Analog Sky Magic LVL 2 50mm binocular announcement

Robert from Analog Sky opened his latest presentation with a nod to absence, his team could not attend NEAF 2025. But this video more than compensated, offering a thorough, passionate, and often personal look at what would have been on display. From the evolution of their breakthrough Magic 50 mm binocular telescope to the announcement of entirely new instrument lines and self-built eyepieces, the message was clear: innovation in amateur astronomy is alive and well, and Analog Sky is leading that charge with original thinking, open-source design, and a dedication to visual experience above all else.

Analog Sky Magic LVL 2 50mm binoculars announcement

The original Magic was launched in 2023, a 50 mm binocular telescope that changed the game by supporting 2-inch eyepieces. This feature alone made it the only 50 mm binocular of its kind. With a standard tripod mount and a 90-degree viewing angle, Magic could be comfortably aimed at the sky without the usual neck strain. Interchangeable eyepieces allowed users to switch between wide-field and high-magnification views. Its collimation system, easily adjusted via external knobs, gave users the rare ability to fine-tune alignment themselves without factory servicing. The filter system added even more versatility, using magnetic cartridges to hold 2-inch filters for enhanced views of nebulae and galaxies. A green laser module or basic peep finder helped locate targets quickly.

Since launch, Magic was embraced by over 200 amateur telescope makers. Many built it using 3D-printed parts and a kit of hardware and optics from Analog Sky. This growing community not only provided feedback but inspired the next phase of development. With that, Robert unveiled Magic LVL 2, the culmination of design refinements sparked by hundreds of builds and observations.

Analog Sky Heart 80mm binocular telescope: Batch 4 preorders open with locked-in pricing

Alongside the debut of Magic Level Two, Analog Sky is also spotlighting a powerful companion instrument that stands apart for those seeking greater aperture. The Analog Sky Heart 80mm Binocular Telescope, now in its fourth production batch, is available for preorder. As with previous runs, the company is honoring all current preorder prices regardless of upcoming changes in tariffs, ensuring early adopters get exactly what they paid for. This larger binocular telescope offers brighter, wider views while maintaining the hands-on, customizable spirit that defines the Analog Sky ecosystem.

Heart holds the distinction of being the world’s lightest 80 mm binocular telescope, thanks to a hybrid design that blends a rigid aluminum frame with 3D-printed components. It supports 2-inch focusers and filter cartridges and delivers 100 percent illumination of a 45 mm field stop, ideal for deep sky and wide-field visual astronomy. Its interpupillary distance adjusts from 58 to 78 mm to accommodate most users, and it features Analog Sky’s now-standard dual-knob image merging system. Heart uses BBAR-coated f/5 lenses and dielectric-coated mirrors with over 99 percent transmission, plus built-in aperture masks for sharper planetary and lunar views. Observers can mount it on a fluid tripod head or side-load it onto a standard telescope mount using Vixen-style hardware.

The Heart kit is available in two formats, a $649 self-print version for those with 3D printers and a $949 full kit with all printed parts included. Shipping for Batch 4 begins June 2, and already includes over half a dozen refinements based on community feedback. Like all Analog Sky products, Heart comes with lifetime access to a detailed step-by-step video assembly course and support from the growing Analog Sky user community. It’s a serious step up in light gathering and resolution for observers who want something more powerful than Magic, but still lightweight and flexible enough for real-world observing conditions.

Analog Sky MAGIC LVL 2

Magic LVL 2 retains the core strengths of its predecessor but introduces important ergonomic and optical improvements. First is the new 45-degree mounting angle. In the original model, heavy 2-inch eyepieces made balance tricky, often overtaxing tripod heads. By shifting the mount’s angle, Magic LVL 2 keeps the optical tube angled upward and already halfway through its range of vertical motion. This dramatically improves balance, reducing strain on the tripod and eliminating the need for a heavy-duty mount. Second is the change in viewing angle from 90 degrees to 76 degrees. The steeper angle remains ideal for zenith views but improves comfort for horizon-level observations. Viewers no longer need to crane their necks downward when targeting objects near the horizon, offering a more natural posture during long sessions.

Interpupillary distance was also addressed. While most Analog Sky models could accommodate down to 58 mm, Magic LVL 2 reduces this to 56 mm, a small but significant adjustment that broadens compatibility with smaller faces. Notably, it remains the only binocular telescope supporting 2-inch eyepieces with such a narrow IPD. Internally, the focus system underwent a transformation. Magic LVL 1 relied on standard draw tube focusers, one per eyepiece. LVL 2 introduces objective focusing: a single control moves the objective lenses forward or backward within the instrument. This enables the use of faster F/5 optics, expanding magnification capability up to 80x while improving field sharpness and reducing curvature. The mechanical system behind this upgrade is a hexagonal drive shaft synchronized with anti-backlash herringbone gears, allowing both objectives to focus in unison. Each eyepiece still features an individual 4 mm diopter adjustment for fine-tuning.

Integrated PiFinder system

Perhaps the most groundbreaking integration is the PiFinder system, developed by BB Labs. Originally a grassroots project among Analog Sky users, PiFinder uses a camera and Raspberry Pi computer to perform real-time plate solving. Unlike smartphone-based astronomy apps that estimate sky position using internal sensors, PiFinder actually analyzes star fields and determines exact pointing coordinates. This allows Magic to know precisely what it's aimed at, even in star-poor skies or light-polluted environments. The system is fully self-contained, battery powered, and won’t drain a smartphone during field sessions. It includes a backlit screen and simple interface, offering real-time object identification and database access.

Analog Sky’s collaboration with BB Labs resulted in Magic LVL 2 being preconfigured for PiFinder integration. There’s a designated port, switch, and room for its boards inside the body. This partnership is just the first of several expected between the two teams. But Magic’s evolution didn’t stop at optics and electronics. Robert also unveiled an LED lighting system for nighttime use. A new internal circuit board supports multiple red LEDs connected to filter cartridges. With conductive tape applied to the base of each cartridge, the system lights up to identify the filter in use—a valuable feature when trying to distinguish between similar filters like broad and narrow UHCs in the dark. This system can also illuminate key controls like the focuser and merge knobs, enhancing usability during outreach or public events.

The full build of Magic LVL 2

The full build of Magic LVL 2, including all major upgrades, will remain cost-accessible. For under $1,000, users can assemble their own unit, purchase extra eyepieces, and even invest in a high-quality tripod. Those who already own Magic LVL 1 will be able to upgrade their units by transferring optics into a new housing. A 3D-printed part kit will be available for those without access to a printer. Magic LVL 2 is slated for release by the end of 2025 and will make its public debut at the Golden State Star Party in June.

With the 50 mm Magic platform now reaching new heights, Analog Sky is also revisiting a much larger design: Dream, an 8-inch binocular telescope. This massive project returns in 2025 as a lightweight, fully modular system that still embraces portability. Its aluminum construction and 3D-printed fittings allow it to disassemble for travel, with its mirror box sized to fit inside airline carry-on luggage. Despite its aperture, Dream is designed for mobility, targeting international observers or eclipse chasers needing wide fields with maximum brightness. Dream will feature synchronized IPD adjustment via geared mechanisms, and PiFinder will be a standard feature. It inherits the 2-inch focuser design and optical strategies developed for Magic and Hart, providing immersive views of the cosmos with binocular depth and light gathering power previously unseen in a carry-on-capable setup.

For users wanting a step up from Magic but not quite ready for Dream, Analog Sky also offers Hart, an 80 mm F/5 binocular telescope. Hart delivers broad fields of view and top-tier brightness thanks to its BBAR-coated lenses and dielectric mirrors with 99 percent reflectivity. At under 8 pounds, it’s the lightest 80 mm binocular telescope in its class. Hart accepts all standard Analog Sky components: 2-inch eyepieces, magnetic filter holders, and mounting adapters. IPD is adjustable from 58 mm to 78 mm, making it suitable for a wide range of users. A laser pointer is standard, and the aluminum frame ensures rigidity. Hart can mount on a fluid head or telescope mount via Vixen plate. Whether backyard or dark sky trip, Hart delivers dazzling performance in a compact format.

Robert didn’t stop at optical hardware. He addressed a growing gap in the eyepiece market following the discontinuation of budget wide-field models from companies like Orion. To fill that void, Analog Sky has developed a course for building your own eyepieces. The primary offerings include a 30 mm and a 45 mm focal length model, both based on a double Plössl configuration, often referred to as Red’s double Plössl. These deliver fields of view from 60 to 65+ degrees with surprising edge sharpness. Color-coded housings and tactile textures help identify them in the dark. The kits support both smooth barrels for any 2-inch focuser and Analog Sky’s proprietary locking-tab system.

Robert tested these DIY eyepieces alongside commercial options in blind field trials and noted that many experienced astronomers actually preferred the Analog Sky versions. Their ease of assembly, optical clarity, and cost make them a compelling alternative for builders. Also included in the course is a more experimental option—a ball lens eyepiece. Inspired by early telescope design, this single-lens system offers ultrasharp central detail at short focal lengths, ideal for planetary viewing. Though edge sharpness drops off quickly, it serves as a fun, educational, and historically grounded tool, perfect for showing off at astronomy outreach events.

The video concluded with a powerful message. In a time when traditional telescope companies are closing or consolidating and international trade uncertainty looms over optics supply chains, Analog Sky is forging a new path. Through open designs, community engagement, and hands-on learning, Robert envisions a future of astronomy that is both inventive and inclusive. He encouraged viewers to join the Analog Sky community at members.analogs sky.co, a platform for sharing builds, ideas, and observations. Monthly livestreams and design blog posts keep members updated on ongoing prototyping efforts, and downloadable 3D print files make it easier for anyone to jump in and start creating.

Robert’s presentation was not just about selling gear, but about building a movement. Analog Sky’s mission is to bring new and better views of the universe into the hands of everyday observers, using tools they can understand, modify, and make their own. The sky, after all, is wide open, and with the right tools, anyone can find their place among the stars.

Analog Sky was not at NEAF 2025 but....

Buy the Analog Sky Magic LVL 2 50mm binoculars