35 replies to this topic

[Rocklicker]

Can you use the mount with other scopes?  That might make this a more compelling purchase.  Would be very interested in your thoughts.

[Maor404]

Too expensive for it is.

[mikef0924]

Thanks for the time and  your efforts. Good review.

 

To be fair, I like the RASA platform and it is nice to see Celestron throw their hat into the ring, but at this price point I would want at least the possibility to operate in EQ mode from the start and most importantly, exercise full control over the scope's settings and my data. This package is marketed to advanced amateurs and from what I see there is not really anything interesting or different from what is already available for much less money.

 

Hopefully the smart telescope offerings become more competitive.An array of S50’s seems to be the best option right now.

Edited by mikef0924, 20 February 2025 - 06:07 PM.

[George N]

Can you use the mount with other scopes?  That might make this a more compelling purchase.  Would be very interested in your thoughts.

Celestron says -- "Yes, but.....," you have to buy their standard hand control. Once you attach that to the mount, it will function just like the regular Evolution mount, including in on-wedge equtorial mode - except the spring-loaded drive gears should be an improvement. You might consider adding a better tripod if using something like C-9.25 on it.

 

However, with the standard hand control you can't use the RASA 6 part, have the fancy image processing, etc.

[George N]

Thanks for the time and  your efforts. Good review.

 

To be fair, I like the RASA platform and it is nice to see Celestron throw their hat into the ring, but at this price point I would want at least the possibility to operate in EQ mode from the start and most importantly, exercise full control over the scope's settings and my data. This package is marketed to advanced amateurs and from what I see there is not really anything interesting or different from what is already available for much less money.

 

Hopefully the smart telescope offerings become more competitive.An array of S50’s seems to be the best option right now.

Perhaps I'm missing something but -- I think you can have 'full control' over the camera settings. Hopefully the software will work in equatorial mode soon - but you would have to buy the standard Celestron wedge. Interestingly - last year at NEAF the CEO of Celestron and his chief engineer said they really don't think longer equatorial mount-based exposures would improve the results over the short alt/az exposures - because of the fast optics and AI software.

 

Remember - one of the major components of Origin is the AI image processing software - which the Celestron CEO said will - within two years or so - beat any human using PixInsight. He even thought it would do so now and offered one of the world's PI experts a 'contest' - he could process the raw fits files as much has he liked - they would then post them on line without saying which was which -- and people could vote on the one they liked best. Anyway - Celestron believes AI is the future of astro image processing. Oh, and you also get the control software from PlaneWave for free too.

 

So - Origin gives you a complete 'system' including its own power source (battery in the mount), RASA optics, auto focuser, ability to add Celestron dew control, improved Evolution mount, tripod, several advanced software packages including as far as I know the only one including AI image processing, no need to run wires, etc, simple control, but still with complete access to the complete fit files, no need to do flats, bias, darks, etc (but you can)  - most healthy adults can move the tube/mount in one carry, a decent camera, plus the promises of, - in the near future -, free improved software, a new better camera, the ability to put it on a Celestron wedge for EQ mode, the ability to add Celestron's new advanced plate-solve/guider that will help with polar alignment and provide accurate slew & guiding.

 

Whet's not to like? except the price, but you do get a lot for that price.

 

For me, the big advantage right now is - no fiddly set-up with wires, polar alignment, hooking up power supply, engineering my own optical chain, control software - maybe not even needing to do advanced image processing - you just plunk it down and within minutes start collecting data. Ready to go home? Take mount/tube off and put it in a case, deal with the tripod - you are on the road and can get all the files the next day. I'm intrigued by the AI image processing (which is probably the future of astro imaging) but would need to compare it with what I could do with the files with high end software like PI or APP. My only disappointment with the Origin as sold today is - that small camera chip. People complain about the camera's noise, but how much noise can there be with few-second exposures and AI noise reduction if you want to use it? Alas, the true field is just too small for my interests.

 

When are they gonna sell an 8" version!  

Edited by George N, 21 February 2025 - 04:23 PM.

[George N]

Can you swap out the camera for say a ZWO 533 or 2600?

I doubt it. This is an integrated system that needs to be kept as originally engineered to work. Although it is a minute or so task to change out the camera - if you don't like what it has now, you will have to wait for Celestron's future camera (available this year?) If you want to do your own engineering - grab a RASA 8 on a mount while they are currently on sale.

[saguaro]

Thanks for the thorough review. Can the Origin apply the dark, flat, and/or bias calibration frames during the live stacking? 

[rford322]

For some of us, this will become the only option.  I'll be 80 this year and my trusty Losmandy G11 is getting to be too much to drag along on the camping trips.  I know there are other options and smaller light weight mounts, but an all in one package is very appealing.  The image quality is good enough for me.  I just have to sell my camera, mount and telescope and replace it with the Origin.  I've been thinking about it, but can't pull the trigger yet. 

[Knasal]

I recently saw a review of the detail (resolution) available in the Origin vs Seestar and Unistellar.  For the life of me, I can not recall where, but the data from the Origin was much larger (more pixels or something.)

 

So there is a difference, a very notable one.

 

Does anyone else recall seeing the review I mention above?

 

Thanks for the very thorough review, which obviously took a lot of time to write up.

This may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but it is a good review of three smart scopes.

 

https://youtu.be/spo...9ibk51xKsoiJtLA

 

Great job to the author of the original article !

 

Kevin

[SeaLint]

Thanks for a thorough review!

[sandy_curious]

Good read !!