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Dwarf Labs
Dwarf Labs DWARF II
An affordable smart scope that pairs daytime versatility with serious wide-field astrophotography.
From the community
What owners say
Based on 25 Cloudy Nights discussions
What they love
- ✓Able to capture DSOs (deep sky objects) with small device size
- ✓Very easy to use - no Polaris alignment required, only 3 steps: calibration, goto, live stacking
- ✓Affordable price point ($395 presale, $459 retail) compared to competitors
- ✓Supports infrared photography with IR/cut filter removable
- ✓Dual-purpose daytime nature observing and nighttime astrophotography
What caught them off guard
- !Bluetooth connectivity issues - kept connecting and disconnecting on original Dwarf I
- !Digital zoom did not match screen zoom when viewing pictures
- !Limited target object list in app (mostly English and Chinese only)
- !Software incomplete at launch with features like goto and plate solving not yet fully implemented
- !Rough spots in app interface
Top targets reported by owners
What you'll see
Western Veil Nebula (Bortle 7
M31 core (easily visible even under moonlight
Wide-field nebulae and galaxies via live stacking (3-step process: calibration, goto, live stack)
Bright planetary nebulae (NGC 6826 Blinking Planetary described as 'very sharp image')
Worth knowing before you buy
Bluetooth connectivity is unsatisfactory with frequent connecting and disconnecting, particularly noted as an issue with…
Digital zoom does not preserve the framing shown on screen when zooming in on pictures after capture
The included tripod is unstable and causes vibration when the telescope is mounted on a table, requiring a better qualit…
Frequently asked
Questions from owners
Sourced from Cloudy Nights discussions.
- What is the actual aperture and focal length of the Dwarf II?
- The Dwarf II has a 24mm aperture and 100mm focal length with a Sony IMX415 sensor. This gives it a wide field of view of approximately 3 degrees on the larger dimension, significantly wider than competing robotics telescopes like the Vespera (1.
- Can the Dwarf II do GoTo and plate solving?
- Yes, the Dwarf II includes GoTo capability with alt-az motors and plate solving, though these features were still being developed at the time of the Kickstarter. Early users reported the software had rough spots and required manual coordinate entry in some cases, but firmware updates were being released based on user feedback.
- How does the Bluetooth connectivity work?
- The Dwarf II supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. One Dwarf I owner reported frustrating Bluetooth connectivity issues with constant disconnections, attributed to app compatibility problems with iPhones, though it's unclear if Dwarf II resolved this.
- What are the main trade-offs compared to the Vespera?
- The Dwarf II costs $395–459 versus Vespera's $1,099–2,500, making it accessible to beginners, but has smaller aperture and shorter focal length resulting in less light collection and lower resolution. However, the Dwarf II's wider field of view (3 degrees vs 1.
- Does it work well for daytime use and infrared imaging?
- Yes, the Dwarf II is explicitly designed for both daytime telephoto use and nighttime astronomy. Users noted it can detect infrared with an IR-cut filter that can be moved out of the way, enabling daytime infrared photography—a capability that interested experienced astro-imagers for applications like moon shots during daylight.
- What accessories and modifications are possible?
- The Dwarf II uses standard 1.25-inch filters, making it easy to add aftermarket filters compared to other robotic telescopes.
Full Specifications
Optics
| Aperture | 24mm |
| Focal Length | 100mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/4.17 |
| Optical Design | Smart Telescope |
| Coatings | Multi-coated telephoto-style objective |
Mount & Tracking
| Mount Type | Integrated |
| GoTo (Computerised) | Yes |
| Tracking | Yes |
| Tracking Motor | Integrated dual-axis motorised alt-az with gyroscope-assisted alignment |
Focuser
| Focuser Type | Fixed focus (app-controlled fine adjustment) |
Physical
| OTA Weight | 1.35kg |
| Total Weight (with mount) | 1.35kg |
| Tube Material | Polycarbonate and aluminium alloy |
Included Accessories
| Diagonal | No |
Smart Telescope Features
| Built-in Camera | Yes |
| App Controlled | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes |
| Battery Included | Yes |
| Sensor | 1/2.8" Sony IMX462 CMOS |
| Sensor Resolution | 2.1MP |