Portable cloud & sky quality detector
The improved portable cloud detector from Lunaticoastro. Measures clouds, sky quality, temperature, humidity, dew point, pressure and wind, with Wi-Fi, GPS and a free smartphone app.
Not designed for permanent outdoor installation. Not rain resistant.
The PocketCW2 packs the full CloudWatcher sensor suite into a 71 × 71 × 27 mm enclosure: everything you need to know whether the sky is safe to observe.
IR sensor reads sky temperature and determines cloud cover in real time.
Measures sky brightness in mpsas. Dichroic UV/IR filter for accurate readings.
Ambient temperature and calculated dew point, essential for moisture risk assessment.
Relative humidity percentage, monitoring conditions that affect seeing and optics.
Barometric pressure monitoring for weather trend analysis.
Detects wind presence, helping assess overall observing conditions.
Built-in GPS for location-aware reporting and logging.
Designed for observers who are always on the move—star parties, remote sites, travel—the PocketCW2 gives you full observatory-grade sky monitoring without the installation.
Connect phone and laptop simultaneously over Wi-Fi. No cables, no PC tethering required at the eyepiece.
Dedicated app for iOS and Android. Live readings, configurable alarms and watchdog alerts straight to your phone.
Full protocol support for Voyager, SGPro, N.I.N.A., KStars and more: Safety Monitor and Observing Conditions.
Set custom thresholds for every reading. Watchdog alerts if data stops updating. Battery level alarm included.
Charges and communicates via USB-C. Optional internal rechargeable LiPo battery for fully wireless field use.
71 × 71 × 27 mm, under 85 g. Fits in a jacket pocket. Take it to any observing site, any night.
Small enough to forget it's in your pocket, sharp enough not to miss a cloud rolling in. Set your alarms, close your eyes for five minutes at the eyepiece—PocketCW2 is still on watch.
PocketCW2 uses standard protocols so it slots into any automation workflow, on a laptop, over the network, or from your phone.
These are just a few examples: any ASCOM-Alpaca, INDI or INDIGO compatible software will work with the PocketCW2, not only the ones listed above.
Portable use only. The PocketCW2 is not designed for permanent outdoor installation and is not rain resistant. Bring it inside when not in use.
Live sensor readings, configurable alarms and custom alert sounds, all from your phone or desktop.
A short animated introduction to what PocketCW2 does and why it matters.
| Dimensions | 71 × 71 × 27 mm |
| Weight | < 85 g |
| Power | USB-C (also charges internal battery) |
| Battery | Internal rechargeable LiPo (optional) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz + USB-C |
| GPS | Built-in |
| Cloud detection | IR sensor |
| Sky quality | mpsas (with dichroic UV/IR filter) |
| Protocols | ASCOM-Alpaca, INDI, INDIGO |
| Scripting | Lua, built in |
| Sensors | IR, humidity, temperature, pressure, light, wind |
| Outdoor use | Not for permanent install—not rain resistant |
Launched in 2018, the first PocketCW went on to make Sky & Telescope's Hot Products list in 2019. PocketCW2 is its improved successor: same idea, more sensors, better connectivity.
Free shipping to most countries on direct orders. · Dealers worldwide →
Full documentation including first-steps guides for smartphone and computer setup.
Go to documentation →Configuration app, firmware updates and legacy software for the original PocketCloudWatcher.
Go to downloads →How-to guides, integration tutorials, software configuration and community resources.
Browse docs →