19 replies to this topic

[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 

[LDW47]

So it sure looks like the S30 will be a great asset even if one owns some other smart scope, a fun asset, an excellent side by side comparisoner and all for $350.  WOW what a deal and they all thought it would be a ........ piece of cr...., eh.

Edited by LDW47, 03 November 2024 - 12:49 PM.

[wildpack]

So it sure looks like the S30 will be a great asset even if one owns some other smart scope...

Been researching buying an S30 or an S50. This thread seems to come closest to potentially answering the question

S30 has a newer sensor which is expected. Better tripod on S50. All things being equal (which they’re never) we’re looking at aperture and focal length being the difference.

 

Beginner starting out, ignoring price because both are “bargains", which do you think someone buys? (or buys first:)? 

[carolinaskies]

Been researching buying an S30 or an S50. This thread seems to come closest to potentially answering the question

S30 has a newer sensor which is expected. Better tripod on S50. All things being equal (which they’re never) we’re looking at aperture and focal length being the difference.

 

Beginner starting out, ignoring price because both are “bargains", which do you think someone buys? (or buys first:)? 

The S50 is the better bargain.  From capability the only advantage of the S30 is wider image field but it goes down from there.  Resolution per pixel is the crux, back in the film days it was ISO film grain to get the higher resolution.   The S50 image with the mosaic feature reduces the value of native wider field with low resolution.   Nuance detail is what differentiates the end result at every level from JPG to fully massaged image.  Except for stars, every target is about detail whether very large or small.  Seeing diferentiation in a planetary nebula or the Great North American Nebula we always desire as astrophotographers to get as much detail as we can.  

Honestly the S30 at it's price point is simply not enough of a value to entice me or make me think... oh I need to buy this because I can "....".   If the FOV was huge and could capture landscape level astrophotography on par with some of the cellphone widefield I might be curious at $250.  But with the limited ability and $350 I'll not even consider it.  

[LDW47]

Been researching buying an S30 or an S50. This thread seems to come closest to potentially answering the question

S30 has a newer sensor which is expected. Better tripod on S50. All things being equal (which they’re never) we’re looking at aperture and focal length being the difference.

 

Beginner starting out, ignoring price because both are “bargains", which do you think someone buys? (or buys first:)? 

I own 2 S50's, I have preordered an S30 but with the new mosaic mode on both I would go with the S50 first, because of its larger spec. Its very simple to catch on to.

Edited by LDW47, 11 November 2024 - 12:17 PM.

[LDW47]

The S50 is the better bargain.  From capability the only advantage of the S30 is wider image field but it goes down from there.  Resolution per pixel is the crux, back in the film days it was ISO film grain to get the higher resolution.   The S50 image with the mosaic feature reduces the value of native wider field with low resolution.   Nuance detail is what differentiates the end result at every level from JPG to fully massaged image.  Except for stars, every target is about detail whether very large or small.  Seeing diferentiation in a planetary nebula or the Great North American Nebula we always desire as astrophotographers to get as much detail as we can.  

Honestly the S30 at it's price point is simply not enough of a value to entice me or make me think... oh I need to buy this because I can "....".   If the FOV was huge and could capture landscape level astrophotography on par with some of the cellphone widefield I might be curious at $250.  But with the limited ability and $350 I'll not even consider it.  

For a new beginer, some of your spiel regarding AP is neither here nor there, eh.  A beginer just wants a great experience, they will get it with either but for the $ difference we all know the answer, in most cases, right.

[wildpack]

Thanks guys. You said a lot of stuff that I suspected but wasn’t sure.

Now to hope that the dockworker strikes get settled in Canada.

[wildpack]

Dang! One day after I buy S50, the price drops 15%. Upgraded model must be coming.

On the positive side, price drop announced, but nobody has stock

[Digital Don]

Dang! One day after I buy S50, the price drops 15%. Upgraded model must be coming.

On the positive side, price drop announced, but nobody has stock

Hi wildpack,

 

Where did you find a 15% price drop on the Seestar S50? 

 

The Seestar website still shows the price as $499.  And several online dealers list the S50 as 'in stock' for $499.

 

Don

[wildpack]

I enquired at DavidAstro.com in Quebec Canada about when they might get stock. He responded end of this week or next week AND that there might be a promo deal. I decided to pick up an existing unit at another store.

 

Then I saw a US site, i.e. the $499 giving 15% off ($425) and realized the promo was real.

 

Now I can’t remember or find the site. Sorry, eh.

 

edit: Geez this bugs the hell out of me when I can’t find stuff (getting old)… And since I got my credit card hacked, I religiously clear my browser history.

Edited by wildpack, 13 November 2024 - 02:48 PM.

[LDW47]

I enquired at DavidAstro.com in Quebec Canada about when they might get stock. He responded end of this week or next week AND that there might be a promo deal. I decided to pick up an existing unit at another store.

 

Then I saw a US site, i.e. the $499 giving 15% off ($425) and realized the promo was real.

 

Now I can’t remember or find the site. Sorry, eh.

 

edit: Geez this bugs the hell out of me when I can’t find stuff (getting old)… And since I got my credit card hacked, I religiously clear my browser history.

Many times a promo is restricted to the US, with the high exchange / shipping stick with the Canadian dealers.

[Terra Nova]

Hi wildpack,

 

Where did you find a 15% price drop on the Seestar S50? 

 

The Seestar website still shows the price as $499.  And several online dealers list the S50 as 'in stock' for $499.

 

Don

I got my S50 this past summer on sale for $449.

[Terra Nova]

I have the Seestar S50 and really like it, but it seems like there could still be a place for an additional S30 given it’s significantly wider FOV. At $349 I remember paying that much for a wide angle lens for my 35mm camera back in the days of roll film. In lieu of the fact that there isn’t a wide angle lens attachment available for the S50 it seems a reasonable alternative. After all, it covers almost 4X the area. Kind of like going from a 50mm lens to a 28mm lens in the old days.

[LDW47]

I have the Seestar S50 and really like it, but it seems like there could still be a place for an additional S30 given it’s significantly wider FOV. At $349 I remember paying that much for a wide angle lens for my 35mm camera back in the days of roll film. In lieu of the fact that there isn’t a wide angle lens attachment available for the S50 it seems a reasonable alternative. After all, it covers almost 4X the area. Kind of like going from a 50mm lens to a 28mm lens in the old days.

Many are doing it, adding the S30, especially after looking at some of the test vids, incl the latest update today.

[Merc]

For a new beginer, some of your spiel regarding AP is neither here nor there, eh.  A beginer just wants a great experience, they will get it with either but for the $ difference we all know the answer, in most cases, right.

 

For a new beginer, some of your spiel regarding AP is neither here nor there, eh.  A beginer just wants a great experience, they will get it with either but for the $ difference we all know the answer, in most cases, right.

I think Carolinaskies’ ‘spiel’ was fairly apropos, Canook.

 

Especially, if our eyes are still fine and discerning enough to actually see that the images from these SS’s aren’t where they probably will be further down the road. 

 

But, it’s probably a good thing that  some folk even buy 2 of the same mount, eh?  Helps these new startups continue with their 

R&D and reward those who wait :-)

Edited by Merc, 07 December 2024 - 03:13 AM.

[LDW47]

I think Carolinaskies’ ‘spiel’ was fairly apropos, Canook.

 

Especially, if our eyes are still fine and discerning enough to actually see that the images from these SS’s aren’t where they probably will be further down the road. 

 

But, it’s probably a good thing that  some folk even buy 2 of the same mount, eh?  Helps these new startups continue with their 

R&D and reward those who wait :-)

10-4 over and out, lol !

[LDW47]

I think Carolinaskies’ ‘spiel’ was fairly apropos, Canook.

 

Especially, if our eyes are still fine and discerning enough to actually see that the images from these SS’s aren’t where they probably will be further down the road. 

 

But, it’s probably a good thing that  some folk even buy 2 of the same mount, eh?  Helps these new startups continue with their 

R&D and reward those who wait :-)

Also I, like many long time astronomers are widefield observers, as can be attested by many of my scopes, the S30 will provide widefield views of some sort and thus the main reason for my spiels, for those that know or don't care its up to them what they want / need, eh  For many of you its all about $, $349 worth, for many like myself its about a new horizon, a new challenge and theres the big difference, ya think, eh !  PS:  And for those that don't like the 30 you can sell and get half your $'s back pretty fast, right, eh, lol.

Edited by LDW47, 07 December 2024 - 08:56 AM.

[trem652]

10-4 over and out, lol !

C'mon LDW47,...we are Canucks, not Canooks. I'm surprised you didn't pick up on that...lol

[LDW47]

C'mon LDW47,...we are Canucks, not Canooks. I'm surprised you didn't pick up on that...lol

I did I just ignored the poor spelling, lol

[trem652]

I did I just ignored the poor spelling, lol

Right eh?