FAQs

Draco features a 90 mm aperture, a 340 mm focal length, and an f/3.8 optical system. It supports exposures of up to 300 seconds, with built-in guiding and physical field-rotation correction for long-exposure astrophotography.

Both editions include the same Astro, Dark-frame, and Hα + O III dual-narrowband filters.

• Standard Edition: Includes a built-in ND filter that can be switched into place automatically for solar imaging.

• SHO Edition: Replaces the built-in ND filter with an S II + O III dual-narrowband filter. Together with the Hα + O III filter, it captures S II, Hα, and O III data for SHO imaging. An external magnetic ND filter is included for solar imaging.

No. Both editions can capture galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae.

The SHO Edition is primarily intended for users who want to capture genuine S II data and create SHO images of emission nebulae. If SHO imaging is not a priority, the Standard Edition is suitable for most observing and imaging needs.

No.

Stellar Studio can map existing image data into a Hubble-style color palette. The SHO Edition physically captures S II, Hα, and O III wavelength data through its built-in filters, providing genuine multi-band data for SHO processing.

Draco supports individual exposures of up to 300 seconds.

Actual results depend on setup accuracy, environmental conditions, target altitude, wind, ground stability, and other factors. The 300-second specification represents the maximum supported exposure time and does not guarantee perfectly round stars under every condition.

The CMOS sensor physically rotates in real time to counter the apparent rotation of the sky. This helps maintain consistent framing during long exposures and extended stacking sessions.

Yes. Draco intelligently rejects unsuitable frames during live stacking.

After the imaging session, you can also review individual frames, remove images affected by clouds or other interference, and restack only the clearest and most stable frames for a cleaner final result.

Yes. The Hα + O III dual-narrowband filter helps reduce the impact of background light when imaging emission nebulae.

However, darker skies will generally produce better results for galaxies, reflection nebulae, dark nebulae, the Milky Way, and other broadband targets.

Yes, but the correct ND filter must always be used.

• Standard Edition: The built-in ND filter automatically moves into place for solar imaging.
• SHO Edition: The included external magnetic ND filter must be securely attached before pointing Draco at the Sun.

Never point Draco at the Sun without the appropriate ND filter installed.

No. Although the sensor has a native resolution of approximately 50 MP, Draco’s current imaging modes output approximately 12 MP images.

For deep-sky imaging, Draco uses 2 × 2 pixel binning, combining native 1.2 μm pixels into effective 2.4 μm pixels to improve signal-to-noise performance.

For the Sun, Moon, and planets, Draco uses native 1 × 1 pixel readout and intelligently crops the image around the target, reducing unused black areas. The resulting output is also approximately 12 MP.

Draco supports JPG, PNG, FITS, and TIFF image output, as well as MP4 video.

JPG and PNG are suitable for quick viewing and sharing. FITS and TIFF retain more image data for advanced processing and personalized editing.

Yes. Individual FITS frames can be exported for processing with compatible third-party astrophotography software.

The exact computer connection and file-transfer workflow will be provided in the official user guide.

Yes. Draco can automatically capture and apply calibration frames, simplifying the imaging and stacking workflow.

Yes. Images captured across different sessions can be combined to increase total integration time and improve the final result.

The frames must have compatible imaging settings and cover the same target area.

No. The DWARFLAB App can handle capture, live stacking, and basic image processing.

For more advanced processing, FITS and TIFF files can be exported to compatible third-party software.

Yes. Draco can connect directly to your phone through its local wireless connection for on-site operation.

An internet connection is required for online services such as PhotonLink remote access.

PhotonLink is DWARFLAB’s official remote-control service. It allows you to operate Draco through the app from a different location and invite others to share control of the telescope.

Depending on the edition and imaging mode, you can remotely control targeting, focusing, tracking, imaging settings, filters, and the dark-frame cover.

The Standard Edition can switch its built-in ND filter into place remotely for solar imaging.

For the SHO Edition, the external ND filter must be installed on the telescope before remote solar imaging.

Yes. Draco supports wired Ethernet through a compatible USB-C Ethernet accessory.

Gigabit Ethernet has been tested. Compatibility with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet has not been validated.

With a compatible powered adapter or hub, Draco can maintain a wired Ethernet connection while receiving continuous external power. Recommended accessory specifications will be provided separately.

A USB-C connection alone does not necessarily make Draco appear as a standard external drive.

Computer data access must follow the supported connection and file-transfer workflow described in the official user guide.

Draco includes 128 GB of built-in storage.

No. Draco currently records imaging data to its built-in storage. Files can be exported after capture.

Draco has a 10,000 mAh, 7.7 V battery with a rated capacity of 77 Wh.

It provides approximately five hours of operation in Astronomy Mode. Actual battery life may vary depending on temperature, operating mode, network connection, and other conditions.

Draco’s 77 Wh battery is below the commonly applied 100 Wh threshold for passenger-carried lithium batteries.

Devices containing lithium batteries should generally be carried in cabin baggage. Airline and regional requirements may vary, so please confirm the applicable rules with your airline before travelling.

Yes. Draco provides one 3/8"-16 mounting point and two 1/4"-20 mounting points.

The tripod and mounting system must safely support Draco’s approximately 5.5 kg weight and remain stable throughout the imaging session.

Draco does not currently carry a formally certified IP rating.

Avoid exposing it to rain, standing water, or excessive moisture. Keep the telescope dry during use, transport, and storage.

The standard package includes:

• Draco Smart Telescope
• Tripod
• USB-C cable
• Lens cleaning cloth
• Protective Carrying Case

The SHO Edition also includes an external magnetic ND filter for solar imaging.

Yes. A protective carrying case is included for safe storage and transportation of Draco.

Orders placed from September 7 through September 9, 2026 are estimated to ship within two months of the order date. Orders placed on or after September 10, 2026 are estimated to ship within three months of the order date.

Shipping timelines are estimates based on current production and logistics schedules and may change. We will notify affected customers of any significant changes.

Yes. Draco comes with a two-year limited warranty. Please refer to DWARFLAB’s official warranty policy for complete terms, regional coverage, and exclusions.

Tax and duty arrangements vary by destination.

The amount displayed at checkout and DWARFLAB’s current shipping policy should be used as the final reference. Additional import duties or local charges may apply in some regions.

No. Draco does not require precise manual leveling for normal Alt-Az operation. Place it on a stable surface, and its software will compensate for its orientation through coordinate transformation.

When using Equatorial Mode, follow the in-app guidance to set Draco to the required angle.

Yes. Draco supports automatic dithering between deep-sky subframes using its built-in guiding system. Dithering is available in Equatorial Mode, automated imaging, live stacking, and scheduled imaging.

Yes. Draco supports lucky imaging, automatically selecting and stacking higher-quality frames. The selection and stacking algorithms will continue to be optimized through software updates.

Draco is collimated at the factory and designed to maintain its optical alignment during normal transportation and use.

Collimation is not user-adjustable. In the unlikely event that the optical alignment is affected, please contact DWARFLAB or an authorized service provider for inspection and repair.

Draco uses automatic TEC cooling to reduce sensor temperature by approximately 5–10°C below ambient temperature, depending on operating conditions.

User-defined temperature setpoints are not currently supported.

PhotonLink currently supports remote downloading of stacked images. Remote downloading of individual subframes is planned for a future update.

Individual FITS frames can still be accessed through Draco’s supported local export workflow.

Yes. In the DWARFLAB App, select the MegaStack result from your DWARF album and upload it to Star Party. The corresponding stacked JPG and FITS files will be uploaded automatically.

No. Draco does not use the sensor’s TheiaCel HDR mode. It uses Dual Conversion Gain (DCG) HDR instead.

A temporary internet interruption will not stop an imaging session already in progress. Draco will continue tracking and imaging locally and attempt to reconnect when the network becomes available again.

If automatic reconnection fails, a manual reconnection will be required.

Yes. When the automatic power-on setting is enabled in the Draco App, Draco will turn on automatically after external power is restored. PhotonLink will then attempt to reconnect automatically.

If this setting is disabled, Draco must be turned on manually.

Yes. Draco can be restarted or shut down remotely through PhotonLink while it remains powered and connected.

Draco supports remote operation with continuous external power and a stable wired or wireless network connection.

For long-term deployment, Draco must be installed in a properly protected environment. Do not leave it exposed to rain, standing water, or other severe weather conditions.

Not currently. Both Wi-Fi STA mode and USB-C Ethernet use DHCP to obtain an IP address automatically.

The assigned IP address can be viewed and copied from App > My Devices > IP Address and used on the connection page. A network with an active DHCP server is currently required.

Draco is currently controlled through the DWARFLAB App for iOS and Android. A dedicated Windows or macOS application is not planned for 2026.

These integrations are not supported in the current release. DWARFLAB is working on external software integration, but supported platforms and release timing have not yet been announced.

The battery is not designed to be replaced by users.

If the battery needs replacement due to aging or failure, paid replacement service will be available through DWARFLAB or an authorized service provider, without requiring Draco to be returned to China.

No traditional equatorial mount is required for normal operation.

Draco combines built-in guiding with physical CMOS field-rotation correction, allowing long-exposure imaging in Alt-Az mode without conventional polar alignment.

However, field rotation changes very rapidly near the zenith, where correction becomes more challenging. Equatorial Mode is recommended for targets at very high elevations. Follow the in-app guidance to set Draco to the correct angle.

Yes. Draco supports external power through USB-C, with a maximum supported charging power of 36 W.