Hi folks,
Big news from ZWO — the Seestar S30 Pro is coming, and it's a significant step up from the original S30.
If you've been waiting for ZWO to address the limitations of the first-generation Seestar, this is it. They've upgraded nearly everything that matters.
Pre-order now and save $70 — the S30 Pro is $789 CAD (regular $859). Shipping starts late January 2025.
PRE-ORDER NOW →
What's New in the S30 Pro?
Let me cut through the marketing and tell you what actually matters:
1. Quad APO Optics (This is the Big One)
The original Seestar had decent optics, but the S30 Pro moves to a 4-element apochromatic design with ED glass. What does that mean for you? Sharper stars, proper color correction, and a flat field edge-to-edge. No more purple fringing or soft corners. This alone justifies the upgrade.
2. Dual 4K Sensor System
They've completely overhauled the imaging:
Telephoto camera: Sony IMX585 Starvis II sensor — 1/1.2" size, which is 4× larger light-gathering area than the S30. Lower noise, cleaner images, 4K resolution.
Wide-angle camera: Sony IMX586 with an 84° field of view — perfect for Milky Way shots and star trails.
The larger sensor means you can actually push longer exposures without the image turning into a noisy mess.
3. One-Tap Milky Way & Star Trail Modes
This is where ZWO is making smart telescopes genuinely useful for wide-field astrophotography:
Milky Way mode with automatic 8K mosaic stitching
Star trail capture built right into the app
Landscape lock feature — keeps the foreground sharp while tracking the stars. One tap. Done.
No more fiddling with separate apps or post-processing headaches.
4. 256GB Storage (Double the Original)
Long imaging sessions without constantly offloading files. Simple but appreciated.
5. NFC Tap-to-Pair
Hold your phone near the Seestar, and you're connected. No more hunting through WiFi settings.
6. Enhanced Equatorial Mode
For those of you who want to push longer exposures, the improved EQ mode (with optional accessories) gives you better tracking for extended deep-sky sessions.
What Else Carries Over?
Everything you liked about the original Seestar is still here:
1.65 kg total weight — still genuinely portable
Built-in triple filter system (Dark Field, UV/IR Cut, Light Pollution)
Active anti-dew heating
80,000+ object database with automatic GoTo and tracking
Plan Mode — set your targets in advance and let it run overnight
ASCOM Alpaca support for NINA and third-party software integration
Who Is This For?
If you already own a Seestar S50: The S30 Pro offers substantially better optics and a much larger sensor. If you've been frustrated by image quality limitations, this addresses those issues directly.
If you've been curious about smart telescopes but held off: This is the most capable Seestar yet. The quad APO optics and 4K sensor put it in a different league than the earlier models.
If you're looking for a portable grab-and-go setup: At 1.65 kg with this level of capability, there's nothing else quite like it on the market.
The Bottom Line
ZWO listened to the feedback. Better optics, bigger sensor, more storage, smarter features. The S30 Pro is what a lot of us wanted the original Seestar to be.
Pre-order price: $789 CAD (Save $70 off the regular $859 price) Shipping: Late January 2025 Free shipping across Canada
This pre-order pricing won't last — once units start shipping, it goes back to full price.
PRE-ORDER YOUR SEESTAR S30 PRO →
Questions? Give us a call at 416-783-4140 or reply to this email. Happy to help you figure out if this is the right fit.
Clear skies,
Ray & the Team at Khan Scope Centre Since 1986 3243 Dufferin Street, Toronto khanscope.com
