Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Auriga (Aur)  ·  Contains:  HD281128  ·  HD281129  ·  HD281130  ·  HD281131  ·  HD35952  ·  M 38  ·  NGC 1912  ·  PK172+00.1
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M38 and the annoying issues with the SeeStar S50, MontanaFrank
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M38 and the annoying issues with the SeeStar S50

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
M38 and the annoying issues with the SeeStar S50, MontanaFrank
Powered byPixInsight

M38 and the annoying issues with the SeeStar S50

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Description

I like the Seestar.  When it works, it is amazing that I can be up and imaging in 10-15 minutes collecting data and see the live stack on the tablet.  The problems, however....

First issue is the centering issue.  I am not sure if I am the only one noticing this?  The image displayed on the tablet, an older Lenovo M8, is not always as it ends up.  Centering an object on the tablet seems to make the object off-center, as in this image of M38.  When I notice the issue, I turn off the Seestar, re-level the tripod, turn the unit back on and do a calibration.  That seems at least in the limited use I have with the unit, to fix the problem.   I also notice that the image displayed on the tablet is oh so slightly off from the image that gets saved at the end of the imaging run.  This is very noticeable on the moon and sun.  The sun will show in the center of the screen, only to appear at the top of the image taken.  

Then the big issue I had at the Texas star party.  I could not for the life of me find out how to update the GPS coordinates of the device.  The Tablet I use only hits the internet at the house, almost entirely for updates.  At the Texas Star Party, I had to use my cell phone to connect to the Seestar, find an object then quickly connect the tablet.  The GPS coordinates on the Seestar never updated to the location of the TSE event in Texas, instead assuming I was still at 47°N.  This meant the device could not track, could not find the sun and had to be recalibrated multiple times a night as it simply "got lost."  For a device designed for portability, this is a frustration.  Then again I am using an old tablet repurposed to use only with the Seestar, and not a cell phone.  There does not seem to be a way to update the GPS.  Cuiv the Lazy Geek had a video where he had to fool the connecting device to get the Seestar working in EQ mode, so it seems I am not the only person out there with GPS issues. 

For $500, and with the updates coming in what seems weekly (including the sunday before the eclipse!) I'm happy with the Seestar.  If I get 100 images, I'll be estatic. Here is hoping that customer feedback helps make this product better moving forward.

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M38 and the annoying issues with the SeeStar S50, MontanaFrank

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