Unicorn Eclipse Smartboard Review

My review of the Unicorn Eclipse Smartboard

The Eclipse Smartboard is the connected version of the Eclipse range: same core playing experience, but with automatic score detection technology via a mobile app added on top. In practice, you're not buying this board for the best sisal surface on the market, you're buying it for the comfort of never having to manually enter your scores again. Keep that positioning in mind before you pull out your card.

On paper, the board itself remains solid: grade A sisal, thin blade wire spider (sources describe an ultra-slim steel-plated wiring, though I can't confirm a staple-free build), standard regulation diameter. Nothing exceptional, but nothing lacking either. The real selling point lies elsewhere: connectivity.

My test of the Eclipse Smartboard on the oche

On pure gameplay, the thin blade wire does its job and reduces bounce-outs decently, without being as sharp as the brand's higher-end models. The grade A sisal absorbs impacts well over the first sessions, with a feel close to the other classic Eclipse boards.

What really changes the experience is the app. Pairing with your smartphone takes a few minutes and, once connected, score detection works smoothly: no more looking away from the board to note down your 180. I was able to follow my session stats live, which genuinely changes the way you practice. One caveat: as with any connected system, reliability depends on a good connection and an up-to-date app, I'd recommend checking smartphone compatibility before buying.

Durability of the Eclipse Smartboard

Durability scores a decent 7/10, in line with the rest of the Eclipse range. Grade A sisal holds up well under regular leisure or practice use, without showing particular weakness after several weeks of intensive use. It's not at the level of an Eclipse Ultra built for intensive competitive play, but for connected home or amateur club use, it's more than sufficient.

Installation and mounting the board

The standard regulation diameter allows for a classic installation, with no particular constraint linked to the embedded electronics. Do pay a bit more attention to placement to ensure reliable detection by the app: it's best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations on distance and room lighting so the scoring system works reliably from the very first use.

Price and value for money

I estimate the Eclipse Smartboard's price at generally between €250 and €300 (to be adjusted depending on the retailer), which places it well above an equivalent classic sisal board. This price gap is explained entirely by the embedded electronics and app: for equal surface quality, an Eclipse Ultra or a Pro 2 offers better value for money if pure gameplay is your only criterion.

The Smartboard's value for money should therefore be judged through the lens of connectivity: if automatic score tracking has value for you, the investment makes sense. Otherwise, it's hard to recommend it purely for its playing surface.

Verdict: should you buy the Eclipse Smartboard?

Yes, if you're mainly looking to track your stats without the hassle of manual entry, and you play mostly for leisure or personal practice. No, if your priority is the best possible playing surface or you're aiming for competition play: the Unicorn brand has a historic status as a PDC supplier, but this connected model (Scorebuddy app) carries no tournament certification that I can confirm, and other models in the Eclipse range offer a better pure playing experience for a similar or lower budget.