Time: 2024-07-01
Unistellar, a French company known for its innovative smart telescopes, is now venturing into the world of binoculars with the launch of their latest product, Envision. Partnering with Nikon for premium optics and incorporating an Augmented reality Precision Orientation System, Unistellar is taking binocular technology to new heights. The Envision binoculars offer x10 magnification and a 50-mm diameter, providing users with a unique viewing experience that combines traditional optics with cutting-edge AR technology.
The Envision binoculars are not just your ordinary pair of binoculars; they are equipped with smart functionality that allows users to identify and learn about over a million unique landmarks, including mountains, trails, and more than 200,000 objects in the night sky. With a companion app that connects to a smartphone over Bluetooth, users can access a vast online database of cartographic items, ensuring a comprehensive and informative viewing experience. However, despite its innovative features, Unistellar is relying on a crowdfunding campaign to create its first prototypes, with delivery to backers expected in late 2025.
The Envision binoculars offer four exploration modes that cater to both daytime and nighttime use. During the day, users can access the Smart Scouting Mode, which overlays a 3D map with highlights of landmarks, trails, and other points of interest. Inertial measurement units combined with the smartphone's GPS provide precise positioning information, while real-time altitude and azimuth data enhance the AR-enhanced view. At night, users can explore the night sky with the binoculars' cosmic prowess, revealing astronomical targets and stars. The binoculars also feature a Guided Navigation Mode, allowing users to lock onto a distant object and guide a friend to the target, as well as a Classic Optical Mode for traditional non-enhanced use.
Unistellar has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the Envision binoculars, offering early bird backers a significant discount on the retail price. Backers can preorder a pair for $699, compared to the expected $1,199 retail pricing. The campaign aims to raise over $1 million to fund production, with the first batch of Envision binoculars estimated to ship in November 2025. With exciting features and innovative technology, the Envision binoculars are set to revolutionize the way users explore and engage with their surroundings, both on land and in the night sky.
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