ZWO Seestar 50

[LDW1]

On 19/04/2024 at 06:21, Neil H said:

Hi I want to ask a question but don't know we're to ask it so I hope you don't mind me asking here , when I use my seestar most of the time I get messages like "stack failed star trails so binned" or not enough stars , any ideas why I get these ?

Kind regards Neil

I get those messages when skies are a bit hazy or there is a bit of a breeze blowing from certain directions.  But unless your skys are constantly like that you shouldn't get those messages ' most of the time ' !  You do get some good times though, right ?

[Geoff Lister]

53 minutes ago, LDW1 said:

On 19/04/2024 at 11:21, Neil H said:

Hi I want to ask a question but don't know we're to ask it so I hope you don't mind me asking here , when I use my seestar most of the time I get messages like "stack failed star trails so binned" or not enough stars , any ideas why I get these ?

Kind regards Neil

I get those messages when skies are a bit hazy or there is a bit of a breeze blowing from certain directions.  But unless your skys are constantly like that you shouldn't get those messages ' most of the time ' !  You do get some good times though, right ?

A couple of nights ago, I found that I was getting too many discarded frames, and found that these reduced if I hit the "AF" button. This sharpened up the focus, very slightly, but dropped the rate of discarded frames. Last night, my display had worked fine for 7 minutes on comet C/2023 A3, and then kept giving me the "Too few stars..." message; the clouds had rolled into that part of the sky.

Geoff

[PeterCPC]

Can anyone recommend a portable power bank that will actually charge the Seestar when it's in use - loads will not.

[cimh]

9 minutes ago, PeterCPC said:

Can anyone recommend a portable power bank that will actually charge the Seestar when it's in use - loads will not.

I am using a goji g6p20bk21c - works perfectly keeps the seestar at 100% charge with dew heater on for hours. 

[AstroKeith]

13 minutes ago, PeterCPC said:

Can anyone recommend a portable power bank that will actually charge the Seestar when it's in use - loads will not.

Look for one that has a USB C PD output. The supplied Seestar cables won't work as you will need a full USB C to USB C cable (power & data)

This will allow the Seestar to draw maximum current at 12 Volts.

[PeterCPC]

1 hour ago, cimh said:

I am using a goji g6p20bk21c - works perfectly keeps the seestar at 100% charge with dew heater on for hours. 

I cannot find one of those anywhere.

[PeterCPC]

1 hour ago, AstroKeith said:

Look for one that has a USB C PD output. The supplied Seestar cables won't work as you will need a full USB C to USB C cable (power & data)

This will allow the Seestar to draw maximum current at 12 Volts.

I don't understand any of that - I was looking for a make/model.

[AstroKeith]

'PD' means that the device and power supply have an initial exchange to agree what voltage and current is needed, or available.

In the old days USB meant 5 volts, but with USB C PD it can be a number of voltages, including up to 20V to power laptops. The Seestar supports PD and if plugged into a suitable supply will draw 12 volts and charge at twice the speed of a 5V supply. This is important if the Seestar is being used at the same time, as a 5V supply won't have much left to charge the battery.

If you search for Power banks, look for those that state USB C PD.

Personally I would only ever buy a good brand lithium pack. Check out Anker. As for a specific model, that depends on your budget and how long you want to run the Seestar.

[cimh]

3 hours ago, PeterCPC said:

I cannot find one of those anywhere.

I think this is it if you look in the specs. I use the supplied usb cable and it works fine

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/goji-20000-mah-portable-power-bank-black-10237929.html

[PeterCPC]

14 hours ago, cimh said:

I think this is it if you look in the specs. I use the supplied usb cable and it works fine

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/goji-20000-mah-portable-power-bank-black-10237929.html

Yes I found that but it is only available to collect from some stores - none near me. They won't post.

[Elp]

Further SS development touched upon at the end of this video:

 

[LDW1]

A few more for my Stars Album

 

Edited April 25 by LDW1
reduce photo size

[glafnazur]

3 hours ago, LDW1 said:

A few more for my Stars Album

 

I love your star images 👍 Not many people image individual stars, please keep them coming.

[LDW1]

5 hours ago, glafnazur said:

I love your star images 👍 Not many people image individual stars, please keep them coming.

 

And there are a lot of them.

[LDW1]

The Deep Sky Stack feature built into the SS is a great little utility, its enjoyable just to play around with, this is one from last nite that I stacked with it today. I am not sure if I can do a before / after, I will give it a look but I have a couple of things to do first.

Edited April 25 by LDW1
reduce photo size

[squipper]

Taken before the clouds took over

[M40]

2 hours ago, squipper said:

Taken before the clouds took over

Nice target 👌 added to my getting longer all the time list of targets 😁

[squipper]

Cat's Eye / Croc's eye 

[PeterCPC]

Re Power bank - this one seems to work fine - Anker Slim Power Bank USB-C Portable Charger 20000mAh

[CCD-Freak]

I just don't like the field rotation of an Alt-Az mount so if ZWO would update the firmware / software to support operation in equatorial mode and offer an EQ wedge option I would probably buy one to play with while my regular imaging setup is running. 

 

[nicoscy]

Hi Jon,

Apparently you can mount the Seestar on a regular wedge and trick it to "polar align". Many are doing this, but I prefer the simplicity of Alt Az.

[LDW1]

2 hours ago, nicoscy said:

Hi Jon,

Apparently you can mount the Seestar on a regular wedge and trick it to "polar align". Many are doing this, but I prefer the simplicity of Alt Az.

They are but it limits your field of view below a certain horizotal position, considerably, it might restrict access to many objects in say Scorpius and Sagittarius, maybe !

[nicoscy]

Agree 100% - but it's something that one can use temporarily. I do believe ZWO will address this at some point. While I am lazy to do the existing "PA" routine or PA in general with EQ mounts, it's actually not a challenge, so ZWO can't exactly claim that this is an advanced feature

[LDW1]

10 minutes ago, nicoscy said:

Agree 100% - but it's something that one can use temporarily. I do believe ZWO will address this at some point. While I am lazy to do the existing "PA" routine or PA in general with EQ mounts, it's actually not a challenge, so ZWO can't exactly claim that this is an advanced feature

Decades ago I had an EQ mount or two, I didn't like the contortionist actions / attitudes that I had to do, I vowed never again, lol. I am sure the automated SS would have its problems as well, some how and for very little gain, in the end !

[nicoscy]

For visual EQ can be a pain indeed! For what the Seestar offers as is, I am really happy with it. Especially setting it up outside, going inside and grabbing ipad and cat, resting on couch and enjoying some EAA