ZWO Seestar S30 Pro - Real World Test & Review
ZWO Seestar S30 Pro full test and review. In this video I run every major mode, show real results, and share a verdict on what the S30 Pro does well, and where there is room for im...
The Space Koala Astrophotography by Luca Bartek
Amazing review. Thank you!!
Yeah. It's a cool toy. The S50 is better, a better toy. Just get an APO or a 6 or 8 inch Newt .. likely same price.
well yeah but to that same price you'll still add a battery, a camera, a tracking mount and a control system, suddenly you're not at the same price anymore
Excellent overview. I'm cringing a bit seeing that device next to salt water though...Not gonna lie.
you'll be happy to learn (maybe you won't) :D that's freshwater!
@the_space_koala I stand corrected indeed. I am greatly relieved! ;-) That's a big body of water!
Excellent review! You're very thorough in your breakdown of all the features. I am really tempted on buying the S30 Pro and have been comparing it to several other smart telescopes. However, I've decided to keep my fingers crossed and wait for a more advanced version similar to the specs of the S30 Pro - in the Dwarf Mini. I am overall, VERY impressed with the Dwarf Mini, but I don't want to be limited to only 1920x1080. I'm really hoping that Dwarflab eventually releases a "Pro" (or whatever it will be called) version of that smart scope. The number one reason - is that the portability of the Mini just can't be beat. I know the Seestars are relatively small, but the Mini is absolutely ideal IMO as a true travel, all-in-one astrophotography telescope. The only thing I don't like about any of these smart telescopes is the the focal length/focal ratio is just too short for planetary photography. I wish the makers of these smart scopes had a mechanism that (pardon the pun), automatically "telescoped" the objective lens away from the main body - thereby making the FL longer - just for planetary imaging. Of course, the small aperture certainly doesn't help as well in getting too much surface detail. I have been a visual amateur astronomer in the more than 50 years I've been in this hobby but I finally am exploring the realm of astrophotography. A "regular" astrophoto telescope setup is just too cumbersome and way too EXPENSIVE for my taste and budget so these new smart scopes are a very welcome thing to come into our hobby. The only regular setup that I will be looking into is just for planetary imaging, and I know that the setup for that type of night sky imaging isn't as complex as deep sky. Thanks again!!
oh yes there is nothing more portable than the Mini! As for planetary, It'll be difficult to do in a smart scope because they're all ridiculously small. Perhaps when the rumored Dwarf 80 or a Seestar S80 comes out, it will be possible to do some semi-decent planetary imaging with those.
You are awesome! Thank you!
"Hi! I’m using Seestar S30 Pro (firmware 7.32). I can’t find the 4K toggle in my app. Is 4K mode always ON by default in S30 Pro, or am I missing some settings? Some of my photos are 4K, but others are only 1080p. Thanks
there is no 4K mode as the sensor is already 4K. I suppose you'd get a lower resolution image in solar system mode if you use the 2x zoom option!
My favorite pirate
Great job, this video was very useful!
Is there any danger of autotracking something during the day.. and it goes in front of the sun when you don't have a filter on it?
Yes that is always a risk so you should monitor the telescope carefully if you’re tracking something in the sky
Pretty underwhelming piece of plastic garbage imo
Qestion, when leaving the S30 Pro active throughout the night, how do you stop the accumulation of condensation or dew from building up on the lens?
it has a built-in dew heater - you can activate it in the settings!
I have both the S30 and S50. Given what the S30 pro offers I'll probably end up buying it as well. I can see myself running the pro doing star trails or widefield "all sky" shots whilst I have the S30 doing some deep sky pics. And, my S50 working on smaller targets simultaneously. I have some very dark skies not far from home, so it'll be good to get all three scopes out and away from city lights.
Dark skies make all the difference!
Hello, I'm Polish and we have beautiful Tatra Mountains. Is it possible to take an 8K panorama of the mountains and then have the telescope automatically combine them into one large photo, for example, for printing? I'm talking about the daytime option.
Not currently. If you want something automated that does that, check out the Dwarf 3 telescope - I also reviewed that one and showed how the auto mosaic works
March SW update. First, congratulations getting your article displayed on Seestars app opening page. I paid more attention, to your suggestion, on PA, the importance of a solid mount. I scoped last night after installing Seestars latest. What a difference. First couple of hours using 20 sec, all images stacked, zero ignored. Stepped it up to 60 sec(never tried it) with same result. Was it the PA, ZWO update or a little of both? As always, I appreciate you insight and understanding. Thank you.
Thank you for the review of the S30 pro, best i'have seen so far, looking for one now :)
Question, my Seestar , as per the phone app has the Wi-Fi connection area as "Default Country/Region; considering I am having serious problem keeping a connection, may I change this area to United States without any issues; yet the warning message? Thanks!
I wouldn't be able to advise you on this, best to ask ZWO directly
Perhaps a silly question but could you use the wide angle view for meteor showers?
not today as in MW mode you can't really shoot manually. But I think they're bound to develop it sooner or later
It is behind the S50
I am ordering an S 30 pro. This video has been a huge help. Thank you very much for all of the info. I’m super ready to receive my telescope.
I am interested in a telescope in a similar price range meant for planetary viewing. My children and I would like to see planets with better details. Any recommendations?