How Many Subs

Unistellar eQuinox 2: how long to image deep-sky targets

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.

SpecValue
Aperture114 mm
Focal length450 mm (f/3.9)
SensorIMX347-class, 2.9 µm (Unistellar does not name it), 2058 × 1544, 2.9 µm pixels
Pixel scale1.33″ per pixel
Field of view0.76° × 0.57° (46′ × 34′)
Sub exposures4 s (default 4 s)
FiltersNo built-in filter. Unistellar sells only a solar filter and says a third-party filter is at your own risk and voids the warranty. What the names mean.
In the calculator“No filter” is the No filter position; there is no dual-band option for the eQuinox 2.
Read noise used1.8 e⁻
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.

Weighing it against the others? The buying guide puts every scope on one table.

Popular targets

Total integration for a solid image, 4 s subs, recommended filter.
TargetBortle 4Bortle 6Bortle 8
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy51 min767 subs1 h 19 min1,191 subs2 h 57 min2,654 subs
Orion NebulaEmission nebula10 min151 subs15 min224 subs32 min477 subs
PleiadesReflection nebula1 h 34 min1,416 subs2 h 28 min2,219 subs5 h 33 min4,992 subs
Whirlpool GalaxyGalaxy34 min515 subs52 min787 subs1 h 55 min1,728 subs
Bode's GalaxyGalaxy37 min560 subs58 min863 subs2 h 07 min1,912 subs
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy2 h 41 min2,419 subs4 h 14 min3,814 subs9 h 36 min8,633 subs
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster4 min66 subs6 min94 subs13 min192 subs
Dumbbell NebulaPlanetary nebula16 min239 subs24 min353 subs50 min748 subs
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula5 min70 subs6 min96 subs12 min187 subs
Lagoon NebulaEmission nebula17 min249 subs25 min376 subs54 min816 subs
Eagle NebulaEmission nebula56 min833 subs1 h 26 min1,295 subs3 h 13 min2,891 subs
Omega NebulaEmission nebula19 min286 subs29 min431 subs1 h 02 min929 subs
Trifid NebulaEmission nebula39 min587 subs1 h907 subs2 h 14 min2,011 subs
Triangulum GalaxyGalaxy1 h 34 min1,416 subs2 h 28 min2,219 subs5 h 33 min4,992 subs
North America NebulaEmission nebula1 h 19 min1,186 subs2 h 04 min1,854 subs4 h 37 min4,160 subs
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant1 h 26 min1,296 subs2 h 15 min2,028 subs5 h 04 min4,557 subs
Eastern Veil NebulaSupernova remnant1 h 12 min1,086 subs1 h 53 min1,695 subs4 h 13 min3,798 subs
Elephant's Trunk NebulaEmission nebula2 h 15 min2,023 subs3 h 32 min3,183 subs7 h 59 min7,191 subs
Iris NebulaReflection nebula1 h 06 min994 subs1 h 43 min1,549 subs3 h 51 min3,468 subs
Pacman NebulaEmission nebula1 h 34 min1,416 subs2 h 28 min2,219 subs5 h 33 min4,992 subs
Heart NebulaEmission nebula2 h 41 min2,419 subs4 h 14 min3,814 subs9 h 36 min8,633 subs
Rosette NebulaEmission nebula1 h 19 min1,186 subs2 h 04 min1,854 subs4 h 37 min4,160 subs
Horsehead NebulaEmission nebula1 h 53 min1,692 subs2 h 57 min2,657 subs6 h 39 min5,991 subs
Flame NebulaEmission nebula28 min415 subs42 min636 subs1 h 33 min1,400 subs
California NebulaEmission nebula1 h 53 min1,692 subs2 h 57 min2,657 subs6 h 39 min5,991 subs
Helix NebulaPlanetary nebula1 h 53 min1,692 subs2 h 57 min2,657 subs6 h 39 min5,991 subs
Double ClusterOpen cluster2 min30 subs2 min32 subs4 min59 subs
NGC 891Galaxy1 h 36 min1,438 subs2 h 30 min2,250 subs5 h 37 min5,056 subs
Sombrero GalaxyGalaxy28 min414 subs42 min626 subs1 h 31 min1,359 subs
Sunflower GalaxyGalaxy58 min866 subs1 h 30 min1,343 subs3 h 19 min2,991 subs

All 170 targets have a page for the eQuinox 2.

Every target for the eQuinox 2

Supernova remnants

Globular clusters

Open clusters

Emission nebulas

Star clouds

Planetary nebulas

Galaxies

Reflection nebulas

Getting the most from the eQuinox 2

Fixed 4 s subs in Enhanced Vision; they cannot be changed. No built-in filter. Unistellar sells only a solar filter and says a third-party filter is at your own risk and voids the warranty.

The eQuinox 2 uses fixed 4 s subs, so the only levers you have are the sky you shoot from, the filter, and total time.

Stack across nights. Every smart scope app can continue a stack or you can combine the saved frames on a computer; the figures here are totals, not single-session limits.

Compare the eQuinox 2

Useful gear

What actually fits this scope, checked against the maker's own pages: power, EQ mode, dew and carry.

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All eQuinox 2 accessories, and what to take on a cold night →