How to compare the Unistellar eVscope 2 vs eQuinox 2 vs eQuinox smart telescopes?
It’s actually pretty simple, so let’s get straight into it:
- The eVscope 2 has an eyepiece for real-time viewing (and is the only smart telescope to have this) and has the best camera of the three. It’s the premium pick, but is naturally the most expensive.
- The eQuinox 2 is identical in terms of most key specs like aperture and focal length to the eVscope 2, but has a slightly lower resolution camera and lacks the eyepiece.
- The eQuinox is the older, predecessor to the eQuinox 2. Again, the aperture and focal length are the same but the camera has even lower resolution and it also lacks the eyepiece.
In short, if you’ve got the money then the eVscope 2 is the best and the realtime viewing eyepiece adds to the experience.
If you want a more budget-friendly option and/or don’t care about the eyepiece then the eQuinox 2 is a great option.
If you want the cheapest then eQuinox is still a great telescope, with only a slightly lower-resolution camera.
Hopefully that gives you enough to understand the key differences and make a decision, but if you want to dive deeper into any of this, then read on.
eVscope 2 vs eQuinox 2 vs eQuinox Specs
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Premium
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Value
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Budget
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Camera resolution:
7.7 megapixels
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Camera resolution:
6.2 megapixels
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Camera resolution:
4.9 megapixels
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Aperture:
114mm (4.5-inch)
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Aperture:
114mm (4.5-inch)
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Aperture:
114mm (4.5-inch)
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Focal Length:
450mm (17.7-inch)
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Focal Length:
450mm (17.7-inch)
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Focal Length:
450mm (17.7-inch)
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Focal Ratio:
F/3.9
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Focal Ratio:
F/3.9
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Focal Ratio:
F/3.9
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Eyepiece:
Yes
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Eyepiece:
No
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Eyepiece:
No
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Year of release:
2022
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Year of release:
2023
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Year of release:
2021
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$5,199.00
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$2,099.00
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$1,149.00
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eVscope 2 vs eQuinox 2 vs eQuinox Similarities
The key similarities between all three are:
- Aperture and Focal length: These are the same since all three use the same telescope tube (the OTA)
- Weight: They all weigh 13.8 kg / 30.4 lbs
- Mount: The mount is the same
- App / user experience: They all use the same the Unistellar app to operate that has the same database of 5000+ astronomical objects to find, view and photograph.
eVscope 2 vs eQuinox 2 vs eQuinox Differences
The key differences between all three are:
- Eyepiece: This enables real-time viewing and only the eVscope 2 has it.
- Camera resolution: This is different in each model with the eVscope being the best and the eQuinox being the worst. This will impact the quality of the images you can get but not dramatically.
- Field of view: The field of view on the eVscope 2 and eQuinox 2 is wider than with the eQuinox. A key element of this is that you can capture the whole of the moon with the wider field of view, but not fit it all in with the eQuinox.
- Battery life: The eVscope 2 has a shorter battery life owing to the electronic eyepiece. A full charge lasts for 9 hours, whereas with the eQuinox and eQuinox 2 it is 11 hours.
eVscope 2 vs eQuinox 2 vs eQuinox Cost
This will vary, so check the links if you are thinking about buying, but the standard prices are:
- eVscope 2: $5,199
- eQuinox 2: $2,499
- eQuinox: $2,999
There are often sales where these are reduced, and also between different retailers.
In particular, the eQuinox is rarely at full price (and often close to half price) since it is the older model being phased out.
It will likely stop being sold in the near future like the original eVscope (Unistellar don’t even feature it on their website any more) so snap it up while you can if this is the one for you.
eVscope 2 vs eQuinox 2 vs eQuinox: Further Info
You can learn more about these models by watching the below videos from Unistellar:
Other sources and discussions:
Alternatives to the eVscope 2/eQuinox 2/eQuinox
There are a number of alternatives to the Unistellar models.
You can see our overall comparison in our Best Smart Telescope article, as well as a Dwarf 2 review and Dwarf 2 vs Seestar S50 comparison.
Verdict: eVscope 2 vs eQuinox 2 vs eQuinox
Overall, these are very similar telescopes and the big question to ask is whether you want to pay the extra for the real-time viewing eyepiece on the eVscope 2.
This is a cool feature that makes it feel more real when out with the telescope and looking through it at the live view, rather than just on your phone screen, but you have to decide whether it’s worth paying double for.
If you have the budget and just want the best then the eVscope 2 is for you.
The eQuinox 2 is great value though and just lacking the eyepiece, and if you want a (relative) bargain before it is phased out then the eQuinox is great option for you.
Please let me know if you have any questions or to share how you decided to go when buying one of these models.
