Seestar S30 Plus Launched: A Better Deal than the “Pro” Version?

Before the year ends, we are getting another year-end surprise from Seestar. They have announced the S30 Plus, a new smart telescope for photographing deep-sky objects and wide-field views of the night sky. The system combines a telephoto camera with a separate wide-angle camera, with both offering 2K output. Its telephoto optics use a four-element apochromatic (APO) design with extra-low dispersion (ED) glass.

Deep-sky imaging and nightscapes come together

Following tradition, the new smart telescope comes with two cameras inside. The telephoto camera is designed for galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, the Moon, and other celestial targets. Users can also photograph the Sun with the supplied magnetic solar filter.

The wide-angle camera covers a different set of subjects, including the Milky Way, constellations, star trails, and night-sky time-lapse sequences. With the S30 Plus, users can choose the camera that suits the scene and not rely on one view for every subject.

The wide-angle system could prove useful to photographers who travel to dark-sky locations. They might use the telephoto camera to capture a nebula, then switch to the wide-angle camera for a broader view of the sky above their campsite. Both approaches fit into the same compact setup.

Both cameras will deliver 2K output, with a resolution of 1440 * 2560 pixels. The two cameras also give beginners room to explore different kinds of astrophotography as their interests develop. Someone who starts with the Moon or a bright nebula may later want to photograph constellations or the Milky Way. The S30 Plus brings those options together.

Four-element APO optics

Seestar has given the S30 Plus telephoto system a four-element apochromatic lens that incorporates extra-low dispersion glass. This design aims to improve color correction, star shape, contrast, and fine detail. ED glass helps control chromatic aberration, while an apochromatic design aims to bring different wavelengths into better focus.

The original Seestar S30 used a three-element apochromatic lens with ED glass. The S30 Pro saw an upgrade with an added element. The S30 Plus maintains the optics of the Pro version.

As the name suggests, the telephoto lens has an aperture of 30mm with a focal length of 160mm. That gives the system a focal ratio of f/5.3. The wide-angle system has a focal length of 6mm with an f/1.75 focal ratio.

S30, S30 Plus, and S30 Pro: A quick comparison

The S30 Plus is the third telescope in the S30 lineup from Seestar. The first one was, of course, the S30 (now discontinued), followed by the S30 Pro. Let us take a look at the specifications of the three smart telescopes:

	S30	S30 Plus	S30 Pro
Resolution	Tele: 1080 × 1920 Wide: 1920 × 1080	Tele: 1440 × 2560 Wide: 1440 × 2560	Tele: 2160 × 3840 Wide: 2160 × 3840
Focal Length	Tele: 150mm Wide: 14.5mm	Tele: 160mm Wide: 6mm	Tele: 160mm Wide: 6mm
Optical Lens	3-Element Apochromatic Lens (with ED glass)	4-Element Apochromatic Lens (with ED glass)	4-Element Apochromatic Lens (with ED glass)
Built-in Filter	UV/IR-Cut Filter Duo-Band Filter (OIII 30nm/Hα 20nm) Dark Filter	UV/IR-Cut Filter Duo-Band Filter (OIII 30nm/Hα 20nm) Dark Filter	UV/IR-Cut Filter Duo-Band Filter (OIII 30nm/Hα 20nm) Dark Filter
External Filter	Magnetic Solar Filter	Magnetic Solar Filter	Magnetic Solar Filter
Storage	64GB eMMC	64GB eMMC	128GB eMMC
Battery Capacity	6000mAh	6000mAh	6000mAh
Net Weight	1.65KG	1.65KG	1.65KG

The S30 Plus sits somewhere in between the S30 and the S30 Pro, but it is closer to the Pro version. The two things you will be giving up from the Pro model are the 4k resolution (2k resolution in the Plus model) and the 128GB storage space (64GB in the Plus model). All the other features are retained. Note that the S30 Plus is also $200 cheaper than the Pro model.

A 1.65kg smart telescope for backyards and travel

The S30 Plus weighs 1.65kg and combines its optics, cameras, mount, tracking system, storage, battery, and wireless controls in one unit. Seestar includes a compact tabletop tripod and a magnetic solar filter in the standard package. Users do not need to pack a separate camera or tracking mount for a basic imaging session.

This integrated design will definitely simplify travel. Its small footprint could also appeal to astrophotographers who already own larger telescopes. They might take the S30 Plus on trips when they want to photograph the sky without setting up their main rig. The wide-angle camera gives them another option for nightscapes and Milky Way images.

Price and availability

The Seestar S30 Plus is priced at $499. As a special launch offer, Seestar is offering it for $474. It is now available for ordering via Seestar’s official website and other authorized retailers.

Would you buy the S30 Plus, or would you prefer to spend a little more and get the S30 Pro?

Clear skies!

---