With dozens of smart telescopes available in 2026, choosing the right model comes down to your budget, desired portability, and favorite deep-sky objects. All recommendations in this guide are based on hands-on testing directly from my light-polluted rooftop and balcony in Utrecht, the Netherlands (Bortle … Continue readingSmart Telescopes: Best Buy Guide in 2026
In this guide, I’ll compare the most affordable budget smart telescopes on the market, including ZWO’s Seestar S30, S30 Pro, S50, and S50 Pro, as well as Dwarflab’s DWARF Mini, DWARF 3, and upcoming Draco. I’ll break down pricing, technical specs, ease of use, and … Continue readingBest Budget Smart Telescope in 2026 – Seestar (S30, S30 Pro & S50 Pro) vs Dwarflab (Dwarf 3, Mini, Draco)
After the Seestar S50, the S30, and the S30 Pro, this is ZWO’s latest and most expensive smart telescope: the S50 Pro. I spent 24 hours with the Seestar, and in that time I was able to capture four deep-sky objects, the Milky Way, star … Continue readingSeestar S50 Pro FULL Review & Hands-on Tutorial
Hey everyone! ToupTek sent me their new AE676M mono camera with their AFM mini Filterwheel, so I took it out on a first light adventure with the main goal of capturing Saturn, which is almost in opposition. When it comes to planetary imaging, monochrome cameras … Continue readingToupTek AE676M Mono Camera Review: First Light on Saturn & The Moon
Here’s my attempt to answer the 10 most-often-asked questions I have received from you over the years about telescope mounts—fully updated to reflect how technology has evolved, while keeping the fundamental principles intact. 1. What is a telescope mount? A telescope mount basically does two … Continue readingTelescope mounts: Top 10 questions answered!
Normally, I skip previews on Wido’s AstroForum as I prefer focusing on real-world testing from my urban rooftop. However, DWARFLAB’s new Draco smart telescope is different, as I believe it might fundamentally change amateur astrophotography in the years to come. So let me make this … Continue readingDraco Smart Telescope Preview: Goodbye nerdy Astro rigs?
The ToupTek HOPE D60 enters the wide-field astrophotography space aiming to deliver fast optical speed in a compact refractor design. Running at a fast f/4.66, it promises quick signal collection. I took it on a first light mission to photograph the expansive North America Nebula … Continue readingFirst Light Review: ToupTek HOPE D60 Astrograph
For astrophotographers who want a fast, dedicated wide-field imaging setup, finding a balance between optical quality, back-focus simplicity, and modular expansion is key. SVBONY’s SV545 45mm f/4.5 Petzval Astrograph aims directly at this sweet spot. Equipped with optional extra’s —such as the SVBONY’s Off-Axis Guider … Continue readingFirst Light Review: SVBONY SV545 Petzval Astrograph & Accessory Ecosystem
Harmonic drive (strain wave) mounts represent a massive leap forward for portable astrophotography. Instead of relying on heavy traditional gears and bulky counterweights, they utilize compact, high-torque robotic gears that pack incredible lifting power into featherweight bodies under 5 kg (11 lbs). With these next-gen … Continue readingBest Harmonic Drive Mounts for Astrophotography in 2026
By Wido Oerlemans | Last updated: June 2026 If you are hunting for the ideal beginner astrophotography mount, you have likely realized that the 8–15 kg payload range is the ultimate sweet spot for deep-sky imaging. If you’re in the market for a cutting-edge strain … Continue readingBest Beginner Telescope Mounts for Astrophotography (2026 Guide)