Unistellar, a French company with a decade of experience in creating smart telescopes, is now venturing into the world of binoculars with their latest innovation – the Envision. Unlike traditional binoculars, the Envision brings smart functionality similar to Swarovski’s Optik AX Visio binoculars by using augmented reality (AR) to identify and label over a million unique landmarks, including mountains and trails, as well as more than 200,000 objects in the night sky.
The Envision binoculars feature 50mm lenses from Nikon that are upgraded with an AR projection system. This system overlays contextual information about the objects being viewed in real time, providing users with a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips. By connecting to a smartphone over Bluetooth, the binoculars leverage the device’s GPS and other sensors to determine the user’s location. The accompanying app feeds the binoculars information from an extensive online database, making it a powerful tool for outdoor enthusiasts and stargazers alike.
In addition to serving as a handheld tour guide, the Envision binoculars offer a unique feature that allows one user to lock onto an object and pass the binoculars to another person. The second user will then see directional indicators guiding them to the same target, making it an ideal tool for group excursions and educational purposes. With a battery life of five hours or 1,000 binocular engagements per charge, users can enjoy extended use without the need for frequent recharging.
Unistellar is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to bring the Envision binoculars to consumers. Early bird backers can preorder a pair for $699, a significant discount compared to the expected retail price of $1,199. While the Kickstarter campaign is still over $1 million shy of its funding goal, Unistellar has a track record of delivering successful devices. However, backers should be aware of the potential risks associated with crowdfunding, especially with delivery not expected until November 2025.
While Unistellar’s Envision binoculars offer innovative features and cutting-edge technology, potential buyers may want to exercise caution and wait to see how the product pans out. With the first industrial prototypes not expected until January 2025, it may be prudent to assess the product’s performance and reviews before making a purchasing decision. Despite Unistellar’s track record of success, it’s essential to weigh the benefits and risks before investing in this groundbreaking technology.
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