ZWO and SVBONY 30mmF4 Guide Scope Review

The SVBONY has made a big splash in the market and I see these things everywhere now. It is super affordable and has the exact same specifications as the ZWO 30F4. This gives us something to compare it to and that is what I do in the video. There are reasons to buy either one and I believe that both have a place in the market. SVBONY has been quote aggressive at giving astronomers and astrophotographers competitively priced options.

Here are detailed linked from each manufacturers website.

SVBONY SV165

ZWO 30F4

[southernexposure]

I'm just now seriously researching autoguiding. I learned new things from this video about the guide scope. Thanks for sharing.

[chewyfoks]

The SVBONY is a fantastic guide scope. They are probably made in the same factory thb!

[michaeledmonds]

Very glad I found your excellent video...I bought the 30mm Svbony and the ZWO ASI120MM guide camera for my 60mm and 80mm refractors. They will be mated to an AM5 and controlled by an ASIAIR.
Thinking I'll need something bigger to guide my C6 with 6.3 reducer flattener? Your thoughts please? Michael

[ferenc-xp]

There are also several same SVBONY cameras, without the brand name. I bought one with no name or no company indicated from Ebay, cost me $40. I've been using it no problem, works as it should.

[MrGppo]

Very nice review. I use the Svbony SV165 30mm with an ASI120MM Mini cam; works great. Any idea why it is called SV165? Rather than SV120 to denote focal length.

[claude]

I think it's important to clarify some misconceptions presented in this video. Please see the video "PHD2 a Quick breakdown - Bruce Waddington". Bruce Waddington is the current developer of PHD2. First, the better the focus, the better your guiding results. You are not well served by a slightly out of focus guide camera. Please see 59 min, 32 sec of Waddington's video, as well as 31:31 and 38:32. Secondly, you do not have to align the guide camera in a straight up position. See 7:58 into the video, as well as 23.11 which displays PHD2's calibration results which resolves the relationship between the camera's x-y axes and the mount's DEC and RA axes.

[ManuMT-Drone]

Hello, the Svbony, it comes with an adapter to attach it to the flash shoe of a SLR camera, to put it on top? Thanks

[Redsnaper]

Thanks for another great informative review, as an experienced photographer BUT a complete newbie to astrophotography! I am looking for a guiding scope to mount on my OMD EM1x / 300mm/f4 & also coupled with 2x convertor, mounted on the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i. Would you recommend a 30mm scope or should I be looking at a 50mm for an equivalent focal length of 600mm & 1200mm in FF 35mm terms?

[lenn]

Your review is still a thing in late 22. Thank you. My SV165 is on its way :)

[georgepistikoudis]

Very informative review and good tips. I am trying to set up a polar alignment solution with my ASI 224MC camera using the three point alignment from NINA software which does platesoving with ASTAP. What is your opinion about using the svbony / asi 224mc to plate solve?

[papalovesmia]

Can you tell me where you got the blue ring that you have mounted on the ZWO Mini? I assume you use it as a stop for focus purposes.

[deeber]

I have the Sky Watcher AZ-GTi mount in EQ mode. Can it track with a 400mm lens on a crop sensor without auto-guiding? I've had success at 300mm.

[DeveshPande]

What is the best way to focus the sv bony? I have been having tough time at night focusing with the ASI air pro. Kee adjusting the focus by looking at the preview and keep doing this at -7C is tough.

[abulka]

I don't understand the last point about the svbony being able to rotate and the zwo cannot. The cameras for both can be rotated, so whats the point of the svbony being able to rotate inside the rings?

[Soy_chelipe]

Hi there, I recently got the SV109 60mm guide scope. But which guide camera would you recommend for this: ZWO ASI120mm vs SV905c ?
Thanks

[zippis]

Thank you for the comparasion. I bought SVBONY some time ago ... and do you know if there is any chance how to align SVBONY with main telescope?

[peterdmatthews]

What brand is the blue ring? What a great idea?

[cattaraugustonawanda]

Will a SVBony SV205 work as a guide camera?

[flaviosdereste]

Do you know if would be necessary using a filter like CLS with guider (Svbony)? I ask that because my guiding image is a little bit bad and I think that is messed up my guiding.

[-WhizzBang-]

I have the Sky Adventurer Pro 2, and I just ordered the ZWO 120 mini with the ZWO guide scope. ;) How do you like it with your Sky Adventurer?