DwarfLab Draco Smart Telescope

A 90mm f/3.8 Aberration-Corrected Optical System

Draco pairs a 90 mm telephoto aperture with an f/3.8 focal ratio; its light throughput is around 2.2 times that of typical f/5.6 systems. The 340 mm focal length gives a 35mm-equivalent of 1200 mm in astronomy mode.

The system uses a folded, aberration-corrected optical path to fit this large aperture into a compact body measuring just 385.85 mm tall. Its aberration-corrected optics keep stars sharp from the center to the edge of the frame. A separate wide-angle camera with a 23.3 mm equivalent focal length captures expansive 73.20° x 58.23° views of the night sky, for the Milky Way, star trails and sweeping landscapes.

Three OmniVision Sensors for Imaging and 4.09 MP Guiding

Draco employs a multi-sensor architecture to manage imaging and tracking simultaneously. The primary telephoto camera uses a 1/1.3" OmniVision OV50Q40 sensor with a native resolution of 50.33 MP and 1.197 µm pixels. For deep-sky imaging, it operates in a 2x2 binned mode, creating larger 2.394 µm effective pixels that improve signal-to-noise ratio and produce a clean 12 MP final image.

A separate OmniVision OS04C1B monochrome sensor is dedicated to the built-in guide scope, providing a 4.09 MP resolution for real-time tracking corrections. With physical field derotation, this keeps 300-second exposures steady. A third sensor, the OmniVision OV50E40, powers the wide-angle camera, allowing you to capture the broader context of your deep-sky target at the same time.

Four Internal Filters, including a 13nm Hα+OIII Dual-Band

Four built-in telephoto filters give Draco the flexibility to image different target types under various sky conditions. Both the Standard and SHO editions include three core filters: an Astro filter (430-690 nm) for broadband targets like galaxies, a Dark filter for automated calibration frames, and a dual-band nebula filter targeting Hydrogen-alpha (656.3 nm) and Oxygen-III (500.7 nm) with a 13 nm (13 ± 3 nm) bandpass.

• Standard Edition: Includes a built-in ND filter (OD 5) for solar imaging, which can be engaged automatically through the app for remote sessions.
• SHO Edition: Replaces the internal ND filter with a second dual-band filter for Sulfur-II (671.6 nm) and O-III (500.7 nm), also with a 13 nm FWHM. This allows for automated capture of S, H, and O data to create classic Hubble Palette (SHO) images. An external magnetic ND filter is included for solar imaging with this version.

Physical CMOS Rotation for Long Alt-Az Exposures

Draco needs no equatorial mount or conventional polar alignment for long exposures in Alt-Az mode, because it physically rotates its main sensor. Use Equatorial Mode for targets very near the zenith, where field rotation changes fastest. The CMOS rotates at speeds from 0.001°/s to 12.83°/s to counteract field rotation in real-time. This mechanical solution keeps stars from trailing on an alt-azimuth platform, even during 300-second sub-exposures, and allows you to freely compose your shot at any angle directly in the app.

Automatic TEC Sensor Cooling for Cleaner Long Exposures

Behind the main imaging sensor, Draco carries a thermoelectric (TEC) cooler working together with a fan. Thermal control is fully automatic and switched on by default: the system holds the sensor at roughly 5°C below the surrounding air temperature, with the exact drop depending on operating conditions. Keeping the sensor cooler tackles thermal noise where it starts, so long-exposure deep-sky frames come out cleaner.

You can turn TEC cooling on or off in the DWARFLAB app, while the cooling temperature itself is managed by Draco and cannot be set by hand. Heat drawn away from the sensor is not wasted either: Draco routes it to warm the lens, giving automatic dew prevention through the night.

Automated GoTo, Stacking, and 300-Second Guided Exposures

The entire imaging workflow is managed through the DWARFLAB app. After a quick setup, you can select a target from the real-time star atlas, and Draco handles the rest: GoTo, autofocus, calibration, target acquisition and tracking. The system automatically begins capturing and live-stacking frames, applying calibration data in real-time to reduce noise and vignetting.

You can monitor the image as it builds frame-by-frame on your device. Draco rejects bad frames during live stacking, and you can review and restack afterwards. For advanced users, Pro Mode offers full manual control over exposure (up to 300 s), gain, and filter selection. Exposure times run from 1/10000 s to 300 s.

Imaging the Sun, Moon, and Daytime Subjects

Draco's capabilities extend beyond deep-sky objects. With the ND filter in place (built in on the Standard Edition, external on the SHO Edition), Draco images the Sun in Solar System Mode. For planetary imaging, Draco uses the sensor's native 1.197 µm pixels and crops around the target; targets include lunar craters, sunspots, Saturn's rings and Jupiter's Great Red Spot.

During the day, the 1280 mm equivalent focal length (in non-astronomy modes) applies in daytime use, with a minimum focusing distance of 25 meters. The system also supports automated panorama and time-lapse modes with both the telephoto and wide-angle cameras.

DWARFLAB App Control and Stellar Studio Editing

Draco is controlled wirelessly via the DWARFLAB App for iOS and Android. The app provides a comprehensive suite of tools for planning, capture, and processing. The real-time star atlas includes an AR Sky Finder, frame previews, and filters to help you choose the best targets for your location and time.

After capturing your data, the built-in Stellar Studio offers essential post-processing tools without needing a computer. You can perform one-tap auto-enhancements, star reduction or removal, noise reduction, and simulate diffraction spikes. For SHO Edition users, the app can automatically map the captured S-II, H-alpha, and O-III data to create a Hubble Palette image. If you prefer your own workflow, you can export JPG, PNG, TIFF or FITS; FITS and TIFF keep the full image data.

Scheduled Shooting and PhotonLink Remote Control

Draco is built for autonomous operation. Set the target, time and parameters in the app and Draco wakes, finds, tracks and captures automatically. Multi-night stacking restacks data from several sessions to extend effective exposure.

For remote observatory setups, the PhotonLink service allows you to control Draco from anywhere with an internet connection. When connected to a home network via Wi-Fi or a USB-C Ethernet adapter, you can access your telescope, change filters (including the internal ND filter on the Standard Edition), and manage imaging sessions from afar.

77 Wh Battery, 128 GB Storage, and USB-C Ethernet

Designed for portability, Draco is powered by a built-in 10000 mAh (77 Wh) battery that provides approximately 5 hours of runtime in Astronomy Mode. Draco can be powered externally through USB-C, up to 36 W. All images and videos are saved to the 128 GB of built-in storage.

Connectivity options are extensive. NFC allows for quick tap-to-connect with compatible phones, while standard Wi-Fi (up to 10 m range) and Bluetooth handle primary communication. For the most stable connection in a remote setup, Draco can connect to a wired network through a compatible USB-C Ethernet accessory (Gigabit Ethernet tested by DwarfLab).

IP55-Rated, 5.5 kg Body with Included Tripod and Case

The entire Draco system weighs just 5.5 kg, making it easy to transport to dark-sky sites. The package includes a sturdy aluminum alloy tripod, a protective carrying case, and a USB-C cable. The tripod's 80 mm top platform has a 3/8"-16 thread, and Draco provides one 3/8"-16 and two 1/4"-20 mounting points for third-party tripods that can carry its 5.5 kg.

Draco carries an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance: it is protected against limited dust ingress and low-pressure water jets, so dusty fields and a brief shower are not a problem. It is not waterproof or submersible, so keep it out of heavy, prolonged rain and standing water, and let it dry before storing it. The specified operating range is -20 to 45°C (-4 to 113°F). Collimation is set at the factory and is not user-adjustable.

Draco vs. DWARF 3: Aperture, Portability, and Pro-Grade Features

While both are smart telescopes from DwarfLab, the Draco represents a significant step up in imaging capability compared to the DWARF 3. The primary differences are in light-gathering power, exposure capability, and features designed for serious astrophotography.

• Aperture and Speed: 90 mm against the DWARF 3's 35 mm aperture: about 6.6 times the light-collecting area.
• Guiding and Exposure: Draco features a dedicated internal guide scope and physical field rotation correction, enabling single exposures up to 300 seconds. The DWARF 3 has no field derotation and reaches 60 seconds in Equatorial Mode.
• Sensor and Cooling: Draco uses a 1/1.3" sensor with automatic TEC sensor cooling; the DWARF 3 uses a 1/1.8" sensor.
• Portability: This is the main trade-off. The DWARF 3 is significantly smaller and lighter at 1.35 kg, making it the more portable option. Draco, at 5.5 kg, prioritizes optical performance over ultimate portability.