Smart telescope vs. traditional telescope: A revolution in stargazing

The world of technology is evolving at breakneck speed, constantly reshaping how we interact with and explore our surroundings. Tools that were once exclusive to trained specialists are now within reach of everyday users.

We’ve seen this transformation in photography: the move from traditional film to digital photography and the revolution in aerial imaging with drones. Now, the same kind of transformation is unfolding in the field of astronomy.

We’ve definitely entered the era of smart telescopes, pioneered seven years ago by Vaonis. We introduced the first smart telescope to the market.

Smart telescopes are opening up the cosmos to an entirely new audience.
While traditional telescope setups remain irreplaceable for many seasoned astronomers, smart telescopes are proving to be a valuable complement, offering greater convenience and enabling new ways to experience the night sky.

With just a tap, anyone can observe and capture distant galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, right from their backyard, in stunning detail and vibrant color. There’s no need for complex alignments or advanced technical knowledge. The images you can now capture from home come surprisingly close to those taken by professional observatories just a few decades ago.

Smart telescopes may not replace classic rigs in the near future, but they’re here to stay and with each new generation, they become smarter and more powerful. So, how does a smart telescope compare to a traditional setup, and what unique advantages does it offer? Let’s take a closer look.

The components of a traditional astro-imaging rig

Side-by-side: What sets them apart

Setup and ease of use

Setting up Vespera takes just a few minutes. The telescope automatically retrieves time and location data from your smartphone and aligns itself using a process called astrometry (or plate solving). By capturing a small section of the night sky and matching star patterns, it can determine its precise orientation and begin observing right away.

In contrast, a traditional astrophotography setup requires significantly more time and expertise. You need to assemble multiple components (the optical tube, mount, guide scope, electronic focuser, cameras, and controller) and connect everything, launch and configure various software tools, and ensure all systems are functioning properly. Only then can you begin the alignment process, which is itself a prerequisite to capturing your first image. Each step requires a solid foundation of technical knowledge, making the process far more complex and time-consuming.

Stargazing experience.

Smart telescopes and traditional telescopes can complement each other by offering two distinct ways of exploring the universe.

With a smart telescope, the experience is more relaxed and accessible. You can enjoy the night sky without being distracted by the complex technical setup typically required for image acquisition. It’s the perfect instrument for learning to navigate the stars and understanding what you’re observing. For example, Vespera includes LumENS, an intelligent astro-companion that can answer your questions about the objects you're viewing. Thanks to its quick and easy setup, Vespera also makes it possible to observe more frequently and spontaneously.

Smart telescopes offer new ways to explore the night sky.

A traditional telescope, on the other hand, offers a different kind of experience: ideal for those who enjoy diving into the technical side of things. It allows for extensive customization and fine-tuning, and the sense of achievement that comes from capturing a great image after all that effort is deeply rewarding. With time, experience, and the right skills, it’s possible to achieve outstanding results.

For visual observation, traditional telescopes provide a direct connection to the sky: you’re seeing celestial light in real time through the eyepiece. While this can be immersive, the view is often faint, slightly blurry, and almost colorless, even with large amateur telescopes.

Astrophotography

The very first digital cameras delivered results that left advanced photographers wanting more. But over time, with technological progress, they became mandatory, offering outstanding performance. The same evolution is happening with smart telescopes.

While early models may have seemed limited for astrophotography, newer systems like Vespera have proven that it's now possible to capture stunning, high-quality images of the cosmos more easily .

Image : The Orion Nebula and its surroundings, captured with Vespera Pro using mosaic mode and multi-night acquisition.

Traditional telescopes still lead the field when it comes to versatility and performance. With a wide range of apertures, configurations, and accessories - and the ability to build a fully custom setup - they remain the standard for those who have the skills to master them. But the gap between smart and classical setups is clearly narrowing.

Smart telescopes already offer powerful astrophotography features that are extremely complex - or even impossible - to achieve with a traditional setup. For example, Vespera allows you to capture live mosaics and automatically stack observations across multiple nights, all in real time.

Today, smart telescopes are a serious alternative for those starting out in astrophotography, and a powerful complementary tool for experienced users who already own traditional gear.

Nomadic astronomy

Astronomy reaches its full potential under dark skies, far from city lights and light pollution. For many enthusiasts, this means venturing beyond their backyard in search of the best conditions: a quick escape to the countryside, a weekend in the mountains, or even a journey to a certified Dark Sky Reserve.

This nomadic approach to astronomy unlocks incredible experiences: observing the universe from awe-inspiring locations, making the most of clear skies while on holiday, or simply enjoying a quiet moment under the stars, wherever you are.

In this context, smart telescopes are the ideal travel companion. With no bulky equipment or power-hungry computers, they let you travel light and start observing in minutes, whether you're on a road trip, camping, or flying to the other side of the world.

Vespera weighs just 5 kilograms and can be carried on a plane as cabin luggage.

For those who already own a larger traditional setup that’s too heavy or complex to transport, smart telescopes offer an excellent portable complement, extending your passion for astronomy wherever your journey takes you.