SkyAtlas

Was so excited to get my AM5 mount, no where does it say to get this app, like you are supposed to get an ASI air to control the mount… so I finally figure out this is the so to control the mount because doesn’t say on the user guide… there is no where explaining hire to align your telescope, the app is so basic you can’t find anything of value in it or direction… completely disappointed

I found this ZWO app relatively straightforward and easy to use for my ZWO AM5 mount. I had no trouble connecting via Wi-Fi and using the onscreen directional buttons to control the mount. Using the SkyAtlas app, I could simply zoom in to any objects I was interested in seeing, or I could search for them in the app. Goto slews were accurate and there is a button to synchronize the FOV indicator in the app with the centered object in the eyepiece. You can also upgrade the firmware in the mount and hand controller using this app, as well as park your mount in the home position. I am strictly a visual observer, so I cannot comment on using this app for astrophotography, but it serves it's function of allowing smart phone control of the mount using a rather basic but serviceable sky chart interface. However, for my regular observing sessions, I will be using Skytools 4 on my laptop via the ZWO ASCOM Wi-Fi driver to control my mount.

The changes to the newly named app actually make it much harder to use, burying the connection and other setting, awkward to use at night searching through the settings, can’t be done one-handed anymore, badly-designed changes.