There’s a new name in the world of smart telescopes—and it’s interesting to say the least. EduSnap, a compact 2-in-1 telescope launched on Kickstarter, is aiming to make stargazing more accessible for beginners, families, and pretty much anyone who’s ever looked up and wondered what’s out there.
Affordability
With a launch price between $159 and $180, EduSnap is easily one of the cheapest smart telescopes out there right now. That’s a big deal. Most smart scopes cost way more—like the ZWO Seestar S50 at around $550, or Unistellar’s high-end models that go well over $3,000. EduSnap isn’t just affordable, it’s also super portable. At just 1.75 kg (that’s 3.85 lbs), you can toss it in a backpack and head out for a night under the stars without breaking your back.
So What’s Inside it?
EduSnap mixes classic telescope design with some pretty slick tech. It’s got a Sony Starlight-grade sensor and a quad-core AI chip that handles things like auto image stacking and multi-exposure processing. Basically, it does a lot of the hard work for you, so you can just enjoy the view.
One cool feature is the smart zenith mirror and standard 1.25-inch eyepiece. That means you can switch between digital viewing and good ol’ fashioned eyeball-to-eyepiece stargazing with just a click. It connects via dual-band Wi-Fi (5G) and USB-C, and comes with 32GB of internal storage—enough for around 6,000 pics.
The focal length is 250mm, which is pretty short, and the focal ratio is listed as either f/4 or f/5 (there’s a bit of confusion there). The aperture isn’t clearly stated, but based on performance, it’s probably on the smaller side.
Not Really for Deep-Sky Imaging
Even though EduSnap is marketed as a telescope for both stargazing and astrophotography, it’s really more about Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA). That’s where it stacks short exposures in real time to give you a better view on-screen. It’s great for casual viewing, but not ideal if you’re trying to capture detailed shots of galaxies or planets.
For example, if you see Saturn through it, it would just looked like a blurry oval. That’s not surprising—small aperture scopes like this one just don’t have the resolution for serious planetary imaging.
App-Driven Experience (With a Few Bumps)
The EduSnap app is where most of the action happens. It lets you find and track celestial objects, browse a big catalog of stars and galaxies, and even learn a bit about what you’re looking at. There’s some educational content baked in, which is a nice touch.
That said, early users have pointed out some bugs and glitches. One reviewer mentioned hoping the devs fix the app before the full release. That’s kinda par for the course with Kickstarter tech, but still something to keep in mind.
Quick Specs Rundown
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Price | $159–$180 (Kickstarter) |
| Optical Design | Probably a refractor |
| Aperture | Not specified (~50mm est.) |
| Focal Length | 250mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/4 or f/5 |
| Sensor | Sony Starlight-grade |
| AI Processing | Quad-core chip, auto stacking |
| Storage | 32GB (up to 6,000 images) |
| Connectivity | Dual-band Wi-Fi, USB-C |
| Weight | 1.75 kg (3.85 lbs) |
| Eyepiece | 1.25-inch w/ smart zenith mirror |
| Power Source | External (needs power bank) |
| Features | Auto star finding, tracking, app |
Final Thoughts
EduSnap isn’t trying to be a pro-level astrophotography rig—and that’s totally fine. It’s affordable, easy to use, and fun. For beginners or anyone just getting into astronomy, it’s a great way to dip your toes in without spending a fortune.
Sure, it’s not perfect. The app needs some polish, and it won’t give you jaw-dropping shots of the Andromeda galaxy. But it does what it sets out to do: make the night sky more accessible. And honestly? That’s kind of awesome.
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