432 replies to this topic

[GSBass]

I agree… and think this may be the primary reason they are sticking to the low end for now…not positive on the wisdom of that, however I am much more optimistic on how fast robotics will take over the industry than most. Celestron is the main company I am watching to make the move for their entire line of Celestron and skywatcher products, if and when that happens everyone will have to regroup

You have to remember that unlike DwarfLabs, Vaonis, etc, ZWO have other product lines in development, such as the brilliant ASI2600MC-AIR combining camera sensor, autoguide sebsor and processor.  They won't want Seestar developments detracting from their other very profitable products. You can't look at Seestar development in isolation from other ZWO developments.

[LDW47]

The only ones that are regrouping or trying to are Celestron or SW like they and Meade tried to in the past, grabbing at straws.  The only faith should be with SW'er, eh !  When / if some company like SVBONY get into this, maybe, then watch out, maybe. They are still top up and comers on the long road.  IMHO and experience !

[GSBass]

I’m basing my opinion on Celestrons efforts with Origin, they have invested heavily and it seems like common sense they will use what they have developed across their entire line….people may disagree with how well they have done but it’s obvious to me the orgin is far superior to everything else on the market…. They still have a ways to go in software development but I think there is zero doubt they will catch up with the advanced features others are doing. Their a.i. algorithms already match or exceed what others are doing. I would buy one but the price was just too much for me right now, but still looking forward to watching it mature

——

celeston and skywatcher are same company… so I expect skywatcher will have a imx178 robot in 2025

The only ones that are regrouping or trying to are Celestron or SW like they and Meade tried to in the past, grabbing at straws.  The only faith should be with SW'er, eh !  When / if some company like SVBONY get into this, maybe, then watch out, maybe. They are still top up and comers on the long road.  IMHO and experience !

Edited by GSBass, 02 November 2024 - 11:23 AM.

[jgraham]

My experience has been that design and execution challenges grow exponentially with size. The Seestar S50 seems to hit a sweet spot between size, capability, and ease of use. I'm sure that delivering a larger system is doable, but at what price point? In the meantime, they do have roll your own options (their main product line).

It is fun to ponder.

[MillennialFalcon]

Yeah, I would expect to see a S50 Plus or Pro some day. But since S50 sales are still high, I don't expect to see it within a year or two from now. If it does happen, I think it'll happen unannounced once the S50 sales dry up. If they did announce it like 6 months ahead, that'll automatically stop the sales of the now obsolete S50. I think it's more likely we get a new product line like S80 or something before we see an upgrade to the S50, but that's purely from a business perspective. If their goal really is to bend for the customer, they might just replace the S50 production line overnight.

I hope the S30 greatly reduces the sales numbers of the S50, so it motivates ZWO to do a quick upgrade of the S50. I want to see a S50 Plus, upgrading the sensor to the 585 and EQ mode. 

[StevieDvd]

As long as they keep adding to the S50 it will be a long time before it, as you call it, ' drys up ', ya think, eh. Obsolete, not really, its just starting, save for maybe the name. No matter how you look at it, really !

Alternatively, ZWO could just drop the idea of the Seestar range and concentrate on their other products which sell in larger numbers and higher prices. In shipping they can fit many astro cameras in the same space (container) one Seestar would take up - which pushes the delivery costs up for the retailers/distributors.

 

Without sales numbers and bottom line profits it's not possible to predict what ZWO will do, no matter how much you like the Seestar.

 

Dwarf Labs have dropped the Dwarf 2 and only sell the Dwarf 3 now,  a Seestar S60 could replace the S50 - but it's pure speculation either way.

 

It's not just the optics and sensor that affect the software changes, the on board processor and ram may restrict new features. 

[LDW47]

I hope the S30 greatly reduces the sales numbers of the S50, so it motivates ZWO to do a quick upgrade of the S50. I want to see a S50 Plus, upgrading the sensor to the 585 and EQ mode. 

What do you mean hope it motivates, do you not think ZWO hasn't got that line in their flow chart already, ya think. They are likely many steps ahead in this already and chuckling all the way, eh. They didn't get to the top, the leader in all of this by luck, they invented this game by the out dated, as some say, SeeStar 50.  Its not over yet.

Edited by LDW47, 02 November 2024 - 01:07 PM.

[LDW47]

Alternatively, ZWO could just drop the idea of the Seestar range and concentrate on their other products which sell in larger numbers and higher prices. In shipping they can fit many astro cameras in the same space (container) one Seestar would take up - which pushes the delivery costs up for the retailers/distributors.

 

Without sales numbers and bottom line profits it's not possible to predict what ZWO will do, no matter how much you like the Seestar.

 

Dwarf Labs have dropped the Dwarf 2 and only sell the Dwarf 3 now,  a Seestar S60 could replace the S50 - but it's pure speculation either way.

 

It's not just the optics and sensor that affect the software changes, the on board processor and ram may restrict new features. 

You're only dreaming, as always, ya think. I trust in their future thinking, whether I enjoy their products or not !  As I mention, down the road, the only company that might have a chance in the future, to compete, will be Svbony.  Their future is up there like ZWO, eh !  PS:  If they decide to jump in, future interest will greatly increase, there is no doubt, eh.

[LDW47]

I’m basing my opinion on Celestrons efforts with Origin, they have invested heavily and it seems like common sense they will use what they have developed across their entire line….people may disagree with how well they have done but it’s obvious to me the orgin is far superior to everything else on the market…. They still have a ways to go in software development but I think there is zero doubt they will catch up with the advanced features others are doing. Their a.i. algorithms already match or exceed what others are doing. I would buy one but the price was just too much for me right now, but still looking forward to watching it mature

——

celeston and skywatcher are same company… so I expect skywatcher will have a imx178 robot in 2025

Obvious to you but who are you, eh ?  Really !  I have delt with Celestron and Skywatcher for a long time I know who they are, very well, ya think.

Edited by LDW47, 02 November 2024 - 01:01 PM.

[Dwight J]

I got a chuckle when ZWO introduced a 30 mm scope.  Everyone thought they would go bigger.  Seems to directly challenge their competitor the Dwarf 3 in the under $500 market.  I am waiting for an equatorial mode for the s50.  

[LDW47]

I got a chuckle when ZWO introduced a 30 mm scope.  Everyone thought they would go bigger.  Seems to directly challenge their competitor the Dwarf 3 in the under $500 market.  I am waiting for an equatorial mode for the s50.  

As a few very experienced Smart Scopers have said with the new Framing capabilities EQ thoughts may not be needed, just a past comment in the history book of ZWO, maybe. As for the competitors, it might still be their problem, for sure.

[tarbat]

I am waiting for an equatorial mode for the s50.  

EQ mode just adds complication to the easy setup of the S50. With the framing mode (aka mosaic) now available there seems little need for an EQ mode. Framing eliminates field rotation, so who needs EQ mode?

[jgraham]

Fir me, the framing mode is what motivated me to order the S30. Before I tried the framing mode I wasn't convinced that I would be all that interested in a wider field. However, now that I have used the ZWO implementation of their framing mode I see all sorts of benefits for field of view and orientation. The wider native field of the S30 should make that aspect even easier (for me). We also take a Seestar with us whenever we travel and I am interested in seeing the smaller case and form factor. I use my Seestars primarily for taking data on variable stars and observing, taking patrol images for follow-up imaging with my primary imaging gear, real-time assistance for my visual observing, and just plain fun. For me, the S30 looks like a nice addition to the family.

Neat stuff.

[LDW47]

Fir me, the framing mode is what motivated me to order the S30. Before I tried the framing mode I wasn't convinced that I would be all that interested in a wider field. However, now that I have used the ZWO implementation of their framing mode I see all sorts of benefits for field of view and orientation. The wider native field of the S30 should make that aspect even easier (for me). We also take a Seestar with us whenever we travel and I am interested in seeing the smaller case and form factor. I use my Seestars primarily for taking data on variable stars and observing, taking patrol images for follow-up imaging with my primary imaging gear, real-time assistance for my visual observing, and just plain fun. For me, the S30 looks like a nice addition to the family.

Neat stuff.

Yes indeed and for minimal cost while we wait for ZWO's next great conquest of the stars !

[Jethro7]

EQ mode just adds complication to the easy setup of the S50. With the framing mode (aka mosaic) now available there seems little need for an EQ mode. Framing eliminates field rotation, so who needs EQ mode?

Hello target 

I still feel that the "Mosaic Mode" along with a true "EQ Mode" together, would take the Seestars to a whole other level. It sure would be nice to be able to do the Meridian Flip. I tried this and my Seestar still will not image through the Merdian from one side to the other. Plus the user may not always wish to use the "Mosaic Mode" I would like the option.

 

HAPPY SKIES  AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

[licho52]

SkyWatcher is very badly managed, they got front-run by ZWO on the mount front and their lineup of telescopes, once outstanding and dominant, is currently stagnant. Their corporate reps are full of arrogance, which reflects the inner workings of the company(IMO). I wouldn't expect anything out of them, to have their market position and show no innovation over the last decade is hopeless.

[Paulie M]

Obvious to you but who are you, eh ?  Really !  I have delt with Celestron and Skywatcher for a long time I know who they are, very well, ya think.

 

The chap is talking about his passion and his hobby, that's who he is. 

[LDW47]

The chap is talking about his passion and his hobby, that's who he is. 

Astronomy, all facets, has been and still is for myself, so I guess he and I are even but some of what I hear makes me, forces me to comment. Thats it, thats all, know one has to listen don't matter to I, we are all entitled to our hard earned knowledge, there is no doubt, eh !

[LDW47]

SkyWatcher is very badly managed, they got front-run by ZWO on the mount front and their lineup of telescopes, once outstanding and dominant, is currently stagnant. Their corporate reps are full of arrogance, which reflects the inner workings of the company(IMO). I wouldn't expect anything out of them, to have their market position and show no innovation over the last decade is hopeless.

I haven't dealt with them for years but I sure did in the past.

[Paulie M]

Astronomy, all facets, has been and still is for myself, so I guess he and I are even but some of what I hear makes me, forces me to comment. Thats it, thats all, know one has to listen don't matter to I, we are all entitled to our hard earned knowledge, there is no doubt, eh !

One cant help but read/listen seeing as its on smart telescopes forum, thousands of people interact with this site for good helpful information. registered an people browsing.

 

Nothing forces you to comment. Your a grown man.

[LDW47]

One cant help but read/listen seeing as its on smart telescopes forum, thousands of people interact with this site for good helpful information. registered an people browsing.

 

Nothing forces you to comment. Your a grown man.

Give me a break, my knowledge, my experience, my opinion is just as good as the next Smart Scoper unless I missed the restrictions. We don't all think the same in astronomy, never have, never will.

[LDW47]

The chap is talking about his passion and his hobby, that's who he is. 

But why are we hearing the unsubstantiated claims about the Celestron Origin on a ZWO SeeStar site, really.

Edited by LDW47, 02 November 2024 - 10:49 PM.

[josjavpol]

We compare the approximate fields of view between Seestar S30 and S50, both in normal mode and in mosaic mode x2.

 

We have chosen a wide nebula such as the North America nebula.

 

The whole image corresponds to the S30 in mosaic mode x2, the nebula appears complete, even the Pelican nebula It peeks out a little.

 

The first red rectangle of 1.44x2.55°, corresponds to the mosaic mode x2 of the Seestar S50, it catches an important part but not the whole nebula.

 

The second red rectangle of 1.22x2.17°, corresponds approximately to the S30 in normal mode (x1).

 

The last red rectangle of 0.7x1.2°, corresponds approximately to the S50 in normal mode (x1).

 

 

 

 

 

The same with M8 and M20 (Trifid):

 

 

 

Best regards and good skyes 

Edited by josjavpol, 03 November 2024 - 02:26 AM.

[StevieDvd]

You're only dreaming, as always, ya think. I trust in their future thinking, whether I enjoy their products or not !  As I mention, down the road, the only company that might have a chance in the future, to compete, will be Svbony.  Their future is up there like ZWO, eh !  PS:  If they decide to jump in, future interest will greatly increase, there is no doubt, eh.

You may think I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one.

 

But it appears you are able to see into the future of several companies 

[LDW47]

You may think I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one.

 

But it appears you are able to see into the future of several companies 

I love your first line.  As to the other, can't we all live together, lol.  PS:  The way Svbony has been progressing along I am surprised they haven't gotten into these smart scopes, really.

Edited by LDW47, 03 November 2024 - 06:59 AM.