DWARF II Smart Telescope review

The DWARF II Smart Telescope is an innovative compact digital telescope designed for both astrophotography and panoramic photography. Its size reduction is achieved through a specialized lens and a motorized gimbal, enabling detailed celestial observation and tracking. This device will definately appeal to you if you’re an astrophotographer or enjoy taking super resolution panormaic images. Where the innovation really comes in is that the fact that the DWARF II Smart Telescope offers a simple alternative to large, motorized tripod rigs typically used with DSLRs for this style of imaging. The simplicity of its setup enables you to focus more on capturing images rather than on complex calibration processes such as chasing the stars.

With its dual-lens system, the DWARF II functions as a traditional telescope but also offers wide-angle and panoramic photography capabilities. The integration of AI for object tracking, automatic star tracking, and the creation of gigapixel panoramas further enhances its versatility. Controlled via a smartphone app, this smart telescope is incredibly user-friendly, making it possible for you to capture advanced astrophotography images with no prior knowledge or experience. However, a flick through the manual is advised. Its app-enabled functionality provides a simplified, intuitive user experience, along with additional features that are easy to navigate once familiarized.

The DWARF II’s combination of advanced technology in a compact, portable form makes it an innovative choice for both amateur and experienced photographers interested in capturing the vastness of the night sky or expansive landscapes in great detail.

The DWARF II Smart Telescope’s design is sleek and minimalistic, reflecting modern aesthetics with its compact form, measuring 204 x 62 x 130mm and weighing just 1 kg. This makes it both portable and easy to handle out in the field. When it comes to control most of the settings aside from the on button are accessed through the app, which makes the exterior of the telescope very clean in design. Its construction quality seems robust enough for regular use, and as an amateur stargazer or a more dedicated astrophotography enthusiast, the quality is robust enough to last many years.

Initially, as the device is removed from the softcase that it ships with, it does seem a bit unintuitive due to its minimalistic design, but a quick consultation with the manual shows that everything is controlled through the App, which is available for both iOS and Android.

Once the battery is charged, the microSD card is in place, and the app is connected, the telescope is ready for use. The lens barrel, housing the dual lenses, rotates for protection and operation.

As previously mentioned using the telescope is managed through the app rather than with direct controls, which handles most of the setup and operational adjustments. Due to the nature of control, there is no screen on the telescope or viewfinder; everything is through the screen on your mobile device. Any worries about this 100% app-enabled control system are quickly dispelled as it really does simplify the use, and for someone like me who is wholly new to astrophotography, it makes the process relatively straightforward. It’s worth mentioning at this point that the telescope is designed to be tripod-mounted rather than hand-held.

The DWARF II Smart Telescope is designed to bring space closer to any level of stargazer as well as having the added bonus that it’s also an easy option for capturing gigapixel panoramas. One of its standout features is the AI-powered object tracking, which simplifies locating and following celestial bodies. The telescope is also equipped with a one-click GOTO function, making it easier to navigate the night sky. This feature makes the whole stargazing process that much easier.

If you are already an astrophotography enthusiast then the auto star tracking and stacking capabilities are instantly going to appeal enabling you to capture clearer, more detailed images of the night sky. The DWARF II also enables you to capture panoramic photographs, capable of creating gigapixel panoramas that capture vast landscapes in incredible detail.

While the telescope breaks away from the traditional design with no viewfinder it is wholey controlled via a smartphone app, this enables an intuitive user experience once you get used to it. It also makes sophisticated astrophotography accessible to beginners. Additionally, its replaceable battery and Type-C charging add to its ease of use, while the inclusion of a 64GB microSD card offers ample storage for high-resolution images.

Starting with the DWARF II Smart Telescope’s test, I quickly realized my limited knowledge in telescopes. Despite this, my initial experience was positive – I managed to capture some impressive shots straight off. The device’s range of features initially felt overwhelming; however, a quick tip into the manual, which could be found online, and all started to make sense.

After the initial session on the roof photographing the night sky, I then headed into the forest during daylight hours to start to experiment with the tracking feature. Although challenging at first, I successfully tracked a herd of New Forest Deer, achieving surprisingly good results despite being new to the device. The image quality and detail were good, especially considering the distance.

The learning curve with the app was steep, leading to moments of confusion, but I soon realized these were user errors rather than device faults and when there are so many features, you do need to refer to the manual to get things sorted out correctly. As I delved deeper into the app, exploring modes like panoramic, moon tracking, and time-lapse, the telescope’s capabilities really started to reveal themselves. The more I used it, the more intuitive it became.

Really, the DWARF II offers a host of creative features for both stills and videos; at the price, it’s actually really cheap, and for anyone interested in astrophotography or panoramic photography, this is a great place to start.

The DWARF II Smart Telescope is something a little different for me. After a couple of months with the telescope, I am really starting to get the blend of the features on offer. Primarily, it’s a digital telescope with the view of what you’re looking at projecting onto your smartphone screen rather than being viewable through a viewfinder. While this initially seems counterintuitive when you’re trying to locate a star or constellation that you want to take a photo of, in a short space of time, you actually realise how easy and intuitive it actually is.

While being used for astrophotography is its main focus, it’s also a great tool for capturing large-scale panoramas. Its ease of use, combined with a multitude of features, makes it an excellent choice and far cheaper than the kit you would require to do the same with your DSLR or Mirrorless camera. The telescope simplifies complex astrophotography tasks, making them more approachable while still offering the quality and capabilities that won’t fail to please.

Its compact design, combined with the app-driven interface, furthers its appeal, offering a modern twist to traditional telescopic exploration. Overall, it’s just great fun and with the ability to capture stunning astrophotography as well as large-scale panoramics.