Comments on: Smart Telescopes. Fad, or astrophotography future?

By: Dave Eagle

Dave Eagle — Sat, 04 May 2024 12:21:43 +0000

In reply to Bob. I have heard that there might be a mosaic feature to be added to the app at some point. But not sure how true that is. It will be very interesting to see how the next upgraded models work and how the quality of the images might improve.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 04 May 2024 08:52:19 +0000

Thanks for this. I’d been looking at the Seestar50 and Dwarf2 (for a wider FoV) as I continue to have issues moving from Solar System/binary star imaging to Deep Sky. It’s comforting to see that the desires for future development mirror my own thoughts after reading the specs. – the Seestar FoV is an issue, especially given the absence of a mosaic feature (although the edge effects of this alt/az portrait-format system will be made worse). A larger chip, or a square version of the one in there would really help; so would an EQ mount system. I loved the Neptune result; I wonder if a Barlow-like addition will ever be possible … I’m saving my money for a while to see what emerges. Thanks again.

By: Alan Gosling

Alan Gosling — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:43:22 +0000

I was running an outreach event in Hunstanton for the County Council, talk then svopes outside. We had approaching 100 attendees and 2 guys outside with telescopes, one being a Seestar S50. When looking at Andromeda via the scope totally unimpressive but when seen on the tablet screen with dust lanes visible it was so great for visitors. In 10 minutes I had set my S50 up so we had 2 screens available. I will always use the S50 for outreach in future.

By: Dave Eagle

Dave Eagle — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:23:07 +0000

In reply to Frank Dutton. Thank you Frank. Good to hear other users experiences.

By: Frank Dutton

Frank Dutton — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:21:29 +0000

Good review…I ordered mine in April and it arrived ready for Kelling. Minutes to set up and the results within the limitations of the FOV and orientation of the chip are IMO superb. I also have the ASIair and an AM5 mount. I still say that though this is aimed at astro-p newbies it is quite a serious piece of kit. My only real complaint is the useless guide they supply with it…really does not explain anything and you need to stab around on thephone or tablet to find a setting.

By: Andrew Richens

Andrew Richens — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 08:15:24 +0000

A well written and interesting review, thanks Dave. I think it will be a great tool for outreach – showing newcomers what can be seen quickly and easily. For a newcomer to own the telescope though, I think there is a risk it hinder their wider knowledge of navigating the stars, astrophotography and processing (if that is the route they want to take). It’s a bit like learning to drive a car in automatic. It may be a bit easier at the start, but it can become very limiting if you can’t drive a manual. That said, people said similar things about Goto mounts in the early days…and they are an excellent tool.

By: Dave Eagle

Dave Eagle — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 08:11:13 +0000

In reply to Brendan Scoular. Cheers Brendan. I will always give my own opinion on everything I try out.

By: Brendan Scoular

Brendan Scoular — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 16:53:09 +0000

Interesting reading read Dave, while I personally would not buy one I know several folk who are currently using the seestars in our astronomy society. Impressive results from such a small portable device, the feeling it gives appears to be instant gratification, for those who own one. I did joke that it must be downloading images off the internet at first! For a decent write up thought I would say well done!

By: Dave Eagle

Dave Eagle — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 15:26:43 +0000

In reply to Colin Daley.

Cheers Colin.
I’ve got an outreach event in a school in a couple of weeks. I’m planning to take it with me that night and see what the children think.

By: Colin Daley

Colin Daley — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 15:13:11 +0000

This is the first independent review I’ve read in relation to smart telescopes, it would be interesting to compare with all the other budget priced smart telescopes out there on the market. I believe that these telescopes could be a real boon for getting people into Astronomy, as one of the frustrating things that I find is that people without knowing the capabilities of a telescope lose interest with looking through a telescope and see black-and-white images, and some of these images are literally just pinpricks of light, having the ability with little or no experience these types of telescopes can produce really good images. Having the skill/ability to be able to further process these images in your own systems is obviously a benefit as your review shows. I would consider buying one of these telescopes because of its compactness and lightness to use when going away on holiday as at present the amount of equipment I currently use takes a strain on the luggage allowance, however, the use is much more flexible than just a holiday telescope and a real boon for people who would like to take that first step into Astronomy and feel happy with their results, can only bring them back another night…or day