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Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars w/Tripod Adapter


Product Details/Specifications

Recording label: Celestron Manufacturer: Celestron
Model: 71009
EAN: 0050234710091
Binding: Electronics
Universal product code (UPC): 050234710091
Brand: Celestron

Features

•Multi-coated optics
•Large aperture perfect for low light conditions and stargazing
•Tripod adapter
•Long eye relief ideal for eyeglass wearers
•Diopter adjustment for fine focusing

Price: $67.34

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Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars w/Tripod Adapter


Product Description

The SkyMaster Series of large aperture binoculars from Celestron offer phenomenal performance for astronomical viewing. They are also a great choice for terrestrial use, especially over long distances. All models feature high quality BAK-4 prisms and have multi-coatings for enhanced contrast.
Binoculars come in a wide range of shapes and sizes these days, and an even wider range of prices. It's easy to spend less than $100 or more than $500 for what may appear to be, at least outwardly, comparable models. While they may look the same, they are probably quite different on the inside.

Recently, the binocular market has seen a flood of giant binoculars at prices that were unheard of just a few years ago. In general, giant binoculars are defined as those that magnify the view 10 times or more and have 70-mm or larger front (objective) lenses. It used to be that the least expensive giant binoculars cost in excess of $150, even $200. All that changed not long ago, when the bottom fell out of the price cellar. Now, several companies import giant binoculars that sell for half that, or less.

Celestron's 15x70 SkyMaster binoculars are one of the leaders in the low-price giant binocular arena. They certainly sound good on paper. The SkyMasters include multicoated optics and BaK-4 internal prisms, two features that promise brighter, better images, and key points to look for when judging a pair of binoculars. They also come with an adapter for attaching them to a photo tripod, which is a must to use them to their fullest, and a soft carrying case. But just because they are cheap doesn't always mean they are worth the price. Would it be better to save up for a more expensive pair?

To find the answer, I had an opportunity recently to judge the SkyMasters against a pair of Fujinon 16x70 FMT-SX binoculars , one of the finest pairs of giant binoculars sold today. Like the SkyMasters, the Fujinons feature BaK-4 prisms, but also have fully multicoated optics. As a general rule, superior coatings mean superior image sharpness and contrast. But then, that should be expected, given that the Fujinons cost many times more than the Celestrons.

While the Fujinons were clearly the better performer, the Celestron SkyMasters held up admirably. Image brightness, quality, and contrast were all remarkable considering their bargain price. Although images were a little soft across the outer 25% of the Celestron's field, the overall view was impressive nonetheless.

Some inexpensive binoculars have very sloppy focusing, causing the eyepieces to tilt and shift. Not so with the SkyMasters. I found that their center-focusing mechanism worked smoothly, with no apparently backlash or wobble. Eye relief (the distance you hold your eyes away from the eyepieces to see the full field) is stated to be 18 mm, a good distance for higher power binoculars and an important consideration if you must wear glasses when viewing. The SkyMasters are also light enough to support by hand for short periods of time, although buyers would be well advised to mount them on a sturdy photo tripod.

The bottom line is, if you are considering a pair of giant binoculars, whether for bird watching, stargazing, or another recreational use, and have a limited budget, Celestron's giant 15x70 SkyMasters represent an excellent value. --Phil Harrington, author of Star Ware and Star Watch

Pros:

  • Exceptional value for the price
  • Light enough to support by hand
  • BaK-4 prisms
  • Multicoated optics
Cons:
  • Outer 25% of the field is soft and a little blurry
  • Requires a tripod to use for extended periods

Customer Reviews


Amazing clarity - Best bet for amateur astronomer
Review date: 2008-10-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

I will def. recommend this product. It's been only 4 days, but I really like this thing, it has amazing clarity and not that bulky but for sure you will feel the weight within 10 seconds and thats the only issue.

Still, much better if you will compare to telescope. And again you need to compare the price with bulky telescopes as well. So by all means good enough for amateur astronomer like me.....

5 Star Value
Review date: 2008-10-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

I am very happy with this purchase. The binocs are comfortable to use and adjust and I did not have any collimination issues. The tripod adaptor works well - the cap screws off and the instructions do not tell you this so I have pry scatches on it from failed attempts. There is a lot of light coming into these things but the 15X (as reviewed by others) is hard to stabilize. The tripod does not allow you to really get your eyes up tight to the binocs without shaking. I found that you can hold the binocs while on the tripod and this gives good stability. You do need a tripod about 1' taller than you to look at most overhead objects. Very good for watching elk at dusk, as well.

fair price
Review date: 2008-10-16 Rating: 8 out of 10

This binoculars has a fair range, the view is crisp clear, I also have a Bushnell 15x60 that I bouhg at tatget for $59.00 plus tax that are cheaper but @ long range focus is not as good as Celestron 15x70 which has
more room for focus adjustment, a little bulky but I rahter use my Celestron than my Bushnell,for astronomical view are not as good as it should, moon is to bright that I was worry about eye damage, Orion's belt too far and not clear,that's why I gave it 4 stars, I'll use it for short time terrestrial view .

Great value for the money!
Review date: 2008-10-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

I don't know the difference between $80.00 and more expensive binos, but these give a very clear view of stars at night and I am very happy with them.

Great value. Good quality.
Review date: 2008-10-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

I bought these instead of a small telescope, and I'm very happy with them. The optics are very clear. The build quality seems very good. And the price is right. I can't really ask for much more. If I could, maybe that they be water-proof, instead of 'water-resistant'. I've been using them for some basic stargazing and sightseeing, etc. I'm steady enough to use them without a tripod, but one is recommended for any serious astronomy use. ..One tip if you're not using a tripod. Hold the binoculars at the end of the lenses, not in the middle. They'll be much more steady.
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