Smart telescopes are everywhere, from standard units with augmented features to fully loaded AI gear. Qivika is the latest contender for your astronomical (and terrestrial) attention — a very compact smart scope that promises some pretty impressive things.
In execution, the Qivika smart scope is closer to Unistellar’s new Envision binoculars. The reported reach of 24x is longer, of course, and you’ll likely need a tripod to make the most of this one, but its AI features are very similar. That includes astronomical and terrestrial identification, facilitated by the scope’s companion app. And your smartphone, which would be mounted on top of the thing.
Qivika, guys
Our main concern with the Qivika smart telescope is what will actually be visible on a city-bound night. Its creators reckon their 300-gram package, with its 24x optical zoom and 3,000mm focal length (there’s a lot of bouncing in that body), will supply decent images. ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements in the objective will help there, but the objective lens’s size is not stated. The arrangement is similar to a smartphone’s periscope telephoto lens, scaled up.
More space is given to Qivika’s app, which adds AI-specific features. It acts as both eyepiece and viewfinder, along with identification functions. Stellar and ground-based objects (mostly birds) are stored in the app, showing what you’re looking at on the phone’s display. The app also helps with the view, at least at night. Automatic image stacking acts as an image intensifier, which might excuse the narrow objective lens. Either way, the small scope should be easy for anyone to use.
If you want one, the basic package includes the Qivika scope, a mounting bracket for your phone, and a solar filter for the objective. That’ll start at R4,350 ($260), well below the planned retail price point. The priciest single version nets you a scope plus a host of extras for R10,150. These include a handheld grip, a carbon fiber tripod, a diagonal mirror, and a viewfinder for direct observations, in addition to the other bits. We’ve asked the folks behind this project if we can have one to play with. Hopefully, Stuff will have a full review up sooner rather than later.
