Smart telescopes started by making astrophotography easier. The DWARFLAB DRACO SHO Edition takes the idea considerably further for one particular kind of imager: it puts much of what normally makes up a narrowband imaging system into one portable instrument, without giving up the simplicity that made smart telescopes appealing in the first place.
At the center is a 90mm (3.54") f/3.8 telephoto optical system with a 340mm focal length, a cooled 50.33-megapixel main sensor, a separate monochrome guide camera, autofocus, physical sensor rotation for field derotation and framing, built-in astronomical filters, automated calibration, and individual exposures as long as 300 seconds. A second 50.33-megapixel ultra-wide camera handles broad views of the sky, Milky Way imaging, landscapes, star trails, and other wide-field work.
That sounds more like the equipment list for a conventional astrophotography setup than a smart telescope. The difference is that DRACO arrives with all of it integrated. Put the telescope outside, connect through the DWARFLAB app, choose a target, and the system can handle finding, focusing, tracking, guiding, calibration, stacking, and much of the processing on its own. When you want more control, Pro Mode opens up exposure, gain, filter selection, and other imaging settings.
What separates the SHO Edition from the Standard version is the filter system. In addition to the Hα + O III dual-narrowband filter found in both DRACO models, the SHO Edition adds an internal S II + O III dual-narrowband filter. Used together, the two filters record signal in the sulfur II, hydrogen-alpha, and oxygen III emission bands needed for SHO processing and Hubble-palette imaging. If emission nebulae and narrowband work are the main reason you're buying a DRACO, this is the version built around that job.
Built Like an Imaging Rig, Used Like a Smart Telescope
DRACO's 90mm aperture is substantial for a compact smart telescope, and at f/3.8 the optical system is fast enough to make productive use of the clear hours you actually get. The 340mm focal length also lands in a useful middle ground: enough reach for galaxies, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, and smaller emission regions without becoming so narrow that larger deep-sky objects are difficult to frame.
Targets such as M51, M81 and M82, M27, and M13 sit comfortably within its reach, while the Orion Nebula, Rosette Nebula, Lagoon Nebula, Crescent Nebula, and other medium-sized emission regions are natural subjects for the SHO version. When one frame isn't enough, DRACO's mosaic mode can automatically capture adjoining sections and combine them into a field up to roughly three times larger overall.
The telephoto camera uses a 1/1.3" 50.33MP sensor with 1.197-micron native pixels. For deep-sky imaging, DRACO normally uses 2×2 binning, combining four adjacent pixels into one 2.394-micron effective pixel and producing approximately 12-megapixel output. The point isn't a larger megapixel number; the larger effective pixels improve signal collection for faint targets. For brighter objects such as the Moon and planets, DRACO can use the finer native 1×1 sampling and crop around the target.
A separate monochrome guide camera continuously watches star movement while the mount tracks. At the same time, DRACO physically rotates the main imaging sensor to compensate for field rotation. Together with the drive system, that allows individual exposures as long as 300 seconds without the conventional polar-alignment routine associated with a traditional equatorial imaging setup.
The sensor rotator also handles composition. Change the framing angle in the app and the imaging sensor physically rotates to follow it, so you're not stuck with whatever orientation the telescope happens to give you.
Sensor cooling helps control thermal noise during long sessions, while heat generated within the system is redirected to help resist dew on the main optics. Autofocus, dark-frame capture, flat and bias calibration data, guiding, and live stacking are all part of the system. An experienced imager will recognize every one of those jobs. DRACO simply removes much of the separate hardware, cabling, spacing work, and setup normally required to accomplish them.
The SHO Difference
The SHO Edition carries four telephoto filter positions inside the telescope: an Astronomy filter, an opaque dark-frame position, a 13nm Hα + O III dual-narrowband filter, and a 13nm S II + O III dual-narrowband filter.
For galaxies, clusters, and other broadband targets, the Astronomy filter preserves a broad range of useful starlight. For emission nebulae, the two dual-band filters can be used in sequence to record the three emission bands central to SHO imaging: hydrogen-alpha at 656.3nm, oxygen III at 500.7nm, and sulfur II at 671.6nm.
That gives DRACO the information needed to separate and map the S II, Hα, and O III contributions into an SHO image. The DWARFLAB app can handle that workflow automatically, or you can export the data and take the processing further yourself.
Narrowband imaging also has a practical advantage. By concentrating on specific emission lines while rejecting much of the broadband background, it can improve contrast on emission nebulae from suburban locations and extend useful imaging into nights when some moonlight is present. Dark skies still help, but you aren't restricted to waiting for a perfect moonless trip to a remote site every time you want to work on a nebula.
This is not the same hardware approach as a traditional monochrome camera with three individual S II, Hα, and O III filters. DRACO reaches the three emission bands through two internally switchable dual-band filters and software-assisted channel separation. That's an important distinction — but it's also what lets DWARFLAB put an SHO-capable workflow inside an instrument this compact and automated.
There is one tradeoff compared with the Standard Edition. The Standard DRACO uses its fourth internal filter position for an app-switchable OD 5 solar filter. The SHO Edition uses that position for the S II + O III filter instead, so its solar filter is supplied separately.
For solar imaging, attach the included external magnetic ND filter to the front of the telescope, select solar imaging in the app, and DRACO handles locating, centering, focusing, and tracking the Sun. This is white-light solar imaging for sunspots, visible active-region structure, and events such as eclipses. It is not an H-alpha solar telescope.
For an imager primarily interested in nebulae who photographs the Sun occasionally, that is a sensible trade. If frequent or unattended remote solar imaging matters more than SHO capability, the Standard Edition's internally switchable solar filter may be the better choice.
From First Image to Your Own Processing
The smart part of DRACO isn't simply GoTo. Auto Mode can manage the complete imaging sequence for someone who wants to select an object and start collecting data without first learning every part of a traditional astrophotography system. Target acquisition, autofocus, guiding, tracking, filter changes, calibration, live stacking, and processing can all take place within the DWARFLAB workflow.
That doesn't mean you're locked into automatic processing. Pro Mode gives you more control over the capture settings, while FITS and TIFF export let you take the imaging data into your preferred astrophotography software and decide for yourself how the final image should look.
Multi-night stacking lets you continue building signal on the same target over several sessions rather than treating every night as a separate project. That's particularly useful for narrowband work, where more integration time can make a substantial difference. Scheduled imaging can also be set in advance, allowing DRACO to wake, acquire the target, track, and capture while you're doing something else — including sleeping.
Mosaic mode handles targets that won't comfortably fit into a single telephoto frame. Extend the area in the star map and DRACO automatically captures the adjoining sections needed to build the larger view.
The second ultra-wide camera adds another side to the instrument. With a 23.3mm full-frame-equivalent focal length and roughly 85.7° diagonal field, it can record the Milky Way, star trails, landscapes, and broad night-sky scenes while the 340mm telephoto system handles deeper work. You're not limited to one scale of photography simply because you brought one telescope.
All of this is packaged into a 12.1 lb (5.5 kg) body with a built-in 10,000mAh battery rated for approximately five hours of operation. Internal storage is 128GB, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and USB-C connectivity are built in. USB Ethernet connectivity is also supported when a wired connection makes more sense for a long-term or remote installation.
What's Included
- DWARFLAB DRACO SHO Smart Telescope
- DRACO tripod
- External magnetic ND solar filter
- USB-C data cable
- Lens cleaning cloth
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the DRACO SHO and Standard versions?
Both versions share the same main optics, cameras, guiding system, cooling, mount, storage, and software platform. The difference is the fourth telephoto filter position. The SHO Edition carries an S II + O III dual-narrowband filter in addition to the Hα + O III filter shared by both models, giving it access to the S II, Hα, and O III bands needed for SHO imaging. It includes an external magnetic solar filter. The Standard Edition uses that fourth internal position for an app-switchable OD 5 solar filter instead.
Can the SHO Edition make Hubble-palette images?
Yes. DRACO uses its Hα + O III and S II + O III dual-band filters in sequence to record signal in the sulfur II, hydrogen-alpha, and oxygen III emission bands. The app can separate, map, and combine that information into an SHO/Hubble-palette image automatically, or you can work with exported data yourself.
Is this the same as imaging with a monochrome camera and three individual narrowband filters?
No. A conventional mono SHO system records each wavelength through a separate S II, Hα, or O III filter. DRACO uses two dual-band filters with channel separation to recover information from those three emission bands. The advantage is that the entire filter system is built into a compact, automated smart telescope rather than requiring a separate camera, filter wheel, filters, guide system, rotator, and controller.
Do I need to polar align DRACO for long exposures?
No. DRACO combines built-in guiding with physical sensor derotation to compensate for tracking error and field rotation, allowing individual exposures as long as 300 seconds without the conventional polar-alignment routine of a traditional equatorial imaging setup.
Why does a 50-megapixel sensor produce roughly 12MP deep-sky images?
For deep-sky work, DRACO normally uses 2×2 pixel binning. Four 1.197-micron native pixels are combined into one 2.394-micron effective pixel, improving signal collection while producing approximately 12-megapixel output. For brighter solar-system targets, the telescope can use the finer native 1×1 sampling.
Can I use the SHO Edition for solar imaging?
Yes. The SHO Edition includes an external magnetic OD 5 solar filter that attaches to the front of the telescope. Once it is securely installed, DRACO can handle locating, centering, focusing, and tracking the Sun through the app. This is white-light solar imaging for features such as sunspots and eclipses; it is not H-alpha solar observing.
Why is the solar filter external on the SHO version?
The SHO Edition uses its fourth internal telephoto filter position for the S II + O III narrowband filter. The Standard Edition uses that same position for its built-in solar ND filter. SHO owners therefore attach the supplied external magnetic filter before solar imaging.
Can I process DRACO data myself?
Yes. DRACO supports FITS and TIFF output for users who want to take the processing further themselves, along with JPG and PNG formats for quicker sharing and finished-image workflows.
Can I still image galaxies and star clusters with the SHO Edition?
Yes. The SHO model retains the same broader Astronomy filter used by the Standard Edition, so broadband subjects such as galaxies and clusters remain part of the telescope's normal deep-sky capability. The SHO filters add narrowband options; they don't replace broadband imaging.
Which version should I buy?
Choose the SHO Edition if emission nebulae, narrowband imaging, and SHO/Hubble-palette processing are major reasons you're buying DRACO, and you're comfortable attaching an external filter when you want to image the Sun. Choose the Standard Edition if you want the broadest all-around versatility and value convenient, internally switchable solar imaging more than S II capability.
Who is the SHO Edition for?
It's the version we'd choose for an imager whose attention naturally keeps returning to emission nebulae. It gives you access to S II, Hα, and O III imaging in a portable system that can automate most of the acquisition process, while still leaving broadband deep-sky, planetary, lunar, wide-field, and solar imaging available when you want them.
Final Thoughts
The SHO Edition makes the most sense when narrowband is the point. Its 90mm f/3.8 optical system gives it meaningful deep-sky capability, the guide camera and physical sensor derotation make long exposures practical without building a conventional equatorial imaging rig, and the two dual-band filters bring SHO imaging into a telescope that can still handle most of the mechanics for you.
You can begin with something as simple as, “find this and photograph it for me,” then grow into longer integrations, multi-night projects, mosaics, manual capture settings, and your own processing of the exported data. You aren't forced to master all of that before the telescope becomes useful, and you don't have to replace the telescope just because you decide you want more control later.
That's what makes DRACO SHO interesting to us. It doesn't remove the depth from narrowband astrophotography. It removes much of the equipment management that normally stands between you and the image.
