telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi FC-100DL vs Unistellar Equinox 2
Takahashi
FC-100DL
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Unistellar
Equinox 2
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+100% focal length
-12% aperture
Slower by 5.1 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi FC-100DL | Unistellar Equinox 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | smart-telescope |
| Optical design | Apo doublet fluorite | Newtonian all-in-one |
| Aperture | 100mm | 114mm |
| Focal length | 900mm | 450mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/9.0 | f/3.9 |
| Image circle | 44mm | — |
| Full-frame support | No | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 3.3kg | 9.0kg |
Advantages of Takahashi FC-100DL
- Tighter framing — 900mm vs 450mm focal length
- Larger image circle (44mm) — supports bigger sensors
- Lighter (3.3kg vs 9kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Unistellar Equinox 2
- Wider field — 450mm vs 900mm focal length
- 14% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/3.9 vs f/9
Best for — Takahashi FC-100DL
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- High-resolution long-exposure work
Best for — Unistellar Equinox 2
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
Takahashi FC-100DL — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.29° × 1.53°Scale: 0.86"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.50° × 1.00°Scale: 0.86"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.72° × 0.72°Scale: 0.86"/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 FC-100DL — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Unistellar Equinox 2 — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.