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Binoculars come in a wide range of shapes and sizes these days, and an even wider range of prices. It's simple to spend less than $100 or more than $500 for what may appear to be, at least superficially, 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, numerous 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 excellent on paper. The SkyMasters include multicoated optics and BaK-4 internal prisms, two features that look excellent 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 moving 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 chance 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 draw a distinction. But then, that should be expected, given that the Fujinons cost many times more than the Celestrons. While the Fujinons were clearly the better architect, the Celestron SkyMasters held up admirably. Image brightness, quality, and draw a distinction were all remarkable considering their bargain price. Although images were a small soft across the outer 25% of the Celestron's field, the overall view was impressive nonetheless. Some low-priced binoculars have very sloppy focusing, causing the eyepieces to tilt and shift. Not so with the SkyMasters. I found that their center-focusing means worked smoothly, with no apparently backlash or wobble. Eye relief (the space you hold your eyes away from the eyepieces to see the full field) is stated to be 18 mm, a excellent space for higher power binoculars and an vital consideration if you must wear glasses when viewing. The SkyMasters are also light enough to support by hand for small 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 surveillance, stargazing, or a further recreational use, and have a limited budget, Celestron's giant 15x70 SkyMasters speak for an exceptional 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 small blurry
- Requires a tripod to use for total periods
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 Celestron 15X70 Skymasters ROCK! |
| Review Date: January 11, 2006 |
| Reviewer: D. J. deJong, Pacific Northwest |
| I've been an amateur astronomer for about 23 years. I have a broad amount of experience with the kind of optics that are used for astronomy. I have used most every type of instrument and have visited some of the fantastic certified telescopes. I have hand built my own newtonian telescope counting machining the german equatorial mount. Soon after completing this instrument I took it to a star party and finished up on my back with a pair of Fujinon SX binoculars. To make a long tale small, I preferred the binos to the view in my telescope. Telescopes are expensive, they are huge, heavy, hard to go, hard to store, complicated to set up correctly, and the view through the eyepiece can be crowded and dissapointing. For the casual observer binoculars are the superior choice. They are everything that a telescope is not...relatively cheap, light, simple use. And because they are so simple to use, you will end up using them much more often than you would a cumbersome telescope. That aspect of binoculars alone will make them show you much more than a telescope ever would. The Celestron 15X70 Skymasters are by far and away the best amateur astronomy instrument for the money on the market right now. They are truly and incredible value. You could spend $600+ on Fujinon SX binoculars and have a very fine instrument, but after using these, that would be a hard argument to make. Most all's eyes are not able to know the fine differences between the two instuments. Mind you, I am not telling you that these are as excellent as the Fujinons, but at about a 10th of the price...well you get the thought. My experience with Celestron is that they are a first class operation. And now with their lifetime no-fault warranty, the best in the diligence, you can buy products from them knowing that if anything ever goes incorrect for no matter what reason, they will always stand behind their product. If you are looking to get ongoing in astronomy or looking for an excuse to leave your telescope in the closet, these binoculars are a fantastic value and with proper care will last a lifetime and show you more wonders than you will ever see frustrating yourself with a high magnification-small field telescope. Get them, take them outside at night with your kids and wonder why....... |
More than I hoped for
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| Review Date: October 30, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Terry Durbin, Wever, IA USA |
My first night out under dark skies with these binoculars was a terrific experience. In ninety outline of observing I had fantastic views of M36, M37, M38, M44, M50, easily saw the Trapizium in Orion's nebula, saw the Andromeda galaxy and it's companions streaching across 75% of my FOV. It had taken me two observing sessions with my 5" reflector to find M33, with the Binoculars I found it in two outline, M81 and 82 were also simple.
All this and I don't even have a tripod yet. I may well spend more time with the 15 X 70's than I do with my telescope.
They are also fantastic for global viewing. Draw a distinction and definition are exceptional. Best optical value I've ever seen. |
Nice All Around Binos
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| Review Date: July 9, 2005 |
| Reviewer: J. S Thomas, Arlington, Texas USA |
| I took these out to some dark skies recently and they were increadible, stars looked like i could touch them, crisp pinpoint stars all around. These were simple to use will laying on my back, but, i must say while permanent or sitting up a tripod is not compulsory to steady the view as they are heavy for hand held observing. I picked up a sturdy but low-priced tripod with use with these binos which has made it possible to use for birding or bison surveillance in Yellowstone. The price is terrific i could not find them any cheaper but plenty out there way more expensive. Get these and with the saved cash pick up a tripod and you will be on your way to some fantastic viewing. |
Very Nice!
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| Review Date: February 26, 2004 |
| Reviewer: , |
| This has to be one of the best buys out there. They arrived nicely collimated and they provide fantastic views. They should be mounted on a tripod as they are a small heavy. When mounted, the night time views are outstanding. Thin but OK strap and OK moving case provided. Also provided is a tripod adapter that is honestly stable. Used them in daytime and was equally impressed. Was using the 16x50 Bushnell Powerviews which are also exceptional, but returned them to Walmart to buy these from Amazon as the price difference was only a couple of dollars. The Celestrons are better than the Bushnells. Especially with the wider 70mm's and the wider field of view on the Celestron as compared to the 50mm on the Bushnell. |
Wow!
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| Review Date: November 28, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Vincent Fox, Atlanta, GA USA |
Terrific binocs for the price!
I have a pair of Bushnell Sportsmen 10x42 for a quick look at things. But when I want to "get serious" I pull out the SkyMaster 15x70!
You will look like Bugs Bunny getting out cartoon binocs due to the size, but they work AND HOW!
As others have said, a bit on the heavy side, but I don't have any problem land them for 5-10 outline. Longer than that, you will learn to adapt. Sit down, prop your elbows on your knees. Lie on your back and look at the stars. Get a tripod, no matter what works for you.
Celestron "No Fault Limited Warranty" means no questions questioned repair or exchange, a excellent thing for klutzy people!
Only accessory I would add is a Pelican case for Storage space space and hauling around in the car. The cheap included carry case does nothing to protect the binoculars from rough handling, and binocs this huge are more insightful and need the safeguard. |
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