Dwarf II vs Unistellar eQuinox: 10 Second Summary
- The Dwarf II is much smaller and lighter than the Unistellar eQuinox, as well as being substantially cheaper.
- It also has a higher resolution camera, but the telescope is much smaller in terms of aperture and focal length, and the user experience is not as slick as with the eQuinox.
- The Unistellar eQuinox has a higher spec telescope with 4.5-inch aperture, with Unistellar models the UX is seamless, and you can join Citizen Astronomy initiatives.
- However, it is much heavier and less portable, more expensive, and it was succeeded by the eQuinox 2 in 2023. It can still be bought though and often at a significantly reduced price which makes it a good option to get a premium smart telescope at a mid-range price.
Why choose the Dwarf II over the Unistellar eQuinox?
The Dwarf II is a compact, budget smart telescope from Chinese manufacturer Dwarflab:
- It is small and light and comes with a perfect-fit carry case, and so is perfect for travel and convenient storage.
- For a smart telescope it is cheap and much less expensive than the Unistellar eQuinox or any of the premium options.
- On the downside the telescope specifications are lower than the eQuinox and the user experience is not as slick and seamless as with the Unistellar smart telescope options.
The Dwarf 2 is right for you if you want:
- An inexpensive option as a first smart telescope
- A portable option to easily move around with and store conveniently at home
- Both of these
Why choose the Unistellar eQuinox over the Dwarf II?
The Unistellar eQuinox is a premium smart telescope from French manufacturer Unistellar that was released in 2022:
- Its telescope and camera specifications are very good and the user experience is slick and seamless.
- With all Unistellar models you can take part in Citizen Astronomy initiatives and join missions to track asteroids and hunt exoplanets.
It was succeeded by the upgraded eQuinox 2 in 2023, which used the same OTA (the telescope tube) but with an improved camera.
On release it was in the premium price bracket but since the release of the eQuinox 2 it can usually be found substantially reduced.
The eQuinox therefore makes a great deal if you want a premium smart telescope at a mid-range price.
Telescope Specifications
The Dwarf II has 24mm (1 inch) aperture, 100mm focal length, f/4.2 focal ratio, and 3.2° × 1.6° field of view.
The Unistellar eQuinox has 114mm (4.5 inch) aperture, 450mm focal length, f/3.9 focal ratio, and 0.61° × 0.46° field of view.
Camera Specifications
The Dwarf II has a 8.3MP resolution camera of 3840 x 2160 size using a Sony IMX415 sensor and a pixel size of 1.45μm.
The Unistellar eQuinox has a 4.8MP resolution camera of 2240 x 2240 size using a Sony IMX224 sensor and a pixel size of 2.9μm.
Size and Weight
The Dwarf II weighs 1.2kg (2.6 lb) and has dimensions of 20 x 6 x 13 ((H x W x L in cm).
The Unistellar eQuinox weighs 8.9kg (19.8 lb) and has dimensions of 23 x 19 x 65 ((H x W x L in cm).
Price and Value for Money
The Dwarf II costs $459 or $595 depending on which package you go for (different accessories). The Unistellar eQuinox costs $1,599.
Note, these may vary so check the links to compare retailers if thinking about buying.
Specifications
| Dwarflab DWARF II | Unistellar eQuinox | |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2023 | 2022 |
| Aperture | 24mm (1 inch) | 114mm (4.5 inch) |
| Focal Length | 100mm | 450mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/4.2 | f/3.9 |
| Limiting Magnitude | 9.6 | 12.98 |
| OTA type | Refractor | Reflector |
| Eyepiece | No | No |
| Field of View | 3.2° × 1.6° | 0.61° × 0.46° |
| Resolution | 8MP | 4.8MP |
| Sensor Size | 3840 x 2160 | 2240 x 2240 |
| Sensor | Sony IMX415 | Sony IMX224 |
| Pixel Size | 1.45μm | 2.9μm |
| Image Formats | TIFF, FITS | FITS, TIFF, PNG, JPEG |
| Mosaic Mode | No | No |
| Size (H x W x L) cm | 20 x 6 x 13 | 23 x 19 x 65 |
| Weight | 1.2kg (2.6 lb) | 8.9kg (19.8 lb) |
| Mount | Included | Included |
| Tripod | Included | Included |
| Battery Life | 3 hrs | 12 hrs |
| Internal Storage | 64GB | 64GB |
| Dew Control | Built-in | None |
| Retail Price* | $459 | $1,599 |
Unistellar eQuinox vs Dwarf II: Verdict
The Dwarf II is for you if you want the most compact and portable smart telescope around, and also have a smaller budget. It is well-loved by its users.
The Unistellar eQuinox is for you if you want a premium smart telescope but don’t want to pay the going rate of $2500+ for something very similar (i.e. the eQuinox 2). It won’t be available forever given that it has been succeeded, so move fast if you want it.
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Budget Pick
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Premium Value
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$459.00
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