ZWO 131APO+AM7 Bundle

This package boasts ZWO's powerful 5-inch refractor, the FF131 APO, on their new, heavy-duty (but not crazy-heavy!) AM7 mount. The combination creates a truly formidable imaging setup—and it's still portable. Tripod and 200mm extension pier included. Package Includes: ZWO FF131-APO Astrograph F/7.5 983mm focal length ZWO AM7 Harmonic EQ Mount ZWO TC40 Carbon Fiber Tripod PE200 Extension Pier ZWO FF131 APO Flat-Field Apochromatic Refractor *Focus can be achieved within a back focus range of 42–73 mm, measured from the M54–M48 interface shoulder. Main Features Flexible Connectivity for Multiple Configurations Uniqueness Four-Element Optical Design The FF131 APO features a four-element, fully air-spaced apochromatic optical design. All four elements work together to deliver a flat imaging field without the need for an additional field flattener. One ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element is incorporated to effectively reduce chromatic aberration, resulting in improved color correction and image clarity. 44 mm Image Circle — Full-Frame Support With a 44 mm image circle, the FF131 APO fully supports full-frame sensors and a wide range of imaging setups. It delivers sharp star fields with excellent edge-to-edge performance, ensuring consistent image quality across the entire frame. Native Flat-Field Design The FF131 APO features a native flat-field optical design, eliminating the need for an additional field flattener. No complex back focus calculations or spacing adjustments are required—simply attach your imaging setup and start capturing once focus is achieved. Convenient Design Coarse & fine focus adjustment Equipped with a rigid 3-inch rack-and-pinion focuser, the FF131 APO offers precise control with a 1:10 coarse & fine focus adjustment mechanism. A built-in 360° rotator at the rear allows for smooth and accurate camera angle adjustments. Retractable Dew Shield  The FF131 APO features a retractable dew shield, reducing overall length for improved portability. Precision CNC machining and a high-quality painted finish, combined with an internal anti-reflection coating, help minimize stray light and enhance image contrast. Quick-Release Mounting Rings The mounting rings are detachable, allowing for quick and easy setup or teardown of the telescope. Photography Extension Tube The FF131 APO is designed for seamless integration with modern imaging systems, and includes a standard four-section photographic extension tube with a 2-inch filter thread. Rear adapters in both M48x0.75 and M54x0.75 formats are also included, making it easy to connect a wide range of cameras, filters, and astrophotography accessories for a clean, flexible setup right out of the box. Performance Optical Layout Star Field Map Product Diagram Specifications What's in the Box? AM7 Harmonic Mount Why Choose the AM7 Harmonic Equatorial Mount？ 1.     High capacity, two ways Carries up to 20 kg with no counterweight. Up to 30 kg with a counterweight. 2.     Precision you can verify Periodic error is controlled within plus or minus 10 arcseconds, and every mount includes its own measured PE test report. 3.     Cleaner setup, less mess Built in USB C and DC power ports on the dovetail saddle help keep cables organized. 4.     Two modes, one mount Equatorial mode for tracking and imaging. Alt-azimuth mode for visual observing. 5.     Works anywhere on Earth Zero to 90 degrees altitude range means it can be used at any latitude worldwide. 6.     Control the way you like Bluetooth, Wi Fi, or the included hand controller. 7.     Ready for cold nights Rated down to minus 20 C. 8.     A control system built for reliability ZWO’s in house control system is designed for stable, dependable operation. 9.     Portable by design Despite its capacity, the mount weighs about 6.5 kg. 10. Backed by support and a global community ZWO mounts are widely used by astrophotographers worldwide, with a strong user community and support network. AM7, More Capacity. More Precision. The AM7 is ZWO's highest-capacity harmonic drive telescope mount. It is built with heavier imaging rigs in mind, such as telescopes with long focal lengths, where tracking accuracy matters most. Load Capacity The AM7 supports up to 20 kg without counterweights, and up to 30 kg with counterweights installed. That gives you room to run a serious setup now and still scale up later. Tracking and GoTo The goal is simple. Solid tracking and reliable GoTo under real payload, so you spend less time managing limits and more time imaging and exploring the night sky. A Mount for the Long Haul The AM7 handles both small and heavy setups, so you can grow into bigger telescopes without outgrowing your mount. *Weights are manually measured and may vary slightly.  Professional Grade Precision With a Custom Harmonic Drive Mount Built out of years of ZWO development and tuned for astrophotography, the AM7's custom harmonic drive is designed for smooth, stable tracking with strong torque and consistent performance. Every AM7 is individually tested before it ships. You get a unique periodic error curve report for your mount, so you can see the measured tracking performance of the exact unit you own. Key specs and testing Custom harmonic drive system Total harmonic gear reduction ratio 300 to 1 Individual periodic error test report included Periodic error controlled within plus or minus 10 arcseconds for dependable high precision tracking. (That's the thickness of a human hair viewed from about 20 meters away). Clean Cables. Less Mess. Fast Setup. A lot of telescope setups end up as a tangle of wires and extra adapters. The AM7 is built to keep things cleaner and simpler. With built in USB-C and power ports on the mount, you can run power and data where you need it without cables hanging everywhere. Even if you have a custom rig with a camera, focuser, guide gear, and other accessories, the AM7 helps reduce clutter so you can set up faster and spend more time imaging the night sky. Cable Management Made Simple Integrated USB C and DC Power Ports At only 6.75 kg, the AM7 is designed to be easy to carry and quick to set up. The built in dovetail plate includes a USB C port and DC power outlets, so you can route power and data through the mount instead of running a mess of cables around it. The result is cleaner cable routing and far less of the usual cable spider web. For mount adjustments when needed, the AM7 also includes a magnetic hex wrench that stores directly on the mount body, so it stays close at hand and does not get lost in the dark. Dual Mode Operation One Mount for Viewing and Imaging The AM7 supports two modes so you can use the same mount for casual observing or serious imaging. Switching modes is done with a quick hardware change to the mount's position, then you select the mode on the hand controller. Equatorial Mode Best for accurate sky tracking for imaging and longer sessions.   Alt Azimuth Mode Best for visual observing with quick setup and simple pointing. Mode Indicator Lights Red means Equatorial Mode Green means Alt Azimuth Mode AM7 supports a full 0 to 90 degree altitude adjustment range, so it can be aligned and used almost anywhere on Earth, from the equator to the poles. That makes it a practical choice for travel or a permanent setup, no matter where you observe. How the two stage adjustment works Stage one adjustment range Use the altitude adjustment knob for 0 to 60 degrees.   Stage two adjustment range Move the hex screw to the second position to enable 30 to 90 degrees. User-friendly Design Portable Control, Refined   Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity AM7 gives you two simple ways to connect, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so control is always straightforward. Bluetooth makes quick sessions easier. Open your phone, connect directly, and control the mount without a hand controller. No need to switch your device over to the mount’s Wi Fi network just to get running. What is new in the latest version Bluetooth control You can turn Bluetooth on or off by holding the BT button for 10 seconds. The setting is saved, even after power off. A cleaner indicator light A new light guide column softens the LEDs, so the status lights are easier on your eyes at night and won't interfere with your camera's either. AM7 Smart Hand Controller More Than a Controller AM7 includes a joystick style hand controller designed for comfortable, and intuitive control. It is also a built in connection hub for the mount. With its integrated Wi-Fi hotspot, you can control the mount wirelessly, manage settings through a simple web interface, and perform firmware updates for both the hand controller and the mount. This is the main path for keeping the system current.   Bluetooth When You Want It Off When You Need It   Bluetooth control is a convenient option for direct smartphone control in the field. But some environments need tighter wireless control, like remote observatories or permanent installations where interference or policy requirements matter. For those cases, AM7 lets you easily disable Bluetooth when needed, then enable it again when it makes sense.   Hollow-knob ergonomic design The dovetail plate tension knob and azimuth fine-tuning knob feature a hollow structure. When manual rotation is limited, you can insert a hex wrench to gain extra leverage, making adjustments easier and more reliable with less effort. Smart Control, Easy Operation Sky Atlas Mobile App for iOS and Android The AM7 can be controlled wirelessly using the Sky Atlas app on iOS and Android. You get a live star map, simple object search, and quick tools like Tonight’s Best, target GoTo, and precise pointing to the objects you want to observe or image. Works Smoothly With ASIAIR in Station Mode AM7 also supports station mode, which makes it easy to integrate with a controller like ASIAIR. With the hand controller providing Wi-Fi, ASIAIR can connect to the mount over the network, so you can run a clean setup without a direct control cable between the AIR and the mount. Seamless Integration With ASIAIR ASIAIR can connect to and control the AM7 using either wireless or wired connections, so it fits cleanly into a wide range of setups. Because AM7 and ASIAIR are part of the same ecosystem, it takes the guesswork out of driver support and compatibility. You are not stitching together software from different vendors and hoping everything plays nicely. And as ASIAIR software continues to evolve with new features, you can count on AM7 support to keep pace, with new mount capabilities integrated directly within the same system. The payload capacity of the AM7 equatorial mount is derived from simulation calculations as shown in the figure above:   1. Maximum payload without counterweight: 20 kg (corresponding to a maximum output torque of 40 N·m).   2. It is recommended to use a counterweight ≤ 10 kg. When using a 10 kg counterweight, please install it with a moment arm between 20 cm and 30 cm.  For other counterweight masses, the allowable installation position can be calculated as follows:   Assuming the counterweight mass is m kg, the allowable moment arm length L must satisfy:  20 N·m ≤ m * g * L ≤ 30 N·m    Where g = 9.8 m/s² (can be approximated as 10 m/s² for calculation).  For example, with a 5 kg counterweight: L ranges from 20 N·m / (5 × 10 m/s²) = 0.4 m to 30 N·m / (5 × 10 m/s²) = 0.6 m.