Vespera Smart Telescope Review - Impressive Results for an All-in-One Astrophotography Unit 

2023 update: Vespera is now $1,500 instead of $2,500.

As a traditional astrophotographer, the thing that really makes me consider Vespera as an addition to my standard kit is that I could quickly set it up off to the side and have it working while I'm futzing with my normal rig. No matter how good or bad my night goes, at least Vespera will have something to show for it. 🙂

Thank you for the excellent review, I’ve had Vespera for 10 months now and it continues to amaze me, I am mostly doing tiff processing now which can be downloaded directly from the scope to your iPad immediately after stopping the exposure. You don’t need a computer unless you want to play with the fits files. I also recommend people who get this scope to have a Wi-Fi extender, part of the enjoyment is watching the images come in from the comfort of your living room, just set the scope outside, level, turn it on and the rest can be done inside. Another nice accessory to get is the acratech leveler, no leg adjustments, Vespera can be leveled perfectly on rough terrain in seconds. Also of note, because of the long delay getting the proprietary filters, I have experimented attaching regular 2” filters by basically taping in a 48mm step down ring, so I use a l’enhance and a Baader neodymium often with great results. I think most naysayers of these robotic systems simply make up their minds by thinking about it…. But once you use one for a while the experience is quite different , you still learn a lot by processing the output but more importantly imho is you end up learning more about the target you are imaging. As far as quality of the image…. Very possible to compete with any system you could put together in the 50 to 60mm range…. In fact some of my tiffs are outstanding when compared to all others seen in that aperture range, but you do have to process manually, the jpegs directly from the scope are just basic images, nice but basic. I highly recommend Vespera for Deep sky, however I still advise friends to also purchase a visual/imaging scope for planetary . Vespera is just a part of my arsenal…. But have to say, it’s now my most used part, I have viewed 100s of targets this year, if it’s clear Vespera is out there doing it’s thing

You would think they would include the extra lens and backpack for $2500

Very nice. The raw edits are actually looking more like what one would expect from a lens like that :D When the data transfer is sorted that could probably be a fun little beast for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks for the review, guys. I bought one and it's in the mail. Happy holidays, everyone!

i think the seestar s50 makes this reduntant. unless i have missed something specs are basically the same and seestar is 1/3 of the cost

Hi, been watching your channel for awhile and been using your blog as a guide for getting into astrophotography, still within the dslr+lens and recently acquired an entry level refractor, loving it so far, I ran across a video recently by Cuiv on the Dwarf Labs Dwarf II, another new smart telescope of sorts, hoping to see your take on it one of these days. Clear skies guys.

Thank you very much! I really needed this review! I think Vespera is great for beginners and also for people that just want to have fun and travel the world with their own telescope. So thank you very very much for your wonderful review!!!😊

Watched your whole video and then clicked the link as to cost. Was all in for 399.00, not 2.5K.

as always good info thanks guys

Something like this interests me, and though I understand it’s in some capacity taking away what people find enjoyable about the hobby of Astronomy, I think it’s also a great option for those that want to get into it. It’s also seems like a hobby that has a high level of abandonment, this could help develop an interest to want to learn more.

Wiether you like it or not, this shows the future of telescopes. This is the future, just needs the price to come down. These will replace astro rigs as the tech gets better, which it will

While the ease-of-use is excellent, and it has appeal as a group activity for parties or for families with kids, I wouldn't recommend Vespera as an introduction into the hobby. For less money you can get a SkyWatcher GTi, a Redcat 51, and a stock DSLR and get far better images without adding much complexity, at least to the acquisition side of things. (Image processing is more complex.) And you would have high-quality elements that you'll continue to use as you advance in the hobby. The Vespera is a deadend, not upgradeable or integratable as a component to another system.

For the number of folks who want just this turn key type of set up the company has done a great job. The quality looks good but how long will a typical user (which likely is not someone who watches this channel) be satisfied with what they are getting? Glad there is a quality choice for those who want to go this way and the community of Astrophotography should welcome these folks with open arms and give support. There is room enough in this hobby for all levels of involvement. Really not a lot different than purchasing data from a telescope in Chile to work on yourself. Clear Skies. Keep up the good work.

I am just starting out with deep space astrophotography and was wondering do you happen to have a video tutorial on how you edited the vespera files? or which book can I read or tutorial can i watch to get a better understanding to post process step by step the tiff or fits files? Something difficult is trying to find good tutorials that explain things simply and well. Thank you! Love the content

when youre doing nothing at all.... what are you learning? I love setting up my scts or refractors for exactly what I want to do during the night..... view, photography, dso hunting, double stars etc....thats the whole fun

Sounds like the next iteration would benefit from something like an SD card slot, or usb port for a thumb drive, to make transferring data, easier.

While it’s concept is cool but the whole point in my eyes is tearing your hair out at 4:00am as your filter wheel Jammed mount disconnected or or unexpected clouds arrive😊

I have Stellina and decided to go ahead and purchase the Vespera for more portability. I like your review and agree with your pros and cons. One thing, the internal battery life is around four hours. I decided to bring one of the batteries I use for Stellina as a backup. Lots of fun and great public outreach at Star Parties.

I'm gonna wait to get the Vespera Pro but this review still helped me see how the normal one acts at least! :)

espero que em breve vendam no Brasil.❤

I am a visual hobby astronomer and have the dedicated astro gear (bino telescopes). I like watching other friends picking their objects for the night to photograph. I am not interested in astrophotography for two reasons. First, the setting up and alignment and other steps to photograph one or two objects for the night. Second, the abyss it creates monetarily. Now about this video. I really enjoyed this presentation of the Vespera. I found it very comprehensive, clear and enjoyable. Now for the why. I pulled the trigger on one of these little jewels with all the accessories. I am interested in what this little scope can do. I do like trying things and I thought maybe I can save more instead of buying that cumbersome Dobsonian I was considering. I will not purchase any dedicated astrophotography gear. The Vaonis is all I will need. Something I can take on the go along with my Canon 18x50 IS binos. Great for a lot of traveling I do. Many places I go, I strive to get a Bortle four or below (Moab, UT is a prime example). Anyway the whole point of this is I look forward to my Vespera arriving and doing a first light. Your presentation helped immensely for a person stepping into something interesting and most of all, rewarding. Thanks🔭

My only concerns are that it is so easy to use that most people will completely overlook the principle of operation and learn little to nothing about what it is doing and why in any meaningful way. Also, it's very unlikely that the target customer for this sort of device will be processing the images in PixInsight. Your Andromeda processing was really good, whilst the images from the device were much more noisy and fuzzy with bloated stars and muted colours. It appeals to a niche market I think. Experienced astro-imagers will never be satisfied with its limitations and for everyone else it's an expensive novelty. It's good at what it does, but I feel it has a limited market.

Does the app update with newer astronomical objects or events like the upcoming comet known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF)?

First of all, I wish you a speedy recovery, Antoine. I see in these kind of scopes a good setup for outreach, especially in schools, since they are great for EAA. I don’t think this scope is good enough for imaging, at least not now yet. On the other hand, JPEGs are not great for processing. Great review, guys!

It's probably fun, but it really doesn't give you anything you couldn't get from searching google images. After all, it does everything for you. It's definitely cheaper than getting a decent telescope setup though.

Excellent review! I have ordered Vespera, but have a question. Is your edited version of Andromeda processed in PixinSight from a single tiff download from Vespera, or is it a stacked image. Thanks!

What’s the major difference between the Stellina and Verspera?

This is a very attractive option for a nooby like me who wants to get his first foot into this world.

I'm sure this thing has it's target group and I'm not inside this group 🙂 Anyway, interesting development, but I'm confused that you put your narrowband filter IN FRONT of the lens?!

2mp sensor? That seems ridiculously small. Is there any reason this isn't more in line with even the cheapest camera/phone sensor of around 16-20 mp?

How robust is the power connection? I hate when you spend money on something and have a $5 part shut you down. Only as good as it's weakest link.

I can look at pictures of the Hubble catalogue for free on my tv. I have three telescopes and 2 of them are good enough for photography, but I seldom do. I honestly do not know why I would have this, shoot I do not have a go-to telescope. I have a CG-4 with tracking motor for taking pictures of some things like Andromeda, but I like looking at the stars through my scope.

Tradition way of imaging night sky is vanishing with new technology but i guess this 🔭 needs equatorial mount and a bigger objective lens to match the quality of bigger Telescopes.

I don’t like the idea of a telescope doing everything for me, however I could understand this as training wheels. You do this to learn the basics, and then you move up to your own gear. This telescope was not meant for experienced astronomers, it was meant for people who just want the images without the hassle. Which to me, is understandable.

I ordered a Vespera in December 2021 and paid in full. The promised delivery date was Spring 2022. Then in the late Summer of 2022, Vaonis increased the price of the Vespera and started selling to retailers, yet my paid-for Vespera still had no definitive delivery date. This is unprofessional if not dishonest on the part of Vaonis. It also suggests possible financial problems which does not bode well for Vaonis customers.

Are y’all gonna review hyperia? I’m probably butchering the name but I would love to see what it could do. The only downside is that it will be 40k-45k. Loved the video

Bonjour on peut voir les planètes ?

daaaang. thats some serious imaging. too expensive though

What is the price

DWARF will dwarf this thing in sales. 400/500 vs 2500? No contest. Stars in Vespera appear to trail in multiple directions.

I think if they can get the price of these below $1500, they'll do very well. Right now, $2500-4000 is out of reach for even enthusiast amateur astronomers. The number of people with 3 grand to spend on astronomy is miniscule.

for astronomy I'm not a fan of it. I don't want to look at my phone. basically you may as well just find photos on the internet and look at them on the phone. imo the magic of astronomy is looking through that eyepiece and catching the light with your own eyes, adjusting as you go.

It's on sale for 1500 rn

I like it.

Interesting, that's all. The cost benefit compared to dedicated astro equipment is very high and results are much lower. Here in EU 2500 €….Greetings

Snake oil that's what this is, for that money you can buy a superior telescope, where the optics alone out perform this !!!!! Also it's priceless looking trough the eyepiece seeing light that raveled the vastness of space for you to see !!!

Dogs have friends. Cats have servants.

Guys guys listen. Put any 2 inch filter in-front of the scope lol

Now with the Dwarf telescope, you could set it up and then control it from inside your warm house. Also the Dwarf stores all your images for you. And it's 1/4th the cost.

How these new generation youngsters are fascinated by this contraption. For them I will create the "next step smartscope;" it will be connected with the internet, so through your smartphone you will choose the object for the smattscooe and the smatscope will download from the internet a hst photo of the object and instantaneously deliver it to your snartphone. Spectacular photos guatanteed even breathtaking photos of the planets etc. The device will move, rotate pointing at the portion of the sky where the object is located and furthermore it will send a powerful laser beam in the direction of the object. Size of the device will be 5x1x3 inches, high portable and super easy to set up. Cost is not defined yet, but it will be compared to the esperas quality of the photos compared. So stay prepared because exciting times are coming for the new snowflake generation.

Takes the fun out of it.

3:21 3:22 ?….?

Well… At that point I will get some NASA pics…

they say don't expect jupiter and saturn as it not build for that..hahaha..it show detail of galaxies which are far far away then jupiter..so may b it doesn't see the real thigs at all..may be everything is stored in it for later watching

biggest con Price!

No eyepiece….. all software, I’m not sold it’s even giving you a real image

4000 dollars????? Yikes.

pay stupid amounts of money for what you get..... and learn what?

Well, your video is good as always, but these kind of telescopes are like a self-playing piano...after a few minutes of thinking about it, I wouldn't recommend this to ANYBODY. It has nothing to do with astrophotography. You dont need to learn anything. Its not doing you any good. Its like letting your mother pick the clothes you are going to wear for the day. Like listening to music instead of making music.

Pretty sure it’s a scam. I backed it over 2 years ago on kickstarter spent over $2000. Never delivered. Gave excuses for awhile now ignores me. I’d be careful dealing with them.

So…a 15-minute commercial and you can bother to tell us the price? That would be a pro or a con, depending. But all that and NO price. That’s a big omission and I can only assume why. We’re you gifted it? Loaned it? Purchased it? Purchased with a discount? That helps too knowing how you obtained it.

99 bucks for a humidity sensor that costs 8 bucks to make. Stacking and processing sucks too

For the price it’s packs it’s a bit disappointing.. you can achieve the same with a second hand newton, some used NEQ6 for a fifth of the price

They have to get the price down. No way I would pay $2,500. I got the eVscope for $1,299 as a backer and would have never paid full price for it. Cheaper to just put together an EAA setup.

"It effectively eliminates the learning curve that all astrophotgraphers struggle with" True, along with the growth, sense of accomplishment, reward and satisfaction. It's literally one or two steps removed from a Google image search. It just takes a lot longer to download the image and it's not nearly as good. I think these things are an abomination that will kill far more budding enthusiast's passion for the hobby than it will spark. I honestly can't imagine how disappointing this would be. I'm sure the first few images are exciting until you realize you had nothing to do with it and your part of the process is nothing more than setting it down on the ground, pressing a button and going inside to search for images on an interface. When I got back into a astronomy two years ago and started getting some nice equipment, astrophotography was merely an afterthought. I was all about visual observation, yet once I started I could not beleive the satisfaction and reward of obtaining images and processing the data to get amazing results I never dreamed of. Astrophotography has become my #1 passion now. It honestly hurts me to think about people getting a poisoned view of it with equipment like this. I know the push in the modern era is to automate everything, but the more we automate, the more we disconnect ourselves from life and its experiences. To be clear, this opinion is in no way a comment about you two and your work. Love your channel and what you both do for the community. This is just about my very impassioned response to these types of auto scopes.

I simply download images from Google. dump telescope.