Unistellar’s smart binoculars can tell you which mountain you’re looking at

Unistellar, a telescope company, has developed a new product called Envision - smart binoculars that can identify mountains, stars, and other astronomical features. The Envision combines premium lenses with an augmented reality projection system, which overlays digital information on the optical view. The binoculars use sensors, a compass, and a database of topographic and cartographic data to determine the user's location and viewing direction, and then display the names, elevations, and distances of nearby mountains and peaks. The Night mode also identifies stars, constellations, and other celestial objects. While the prototype had some issues with latency and alignment, the final production version is expected to improve on these. The Envision will also be able to identify additional features like water sources, hiking paths, and human-made points of interest. The binoculars are priced at $999 for pre-orders, with a final retail price of $1,499 and deliveries set for October 2026. Overall, the Envision smart binoculars are an innovative amalgam of analog and digital technology, offering an informational overlay on a true optical view that could be useful for astronomers, travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts.