Edusnap Smart Telescope Review!

Summary

This video introduces an affordable, smart telescope with features like a motorized go-to function, solar filter, and the ability to switch between visual and electronically-assisted astrophotography. The telescope's compact design offers great value, enabling users to view and capture deep-sky objects like comets, galaxies, and nebulae. While the camera's small sensor limits its astrophotography capabilities, the telescope is ideal for beginners. Despite some minor limitations, including a lack of built-in battery and slow response times, the telescope’s price and ease of use make it a solid choice for those starting in astronomy and astrophotography.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Edusnap telescope offers a unique feature that rivals the unistellar telescopes—switching between visual, astrophotography, and electronically-assisted astrophotography.
• 😀 With a focal length of 212 mm, aperture of 53 mm, and focal ratio of f/4, the Edusnap telescope is particularly good for deep-sky imaging.
• 😀 The telescope includes a solar filter, which is easy to install and ideal for safely viewing the Sun.
• 😀 It features a pinpoint solar finder, making it easier to center the Sun in the view, though the speed of the pinpoint finder is limited to three settings.
• 😀 The telescope uses manual focus via a knob, making it more akin to traditional astronomy, although it lacks autofocus.
• 😀 The telescope has a Go-To motorized function, but there is a noticeable lag between the app and the telescope, affecting the user experience.
• 😀 Despite some initial difficulties with the app interface, the telescope is easy to use for deep-sky viewing, such as for objects like the Andromeda Galaxy.
• 😀 The Edusnap telescope uses the IMX 662 MC sensor, which provides a smaller field of view, making it difficult to align deep-sky objects through the phone.
• 😀 The telescope is best suited for EAA (Electronically Assisted Astronomy), as opposed to traditional astrophotography, due to its reliance on phone-based app processing.
• 😀 The price is one of the major selling points, as the Edusnap telescope is affordable, offering a Go-To motorized telescope with a camera at a fraction of the price of similar models like unistellar.
• 😀 The telescope's field of view, while small due to the IMX 662 sensor, still provides a satisfying viewing experience of bright objects like comets, the Sun, and deep-sky clusters.
• 😀 Future improvements could include better app algorithms, built-in battery power, and the ability to store astrophotography data directly on the telescope rather than relying on a phone.

Q & A

What makes the Edu Snap telescope unique compared to other smart telescopes?

The Edu Snap telescope offers the ability to seamlessly switch between visual astrophotography and electronically assisted astrophotography (EAA). It allows users to both image deep sky objects like galaxies and nebulae and observe them directly through an eyepiece, a feature typically found in more expensive telescopes.

How does the Edu Snap telescope perform for solar observation?

The Edu Snap telescope comes with a solar filter, allowing safe observation of the sun. It also includes a solar pinpoint finder, which helps users align the telescope to the sun accurately. Despite some difficulty in using the finder, the sun can be observed clearly through the eyepiece.

What are the main pros of the Edu Snap telescope?

The main pros of the Edu Snap telescope include its auto go-to functionality, which makes it easy to locate deep sky objects, and its affordable price point. At just around $136 during the Kickstarter campaign, it offers smart telescope features at a fraction of the cost of higher-end telescopes.

What are some of the limitations of the Edu Snap telescope for astrophotography?

The Edu Snap telescope has limitations for astrophotography, mainly due to its small sensor size (IMX 662 MC), which results in a narrow field of view and relatively low resolution. Additionally, it lacks built-in storage for images, making it less suitable for traditional astrophotography and better suited for EAA.

How does the Edu Snap telescope handle deep sky imaging?

The Edu Snap telescope performs decently in deep sky imaging, especially with its go-to function to help users locate objects. However, the image quality can be improved, as the app's algorithm tends to increase contrast rather than bring out more light. The telescope is also not as effective at gathering light, which can affect the visibility of faint objects.

Can the Edu Snap telescope be used for planetary observation?

The Edu Snap telescope is not ideal for planetary observation due to its short focal length and the small size of its sensor. While planets like Saturn can be observed through the eyepiece, they appear as tiny dots, and the telescope does not provide the high resolution needed for detailed planetary imaging.

What are the key features of the Edu Snap telescope's app?

The Edu Snap telescope’s app features an AI algorithm for stacking images during EAA, a catalog of deep sky objects (though it could be more extensive), and the ability to perform go-to functions. However, the app does not currently support iOS, and the user interface could be improved for easier navigation.

What makes the Edu Snap telescope affordable compared to other smart telescopes?

The Edu Snap telescope is priced affordably due to its relatively simple design and reliance on a phone app for processing and control, which reduces the need for built-in advanced hardware. At a price point of around $136 during the Kickstarter, it offers a budget-friendly option compared to more expensive telescopes like Unistellar, which cost several thousand dollars.

What improvements are suggested for future versions of the Edu Snap telescope?

Future versions of the Edu Snap telescope could benefit from features like a built-in battery, autofocus, improved algorithms for better image stacking, and the inclusion of storage for images. Additionally, expanding the deep sky catalog and adding a sky atlas function would greatly enhance the user experience.

How easy is it to use the Edu Snap telescope for beginners?

The Edu Snap telescope is quite beginner-friendly, especially with its auto go-to function and user-friendly app. It's an excellent choice for those new to astronomy, as it simplifies locating and observing objects in the night sky without requiring deep knowledge of star maps or celestial navigation.