Smart Scopes.. to smart for me

Smart Scopes – I Just Feel They Are a Cheat

First of all, I want to make the best counterargument for this.

I have never used, nor do I have any inclination to buy, use or even test a smart scope. And that lack of experience is probably the biggest weakness in my argument!

I once watched an episode of Astrobiscuit (one of my favourite astro YouTubers – I highly recommend him!), and Rory once referred to it as the “Anti-Biscuit”.

And I must say, my feelings on this are mirrored.

So why this passionate dislike of something I have never used?

Well, there are two reasons.

The first is effort.

The biggest argument for the smart scope is also the argument that pushes me away from it the most.

“You just put it down, connect, and away you go.”

Easy as that!

Well, here I am with three iterations of telescopes, mounts and equipment just to get to the stage where I have a working rig, and I’m nearly topping an eye-watering £2k+ in the process.

My children could have been sent to boarding school for less!

I have painstakingly tried to get the best equipment for the least amount of money (because who can afford a £2k+ fancy camera on a nurse’s wage?) to get the best bang for my buck.

By doing this, I now have images I can, without shame, put on the wall.

I have spent hours on YouTube learning the secrets of polar alignment, processing and software. Hours asking AI models questions that lead me in circles (because who has time for human interaction?).

I have had equipment that has just given up, and nights and days in black moods because now I have to wait two months for the next clear night to assess and fix the issue.

And then along comes this fancy all-in-one.

It can do galaxies, nebulae, planets and star clusters.

The universe at the touch of a button.

And then it processes the whole thing ready for Instagram!

The bloody cheek.

And all for under £800!

Sickening.

The second point may be a point of contention amongst the smart scope faithful.

I will issue an apology in advance!

But every picture I have seen taken with a smart scope is lacking... something.

I don’t know if it’s detail, contrast or even just the human touch. But I always feel underwhelmed.

I see “taken by SeeStar” or some such device and I switch off.

I look at the colours, the depth, and I see a thin veneer of what it could be on a proper light bucket.

Apparently, you can stop the processing and do it yourself, but even then... it just lacks an edge.

I’m not saying my images are the best in the world.

Three years in, and I am just breaching novice status and entering the realm of beginner.

I have so much to learn!

But it is the journey that is the fun bit.

The mistakes.

The troubleshooting.

The nights spent staring at a laptop wondering why the bloody thing isn't guiding properly.

The moment when, after hours of messing about, everything finally clicks and you get that first proper image.

And the images, even at this stage, I would say are actually a little better than those churned out of the machine!

Maybe that’s completely irrational.

Maybe it’s the astronomical equivalent of insisting that vinyl sounds better because you like the ritual of putting the record on.

And perhaps that is exactly the point.

It’s my opinion, and opinions are famously like arseholes (just like smart scopes) – everyone has one.

But my camp is firmly entrenched in getting cold, stressed and tired.

Because when I finally get that image, I know exactly what went into it.

The alignment. The guiding. The focusing. The hours of exposure. The processing. The mistakes. The swearing.

And then I have a new picture I can call my own in my staircase gallery, and hopefully, a new story to share on Galaxy Gremlin.

And honestly?

I wouldn’t have it any other way.