4163 replies to this topic

[jimhoward999]

I can’t believe they did not put a larger format camera in this instrument. It seems absurd to me.

Maybe they are just trying to minimize the central obstruction, but geez a nice 1” format camera would only add a few hundred to the cost. $4k vs $5k who cares?

Edited by jimhoward999, 08 January 2024 - 02:15 PM.

[LtChestnut]

It’s hard to ignore the f2.2, even with the small fov you could most likely take two photos and stitch them in the same amount of time as a f5 scope….however I’m not seeing any mention of target rotation… that’s going to be important on a scope like this, if they skimped on that it will limit it pretty severely

You also need to consider that this scope will have a pretty hefty central obstruction compared to its aperture, bringing down the effective F stop (T-stop to some) a bit.

[melgigg]

I'm just mildly disappointed that they are not selling the Rasa 6 as a standalone option. Celestron, if you ever read this forum, think 6" Rasa with APS-c corrected field and GOOD tilt control. Make one and I'll buy it.

 

Having owned an Evolution, this stuff is HEAVY. It doesn't seem like the kind of system you would hike with (as opposed to the Seestar). It also feel like a missed opportunity to use a larger sensor for larger FOV.

Looks like the cameras could be interchangeable / upgradable 

[Wildetelescope]

I can’t believe they did not put a larger format camera in this instrument. It seems absurd to me.

Maybe they are just trying to minimize the central obstruction, but geez a nice 2” format camera would only add a few hundred to the cost. $4k vs $5k who cares?

Bingo! 

 

JMD

[Starmix]

I am also wondering if the camera is interchangeable. If it is that would increase the value even more. 

[eyeoftexas]

So, comparing to a Seestar S50, it looks like the ORIGIN has a similar field of view, but a much better resolution per pixel at 1.5 vs the Seestar of 2.4.  At $4k, it's an interesting proposition.

 

1.jpg

It looks like a really nice system that could be incorporating SkySafari, which would be a step up from the ZWO atlas in Seestar.  But, what I was hoping for would have been something to distinguish it from the others, which in my mind would be something that could do planetary.

[roncarr880]

A grown up SeeStar at a back breaking( for me) 40+ pounds.  This looks like a serious instrument but will the photos look all that much better than the SeeStar on a tiny phone screen?

 

I think vision is lacking in what a smart telescope should do.  I  think a comet hunting feature would be interesting and you wouldn't have to get up before dawn every day like the Japanese guy I read about many years ago.  It should be able to compare a photo it takes to its database of known objects and show anomalies to the user.  For 4 grand you may have a really good chance to name a comet.  It may as well look for supernova at the same time.

[jprideaux]

In thinking about the Celestron Origin vs he Vespera-pro, my hunch is that the Origin won't really take all that better images than the Vespera-pro (perhaps a little better) but the main difference will be that the Vespera-pro will be a VERY SLOW imager whereas the Origin will be VERY fast.  Fast will have lots of advantages as long as the auto-focus works well and it does not have issues with spacing and tilt. The promise of an equatorial option (with wedge) is attractive as well.  The size and weight are not all that attractive, though.

Edited by jprideaux, 08 January 2024 - 02:48 PM.

[Bob W4]

My checkbook is getting nervous.  I am hooked on my Seestar S50, but 6" aperture in a dust protected, closed optical system!!  Plus, pick your own filter, the hint of wedge operation with autoguider??  I hope they get a beta unit to Cuiv, the sooner the better.

[Psion]

Don't forget that Celestron is the only one that doesn't have an integrated camera, but it is freely accessible. So, future upgrades to a larger sensor will be easy.

[Starmix]

In thinking about the Celestron Origin vs he Vespera-pro, my hunch is that the Origin won't really take all that better images than the Vespera-pro (perhaps a little better) but the main difference will be that the Vespera-pro will be a VERY SLOW imager whereas the Origin will be VERY fast.  Fast will have lots of advantages as long as the auto-focus works well and it does not have issues with spacing and tilt. The promise of an equatorial option (with wedge) is attractive as well.  The size and weight are not all that attractive, though.

I also suspect the images will most likely be close, with of course the speed of imaging going to RASA and for someone who does strictly EAA that is a deal maker. Also the relative similarity in images will probably be in a low Bortle sky, in my hight Bortle sky the speed and the aperture will be a lot more significant.

 

My checkbook is getting nervous.  I am hooked on my Seestar S50, but 6" aperture in a dust protected, closed optical system!!  Plus, pick your own filter, the hint of wedge operation with autoguider??  I hope they get a beta unit to Cuiv, the sooner the better.

My debit card is in hiding.....can't seem to find it now. The. modularity of the system will appeal a lot more to the CN crown than any other smart telescope, on the other hand, the lack of backpack portability will work against it for the average consumer.

[GSBass]

just note “potentially” and it will be a Celestron call on what cam chip to support… and price…. But I do consider it a positive that they are stating future upgradability… because the 178 is suppose to be a nice chip but it’s not going to excite anyone….. also notable that they went with a rasberry pi4 instead of the new 5…. And that may affect what cameras they can support ……. Soooo I guess bottom line is I would not base my purchase decision on this possibility 

 

From the Celestron website

Future Upgrades

When you invest in Origin, you can count on Celestron’s engineers as your long-term partners in astronomy. Our technical teams are hard at work developing even more upgrades and enhancements for your Origin. For example, we provide access to Origin’s camera for potential future upgrades as technology improves. We’re also developing all-new functionality for your Origin and the Origin ap

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Edited by GSBass, 08 January 2024 - 03:31 PM.

[GSBass]

Btw… not sure but from the above photo, perhaps it will be possible to rotate cam for framing, just not remotely… but that’s still significant to me if you can

[Psion]

Raspberry Pi4 can comfortably handle my ASI071 camera with APS-C sensor on EAA.

[jprideaux]

I guess you could think of the Celestron Origin as a "poor man's" Hyperia.   

[GSBass]

I’m not ruling it out…I’m just a little skeptical… luckily these will be in the wild in April before I have to make any decisions on what’s next…. It appears that if I got this it would be living in my garage as a roll out so it definitely would be a change from the way I currently do things… it does check a lot of boxes for me…. If Vaonis had made it and it had CovalENS then it would be an automatic purchase… but it’s not, to many unknowns on whether Celestron can make a good robot… I’ve heard lot of bad things about their Star sense scopes 

I guess you could think of the Celestron Origin as a "poor man's" Hyperia.   

[GSBass]

I don’t doubt you but robotics are a heavier lift… I know the rasberry 3 failed to keep up so just assume rasberry 4 will reach the same fate in a couple of years… kinda makes the Origin handicapped out of the gate as far as the software they can write for it and whatever cameras Sony develops in the next few years

Raspberry Pi4 can comfortably handle my ASI071 camera with APS-C sensor on EAA.

[tarbat]

The main positives I see in the Celestron Origin are its expansion possibilities - guiderscope, EQ mount operation, future sensor upgrade options.  These appear to be the Origin’s USP.

Edited by tarbat, 08 January 2024 - 04:16 PM.

[GSBass]

Btw Jeff <Vaonis is suppose to announce something tomorrow too… have no idea what, someone said something on FB and said it was confirmed

I guess you could think of the Celestron Origin as a "poor man's" Hyperia.   

[GSBass]

It sounds nice… and the aperture and speed has me very intrigued… I’ve been hearing positives from rasa users for a while now

The main positives I see in the Celestron Origin are its expansion possibilities - guiderscope, EQ mount operation, future sensor upgrade options.  These appear to be the Origin’s USP.

[jprideaux]

I’m not ruling it out…I’m just a little skeptical… luckily these will be in the wild in April before I have to make any decisions on what’s next…. It appears that if I got this it would be living in my garage as a roll out so it definitely would be a change from the way I currently do things… it does check a lot of boxes for me…. If Vaonis had made it and it had CovalENS then it would be an automatic purchase… but it’s not, to many unknowns on whether Celestron can make a good robot… I’ve heard lot of bad things about their Star sense scopes 

I agree.   I suspect (like the other smart-scope manufacturers) that it will take a couple/few months after it is "in the wild" before the software becomes stable.  It probably won't come initially with a mosaic option but perhaps it will down the road (like the SeeStar may).  For those of us used to the light-weight of the Vesper/SeeStar/Dwarf2, the size and weight of the Origin may be a bit of a shock. 

 

Of course at star parties, with a more substantial scope sitting beside you, we won't have quite so much "telescope envy""    

 

It will be nice to image fast.  My Passenger is quite slow (relative to the Vespera classic) and I suspect that the Vespera-pro will be even slower with the higher F-number and even smaller pixels. 

Hopefully the optical system of the Origin will be dialed in good.  If not, then that larger aperture will be a bit wasted.  I'm sure that those that would like to do 4 or 5 (or more) targets a night or otherwise operate in EAA mode would really like that F2.2 speed.   Hopefully that speed would also translate into good images for those that like to just sit on one target all night as well.

 

It is all speculation now, though, before the early adaptors get their hands on one.

Edited by jprideaux, 08 January 2024 - 04:23 PM.

[Bob W4]

I cannot convey the agony I am in right now.  $4000 ... but what may be the best smart scope on the market?  But there is good news!!!  I found out this past Friday from my Orthopedic surgeon, that my bad knees are not worn out, just arthritic.  No surgery necessary.  Huh, I could spend the $3900 that was earmarked for my insurance deductible on something more exciting.  Any suggestions!!!???

[Starmix]

Btw Jeff <Vaonis is suppose to announce something tomorrow too… have no idea what, someone said something on FB and said it was confirmed

Possible Stellia replacement?

[jprideaux]

Possible Stellia replacement?

My guess is any Vaonis announcement would be a tracking mount for the Hestia.

 

I think for something like the Stellina-2 they would make a much bigger deal with a teaser for a teaser...   

 

I think right now it is all they can do to get the Hestia out the door, get the Vespera-Passenger updates done, and get the Vespera-pro finished up.

[amitshesh]

This is competing in an entirely different market than the seestar or vespera. One could compare hardware but that's it.

 

The main differentiator: this is not portable. No mention of its dimensions yet: but it can be broken into 3 pieces, the heaviest of which is 17 lbs. That right there puts it in a different league than all the other robotic telescopes.

 

f/2 with 6 inch is definitely new. I will give it to Celestron: at least they demanded a hefty price for equipment that matches that price. In that it is closer to seestar than the vespera. They're not pretending that this device is to get everyday folk hooked to astronomy. They know their targets: APers who have strong arms and are willing to pay big bucks.