telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED vs Unistellar Equinox 2
Takahashi
Epsilon-180ED
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Unistellar
Equinox 2
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+11% focal length
+58% aperture
Faster by 1.1 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi Epsilon-180ED | Unistellar Equinox 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | astrograph | smart-telescope |
| Optical design | Hyperbolic Newtonian | Newtonian all-in-one |
| Aperture | 180mm | 114mm |
| Focal length | 500mm | 450mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/2.8 | f/3.9 |
| Image circle | 44mm | — |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 12.5kg | 9.0kg |
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Tighter framing — 500mm vs 450mm focal length
- 58% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/2.8 vs f/3.9
- Larger image circle (44mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of Unistellar Equinox 2
- Lighter (9kg vs 12.5kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Takahashi Epsilon-180ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Unistellar Equinox 2
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 4.13° × 2.75°Scale: 1.55"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.69° × 1.80°Scale: 1.55"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.29° × 1.29°Scale: 1.55"/px
Unistellar Equinox 2 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 4.58° × 3.06°Scale: 1.72"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.99° × 2.00°Scale: 1.72"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.44° × 1.44°Scale: 1.72"/px
Takahashi Epsilon-180ED — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a permanent observatory setup.
Unistellar Equinox 2 — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.