When you venture into amateur astronomy , you expect to gaze at colorful nebulae , sharp planets , and distant worlds with an immediate sense of wonder. However, traditional practice often leads to disappointment: conventional telescopes require precise alignments , sometimes complex for beginners, heavy and expensive optics, and a tracking motor that is almost essential to hope to distinguish the slightest nebula or galaxy. You quickly find yourself frustrated , faced with high-performance but difficult-to-access equipment, transforming this fascinating dream into a hobby reserved for a very small circle of experts.
This is precisely where the Unistellar Odyssey telescope stands out. Designed to simplify astronomy while delivering performance worthy of serious enthusiasts, it allows you to capture and observe celestial objects in record time, with surprising image quality. No more hours of tedious adjustments: the Odyssey combines modern technology, advanced optics, and intelligent guiding to make the beauty of the cosmos accessible, even to novices.
With him, astronomy ceases to be an intimidating discipline and becomes an immersive, fun and immediately gratifying experience , where each observation brings its share of wonder.
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A visionary journey
It all began in 2015 in Marseille, when three enthusiasts, Arnaud, Laurent, and Antonin, decided to democratize astronomy by making sky observation accessible to all. In 2016, they presented their first prototype, generating immediate interest. The following year, at CES in Las Vegas, their meeting with an astronomer from SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) gave a scientific and participatory dimension to their project.
At the same time, their Kickstarter campaign broke all records, becoming the biggest success ever recorded for a French project on the platform. In 2018, the Evscope received an Innovation Award at CES, followed in 2022 by the award for the Evscope 2 , the result of a strategic collaboration with Nikon aimed at optical excellence and scientific precision.
This trajectory peaks in 2023 with a paper published in the journal Nature, co-authored by amateur Unistellar users, demonstrating that even beginners can actively contribute to global scientific research through the ART 31 mission.
Finally, at CES 2024, the Odyssey Pro , more compact than the Evscope 2 and designed for ultra-simple use in urban environments. Tested this summer, I can confirm that this little gem reinvents amateur astronomy, combining simplicity, performance and immersion in the starry sky.
- Ultra-fast installation: ready to use in less than 2 minutes, without complex setup or alignment
- Automatic celestial recognition technology for autonomous and precise orientation
- eXos optical quality: sharp, contrasty and high-resolution images even on dimly lit objects
- Enhanced vision to observe galaxies, nebulae and star clusters even in urban areas
- Intuitive mobile application offering complete and simple control via smartphone or tablet
- Massive astronomical database with 37 million stars and 5,000 pre-stored celestial objects
- Precise auto-tracking to keep objects centered without any manual adjustments
- Regular remote updates to enrich the database and add features
- Compact, elegant, lightweight design and easy to carry on a daily basis
- Perfect for beginners with no prior knowledge, while appealing to demanding enthusiasts
- Easy live sharing via smartphone, ideal for families and astronomy events
- High price, which may be a deterrent for those on a tighter budget
- No classic eyepiece viewfinder, everything is done via the digital screen, which may confuse purists
- Non-interchangeable battery: 5 hours of autonomy without the possibility of extension without external accessories
- Requires a compatible smartphone or tablet, cannot be used alone
- Digital-centric experience, which may frustrate users who prefer traditional viewing
A celestial base of unparalleled richness
The Unistellar Odyssey carries a celestial database of exceptional precision and richness . It is not limited to a few visible objects: it opens a true window on infinity .
Inside, more than 37 million stars and over 5,000 celestial objects have been rigorously integrated: nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, double stars, planets... it's all there. This richness allows the Odyssey to offer observing sessions that are educational, immersive, and personalized , perfectly adapted to your local sky.
A dynamic sky map in your hand
Upon activation, the telescope automatically recognizes the star field . Within seconds, it knows exactly where it is in the universe. That's when the magic happens: it compares its position to its massive database to instantly offer you a selection of objects visible from your location.
Each target is not chosen at random. It is selected according to its brightness , its astronomical interest , its position in the sky and above all what you can actually observe at that precise moment . The result is clear: no loss of time, no tedious manual adjustments and zero frustration. Each session becomes intuitive, fast and rewarding, even for beginners.
What makes this database truly exceptional is not only the sheer volume of data , but also the way in which each piece of information is used for the user . With the Unistellar Odyssey mobile application , even an amateur astronomer can access a universe of knowledge in an intuitive and immediate . No more tedious calculations or manual location finding: a simple touch on the screen is enough for the Odyssey to orient its camera and optics towards the chosen celestial object , whether it is a distant nebula, a spiral galaxy or a star cluster.
What really sets the Odyssey apart is its ability to adapt to your environment and needs . The database is continuously updated by the Unistellar team, in partnership with professional astronomers, to incorporate the latest discoveries and recent astronomical phenomena. It takes into account seasons , local positions, and exceptional events personalized and optimized observing experience .
The result: each session becomes fun, educational, and scientifically relevant . Astronomy ceases to be a complex and intimidating exercise and becomes a guided and immersive exploration, where each object observed has a meaning, a story, and a place in the universe. For both the amateur and the experienced enthusiast, it is a true celestial journey within reach .
Why the Odyssey Pro is an exceptional telescope
The Odyssey Pro doesn't just show the stars: it enhances every moment of observation . From the very first minutes, what strikes you is the intelligence of its automation . Everything has been designed so that the user can focus solely on wonder and discovery.
Its amplified vision and live image processing allow the telescope to accumulate thousands of short exposures and stack them in real time. The result is spectacular: colors, nebulae, and details invisible to the naked eye are gradually revealed on the screen, giving the impression of seeing the object form before your eyes.
No prior knowledge is required. No complicated manuals or alignment calculations: a simple tap on the app is all it takes for the Odyssey Pro to automatically steer toward a galaxy in the Andromeda constellation or a planetary nebula thousands of light-years away.
Its light pollution filtering software makes the device surprisingly effective even in urban environments. Details previously thought reserved for mountain observatories are clearly visible, allowing for a rich observation experience, even in the city.
Finally, the Odyssey Pro is connected, collaborative, and immersive . Up to ten users can connect simultaneously via Wi-Fi and follow the observation from their smartphones. Whether for evenings with friends, school workshops, or family time, this collective approach transforms each session into a truly interactive and captivating event.
Technical characteristics of the Unistellar Odyssey pro telescope
The Unistellar Odyssey Pro telescope features a compact and lightweight design, measuring 43 cm in length and 11 cm in diameter , and weighing approximately 4 kg, making it easy to handle and install. Its battery life reaches 5 hours of observation thanks to a built-in battery, enough for full evenings of sky scanning. To store your images and observation sessions, it has 64 GB of internal memory , allowing you to record hundreds of detailed shots.
Optically, the telescope is equipped with an 85 mm mirror and a focal length of 320 mm, offering a limiting magnitude of 17.2, where the human eye does not exceed 7.5. In practical terms, this means that the Odyssey Pro can reveal objects up to a thousand times fainter than those visible to the naked eye.
Finally, it incorporates patented technologies that significantly enhance the experience: Stellar Autofocus for fast, automatic focusing, Enhanced Vision to bring out invisible details, and software-based light pollution filtering , which allows for clear images even in the middle of the city. These features combine power, practicality, and innovation, making the Odyssey Pro a telescope that is both accessible and powerful for amateur astronomers and serious enthusiasts.
An integrated battery designed for portable autonomy
The Unistellar Odyssey Pro features a built-in lithium-ion battery , designed to keep astronomers going even when traveling in the great outdoors. Unlike many telescopes that require external power or additional batteries, the Odyssey Pro operates completely autonomously , making it an ideal companion for observing in remote locations without direct access to electricity.
Its autonomy reaches up to 5 hours of continuous observation , even when activating all its features: motorization, automatic object tracking, Wi-Fi and real-time image processing. Charging is fast and convenient thanks to a USB-C , compatible with modern chargers, external batteries (power banks) and even some portable solar panels.
The internal system also incorporates intelligent energy optimization , dynamically adapting consumption according to the current activity to extend autonomy without compromising performance. In addition, the battery maintains good efficiency even in cold temperatures , a crucial criterion for long winter nights spent observing the sky.
Unlike other telescopes that require expensive and bulky external batteries, the Odyssey Pro is ready to use right out of the box : simply place it, connect it to the app, and start exploring the skies. Battery life designed for mobility and freedom of observation , making every outing a seamless and immersive experience.
A telescope for citizen science
The Odyssey Pro goes beyond simply gazing at the sky: it transforms every observation into a real scientific contribution . With the Unistellar app, each user can participate in citizen science missions , supervised by NASA and SETI partner astronomers. Whether detecting exoplanets , observing asteroid occultations , or tracking gamma-ray bursts , all collected data can be transmitted and shared with the scientific community.
What makes the experience even more unique is that these contributions do not remain anonymous. Amateurs can become co-authors of scientific publications . In 2023, several Odyssey Pro users participated in an article published in the journal Nature , a historic event in the field of citizen astronomy. The Odyssey Pro is therefore not just a tool for wonder: it is a bridge between passion and research , offering everyone the opportunity to become an actor in science.
Pricing and positioning
The Unistellar Odyssey telescope in its basic version is offered at €2,299 , while the Odyssey Pro reaches €3,599 , including a Nikon electronic eyepiece . This price difference is mainly justified by this eyepiece, which offers a direct and more traditional visual immersion. It allows you to enjoy the sky as with a classic telescope, but retains the technological advantages of the Odyssey: automatic tracking, image processing and connection to the application.
To go even further, Unistellar also offers a smart solar filter , allowing you to observe prominences and sunspots safely. This device opens up new perspectives for daytime observation, enriching the scientific and immersive experience offered by the telescope.
With these features, the Odyssey Pro clearly positions itself in the premium segment of amateur astronomy, combining cutting-edge technology, visual immersion and scientific participation , for those who want a tool that is powerful, intuitive and comprehensive.
To put it simply: a masterpiece of simplicity and precision
The Odyssey Pro is to astronomy what the smartphone was to photography: a smart and fluid democratization , intuitive from the first use, while maintaining exceptional observation quality . With this telescope, the universe becomes accessible to all, without compromise or tedious learning , and with the unique possibility of actively participating in scientific research .
But what really sets it apart is that the Odyssey Pro isn't just "smart": it's wonderfully smart . Every feature, every automation, every fine-tuning has been designed to make the viewing experience enjoyable, immersive, and rewarding , transforming every session into a moment of pure discovery and enjoyment.
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