This model has been discontinued.
Please see our current portable or fixed models.

Product Overview

Digitarium Iota

Extremely compact, lightweight, and powerful, the Digitarium Iota (pronounced eye-OH-ta) makes it easier than ever for one person to transport, set up, and teach with a high resolution portable digital planetarium system. Never before has a complete system been this small or powerful.

The Digitarium Iota projects over a full dome with no blind spots or cutouts. It is the culmination of years of development effort, with our own innovative proprietary lens design.

The Digitarium Iota offers not just a compact size but quick set up, intuitive user interfaces, high resolution, excellent projection quality, and wealth of other features. Digitalis sells inflatable domes in several diameters for a complete portable solution.

Choose from a lower cost Basic option or much more powerful Professional software package. See specifications below for details.

Media

Specifications

Ease of Use
Setup Simple. Deploy tripod, lock projector to tripod, plug in power, turn on projector.
User Interfaces
Ergonomics Operator is untethered, and can use tactile wireless interfaces comfortably from anywhere in the dome. There is no laptop computer to hunch over or illuminate the dome with.
Multimedia Support Perspective, fisheye, and 360° spherical images and videos could not be easier to display anywhere on the dome and manipulate live.
Immersion Level Full. The audience is immersed in the simulation, and you can easily travel contiguously through time and space to demonstrate different concepts. Media are displayed within the simulation. No user interfaces need to distract the audience, and there are NO discontinuities. (Compare to other systems that break the immersion by requiring switching applications or software modes to show different locations or types of content.)
Software
Simulation Software Exclusive Nightshade G3 universe simulator from Digitalis. Unlike desktop software, Nightshade G3 was designed for planetarians by planetarians.
Included Content
Scripting Capability All system features can be scripted using StratoScript by Digitalis. StratoScript is a simple, yet powerful macro language specifically designed for planetariums and even non-programmers.
Software Updates All system software is maintained by Digitalis, and updates over the Internet with new features and bug fixes are free for the life of your system. You never have to pay to go from version to version, which is a huge savings over many competing systems. Software updates run at your command, so they will never get in the way of using your system like can happen with Windows computers.
Support
Training Online training via Zoom is provided with each purchase. Optional training academies are offered regularly for more advanced topics, like scripting. Optional onsite training is also available.
Technical Support Free standard technical support for the life of your system. Priority Support extended support options are available.
Warranty Three year limited warranty(Barco projector: one year, computer: one year). Contact us about extended warranty options.
Community Free membership in our Digitarium user community website to connect with other users around the world and share ideas and content. Online user group meetings are held regularly throughout the year via Zoom.
Projection Qualities
Maximum Dome Diameter  
The largest dome that we recommend for this system due to brightness.
5m / 16 ft
Fulldome Projection  
Fulldome projection offers the most immersive experience and the easiest teaching methods (no parts of the sky are missing).
Yes. 180° x 360° field of view for full sky projection from horizon to horizon with no cutouts.
Projection Uniformity  
Non-uniform projection, such as from spherical mirror projection, can be very obvious and distract from your teaching.
Consistent focus, contrast, brightness, and pixel sizes across the dome.
Pixel Diameter  
The number of pixels from one side of the dome to the other, passing through the zenith.
~1166
Projected Resolution  
The total number of unique pixels projected. The higher the number the more detail you can see, such as the phase of the unmagnified Moon from Earth.
1.1 megapixels
Pixels per Linear Degree of Sky  
This is another way of stating system resolution and how much detail can be shown. Consider that the angular size of the unmagnified Moon is only about half a degree, meaning it will be half this pixel count high on the dome.
6.7
Angle of Projection  
The projection angle from the central fisheye lens onto the dome. Angles less than 180° are desireable to keep the projector out of sight lines.
~175° Zoomable to as little as 122°
Lens Technology Exclusive Digitalis fisheye adapter lens
Projection Technology  
DLP (Digital Light Processing) is a time-tested solid-state projection technology using micro-mirrors.
DLP
Base Projector Brightness  
For comparison purposes, this is the base projector brightness without accounting for using a fisheye lens.
3,000 lumens
Projector Contrast Ratio  
The contrast ratio is the ratio between a white and black scene. The higher the ratio, the more realistic the projection can look.
Up to 2,500:1
Light Source Lamp
Illumination Lifetime Up to 2,250 on high, 3,000 hours in eco mode
Audio Stereo with integral or external user-supplied speakers. 7.1 audio output option.
Computer Computer with powerful Nvidia GPU is mounted to the system enclosure to reduce setup time. An ultra-reliable embedded operating system keeps everything running behind the scenes without user intervention.
Storage Internal and external storage of 2 TB each. (This is separate from the solid state operating system drive.)
Modularity Computer, projector, and lens are modular so that each can potentially be upgraded separately.
Power 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 450W
Regulatory FCC Class A, CE class A, RoHS compliant
Included Accessories
  • Comprehensive and easy to use set of user manuals.
  • Heavy duty mounting tripod in custom carry bag
  • Heavy duty surge suppressor with 25-foot cord (120 VAC countries only).
  • Complete system rescue disk on solid state drive in case of emergency.
  • Lens cleaning kit.
  • Exclusive Digitalis Child-Safe LED Light Pointer.
  • Exclusive Digitarium red lighted pen for writing in the dark. (Purchase a set for your entire class to take notes in the planetarium!)
Mechanical
Dimensions
System:22.8 lbs. (10.4 kg)
Transit case:16 lbs. (7.3 kg)
Mounting tripod in bag: 7.6 lbs. (3.5 kg)
Total: Under 46.4 lbs. (21.1 kg)

The rugged transit case is airtight and watertight (to 10 feet underwater) with built in wheels and an extendable handle for easy transport on flat surfaces.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Future Year Costs  
Any purchase can require significant ongoing maintenance and support costs that must be considered when making a buying decision.
Support Costs $0/year for standard support for the life of your system!
Hardware/OS Upgrades We suggest budgeting for computer upgrades every 5 years or so to stay current.
Consumables  
Consumables are items that are used up or must be replaced periodically.
Lens cleaning fluid/wipes, remote control batteries, and projector lamps.

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