8 replies to this topic

[Astronotrip]

I discovered the smart scopes a few years ago and it opened a new door to astronomy for me... I don;t have much time with my family and work so I can't really go away at night and spend all night out. So smart scopes were the best thing for me to get in astronomy.

I had an eVscope2 for a year and while I was astonished at first, I was disappointed very fast by its imaging performances when I saw what other smaller (and much cheaper) scopes could do.
I was mostly impressed by the Vaonis Vespera 2, so I sold my Unistellar and bought a Vespera 2 in Feb 2024.

 

It's been 1.5 years almost and I really enjoy this scope. I took it with me travelling and took some amazing pictures with it !

 

Here are some (images too big to upload, so some links):

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=ENIeyV6zjaQ

 

https://www.astronot...t-galaxies.html

 

If you need some advice/recommendations to choose a smart telescope, I wrote a guide (Google translate widget at the top of the article)

[Airstrike]

really good detailed read , really enjoyed your take on different scopes

and i tilt my hat to you those images of yours are incredible

 

i nearly bought the D3 but after 4-5 months of waiting for a delivery i buckled got refunded and bought the S50 best decision i made absolutely love it and what is packed in this tiny box just blows the mind 

 

the moment the pro version of the s50 or s70 ect is in production il deffo be the 1st to place an order 110%  unless ...⭐mer  takes all my savings

Edited by Airstrike, 07 June 2025 - 04:36 AM.

[Astronotrip]

really good detailed read , really enjoyed your take on different scopes

and i tilt my hat to you those images of yours are incredible

 

i nearly bought the D3 but after 4-5 months of waiting for a delivery i buckled got refunded and bought the S50 best decision i made absolutely love it and what is packed in this tiny box just blows the mind 

 

the moment the pro version of the s50 or s70 ect is in production il deffo be the 1st to place an order 110%  unless ...⭐mer  takes all my savings

thanks - happy if it's useful...

I haven't tried all of those scopes unfortunately but I talk a lot to ppl who have a S50 and a Dwarf 3. Both can take incredible pictures (very very close to what the Vespera 2 can do..).
With 6-10 hours on a target and good PixInsight skills, you can create wondeful pics

 

Not 100% sure the Pro versions of the S30 and S50 will be a big update.. probaby just a new sensor (the S30 Pro is supposed to get the IMX 585 (same as V2). Haven t heard anything about the S50 Pro. Rumors talk about an S80.
 

[Michael_@@@]

Great guide, thanks for putting this together! I’m returning my S50 and have purchased the V2. Which filters do you believe are essential? I enjoy capturing galaxies and nebula so the Dual Band filter is a no-brainer for the nebula but is the LP filter worth it? I live in Brisbane, Australia with Bortle 4 skies.

[Astronotrip]

I have all filters.. I m in Bortle 4 as well.

For sure the DB for nebulae. I use much less the CLS so you could wait and see...

and solar if you want to do solar but I can t say the solar mode is exceptional. 
Good enough to see the sunspots or an eclipse but unless you stack it's quite blurry.

[Michael_@@@]

Thanks Astrotrip, I’ve just checked the price of the DB filter for the Vespera II and it’s close to the price of a new SeeStar S50?!?!!

[Astronotrip]

Thanks Astrotrip, I’ve just checked the price of the DB filter for the Vespera II and it’s close to the price of a new SeeStar S50?!?!!

yes but look at the price of such 3rd party filters, it's around those prices if you want sthing good and this DB filter is a really good one.

Optolong L ultimate 399 eur

Optolong L extreme 329 eur ... there are some cheaper ones but they might not be as good.

[BrickInTheSky]

As a Vespera 2 owner (and the Vaonis DB filter) I do think that I paid a bit too much and there are other less pricey alternatives that will give maybe marginally less quality results. But this is true for many items: there is a rule of diminishing returns where additional money bring you less and less returns on your investment. But there are subtle nuances that ‘compensate’ for the extra expenses…

[JReed]

Great images! Reading your website shows me how bad I have gotten at reading French lol , but good practice.