Credit: Spectrum Optics

The smart telescope revolution has grown rapidly over the past few years. Most of these scopes focus primarily on electronic imaging, though, and while amateur astronomers may marvel at the images, they also still enjoy the simple pleasure of looking directly through a telescope.

That’s where the SkyPilot 127 from Spectrum Optics ($999) takes a different approach. Rather than replacing direct observing with a screen-based experience, the SP127 combines a traditional 5-inch (127 millimeters) f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with a smart guidance and imaging system.

Dual purpose

At first glance, the SP127 looks like a conventional catadioptric with a standard finder on a motorized alt-azimuth mount. But looks can be deceiving.

The secret lies in that “finder.” On closer inspection, it is not a finder at all, but a 2.1-inch (53 mm) f/4 ED refractor outfitted with a digital camera.…