Seestar S50: This May Be the Best Beginner Scope for Electronically Assisted Astronomy

[@norbertreinecke3999]

Brilliantly explained! It's the best explanation of all! And your EAA videos were already an eye opener for many friends. A big Thank U from Germany!

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

Hey, thanks a lot. Really appreciate that feedback. By the way, I had the pleasure of visiting you great country in 94 shortly after the wall came down. My wife was working in the town of Cottbus in the former East Germany. From there we went to Dresden, Berlin, the Black Forest and Frankfurt.

[@BobSouthDakota]

This is probably the best in-depth review of the SeeStar S50.....thank you!

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

Such high praise. Thanks for that!

[@gwtomsic]

Excellent, balanced, honest summary. If one is not interested in making Hubble level images, this kind of device seems pretty neat for EAA. Like you, perhaps, I have spent decades assembling many rigs and have explored many astro imaging setups and approaches. What we all learn as astronomy amateurs, I think, is that small and/or straightforward setups can be most enjoyable and are often the most used. Thanks for keeping it real and being price sensitive.

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

I appreciate your feedback. While I can afford some higher priced equipment, I realize that is not the case for everyone. And, while I have a tech background, I also realize that not everyone interested in astronomy has the same. So I try to be cognizant of that, while at the same time offering something for those who are more like me.

[@gwtomsic]

@@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740 Well, based solely on your review, always spot-on, complete and balanced... I wanted you to know that I got the S50 and it is everything you said. For EAA it is fantastic...Also great for quickies in astrophotography. For an old guy like me who has a full range of scopes, mounts, imagers and so forth, and done it all over 40 years, I found the S50 a delight and a wonder. I have found that with old age, such a thing is fantastic and sooo much easier than my big, complicated, disparate stuff. Your reviews are terrific and the most practical on KZbin. 6-STARS! Keep it up. THANKS!

[@richita3177]

Thank-you, I've just purchased the Seestar S50. One of the most informative videos i have seen in a long time, i have subscribed and eagerly awaiting more videos and catching up on your existing. Rick from Downunder

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

I am glad you found my video helpful. Keep in mind that while the Seestar makes it extremely easy to get started with EAA, I think it will still have it challenges.

[@johnleach324]

Excellent summary and your virtual system is a good indicator comparison. Thanks for sharing

[@catherinemesick6018]

I love my Seestar S50! So easy to use. Thanks for the great video.

[@franciscocolin3065]

Excellent review, thanks a lot

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

I appreciate the positive feedback.

[@frederickroberts6523]

I thought it was a good look into the SeeStar. I've always thought of a SeeStar as a visual telescope replacement and an entrance into EAA because not only is it affordable and capable, but it is easy to transport. Most people coming to your channel already know what EAA is; however, since you're targeting newbies. The next video should discuss a little bit of what EAA is and how it's different and similar to visual astronomy. Clear skies. Frederick.

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

Thanks for the input.

[@davidgalemusic7447]

Thank you. A very clear and informative video. I know your virtual system is included for price comparison and its very effective in that, but I believe the Player One camera wont work with the ASIAir mini. It has to be a ZWO camera.

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

Actually you caught my mistake. Thank you for pointing that out. We could replace the ASIAIR mini with a mini-pc for about the same price and use Sharpcap. But your point is well taken.

[@Vic-pz5oh]

I bought an asi air ed72 and eq5 but don't have the knowledge.my D2 and s50 are a revelation.so portable and user friendly 💪🔭

[@markbergendahl2651]

I spent $2 5K on a telescope, go-to mount and planetary camera - but still need the asair mini and an autofocuser. Wish the S50 was available several years ago !

[@kamilrutkowski7347]

Excellent summary. What about the new DWARF 3 vs SEESTAR S50? can you tell, which of those two might be better ?

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

If you are back packing I would go with the smaller and lighter Dwarf3. But otherwise I think the Seestar with 2X larger optics will be more rewarding.

[@Nico-pb9lq]

There is an option to save individual frames

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

Yes. I believe I said that in the video. This is a nice feature which allows post processing of the images like traditional astrophotograpy. But, the strength of the Seestar is simple but effective EAA.

[@JLEBELGE]

Excellent

[@bamsemh1]

I really want it! But sadly it will cost 1000$ to get home here 😥😬

[@MikeLikesChannel]

I kept my C8 but sold off my used HyperStar, camera, filter and ASI Air... $1500 made and all that stuff is superseded by the S50. I still keep my C8 for visual on the moon and Jupiter/Saturn, but beyond that? It's mostly out of business.

[@stevenlarkin1706]

That C8 can still do globular clusters.

[@MikeLikesChannel]

@ very true

[@rdiazmartin]

although this is a great telescope mine has some hot pixels which appear after some time shooting and since it doesn't have an option to retake darks it is quite frustrating.

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

Might be that the dark current has increased due to a temperature rise. This is an uncooled camera so it has no way to prevent that. What is your ambient temperature?

[@rdiazmartin]

@@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740 it is quite warm here in summertime and sure that's the reason which would have an easy fix if I just could tell the Seestar to retake dark frames.

[@williamkacensky4796]

Hi, I have an unusual question since you are knowledgeable in astro photography equipment. I observe extraterrestrial vehicles and have been doing so since 1959, and no, this is not a joke or bs. While I have been recording these vehicles with various equipment with good results it does not allow me to be hands free. I would like an assembly to video in monochrome since they only appear in white light. This needs to be set on a tripod. Vertical distance between 4000' to 10,000'. This will attach to a laptop for retaining the videos. I know approximately the time they will appear in the evening. Since they are silent and appear suddenly I need a great low light recorder. I have thought about ZWO. Any thoughts?

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

How about a security camera. They are designed for low light, can record in video directly to your computer with a video card. Good luck with that!

[@AmatureAstronomer]

"This May Be the Best Beginner Scope for Electronically Assisted Astronomy" And, it may not be. Purchasing a picture book of celestial objects is cheaper and easier.

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

But a book is not a scope and if you watched the whole video you know that there is a lot one needs to and can do to capture great views of DSOs. But to each their own.

[@scottm599]

Thank you, Curtis for your excellent videos. Astronomy can be enjoyed at so many different levels. Yes, reading a book is great. One can even participate in exciting citizen science projects, such as ESA’s Euclid galaxy zoo, and see things that no one has seen before. There is something special about peering into an eyepiece and seeing something amazing with one’s own eyes, especially if it took some work to hunt it down. Many have the Astro photography bug and take great pleasure in a combination of technical mastery, object hunting, and artistry. These inexpensive, smart telescopes seem to offer an entrée into seeing and photographing amazing things with much built-in assistance while maintaining a sense of real time discovery and participation. As much as I love my tablet, I kind of wish that we could view the output of these devices through some sort of eyepiece like device. There is just something about the physical act of “looking through a telescope.“

[@astronomytipsreviewswithcu740]

@@scottm599 Scott, thanks for the feedback. Unistellar has a Smart telescope with a Nikon digital eyepiece so you still get to look through the scope. Check it out here bit.ly/3TFXbFS