**TLDR**
Perfect pair for beginners or general enthusiasts, for the price listed. Easily view objects up to a ~mile away. Easy to use focal adjustments. Good weight. They look pretty decent. Arrived within 12 hours of purchase. Happy and recommended.
***
Being honest: I am no expert on optics. I love stargazing and birdwatching (doves, hawks, etc.) since the area I live in provides me with plenty of both, despite being a fairly developed township. I get a GREAT view of the moon & [some] stars in my tiny "courtyard" of a yard, and I've always always always wanted a closer look at them.
Experts on many forums recommend that beginners with stargazing should simply start off with "a good pair of binoculars," which I don't even own anyway, so I started here and looked around.
To summarize, I settled on this pair because of the reasonable price compared to other Binocular sets with similar features & specs. The aesthetics, albeit not as "cool" as its competitors, are still quite nice in its simplicity.
**FUNCTIONALITY**
They're fantastic! My home is situated in a sort of "retention" area with a VERY steady grade off towards the south, so you easily can see a mile + down the road. Naturally, this was my first test for the Binoculars. I was DELIGHTED. I could EASILY read the street signs, tell the Make and Model of every vehicle, read their License Plates, and if I had it steadily sitting on a Tripod, I'd reckon I could make out the individuals driving the vehicles.
I look up at the colossal power line poles towering over the sides of my home and saw what I THOUGHT was an Itty bitty dove sitting on the cables, found it with the bonoculars, did a quick focal adjustment, and it turned out to be a huge HAWK.
So, I am excited for nightfall to see what I can SEE.
Definitely puts things into perspective. ;) hyuck hyuck.
**PRACTICALITY**
Since the viewing scopes are larger, it does make them a little forward-heavy, but it personally isn't an issue. I like the weight! It makes it feel sturdy.
All of the vision adjustment is pretty intuitive. They're obviously not ready for your use right out of the box, so make sure you take a minute to get familiar with the adjustment wheels & their exact purpose (which is explained on the 1st page of the manual included with the Binoculars).
Included with the Binoculars are: Tripod Adaptor, Neck Strap, microfiber Lens Cloth, & a nice sturdy Carry Bag (akin to a Lunchbox bag).
**AESTHETICS**
Let's be reasonable, these are Binoculars, so unless they're gold-plated or something your expectations can't be too great in this regard. Circling back to earlier, I did say I still wanted a pair that looked good, and these DO look good. The stitching of the material around the front lenses gives it a human touch, kind of like the stitching of the leather on a steering wheel.
If you read all this, I appreciate it. This is a great starting set. I recommend to anyone stepping their foot through the door on stargazing or general long-distance viewing. Also, buy their carrying case (separately)! It's pretty sturdy.
Celestron – SkyMaster 15x70 Binocular – #1 Bestselling Astronomy Binocular – Large Aperture for Long Distance Viewing – Multi
4.4
| 17,390 ratingsPrice: 89
Last update: 09-10-2024
About this item
POWERFUL 15X MAGNIFICATION: With these giant astronomy binoculars, you get massive 70mm objective lenses and powerful 15x magnification. It's the most popular combination for viewing objects in the night sky and distant land-based targets.
INCLUDES TRIPOD ADAPTER: Stabilize your binocular for added comfort and shake-free views. Mount your 70mm SkyMaster binoculars on any traditional photographic tripod with the built-in tripod adapter.
BRIGHT, SHARP VIEWS WITH BaK-4 PRISMS: The SkyMaster is a favorite among those who view in dim conditions near dawn and dusk or at night for astronomy. BaK-4 prisms maximize light throughput to your eye so you see brighter, more detailed images.
DURABLE AND WATER-RESISTANT: A rubber-armored housing protects your binoculars from damage and provides a secure gripping surface. The water-resistant exterior stands up to tough conditions and unexpected rainy weather.
UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading optics brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a Celestron Limited Lifetime US Warranty & US-based expert tech support.
INCLUDES TRIPOD ADAPTER: Stabilize your binocular for added comfort and shake-free views. Mount your 70mm SkyMaster binoculars on any traditional photographic tripod with the built-in tripod adapter.
BRIGHT, SHARP VIEWS WITH BaK-4 PRISMS: The SkyMaster is a favorite among those who view in dim conditions near dawn and dusk or at night for astronomy. BaK-4 prisms maximize light throughput to your eye so you see brighter, more detailed images.
DURABLE AND WATER-RESISTANT: A rubber-armored housing protects your binoculars from damage and provides a secure gripping surface. The water-resistant exterior stands up to tough conditions and unexpected rainy weather.
UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading optics brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a Celestron Limited Lifetime US Warranty & US-based expert tech support.
Product information
Product Dimensions | 8.7 x 4.3 x 11 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 3.28 pounds |
ASIN | B00008Y0VN |
Item model number | 71009 |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars
8,070 ratings
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #44 in Camera & Photo Products (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo Products) #28 in Binoculars |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | October 8, 2007 |
Department | unisex-adult |
Manufacturer | Celestron |
Language | English |
Country of Origin | USA |