iOptron 10 lb. Counterweight for AM5 or HEM27 - https://tinyurl.com/ioptron-CW ZWO 200mm pier for AM5 - https://tinyurl.com/AM5-200-Pier iOptron MiniPier for HEM27 - https://www.ioptron.com/product-p/8040.htm Table of Contents ============================= 0:00 Intro 2:54 Disclosures 3:39 AM5's alt-az mode 4:55 Polar alignment options 6:25 Equatorial wedge design 10:36 PPA (Sponsor) 11:54 Power ports 14:14 Hand controllers 15:34 Connectivity 17:59 Saddles 19:08 Clutches 19:52 Sound tests 20:55 Weight and Payload 22:38 Costs, Tripods, and Cases 26:34 Imaging Test 1: 15 lbs, No CW 34:14 Imaging Test 2: 34 lbs, w/ CW 40:02 Patreon end credits Patreon ============================= I'm on Patreon! Join a welcoming community of over 800 astrophotographers at: https://patreon.com/nebulaphotos Channel Disclosures ============================= I am a member of the High Point Scientific, Astrobin, OPT, Agena Astroproducts, eBay, and Amazon affiliate programs. Product links in my video descriptions are typically affiliate links, which means, at no extra cost to you, I will make a commission if you click them and purchase something. I also have working relationships with the following companies/brands to receive products to test: Askar, Svbony, High Point Scientific, Agena Astroproducts QHYCCD, WOBoyz, SmallRig, Venus Optics, Astrogear.net, Night Sky Camera, Hunt's Photo & Video. I do not review products for money and any brand deals will be fully disclosed. If you have any questions about any of this, please get in touch. #ppaambassador