I will readily admit that I am somewhat of a laid-back astronomer and astrophotographer. The thought of driving out to find clear, dark skies each time does not appeal to me, nor do I relish dealing with complicated setups. Additionally, living in Florida, enduring swarms of mosquitoes just to observe through an eyepiece outdoors is far from enjoyable. There’s [...]
I'd readily admit that I'm somewhat of a laid-back astronomer and astrophotographer. The thought of driving to find clear skies each time doesn't appeal to me, nor does dealing with complicated setups. Additionally, living in Florida means battling swarms of mosquitoes whenever I try to stargaze outdoors. Figuring out celestial targets can be daunting too. Nevertheless, I truly appreciate the stunning details we can observe in the nighttime sky. Therefore, when Unistellar invited me to test their Odyssey Pro—a smart telescope designed for a more convenient observing experience—I eagerly accepted. The Odyssey Pro ultimately resolved the majority of my issues with astrophotography, streamlining the process and making it far more pleasurable, albeit at a considerable cost.
Pros
- Extremely simple to install
- Simple to use
- Relatively compact and lightweight
- Effectively filters light pollution
- High-quality images and views
- Choice to observe via the application or the eyepiece
- Long battery life
- Includes a sturdy tripod
Cons
- The reach of Wi-Fi isn't particularly extensive.
- The pairing process feels somewhat awkward.
- Needs the application for usage
- It’s $3,999
The verdict: The Unistellar Odyssey Pro is a costly telescope; however, it boasts exceptional ease of setup and operation, offering high-quality imagery even for those with absolutely no prior experience.
How we tested
The Odyssey Pro is fairly small and light, which makes it a suitable choice for traveling. This can be attributed to its compact design. Alt-Azimuth mount , which eliminates the need for counterweights yet still allows for complete tracking functionality. We transported the telescope to several of our friends' homes and even carried it along on an extensive road trip because it didn’t occupy much room in the vehicle. Additionally, you can purchase a specially made backpack for easier telescope transportation.
The design
The telescope includes a tripod, eliminating the need for an additional purchase. This tripod is quite robust, enabling stable setup of your telescope, even when there's a breeze blowing. At the front of the telescope, there is a magnet that keeps the dust cover securely attached. Additionally, this feature lets you affix the Unistellar Solar Filter seamlessly, allowing for safe solar viewing.
Connection capabilities, power duration, and memory capacity
The Odyssey Pro operates through a link with the Unistellar application on your mobile device or computer via its built-in Wi-Fi adapter. This allows for connectivity even when you're not directly beside the telescope. Although the wireless range doesn't extend as far as desired, we were still able to remain indoors, avoiding mosquitoes, yet get an intimate view of celestial objects above. However, the telescope lacks manual control options apart from the power switch, making the app essential for operation. In case your phone runs out of battery during observation, you can't utilize "Park" mode to secure and store the telescope safely.
Since it is predominantly a digital gadget, it inherently depends on a battery for operation. Unistellar guarantees around five hours of battery life using the built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery—a claim consistent with my own tests. The device includes both a USB-C port for charging purposes as well as a USB-A port capable of powering your smartphone. Furthermore, it provides 64GB of internal storage. While this seems ample at first glance, remember that the telescope operates by capturing numerous photos of celestial objects sequentially; these stacked images consume storage faster than anticipated. Despite this, after several observing sessions during which I took many pictures, the storage still held out until becoming nearly exhausted. Nonetheless, having extra capacity doesn’t do any harm. to have a portable charger readily available .
Optics and sensor
At first glance, the Odyssey Pro appears similar to most telescopes. It operates in the same manner as many others do. a conventional Newtonian reflector configuration To collect light using a mirror with a diameter of 85mm and a focal length of 320mm, which gives an f-ratio of f/3.9. Its distinctive feature lies in the fact that this mirror does not direct light solely to an eyepiece; rather, the Odyssey Pro employs a 4.1-megapixel sensor for both viewing and capturing images. Subsequently, you have the option to observe the nighttime sky via the Unistellar application on your smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.
Similar to the budget-friendly Odyssey, the Odyssey Pro includes an eyepiece developed in partnership with Nikon, offering a somewhat conventional telescope-like feel. However, this eyepiece employs a modern approach by using an OLED microdisplay rather than providing a direct view through the device. This technology enables the use of Unistellar’s real-time image enhancement capabilities, even during observation via the eyepiece itself. Additionally, because it does not appear as though one is staring at a screen, the overall immersion remains intact.
The features
As a smart telescope The Unistellar Odyssey Pro offers quite an array of features. It simplifies many aspects of stargazing, which can be advantageous for some people (such as me), but might not appeal to others who enjoy a traditional approach. The device’s capabilities stem from its accompanying application, beginning with the straightforward installation procedure.
Setup and maintenance
A key advantage of the Odyssey Pro is its straightforward assembly. Unlike conventional telescopes that demand fussy mirror adjustments or complex focusing procedures, this model manages these tasks autonomously. As such, you can explore celestial sights directly after unpacking it, saving time for more stargazing adventures.
Setting up involves nothing more than positioning it atop a robust tripod and checking for stability—there’s also a built-in bubble level visible in the accompanying images. Pairing this device with the Unistellar application proved somewhat tricky; at times, it could be quite temperamental despite being relatively straightforward otherwise. Once paired, the app conducts alignment procedures. Rather than depending solely on GPS data to determine its position, the system identifies itself through star recognition before using information from the Unistellar database to refine its exact whereabouts. Both the telescope and the software manage this calibration phase autonomously, requiring only patience until completion within one or two minutes.
Unistellar app controls
After the initial configuration, the Unistellar app offers numerous features to simplify observing the nighttime sky. It boasts an extensive database featuring over 5,000 cosmic entities such as nebulae, galaxies, and planets along with data on 37 million stars, all within a user-friendly interface. Given its ability to determine your geographical position, this catalogue lets you look up and explore astronomical bodies visible from where you stand. This prevents wasting time awaiting adjustments towards targets not currently above your horizon. Additionally, customization options allow you to adjust settings when obstructions like structures or foliage interfere with visibility.
After choosing your target, the automated Alt-Az mount handles navigation for you. The telescope continuously follows the selected object or star to maintain its position in view despite Earth's rotation. This feature is particularly advantageous due to Unistellar’s advanced image-processing capabilities, which enhance the quality of images over time. Additionally, it automatically readjusts focus whenever needed to guarantee clear observation.
Although you have the option for an entirely automated procedure, the application still provides several manual adjustments. This allows you to rotate the mount manually to explore the nighttime sky independently. Additionally, you can exert some manual influence over the image parameters such as adjusting the gain (the signal amplification from the sensor), setting the exposure duration, modifying the brightness levels, and controlling the darkness of the backdrop.
When observing together, Unistellar simplifies connecting several devices to the same telescope so everyone doesn’t have to crowd around one screen or the eyepiece. The app also includes features like calibration tools for sensors, focusing aids for the eyepiece, and adjustments to realign the telescope—ensuring an optimal view. Additionally, you can activate the scope’s sidelight feature and switch it to red mode to minimize light interference and preserve your night vision.
Astrophotography
The Odyssey Pro makes astrophotography It’s remarkably straightforward. Although it doesn’t match the output of professional-grade astrophotography equipment, this method still delivers commendable results with significantly less hassle. Taking pictures involves simply selecting an object to observe and pressing the capture button within the application. You have the option to include a round border around your photograph, featuring details such as the observed celestial body, exposure duration, location, and timestamp; alternatively, you can choose an unbordered image.
A key highlight of Unistellar’s telescopes, such as the Odyssey Pro, is their Deep Dark Technology. This innovation enhances both visual observation and astrophotography by mitigating light pollution. The technology employs a sophisticated noise reduction process that creates an authentic dark backdrop characteristic of outer space. Additionally, this technique boosts detail and color intensity, enabling clearer views of celestial bodies and stars even when observing from locations with significant ambient lighting.
Although I don’t reside in locations such as New York City or Chicago, I still face considerable light pollution where I am. This has led to disappointing outcomes when trying astrophotography with my camera due to these conditions. However, the Odyssey Pro excels under those circumstances, offering an exceptional viewing experience despite the presence of light pollution. While it does take some time for images to improve as they develop, with a bit of patience, the end results are truly remarkable.
The conclusion
Unistellar has done an excellent job at demystifying astronomy, making it much more accessible. From unboxing the device through setting up and using the accompanying application, every step is straightforward and user-friendly, enabling beginners to get started almost immediately. Their advanced technologies like Deep Sky Enhancement and real-time imaging processes yield remarkably impressive outcomes, particularly when observing celestial objects over several minutes. Furthermore, this equipment’s compact design along with its compatibility with various applications facilitates turning star gazing sessions into communal activities.
Certainly, there are drawbacks. The Wi-Fi coverage isn't particularly broad, requiring you to stay relatively nearby. Additionally, without a compatible device running the app, you won't be able to utilize the telescope, which is disappointing if your smartphone runs out of power during observation trips. However, the most significant drawback is undoubtedly the cost; at $3,999, it's quite pricey. To cut down expenses, you might consider opting for the Odyssey , which is almost identical except for the lack of an eyepiece. I had previously tried the Odyssey and was not expecting to enjoy the experience of viewing through the eyepiece as much as I did. However, there is something unique about it, making me appreciate using it more. the Odyssey Pro There is an additional cost of about $1,700 between these two versions, which makes justifying such a high price solely for the viewfinder seem difficult. However, this subject led to considerable discussion among our acquaintances, ultimately suggesting that it really boils down to individual choice.
The specs
- Focal length: 320mm
- Mirror diameter: 85mm
- Focal ratio: f/3.9
- Image resolution: 4.1 megapixels
- Mount: Motorized Alt-Az
- Database: Over 5000 objects and 37 million stars
- Telescope weight: 8.8 pounds
- Tripod weight: 5.5 pounds
- Storage: 64GB
- Battery life: 5 hours
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