Dwarf Mini smart telescope first impressions - Forums

Topic starter

15 days ago

I was finally able to test the new Dwarf Mini last weekend. Coming from a 10-inch Newtonian, my expectations were not very high in terms of resolution and detail. What I was most curious about, though, was processing the data myself to see if the quality would shine through.

To my surprise, the result is pretty amazing, especially when comparing the original stack to the processed one. This smart telescope was also really fun and easy to operate. Overall, I’ve totally changed my opinion about Smart Telescopes; I’ve seen firsthand the potential they have—if, and that’s a big 'if', the image processing is done well.

I plan to do a 2-panel mosaic of this Horsehead image, but for now, here is the comparison and the final result.

Acquisition:
160x90s 120Gain EQ Mode

Editing:
Pixinsight
Photoshop

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Tom Engwall

15 days ago

Thanks for posting that . It definitely is useful to see what can be produced by the dwarf mini after skilled processing. I am impressed.

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Vin

15 days ago

Yes they are surprisingly good - especially given that it’s uncooled cameras. Their on-board processing is not really that good though - it’s better to download the lights and process them yourself. The other thing I found is that it’s worth blinking the lights yourself - don’t trust the on-board rejection of files b/c sometimes quite a few good lights are still in there.

They are certainly far more user-friendly than sky trackers with DSLRs, but the latter gives you much better choice in framing and FOV.

I enjoyed using my Dwarf3 a lot, but have recently sold it.

https://app.astrobin.com/i/1rl589

https://app.astrobin.com/i/tkqmyc

I think a very interesting thing would be for Pegasus Astro to adapt their SmartEye with one of these uncooled 585 sensors instead of the 533. Much lighter, much smaller, less power hungry, and the ability to make a much wider range of smart telescopes than the set focal lengths of the Seestars and Dwarves.

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David Cruz

Topic starter

15 days ago

Let’s see if I can get a Top Pick with the final two panel mosaic image😄 I think that would be a nice achivement

Tee Beave

15 days ago

I agree.

I posted an image the other day with a little commentary of how impressed I am with it.

https://app.astrobin.com/u/teebeavehere?i=805ki0

It’s fun, quick, easy, small, light, etc. I see it as a great way for new users to get into the hobby!

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Joey Conenna

15 days ago

I am guessing BlurXTerminator was used? How different are the images if BlurXTerminator is not used? The result is amazing, and difference in the resolution between the two results is astounding.

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Tee Beave

15 days ago

📷 IMG_5192.jpegin fact, I just put it out next to my main rig.

Vin

14 days ago

Yes you definitely have to use BXT in correct only mode to clean up the stars. The on-board processing software does not do as good a job as processing it yourself.

Another weakness in the current capabilities of these is the inability to use as fully remote units. Some of this is software (although there is now an INDI driver for Seestars I believe, but not yet for Dwarf). There are workarounds (eg Dwarfium) but it’s not ideal. And one big hardware issue which is that I believe they can’t be power cycled remotely - you actually need someone (or something) to press the on button. I believe someone at SFRO made a little physical bot to do this!

If those two things could be sorted out, you could piggyback these on your main rig and yet have it pointed at a completely different object from your main rig (a limitation of conventional piggyback systems).

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Tom Gray

4 hours ago

Thanks for sharing your first impressions. I have had mine for a week, and already loving the simplicity and portability. I bought it primarily for bike / back-packing adventures. No doubt resolution is low, but sensitivity pretty good, and setup a breeze. I’ve found the Stellar Studio App does a pretty decent job, but like others have downloaded, blinked and pre/post processed using Siril. I’ve posted a few images, but waiting to try under really dark skies, where I can confidently drizzle the data.

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