Unistellar, a French company known for its smart telescopes, is now venturing into the world of binoculars with its new Envision model. These binoculars are equipped with smart functionality that rivals that of Swarovski’s Optik AX Visio binoculars, but with a unique twist. Instead of focusing on recognizing birds and animals, the Envision uses augmented reality (AR) to identify and label over a million unique landmarks, including mountains, trails, and more than 200,000 objects in the night sky.
The Envision binoculars feature 50mm lenses from Nikon, upgraded with an augmented reality projection system that overlays contextual information about the objects being viewed in real time. These binoculars connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth, leveraging the device’s GPS and other sensors to determine the user’s location. Through a dedicated app, users can access an online database with millions of cartographic items, ranging from mountains and water sources to stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects.
While Unistellar’s Envision binoculars offer innovative features, the company is relying on a crowdfunding campaign to bring its first prototypes to life. Backers can pre-order a pair for $699, a significant discount from the expected retail price of $1,199. However, delivery for early backers is not expected until November 2025. The success of the Kickstarter campaign is crucial for the mass production and availability of these cutting-edge binoculars.
Concerns and Considerations
Despite Unistellar’s track record of delivering successful devices, there is always a level of risk associated with crowdfunding projects. The company’s first industrial prototypes of the Envision binoculars are not expected until January 2025, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for delivery. For consumers interested in this innovative product, it may be wise to exercise caution and wait for further developments before committing to a pre-order.
Unistellar’s Envision binoculars represent a leap forward in binocular technology, combining smart functionality with augmented reality to enhance the viewing experience. However, with the reliance on crowdfunding and the extended timeline for delivery, potential buyers should proceed with caution and stay informed about the progress of this project. With the promise of unique features and capabilities, the Envision binoculars have the potential to revolutionize how we interact with and explore the world around us.
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