DwarfLab DWARF mini Smart Telescope
A Micro Astrophotography Marvel!
Proudly holding the title of the worlds smallest smart telescope, the DWARF Mini promises to deliver effortless astrophotography for beginners and pros alike, all while weighing less than two pounds! With multiple captivating capture modes and an unbelievably portable design, this all-in-one imaging system unlocks the cosmos like never before. Check out our full video review below to learn more about this feature packed smart telescope!
DWARF Mini At a Glance
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The stars are never more than stone's throw away with this miniature marvel from DwarfLab! Taking their tried and true compact design philosophy to a new extreme, the Dwarf Mini promises to bring you stunning imagery from a system taking up about half the cubic area of the Dwarf 3. Read on to see how DwarfLab is redefining what it means to be ultra-portable!
At 7.2" x 4.0" x 2.4" and 1.9 lb., taking up about the same space as a stack of a couple paperback books, this entry certainly lives up to its namesake! Within this cargo pocket sized footprint is a full suite of astrophotography optics, sensors, mechanization, and smarts, allowing you to access the wonders of the night sky wherever you go. Simply sit the Dwarf Mini down on a stable surface or a user-supplied tripod, power it up, and be on your way to painting your next deep sky portrait in only about 3 minutes! With a pair of 1016 mm and 45 mm full-frame equivalent lenses packed into this tiny telescope the Dwarf Mini allows you to capture larger deep sky targets, or take a step back to create sprawling Milky Way & star trail shots! Dedicated to exploring our solar system and the universe, this smart scope's main Sony STARVIS 2 IMX662 sensor can peer out through the integrated broadband Astro and Duo-Band filters or the separate snap-on solar filter included in the box. DwarfLab ensures both beginners and advanced users alike will enjoy creating astro vistas, with automated image processing for a hands-off approach and RAW file support, EQ mode, mosaic, and auto-run features for those seeking a more involved experience.
A Terrific Travel Telescope
With two perspectives to explore, advanced astrophotography processing and features, all packed in a tiny smart telescope package, the Dwarf Mini is ready for your next adventure at home or abroad! Check out our comprehensive DWARF Mini review to see how this tiny smart telescope delivered big in performance!
Astro-Ready Optics and Filters
To drink in the sea of
stars, the Dwarf Mini comes equipped with a pair of optics. Supporting the
main imaging sensor and bringing you in close to capture deep sky objects is
a 30 mm f/5 telephoto lens. This 150 mm focal length optic provides a 1016mm
full-frame equivalent when paired with the IMX662, perfectly framing a
number of targets such as the Moon, Pleiades, Lagoon Nebula, and more! To
suppress light pollution and boost contrast, an integrated filter wheel can
put a 430-690 nm Astro filter or Duo-Band Ha/OIII nebula filter perspective
on your target, with an additional dark filter that can be swapped in to
collect calibration frames. Taking a step back and adding Milky Way/ star
trail astrophotography to your repertoire is a 45 mm full-frame equivalent
wide-angle lens, neatly nestled in besides the main optics for a compact and
sleek optics suite!
Stellar Sensor Set
Capturing the skies above are a set
of high resolution imaging sensor, sure to provide you with sharp shots!
Behind the telephoto lens the Dwarf Mini sports the well regarded Sony
STARVIS 2 class IMX662 sensor. This compact 1/2.8" chip will render your
images in 2.07 MP resolution, perfect for sharp detail on your phone,
tablet, or computer! With great full-well-depth, peak QE, and Near IR
sensitivity, your broadband and nebulae images alike will shine with
contrast. Sitting behind the wide-angle lens is an OMNIVISION OV02K10 1/2.8"
sensor. This too features full HD resolution, giving you crisp images of the
Milky Way!
Ultra Portable Redefined
Coming in at about 55% the
size and 58% of the weight of the already impressively compact Dwarf 3, the
Dwarf Mini raises the bar for the 'ultra portable' smart telescope class.
With miniscule physical footprint and sub 2 lb. weight, this is an
incredible travel companion. Stow it in a backpack, cross-body sling, or
cargo pants pocket and be ready for clear skies wherever they find you!
Packed with Power
Don't let this system's small
stature fool you; packed inside its miniature frame is a full set of smart
telescope supporting features! Giving the Dwarf Mini an effective operating
range of approximately 15 meters in an open space, are two WiFi antennas.
Optimize your Dwarf Mini for range with a 2.4Ghz hotspot, or switch to the
5Ghz band to maximize transfer speeds! This smart scope also features
Bluetooth 5.0, as well as USB 2.0. This USB-C port can be used to transfer
files off the internal storage, which features 64 GB of space to host an
entire session of imaging. Driving this system for up to 4 hours is a 7000
mAh battery, giving you ample time to collect data and create a compelling
image!
Process At Your Own Pace
Regardless of your skill
level, the Dwarf Mini has something for you! With photo, video, astro,
burst, and time-lapse modes, the Dwarf Mini gives you a range of tools to
create the astrophoto you're after, whether that be a sprawling nebula
photo, video of an eclipse, star trail shot, or more. More advanced users
can layer in the EQ and mosaic modes to fight frame rotation and add more
context to larger targets; while beginners can realize stunning results
quickly through the onboard automated image processing tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the DWARF Mini compare to the DWARF 3?
The DWARF Mini is an unbelievably lightweight and compact all-in-one astrophotography system. It features a dual lens refractor design, a built-in dark filter, and 2.1 MP sensor. The DWARF 3 has sightly larger build, a unique reflector style telephoto lens, and a 8.29 MP imaging sensor. Both smart telescopes offer streamlined ease of use, multiple capture modes, and a dual sensor design; however, the DWARF Mini is optimized for astrophotography performance.
How do I update my DWARF Mini?
One of the best parts of owning a smart telescope is the ability to be updated with new and useful features. The DWARF Mini smart telescope can be easily updated using the DWARF Labs app and a compatible smart device. You'll first need to connect your DWARF Mini to your smart device, and then navigate to the "my devices" tab from the settings menu. If your DWARF Mini is properly connected, you'll find the option to "update firmware" near the bottom of the menu. Once you click this option, the app will first check for available updates, and if one is available, it will ask you to confirm the update, and begin the installation process. Keep in mind, you'll need to be connected to the internet via WiFi or with a cellular data connection.
How do I connect my smart device to my DWARF Mini?
In order to operate the DWARF Mini smart telescope, you'll need to use the DWARF Labs app and a compatible smart device. This will allow you to control the smart scope. Begin by downloading the DWARF Labs app from your app store. Once downloaded, power on your DWARF Mini and enable your smart devices WiFi and Bluetooth. You'll find the option to "connect" on the home screen of the app, press this and place your device near the smart scope. After a few moments, you should see an option to connect to the DWARF Mini appear on the screen, confirm that you are connecting to the correct device and press "connect." If everything worked properly, you should now be connected to the smart scope.
an I charge my DWARF Mini during an imaging session?
Yes! The DWARF Mini comes with a standard USB-C cable that can be used to charge the device, even while in use. You can also plug the cable into a laptop, portable power bank, or cigarette lighter car charger with the correct power output.
Can I control more than one DWARF device from the same smart phone?
Yes! The DWARFLab app allows you to connect and disconnect from multiple devices. You can only connect to one at time. However, swapping between devices is quick and effortless. Since the DWARF Mini and DWARF 3 can operate independently without an active connection, swapping between devices won't disrupt your session. This gives you the freedom to control as many DWARF devices as you'd like and capture multiple targets at the same time!