I have to say, I am already blown away by the incredible job ZWO has done with the software and hardware in the Seestar S50. I'm not just blowing smoke. I've been in the hobby a long time. I've started out using a large 8" Meade 826c Newtonian with manual setting circles (not even good ones, at that). That involved a lot of research into sky coordinates, polar alignment, estimating my latitude and longitude (pre GPS days) and learning how to use a finder scope that wasn't the best and wasn't illuminated.
The next level-up for me came when, decades later, I treated myself to 8" Celestron Evolution with auto-alignment and computerized "GoTo" mount. To me, that was night and day. It took minutes to setup, and I can pretty see anything I want to target. I'm in my 60's, so my eyesight isn't what it once was, so that limits the details I can see.
Now a VERY affordable scope like the ZWO Seestar 50 comes along, and it's an engineering marvel, if you ask me. It not only improves upon the simplicity of the computerized scope, but also gives me EAA capabilities to see details I would otherwise not see thru the telescope. Having used astronomy software for decades, including telescope control software, I am amazed at just how well everything works. The software feels mature in that it works the way I'd expect software to work. It's been 100% reliable for me.
If ZWO stopped right now, and never released another feature for this scope, I'd have felt I'd gotten my money's worth. The cost/performance ratio of my Seestar 50 is off the charts. I absolutely love this thing!
As a lifelong software engineer, I appreciate how difficult it is not only to engineer a software and hardware product as complicated as something like the Seestar, not only getting the integration working between the two, but also physics and science correct so that the product works properly all over the world. So from my viewpoint, based on what ZWO has already delivered, if they say they're working on the Mosaic feature, I personally have no reason to believe they won't deliver. I hope they take their time, and get the code correct the first time because I'd rather that than see it's release rushed and then need several iterations of fixes.
Thank you, ZWO for all of your hard work. I absolutely love my Seestar and because of it, even with my old eyes, I'm able to continue to observe and enjoy my love of amateur astronomy!
