DwarfLab Dwarf Draco - Information (90 mm Catadrioptic)

Introduction | About the Dwarf Draco | Look | Sensor, Pixel Data, Field of View, Image Size (Pixels) | Visited Sky Objects | First Experiences | First Conclusions | Links || Appendix: Technical Data

In preparation, translation in preparation

On this page, I provide some information about my forthcoming electronic catadioptric telescope Dwarf Draco 90 mm/340 mm (f/4). I ordered it on September 7, 2026 (pre-order) and may receive it in November, 2026. On September 21, I switched to the SHO version which has instead of the internal sun filter an internal SO filter. In addition it has an external magnetic sun filter. I was told that this change would not affect may place in the waiting list.

Introduction

Photo: My Dwarf Draco (November 2026???)

About the Dwarf Draco

What is the Dwarf Draco?

In progress, translation in preparation

Anders als die meisten anderen Smart-Teleskope hat das Draco eine gefaltete catadioptische Optik, ist also weder ein Refraktor, noch ein Newton, noch ein Schmidt-Cassegrain (was dem am ähnlichsten kommt). Sein Teleobjektiv hat eine Öffnung von 90 mm und eine Brennweite von 340 mm, beide Werte liegen über denen der meisten anderen Smart-Teleskope (außer den Newton-Teleskopen von Unistellar und dem Schmidt-Cassegrain Origin von Celestron). Neben der Teleoptik und -Kamera hat das Draco eine Weitwinkeloptik und Kamera, die parallel zur Teleoptik verwendet werden kann, sowie eine Kamera für Guiding (benutzt wohl die Teleoptik). Genaueres siehe in den technischen Daten!

Neben der gefalteten Optik und relativ großen Öffnung (die sich aber durch die ??? etwas relativiert), besitzt das Draco noch eine Reihe weiterer Besonderheiten:

rotierbarer Sensor (gab es bisher nur beim Vaonis Stellina), um die Feldrotation zu kompensieren und die Bildauschnitte zu optimieren
Sensor, der in zwei Binning-Varianten verwendet wird:
Bis zu 300 s (5 min) Einzelbelichtungen im AZ-Modus (dank des rotierbaren Sensors)
EQ-Modus (bisher nicht genauer beschrieben), für möglicherweise noch längere Einzelbelichtungszeiten
1x1 Binning für Planeten, Sonne und Mond (50 MP, beschnitten), 2x2-Binning für DSO-Aufnahmen (12,5 MP, 4096 x 3072 Pixel)

Alles in allem ist das Konzept des Draco sehr ambitioniert, und es fragt sich, inwieweit Serienmodelle tatsächlich die hohen technischen Anforderungen erfüllen werden.

Why Did I Opt for the Dwarf Draco?

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Look

Dwarf Draco

Here I will present photos of the unboxing and the telescope itself.

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Dwarf Draco on Tripod

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Sensor, Pixel Data, Field of View, Image Size (Pixels)

For its tele lens, which is used for telescope use, the Dwarf Draco uses the sensor Omnivision OV50Q40 (CMOS), with a pixel size of 50 Megapixels, or 4096 x 3072 pixels (H/V). The pixel size is about 2.4 µm (quadratic pixels) at 2x2 binning. Note that the wide angle sensor can be used in parallel to the tele sensor when doing astro photos!

The following table shows the Dwarf mini, Vespera, Vespera Pro, eVscope, and eVscope 2 in comparison with the Dwarf Draco:

Telescope	Focal Length	Aperture	f	FOV in Degrees	FOV in Minutes	IS*	Sensor(s)
eVscope*	450 mm	114 mm	4	0.61° x 0.46°	36.7' x 27.6'	1.72	Sony IMX224
eVscope 2*	450 mm	114 mm	4	0.78° x 0.57°	47' x 34'	1.33	Sony IMX347
Vespera*	200 mm	50 mm	4	1.6° x 0.9°	96' x 54' (ca.)	2.99	Sony IMX462
Vespera Pro	250 mm	50 mm	5	1.6° x 1.6°	96' x 96' (ca.)	1.65	Sony IMX676
Dwarf mini	150 mm	30 mm	5	2.14° x 1.20°	128' x 72' (ca.)	3.99	Sony IMX 662 (successor of IMX462)
Dwarf Draco	340 mm 5.56 mm	90	3.78	1.66° x 1.24° (T), 73.20° x 58.23° (W)	100' x 74' (ca.) n.a.	1.46 n.a.	Omnivision OV50Q40 (T), Omnivision OV50E40 (W)

*) No longer in my possession
*) IS = image scale: describes the relative sizes of objects at 1:1 pixels (the larger the number, the smaller the objects)

If the field-of-view values are correct, the Draco falls roughly between the Vespera and the Vespera Pro in terms of the shorter side, and is on par with them in terms of the longer side.

Visited Sky Objects

In preparation

Here I willl list the deep sky objects that I observed and photographed during the first weeks with the Dwarf Draco.

First Experiences and Photos

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First Conclusions

In preparation

Appendix: Technical Data for the Dwarf Draco (SHO Version) and the Tripod

Dwarf Draco

Aperture: 90 mm (T) / 2.96 (W)
Focal length : 340 mm (T) / 5.56 mm (W)
Aperture ratio : 1:3.78 (T) / 1: 5.56 (W)
Motorized Alt-AZ mount, EQ modus possible with wedge or similar
Sensors:
- Tele: Omnivision OV50Q40
- Wide angle: Omnivision OV50E40
- Guiding: Omnivision OS04C1B (monochrome)
Sensor sizee: 1/1,33 (T/W), ? (G)
Pixel number: 50.33 MP, 12 MP (4096 x 3072) with 2x2 binning (T/W), 4.09 MP (G)
Size ratio: 4:3
Pixel size: 1.197 µm x 1.197 µm, 2.394µm x 2.394µm with 2x2 binning (T/W)
Field of view: 1.66° x 1.24° (T), 73.20° x 58.23° (W)
Readout noise: secret
Inbuilt filters: Astro, Dark, DuoBand (HO), DuoBand (SO) (T) / Astro (W)
External filters: Sun filter (magnetic)

Weight: 5,5 kg
Size (H x W x D): 38.6 × 19.6 × 13.3 cm
Internal Memory: 128 GB
Bag

Internal battery: 10,000 mAh, 7.7 V
Battery runtime : up to 5 h
Supports charging via an external USB power source (USB-C connection)

Wireless connections: Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz; up to 10 m) for control via smartphone or computer and GPS access (GPS module not inbuilt); STA- and AP modes, Bluetooth, NFC

Tripod

Draco comes with an aluminum alloy tripod. The platform, connecting elements, and legs combine high stability with low weight. TPR feet provide better traction and a secure footing.

The tripod weighs approximately 480 g, has a working height of 175 mm, and requires a footprint of 470 mm in diameter when unfolded. When folded, it measures just 80 × 80 × 268 mm. A top mounting platform with a diameter of 80 mm and a 3/8"-16 threaded connection ensures a secure attachment. Simply unfold the three one-piece legs, and the tripod is ready for use.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Net weight: 480 g
Material: aluminum alloy
Max. carrying capacity: ?.0 kg
Thread: 3/8"
Leg pieces: 1
Working height: 175 mm
Height unfolded: 268 mm
Size: 80 × 80 × 268 mm
Color: black