Battle of the Telescopes: StellaLyra 8″ & Apertura AD8 Dobsonians vs. Vaonis Vespera II Smart Scope (2025 Comparison)
StellaLyra 8″ and Apertura AD8 are manual 203 mm Dobsonians with 1200 mm focal lengths, while Vaonis Vespera II uses a 50 mm f/5 apochromatic refractor with a built-in camera and motorized GoTo mount. Vespera II weighs 5 kg and is compact; the Dobsonians weigh over 21 kg combined. Pricing ranges from $540–$799 for the Dobsonians to $1,690 for Vespera II. Vespera II offers digital imaging; the Dobsonians provide real-time eyepiece views.