How Many Subs

eQuinox 2 vs Odyssey: which is faster for deep-sky imaging?

Unistellar eQuinox 2 against Unistellar Odyssey, on the same targets from the same skies, using the same photon-budget model as the rest of the site. Times are for a solid image; the calculator gives quick-look and showpiece figures too.

Speed. Across the 30 most popular targets from a suburban Bortle 6 sky, the eQuinox 2 is 5× faster (geometric mean of the solid-image times, each scope on its recommended filter and default subs). From a rural Bortle 3 sky the eQuinox 2 is 5× faster.

Field of view. Both frame 0.8° or so on the long side, so they suit the same targets.

Detail. The Odyssey samples at 0.93″ per pixel against 1.33″, so it pulls finer structure from small targets: planetary nebulae, globular cores, galaxy arms.

Subs and dark skies. Both top out at 4 s subs, so neither has an edge at read-noise-limited dark sites.

Filters. Neither has a built-in dual-band filter, so emission nebulae from a lit sky are slow going on both.

Specifications side by side

SpeceQuinox 2Odyssey
Aperture114 mm85 mm
Focal length450 mm (f/3.9)320 mm (f/3.8)
SensorIMX347-class, 2.9 µm (Unistellar does not name it), 3.2 MPIMX415-class, 1.45 µm (Unistellar does not name it), 6.2 MP
Pixel size2.9 µm1.45 µm
Pixel scale1.33″/px0.93″/px
Field of view0.76° × 0.57°0.75° × 0.56°
Sub exposures4 s4 s
Dual-band filterNoneNone
“No filter” positionNo filterNo filter
Read noise used1.8 e⁻1.2 e⁻

Timed on the same targets

Suburban sky (Bortle 6)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 6 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
TargeteQuinox 2OdysseyFaster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy1 h 19 min1,191 subs6 h 07 min5,505 subseQuinox 2 5×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula15 min224 subs1 h 08 min1,016 subseQuinox 2 5×
North America NebulaEmission nebula2 h 04 min1,854 subs9 h 33 min8,594 subseQuinox 2 5×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy4 h 14 min3,814 subs20 h17,741 subseQuinox 2 5×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula6 min96 subs28 min422 subseQuinox 2 4×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant2 h 15 min2,028 subs10 h9,406 subseQuinox 2 5×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster6 min94 subs28 min419 subseQuinox 2 4×
PleiadesReflection nebula2 h 28 min2,219 subs11 h10,297 subseQuinox 2 5×

Rural sky (Bortle 3)

Total integration for a solid image from a Bortle 3 sky, default subs, recommended filter for each scope.
TargeteQuinox 2OdysseyFaster
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy46 min690 subs4 h 05 min3,683 subseQuinox 2 5×
Orion NebulaEmission nebula9 min137 subs47 min701 subseQuinox 2 5×
North America NebulaEmission nebula1 h 11 min1,064 subs6 h 21 min5,721 subseQuinox 2 5×
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy2 h 24 min2,164 subs13 h11,739 subseQuinox 2 5×
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula4 min66 subs21 min309 subseQuinox 2 5×
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant1 h 17 min1,162 subs6 h 57 min6,257 subseQuinox 2 5×
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster4 min60 subs20 min297 subseQuinox 2 5×
PleiadesReflection nebula1 h 25 min1,270 subs7 h 36 min6,843 subseQuinox 2 5×

Try the eQuinox 2 in the calculator Try the Odyssey

About the Unistellar eQuinox 2

A 114 mm Newtonian with five times the light grasp of a 50 mm refractor. Fixed 4 s subs put it in read-noise territory under dark skies, but the aperture carries it. The published field is 45.6′ × 34.2′, a crop of the sensor.

Where to buy the eQuinox 2Amazon UKUnistellar UKAmazon USUnistellar USAffiliate links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

About the Unistellar Odyssey

Unistellar’s compact 85 mm with autofocus and tiny pixels. Sharp, but the fine sampling costs time on faint extended targets. The Odyssey Pro is the same telescope with an eyepiece added, so these figures apply to both.

Where to buy the OdysseyAmazon UKUnistellar UKAmazon USUnistellar USAffiliate links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Other comparisons

eQuinox 2

Odyssey

All comparisons · Buying guide · eQuinox 2 page · Odyssey page