Vaonis Unveils Vespera III at $2,490 and Pro 2 at $2,990 With Optical Upgrades

1 articles · Updated · Space.com · May 16

Vaonis has launched the Vespera III and Vespera Pro 2, two new high-end smart telescopes now on sale through BH Photo and other retailers.
Both models use a revised internal lens design and a shorter 245mm focal length, which Vaonis says improves color contrast, cuts chromatic aberration and widens the field of view for larger deep-sky targets.
Usability upgrades include a built-in hygrometer tied to an anti-fog system, USB-C for faster JPEG and RAW transfers, and an included aluminum tripod for higher viewing positions.
The releases extend Vaonis' Vespera line, which began in 2022 and added second-generation Vespera II and Pro models in 2024, as smart telescopes gain traction with beginners and casual astrophotographers.
At prices near or above $2,500, the new models target the premium end of a growing market where Vaonis competes with Unistellar, Celestron, ZWO and Dwarflab.

Does the Vespera III's premium price deliver a superior experience over rivals like the much cheaper ZWO Seestar?

Will smart telescopes ever conquer detailed planetary imaging, or are they forever limited to deep-sky views?

As smart telescopes automate astrophotography, are we losing the essential skill of navigating the night sky ourselves?