I own both the Celestron 15x70 and 25x70 binoculars. After comparing both here is WHAT I'VE COME UP WITH:
Both binoculars excel and have a clear crisp view. The optics are truly amazing at this price point! I did have to send back a set of the 25x70's due to interior dust being seen as I looked through them, but Amazon sent me a new pair no problem. Both binoculars use the same body. The 25x70's are a touch shorter (1/4 inch) in length due to shortening of the Ocular (eye) to the Objective lens distance. The 25x70's also have a larger Ocular lens due to the increased magnification. Both binoculars need a tripod (especially the 25x70's which are more effected by shaking). GET A 70" or greater TRIPOD! I have a 60" tripod and I'm a short5'5" but when something is near 90 degrees over your head the "60 height of the tripod won't cut it.
I posted an example of the magnification and the Field of View difference between the 15x70 (1st Pic) and the 25x70 (2nd Pic). As you can see the 25x70 gives you a greater MAGNIFICATION but the trade off is the FIELD OF VIEW which is greater with the 15x70's. The actual views through the bino's are sharper as the cellphone doesn't do it justice.
LOOKING AT OBJECTS: In looking a celestial objects the MOON totally fills the frame with the 25x70's. The 4 Galilean moons of JUPITER (yes you can seem) look great in both set of binos. Another thing I love to look at are AIRPLANES. With the use of a tripod I was able to see and follow JETS at 35,000 ft. IT IS A MARVEL! The 25x70's work well here as I can read the writing on the planes.
MY RECOMMENDATION: I would choose the 25x70's. The 25x70's are $3 more so why not go for more magnification. The wider field of view on the 15x70's does allow a better "hand-held" experience but you are still going to need a tripod for celestial viewing no matter which bino's you buy.
ALSO: Both the 25x70 and the 15x70 come with a tripod adapter but I'd upgrade to a METAL one as these binos are heavy. The Barska adapter is metal with a larger rubber tightening screw and is only $8 (see photo). I'd also get some Field Optics Research Binocular EyeShields ($14) to help keep out peripheral light in daytime viewing (see photo).
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Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter
by
Celestron
|
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| List Price: | $89.95 |
| Price: | $64.95 & FREE Shipping. Details |
| You Save: | $25.00 (28%) |
- Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
- Multi-coated optics
- Large aperture perfect for low light conditions and stargazing
- Tripod adapter. 13 mm (0.51 inch) long eye relief ideal for eyeglass wearers
- Diopter adjustment for fine focusing. Angular field of view 4.4 degrees
- Large 70 mm objective lens offers maximum image brightness in low-light and long-range conditions
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From the manufacturer
SkyMaster 15x70mm Porro Binocular
A high-quality yet affordable choice for binocular astronomy or long-distance terrestrial viewing with large 70mm objective lenses and powerful 15x magnification.
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Bright, Sharp Images—Even in Dim Conditions
Multi-coated optics and BaK-4 prisms deliver excellent light transmission for brighter images. The SkyMaster is a favorite among those who view in dim conditions near dawn and dusk, or for astronomy.
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Durable and Water Resistant
The rugged, armored body provides protection and a secure gripping surface. Plus, the water-resistant exterior means you won’t have to worry about getting caught in an unexpected rainstorm.
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Comfortable & Eyeglass Friendly
Soft, rubber eyecups are comfortable to use and block stray light. Eyeglasses wearers can fold down the eyecups for easier viewing.
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Tripod Adaptable
Enjoy extended, hands-free viewing sessions by mounting your SkyMaster binocular on a tripod.
Compare these Products
SkyMaster 15x70 |
SkyMaster 12x60 |
SkyMaster 25x70 |
SkyMaster 20x80 |
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Magnification
|
15x | 12x | 25x | 20x |
|
Field of View (degrees)
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4.4° | 5.3° | 2.7° | 3.7° |
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Field of View (feet @ 1000yds)
|
231 | 278 | 141 | 195 |
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Lens Coatings
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Multi-coated | Multi-coated | Multi-coated | Multi-coated |
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Prism Material
|
BaK4 | BaK4 | BaK4 | BaK4 |
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Diopter Range
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-4 to +8 | -4 to +8 | -4 to +8 | -4 to +8 |
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Close Focus Distance (feet)
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43 | 59 | 75 | 108 |
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Eye Relief (mm)
|
18 | 17 | 13 | 18 |
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Eyecup
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Folding | Folding | Folding | Folding |
|
Environmental Protection
|
Water Resistant | Water Resistant | Water Resistant | Water Resistant |
|
Tripod Adaptable
|
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 Binoculars
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Orion GiantView 15x70 WP Astronomy Binoculars
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|
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| Customer Rating | (3018) | (336) | (96) | (522) | (6) | (5) |
| Price | $64.95 | $34.95 | $46.00 | $102.40 | $199.99 | $714.29 |
| Shipping | FREE Shipping on orders over $25 | FREE Shipping on orders over $25 | FREE Shipping on orders over $25 | FREE Shipping on orders over $25 | FREE Shipping on orders over $25 | FREE Shipping on orders over $25 |
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | RonhanStore | Amazon.com | Orion Telescopes & Binoculars | Focus Camera LLC |
| Item Dimensions | 8.7 x 4.3 x 11 in | 9 x 8 x 3 in | — | 12 x 7 x 16 in | 9 x 3.5 x 11.5 in | 10.15 x 3.31 x 8.74 in |
| Item Weight | 3.28 lbs | 2 lbs | 1.76 lbs | 5.86 lbs | 4 lbs | 4.12 lbs |
| Magnification Maximum | 10 | 7 | — | 16 | — | — |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 70 | — | 50 millimeters | 80 millimeters | 70 millimeters | 70 millimeters |
Product description
Style:SkyMaster 15x70 Binocular
|
Configuration:Binocular
Product Description
Celestron’s SkyMaster Series of large aperture binoculars are a phenomenal value for high performance binoculars ideal for astronomical viewing or for terrestrial (land) use - especially over long distances. Each SkyMaster model features high quality BaK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics for enhanced contrast. Celestron has designed and engineered the larger SkyMaster models to meet the special demands of extended astronomical or terrestrial viewing sessions.
Amazon.com
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
- Outer 25% of the field is soft and a little blurry
- Requires a tripod to use for extended periods
Customer Questions & Answers
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May 5, 2016
Style: SkyMaster 25x70 BinocularConfiguration: BinocularVerified Purchase
December 9, 2016
Style: SkyMaster 15x70 BinocularConfiguration: BinocularVerified Purchase
December 21, 2015
Style: SkyMaster 12x60 BinocularConfiguration: BinocularVerified Purchase
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