Comparing Celestron Origin and Unistellar Odyssey Pro: What's the Ideal Pick for You?
In the realm of premium smart telescopes, two standout models have caught the attention of astronomers worldwide: the Celestron Origin and the Unistellar Odyssey Pro. Both telescopes offer unique features and cater to different needs, making them worthy of comparison.
Astrophotography Capabilities
The Celestron Origin, a Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) telescope, is well-loved and proven by experienced astrophotographers. As an off-the-shelf astrophotography setup, it is the best smart telescope for astrophotography. Although specific information on its astrophotography capabilities is limited, Celestron's reputation for robust astrophotography tools is well-established.
On the other hand, the Unistellar Odyssey Pro is equipped with advanced features designed specifically for astrophotography. It can automatically slew to and image over 5000 celestial objects, including 37 million stars. Its smart technology allows for detailed views of galaxies and nebulas, making it highly capable for astrophotography.
Portability
Portability is another key factor to consider when comparing these two telescopes. The Unistellar Odyssey Pro is designed to be portable, making it ideal for transporting to dark sky locations. Its compact size and lightweight design make it an excellent choice for those seeking mobility.
In contrast, the Celestron Origin, with its larger size and heavier weight, may not be as portable. While it can be disassembled for transportation, setting it up and balancing it might require more time and effort.
Ease of Use
Both telescopes are designed with user-friendly interfaces, but the Unistellar Odyssey Pro takes ease of use to a new level. Its fully automated system eliminates the need for manual star alignment, slewing, and focusing, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced astronomers.
The Celestron Origin, while user-friendly, may require occasional collimation, a form of manual adjustment. However, specific information on its ease of use is limited in the available search results.
Additional Features
The Unistellar Odyssey Pro offers a unique feature with its real-time viewing eyepiece, allowing for shared experiences with friends or family. This feature is not available on the Celestron Origin.
The Unistellar Odyssey Pro also allows participation in Citizen Astronomy initiatives to track asteroids and hunt exoplanets. While the Celestron Origin does not have this feature, its focus on astrophotography makes it an excellent tool for those interested in deep-sky imaging.
Price and Specifications
Both telescopes share a price point of $3,999. However, their specifications differ significantly. The Celestron Origin has a 6-inch aperture, an f/2.2 focal ratio, a 6.4MP resolution camera using a Sony IMX178 sensor, and a pixel size of 2.4μm. The Unistellar Odyssey Pro, on the other hand, has a 4.1MP resolution camera using a Sony IMX615 sensor, an 85mm aperture, an f/3.8 focal ratio, and a pixel size of 1.45μm.
In terms of size and weight, the Celestron Origin weighs 18.9kg (41.6 lb) and has dimensions of 122 x 66 x 61 (H x W x L in cm), while the Unistellar Odyssey Pro weighs 4kg (8.8 lb) and has dimensions of 13 x 20 x 43 (H x W x L in cm). The Unistellar Odyssey Pro's field of view is 0.56° x 0.75°, while the Celestron Origin's field of view is 1.27° x 0.85°.
In conclusion, the Unistellar Odyssey Pro excels in terms of automation and portability, while the Celestron Origin offers robust astrophotography capabilities and potential for customisation, with its mount and camera being replaceable and upgradable in the future. Both telescopes are premium offerings from their respective manufacturers, the Celestron Origin being released by American astronomy manufacturer Celestron, and the Unistellar Odyssey Pro by French manufacturer Unistellar.
- The Celestron Origin, a Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) telescope, is a popular choice among experienced astrophotographers for its off-the-shelf astrophotography setup and robust astrophotography tools.
- The Unistellar Odyssey Pro, on the other hand, is equipped with features designed specifically for astrophotography, such as automatic slewing and imaging over 5000 celestial objects.
- For those seeking mobility, the Unistellar Odyssey Pro, due to its compact size and lightweight design, is more portable compared to the larger and heavier Celestron Origin.
- The Unistellar Odyssey Pro's fully automated system allows for a more accessible experience for both beginners and experienced astronomers, in contrast to the Celestron Origin which may require occasional collimation.
- Both telescopes offer unique features; the Unistellar Odyssey Pro has a real-time viewing eyepiece for shared experiences, while the Celestron Origin's mount and camera are replaceable and upgradable.
