NEW Vaonis Vespera II Smart Telescope Review + Tutorial

[@tonyosullivan6137]

I have no previous astrophotography experience, yet I'm getting fab images of deep sky objects I can't find with a telescope from my urban garden by using the Vespera Pro! I feel a bit apologetic about skipping the learning curve and years of gathering equipment, finding faint objects, capturing dark frames etc and learning to use stacking and processing software. Sorry, but Vespera is doing it for me! Seeing the pillars of creation in an image of the Eagle Nebula that I took myself, is just mind-blowing and very encouraging. I'm loving the Vespera and it's still summer! As Wido says, it's a truly innovative futuristic design, but it also works, really well.

[@pedalajones]

Excellent thoughts on the use of smart telescopes. I own a Dwarf 2 and I'm having a lot of fun without having spent thousands of dollars. Who knows what developments there will be in the future in this new category of astrophotography instruments!

[@craiglowery4427]

Thank you. This is the best review of Vaonis smart telescopes I’ve watched. I have the Vespera Classic model. It’s a fabulous invention. I just wish Vaonis would advertise like Seestar. Thanks for helping to get the word out

[@robkoopman8381]

Thank you for taking the trouble to make these videos and explain, very helpful to armchair astronomers and beginners alike. I think the pictures you showed us are truly amazing, especially if you grew up in the 1960's like me. At the time it took some very expensive equipment and perseverance to even come close to what you are showing here. I think nowadays we take too much for granted and think it is normal for amateurs to be able to take such pichtures. One big and easily overlooked advantage is that setting up a professional rig takes so much time and storage room and has to be lifted from another floor to the garden etc. that you are so tired when it is all installed that the lust to go stargazing is gone. And as you correctly pointed out there are not a lot of evenings suitable for stargazing and a smart telescope is quickly and easily set up. I am still torn between this one and the Zwo Seestar.

[@tomivicevic5184]

Thank you for sharing your insights into the Vespera II. I’m impressed and will look more into this telescope.

[@AnthonyRobinsonUK]

Great video - so relaxing! The images were better than I thought. I've got one of these on the way and so am quite excited now. Quick question - Was the processing of the sun, moon and dso images done in the app or did you export to some other software? Thanks!

[@AstroForumSpace]

I did some noise reduction and curve stretching in photoshop, but the automatically generated pictures are already quite good, and it's easy to learn these processing techniques. For Solar and lunar processing, there are many astroprocessing tools available for free (autostakkert, registax, wavesharp etc.)

[@AnthonyRobinsonUK]

@@AstroForumSpace Thanks!

[@BrianKushner]

Great video. Veru interested in the Pro coming soon.

[@AstroProductReviews]

Excellent. Those new features looks awesome!

[@ollnybb]

thanks for sharing ur thoughts! i just got the pro version. so excited for what it can do! love the battery and storage compared to the vespera II

[@CosmicDigs]

Thoroughly enjoying your videos Wido and so pleased the majority of Smart telescope manufacturers have supported you. I love the way you explain the functionality across each smart telescope including accessories and ease of use with the apps. I also enjoy the music ;) I can't wait for you to review the Vespera Pro and how that compares to the Vespera 2. Thanks again for all you do :) Steve

[@dietreueneishockeyfcsalzbu4395]

Thank you ,perfect explained the Vesperna Teleskope!! Great Video, and Great music in the background. Thanks from Salzburg

[@Uli2000Ger]

phantastic image of orion nebular

[@aw7425]

Nice video, I’ve noticed the sun pics are slightly out of focus on my vespera vs my Seestar. I have asked Vaonis for help on this but no word yet. Hoping a fw upgrade can help

[@AstroForumSpace]

Did you try the re-focus option in the top right menu? Sometimes that helps, especially when there are high clouds.

[@icecorebaby]

Is it worth upgrading from vespera classic to vespera 2?

[@licatrochi]

Hi. What do you mean don’t look directly into the sun? Isn’t it through the screen? I ordered it, and now I’m scared to go blind 😂 It would be my first time ever using one. Thanks.

[@Michaeliorio-wu5be]

5:05 I was about to purchase the Vespera two but then found out that’s the Vespera pro was coming out. Looking for a review but nothing out there that I can find. Looking for picture comparisons between the 2 models. Have you seen them? Looking for differences to justify price amount. Will you be doing a review on the Vespera pro soon?

[@AstroForumSpace]

I'll contact Vespera to see if the pro is already available for review!

[@Michaeliorio-wu5be]

Thank you, you would think that they would have you out there reviewing it way before it came out. But right down to the minute there’s nothing going on.

[@Calastein]

I was really excited to use the Vespera for looking out ‘live’ terrestrially too from the comfort of my sofa but I don’t think it can do that which is really annoying.

[@andreasw.3817]

Hi Wido, very good videos you share here. I own now also a Vespera II, I bought also the Dual band filter as I live in the south of Cologne. Do you think the CLS is really a help for improving pictures from Galaxy's in a bright sky ? thanks a lot, bye Andreas

[@keithgkirk]

What tripod did you mount the Vespera on? It is not the one that comes with the unit.

[@ArmanGT]

Hello I am new to everything astronomy, when should I use the light pollution filter versus the dual band filter for deep space in a somewhat urban area?

[@zandarrthegreat6790]

If you are using the app on your phone, you can post to social medial or send your captured pictures without disconnecting from the Vespera Wi-Fi. Your phone (or other cellular connected device) will just use that signal. I send updates while connected to the telescope throughout the viewing session all the time.

[@michaelschaap1645]

Can I ask you something? How big can you do prints?

[@ArtByOdo]

Is there any manual leveling or calibration that needs to be done? I've see a bubble level available for the original model, but not Vespera II. Never used a smart telescope - this looks fantastic!

[@AstroForumSpace]

You can use a regular leveler for the tripod. The rest is all done automatically in the app, including finding objects and auto-focus.

[@JDFloyd]

Question: do any of the Vaonis productions have Polaris as a target? I ask because I shoot astro star trails centered on Polaris (using a Sony mirrorless camera), and the polar alignment is never quite 100%. Do any of the Vaonis predictions have Polaris as a target?

[@emptyqrider]

Hi .. does it worth waiting for the new release of this telescope ? To me no bigger internal storage nor bigger battery is important for my usage.. is it ok to go for the vesprera II in this case ? Thanks

[@charizardnick3238]

I wa going to get this but got the SEESTAR S50 ❤

[@SyroBTK]

hey wido. For the past 3 weeks I have been walking around with a headache about which smart telescope I should buy. the Seestar or the much more expensive Vespera 2. But the more I think about it, the Vespera 2 really feels like a package that you just have to keep buying and spending money on. no filter, barely 25GB of storage and in 2024 not even a tripod when purchasing... None of this is possible for me and I therefore refuse to buy the Vespera 2 despite the larger sensor. I can't and don't want to do it... and I think there are still people who think that way, especially because these things ARE all included with the s50 for a lower price...

[@AstroForumSpace]

Ai, no smart telescope is worth a headache! I've made an overview blog on my website perhaps useful. And I understand the 1k difference is quite a lot. Here's my smart telescope comparison blog: astroforumspace.com/smart-telescopes-best-buy-guide-2024/

[@Luftbubblan]

Awesome as always Wido!

[@AstroForumSpace]

I need to loose some weight 😀

[@frednaut]

Great overview. Thank you for sharing. Is there any chance you might be able to show how the Vespera 2 holds up to a slightly more advanced use case? E.g. CovalENS, same target for a few hours each night over 2 separate nights, combine and process TIFFs? The biggest challenge in using my existing equatorial / refractor set up is the set up / pack down time each night. So, I am curious if the Vespera might do the job, understanding I may need more time in total / nights on a target to get an equivalent outcome (which looks easy enough to do given how simple it is to set up from your video). Thoughts?

[@AstroForumSpace]

Fred, if we have clear skies, I'll attempt to execute such a project. Unfortunately, the Netherlands has been covered in clouds for months now. I do think its possible to combine narrowband (dual band) with broadband data to get a nice, colourful image. The 10s exposure time does limit the ability to get substantial SNR.

[@frednaut]

Thank you for considering it. Would be great. It has been relentlessly cloudy where I am here in Australia as well - I can relate.

[@icecorebaby]

I have the vespera classic, thinking of upgrading to the vespera pro or celestron origin.

[@fritzfrancken]

Hey Wido, knappe uitleg. Heb je ondertussen de Vespera Pro in test gekregen?

[@AstroForumSpace]

Dag Frits, dank je! De Pro variant is nog niet beschikbaar op dit moment, maar ik heb navraag gedaan en hoop dat deze er snel komt.

[@guarrand]

How come it somes nebulae very crisp, but Jupiter is a small blurry dot?. Is it just the huge size of Nebulae that make the difference?

[@giuseppececere9815]

When you talk about sensor it is true that is the larger sensor on smart telescopes but what is important is the total number of active pixels and resolution. In this case this scope is not far off from dwarf 2 but 3x the price and 5x the weight. Finally the 25gb memory capacity is ridiculous on such a scope 😂

[@AstroForumSpace]

The Dwarf II is a 28mm aperture, 100mm FL telephoto lens. This is a 50/250mm quadruplet apo telescope. The image scale is 2.39mu vs 2.99 mu, but the aperture, focal length and design is higher quality + the 585 camera sensor is superior quality. The Singularity APP is very user-friendly and supports mosaic mode. All these things matter...

[@dietreueneishockeyfcsalzbu4395]

Very Helpful as well 😉

[@karelmachado8535]

Nice pics. Thank you

[@andrewr823]

Not a big deal, but you kept saying that you can attach and detach the solar, and other filters when the scope goes to 45°, but 45° is half up and half down, like "/", sort of. 😊

[@AstroForumSpace]

Ah yes, lol. The arm points forward, so maybe more like 90 degrees from the telescope's perspective :-).

[@bnasad]

Hi i have evscope 2 is it worth it to change to vespera 2 ?

[@AstroForumSpace]

The evscope has a small fov, good for tiny galaxies, but not great for larger objects. If you want to capture larger nebulae, the vespera 2 is a nice smart telescope.

[@chrismurphy4852]

I’m curious how the imaging is affect by minor vibrations. I have a deck and when I look through my current optical telescope, any vibrations through the deck cause the telescope to jiggle. Does the processing take any movement into account and aligns the samples, or am I going to have to trek into my yard on for a terra?

[@AstroForumSpace]

Hi Chris, all telescopes will be suseptible to vibrations on decks, which will affect the sharpness and tracking ability of the telescope. Smart telescopes take short exposures of about 10s so if the vibration is very light, it will probably discard that one picture, and continue the session. I have some "anti-vibration rubbers" , they help.

[@Johnstage]

What Bortle did you expose in? Thx.

[@AstroForumSpace]

Bortle 7, City skies.

[@deeovid]

Does anyone know if this would be suitable for watching sailing boats at sea, about 1.5km away.

[@BrianKushner]

No video recording of sun and moon?

[@AstroForumSpace]

Hey Brian, nope, at the moment the Vespera 'records' in jpg only. But that might change in the future with an APP software update.

[@pstanyer1]

25 gb is pretty small, Im waiting for a 80mm one that can also do basic planetary work.

[@AstroForumSpace]

For decent planetary I'd advise a dobson, sct or maksutov.

[@tennisiswonderful]

1st world problems. The scope is incredible for what it can do for the price and the size and the ease of use.

[@kToTheLToTheE]

am I getting it right, the tripod is not included and you need your own or buy theirs?

[@AstroForumSpace]

You can use any 3/8-inch photo thread tripod (that's the standard for most star trackers and smart telescopes)

[@adventurerofthethirdplanet]

There's a pack with a tripod and a pack without if you already have yours. They currently offer a solar filter for free. good for the upcoming eclipse !

[@kToTheLToTheE]

for 1.600euro I really expect them to throw in that lil´ tripod is what I´m saying

[@MultiCertainly]

Does it support equatorial mode?

[@adventurerofthethirdplanet]

No it is an altaz mount

[@alissacarissimi3542]

So can you not use this is you dont have a wifi signal?

[@AstroForumSpace]

You can always use it. The WiFi signal is local and generated by the telescope. No network needed and completely wireless .

[@tihralahn]

You didn’t mention how it compares to the classic version.

[@AstroForumSpace]

The sensor is the main difference. 2MP vs 8MP, meaning you can capture a much bigger part of the night sky with the Vespera II

[@tihralahn]

@@AstroForumSpace but if you run out of space trying to do something, is it still a good trade off. I feel like not being able to do something at all is worse. Or can you upgrade the storage?

[@TimothyPagel-c2k]

Runolfsson Orchard

[@KarenGonzalez-x6c]

Braun Square

[@Dutchastrochris]

Yup, too expensive compared to the Seestar…but than again, as an owner, I’m biased 😉

[@pilsplease7561]

I want one but have too many expensive hobbies to set aside the cash for one.

[@flyingfox8586]

Can contain less than 6 hours of footage (internal battery dies before that), very slow file transfer over 2.4 ghz WiFi, Covalens/mosaics useless except under ideal sky conditions. The Seestar is almost…almost as good.

[@AstroForumSpace]

For a more balanced comparison, check: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnnZeZifp5dnaa8si=gBOfjjKwE0woPrVF

[@rackmasterh]

Ridiculously overpriced compared to the Seestar. Just the extras cost as much as the Seestar and no video for solar work is absurd.

[@SyroBTK]

exactly! way too expensive and the things that should have been included are way too expensive.

[@dgdave2673]

Absolutely with you, I have the Seestar 50 purchased for $400 on initial promo offer. Have got some excellent results of Sun, recent full solar eclipse, moon shots, Whirlpool, Cigar and other galaxies, Globular cluster and other DSOs very well. Comes with a nice solar filter, built in ND filter , carbon fiber tripod. This Vespera is simply overpriced!

[@thor_86]

Does this seestar stack coloured images for you automatically, so that you'll never need to get into editing?

[@LarryHernandez-m6c]

Mae Lodge

[@PingpongPoof-c3r]

good for rich kids and , neither flexible enough for professionals nor interactive enough for beginners

[@dgdave2673]

This Vespera is simply overpriced! I have the Seestar 50 purchased for $400 on initial promo offer. Have got some excellent results of Sun, recent full solar eclipse, moon shots, Whirlpool, Cigar and other galaxies, Globular cluster and other DSOs very well. Comes with a nice solar filter, built in ND filter , carbon fiber tripod. Vespera wants to nickel and dime the customers.