ZWO FF70 APO + AM3N Harmonic Mount Bundle with TC40 Tripod & PE160

A complete, portable imaging rig: 70mm flat-field APO on a counterweight-free mount

The ZWO FF70 APO + AM3N Harmonic Mount Bundle puts ZWO's 70mm f/7 quadruplet astrograph on the AM3N computerized GoTo mount, with the TC40 carbon fiber tripod and PE160 pier extension. It's a first dedicated astrophotography setup that is light enough to carry to a dark site in one trip: the scope, mount head, tripod and extension come to about 10.4kg (23lb). The bundle costs less than buying the four pieces separately.

Key specs: 70mm f/7 quadruplet APO, 490mm focal length · built-in flattener, 44mm full-frame image circle · 3.0kg (6.6lb) scope with rings and dovetail · AM3N: 8kg (17.6lb) payload without counterweight · ±15″ periodic error · equatorial or alt-az GoTo · Wi-Fi and Bluetooth · TC40 carbon tripod and 160mm pier extension included

What you can image

• Large nebulae: the North America and Pelican Nebulae, the Heart and Soul, the Rosette, the California Nebula and the full Veil complex fit in one frame.
• Big galaxies: the Andromeda Galaxy with both companions, and the Triangulum Galaxy.
• Milky Way star fields: rich regions in Cygnus, Sagittarius and Scutum.
• Visual observing too: switch the AM3N to alt-az mode, add a diagonal and eyepieces, and get sharp, color-free views of the Moon, planets and star clusters like the Double Cluster and the Pleiades.

With an APS-C camera such as the ASI2600MC Pro, the FF70 frames about 2.7° × 1.8° of sky; with a full-frame sensor, about 4.2° × 2.8°.

How it sets up

Tripod and mount: open the TC40, set the PE160 on it, and set the AM3N on top and tighten the locking knobs. There's no counterweight to add. Set your latitude with the knob (0–60° in one position, 30–90° in the other) and polar align electronically with the ASIAIR or the ZWO app.

Telescope and camera: slide the FF70's dovetail into the mount's saddle. Because the flattener is built in, there's no exact back focus to hit: as long as your camera and adapters add no more than 82.5mm behind the M48 thread, you'll reach focus with sharp stars to the corners. The included photography extension tube and M48 and M54 adapters fit dedicated astronomy cameras, and a T-ring connects a DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Control: run the mount from your phone over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, from the included hand controller, or from the ASIAIR, ASCOM or INDI software. The FF70's handle doubles as a guide scope mount, and the AM3N's saddle has USB-C and 12V ports to keep cables short.

What to add for the best results

• 12V power (required): the AM3N needs 12V DC at 3A or more, which isn't included. Use the ZWO 12V 5A adapter at home or a 12V power tank in the field.
• A camera (required for imaging): the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro (APS-C, cooled) is a natural match for the 44mm image circle; the ZWO ASI533MC Pro is a lower-cost cooled color camera with a square sensor.
• ASIAIR Plus 256GB: runs the mount, camera, guiding and polar alignment from your phone, and mounts on the scope.
• Guiding: the ZWO 30F5 Mini Guide Scope with an ASI120MM Mini guide camera.
• ZWO EAFN electronic focuser: keeps stars sharp as the temperature drops through the night.
• Light-pollution filter: a 2" ZWO Duo-Band filter in a ZWO M54 2" filter drawer for nebulae from city and suburban skies.
• TC40 tripod case: carries the tripod with the PE160 still attached.

FF70 + AM3N vs. FF90 + AM3N

Read more about each piece on the ZWO FF70 APO and ZWO AM3N with TC40 tripod pages, or see all ZWO bundles.

What's in the box

• ZWO FF70 APO optical tube with handle, tube rings and dovetail plate, plus the photography extension tube with M48 and M54 adapters
• ZWO AM3N mount head with hand controller and 2m coiled connection cable, 2m USB Type-B and 1m USB Type-C cables, M6 hex wrench, periodic error test report for your mount, quick start guide and foam carrying box
• ZWO TC40 carbon fiber tripod
• ZWO PE160 pier extension (three pillars, upper and bottom plates, six M6 screws, hex wrench and quick guide)

The camera, 12V power supply, diagonal, eyepieces and counterweight bar are sold separately.

ZWO FF70 + AM3N Bundle FAQ

Is this a good first astrophotography setup?

Yes. It removes the two hardest parts of a first rig: there's no field flattener spacing to get right and no mount to balance. Add a camera, 12V power and an ASIAIR, and the ASIAIR walks you through polar alignment, focusing and guiding.

Which camera works best with it?

An APS-C cooled camera like the ASI2600MC Pro gives a 2.7° × 1.8° field, ideal for large nebulae. A full-frame camera is fully covered by the 44mm image circle. DSLR and mirrorless cameras work with a T-ring.

Can the AM3N carry more than the FF70?

Yes. It carries 8kg (17.6lb) without a counterweight and 13kg (28.7lb) with one. The FF70 uses 3.0kg of that, so a camera, filter drawer, guide scope and ASIAIR still fit comfortably, and you could move up to a 90mm refractor later.

Do I need the pier extension?

It's included, and we recommend using it whenever a camera is on the back of the scope. It lifts the mount 160mm so the camera clears the tripod legs when the scope points near the zenith.

Can I use it for visual observing?

Yes. Switch the AM3N to alt-azimuth mode for GoTo without polar alignment, and add a 2" diagonal and eyepieces to the FF70's focuser.

What power does it need?

The AM3N runs on 12V DC (at least 3A), which isn't included. It draws about 0.65A standing by and 1.3A while slewing, so a small 12V power tank lasts a full night.

Specifications