The budget smart telescope market is getting crowded. After the Seestar S50 and S30, ZWO developed two “Pro” versions with the Seestar S30 Pro and S50 Pro. While everyone was awaiting a rumored Seestar S70, ZWO did something unexpected and released the NEW affordable Seestar … Continue readingNEW! Seestar S30 Plus Review – Best Budget Smart Telescope?
Is bigger always better in astrophotography? I spent the last months testing the Seestar S30 Pro and S50 Pro Smart Telescopes on my urban (bortle 7) rooftop and in this blog, I’ll discuss price, features, and show you real photos from deep sky and solar … Continue readingSeestar S30 Pro vs S50 Pro: Real Urban Skies Comparison
Can the Dwarflab Draco beat the Seestar S50 Pro Smart Telescope? In this blog, I compare the official RAW sample data from the upcoming Dwarflab Draco, currently on pre-order with first deliveries planned end of december 2026, against images captured with my Seestar S50 Pro … Continue readingDwarflab Draco vs Seestar S50 Pro: RAW images & Tech comparison
I recently traveled to Montpellier, France, for Vaonis’s 10th-anniversary event, where I met the Vaonis team and Cyril (CEO) for an exclusive first look at their new flagship—the Vaonis Atlas Smart Telescope. Now back home in Utrecht, I’m breaking down everything you need to know … Continue readingAtlas Smart Telescope First Look: Behind the Scenes at Vaonis
Dwarflab recently released the first RAW images captured with their upcoming Draco Smart Telescope. As someone who spends far too much time obsessing over astrophotography gear, I couldn’t resist doing a deep dive into these files. I wanted to analyze what this scope is actually … Continue readingDwarflab Draco vs $5K Custom Rig: RAW Data Analyzed in PixInsight
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, we’re focusing on the mid-range sweet spot for smart telescopes—roughly $400 to $1,000 (€400–€1,000)—where you find the ultimate balance between portability, 4K resolution, and deep-sky performance. For complete context, I’ve also included the entry-level DWARF Mini and Seestar S30 ($399 / €399), … Continue readingBest Budget to Mid-Range Smart Telescopes 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!