Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter
by Celestron
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List Price: Our Price: $59.95 You Save: $60.00 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter
Customer Review: Truly versatile binoculars
Summary: 5 Stars
I looked around for a while before settling on the Celestron SkyMaster binoculars. While I enjoy looking at the stars, my main focus (no pun intended) was finding something more powerful than my pocket binoculars for backyard bird watching. I have several feeders set up about 60 feet from the house, and I was worried that these might be overkill.
I shouldn't have been worried! Not only do I have a great view of the birds at the feeders, but I can now see farther back into the woods to watch the non-feeder birds looking for insects in an old fence post. I can't wait to use these to keep an eye out for the deer family that passes through every evening. I haven't had a chance to do much stargazing, but I was able to get a great view of the moon, and I was thrilled to be able to see craters along the edge.
These are HUGE binoculars (so big that friends have said they look like something out of Inspector Gadget), but surprisingly, they aren't that heavy for short-term viewing. You will definitely want to make use of the tripod adapter if you're planning to use the binoculars for extended viewing, and I agree with the reviewer who recommended finding another case, since the one that comes with the binoculars is basically good only for carrying them, not protecting them.
Customer Review: Amateur astronomers, start here. ---->
Summary: 5 Stars
Kudos to Celestron! I didn't think the binoculars would be of such high quality for the price, but they most definitely were worth it. As a budding amateur astronomer, I decided to go the binocular route instead of trying futilely to get my small telescopes to work. Fortunately, I found these for a great price on Amazon and have used these constantly ever since. They're simple and straight-forward, tripod-adaptable, and aren't too heavy for just hand-held observation. And with their incredible field of view, they're perfect for the beginner--you can look easily for a landmark star or constellation and move around to find your target. In city lights, I've been able to see many of the Messier objects in Sagittarius and Leo, a very cratered, very large and very bright full moon, the Galilean moons of Jupiter, and the Orion Nebula with ease. I've even used them to start mini-star parties and have handed them off (albeit reluctantly) to passersby, who were stunned with what they could see. And once Saturn comes out from hiding behind the Sun, its moons will be next on the list. But I digress. Perfect for the beginner. Fantastic, quality job, Celestron! I love 'em, and they'll be in my pack whenever I expect to be under a starry sky.Customer Review: Mine were collimated
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought these while Amazon had them in stock, awesome value for the price. Being prudent I first looked at the negative reviews. Almost all the negative reviews from someone who knew a little about binoculars were from receiving bins out of collimation, and one or 2 with just bad luck in manufacturing defects. It is important to read the reviews and not just take the stars. The few other negative reviews not about collimation were either for the wrong product or just clueless. So I figured for the price if they were off I'd adjust them myself, but got lucky, they were spot on.
There is some blurring in the outer field of view. That is the difference between a $50 pair and a $400 pair. I'll keep the $350 and deal with it.
Terrestrial viewing is awesome, pulls things right in. Night time terrestrial viewing these really shine. I about jumped scanning a field and finding a deer illuminated only by a streetlamp 1/4 mile away. Only had a chance to view Jupiter through a hole in the clouds. Sharp and bright with good contrast.
My only complaint is the minimum interpupillary distance is just barely passable for my eyes. Keep this in mind if considering for children, they may not be able to use these.
Customer Review: Complete surprise for it's price!
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered these about two weeks ago and just started using them to view the moon (YOWZER--do they bring in the light!) and to view raptors, ducks, and other birds a half mile across a section of the Susquehanna River below the Conowingo Dam. I was floored by how well these did. I can not only see incredible detail on birds in the middle of the river on small islands, but birds completely on the other side sitting in trees. My husband was able to identify a blue jay sitting in the shrubs on the opposite bank. They are NOT heavy to use without a tripod. I have arthritis in both hands and could use them easily, propping my elbows occasionally on a nearby fence, but that was just to steady myself in the brisk wind, NOT because they were too heavy. I am very happy I did not go with my first instinct to get a spotting scope and tripod. I was walking from spot to spot easily, picking out different winter visitors, while another fellow viewing birds had to keep folding up his spotting scope and tripod, moving, unfolding tripod, resetting scope--too annoying!
This works very well at the half-mile distance I am using it, and closer distances are a delight! Very pleased with this buy!
Customer Review: Definetely worth it - but get a different adapter
Summary: 5 Stars
I strongly agree with the other reviewers that these binoculars are more than worth the price. Expect to be able to see all the moons of jupiter, some moons of saturn, and even uranus and neptune, even in moderately light-polluted skies. In many ways these binoculars are closer too a telescope in the views it will provide, but still offer the greater field of view and ease of use characteristic of binoculars. However, if you want to see anything other than a bouncing field of stars, YOU WILL NEED A TRIPOD. The weight of these binoculars only adds to the difficulty of holding them steady. Also, while the binoculars are more than worth the price, the cheap plastic tripod adapter included is not. Every time I would touch the binoculars, even with my nose, I would have to wait 30s just for it stop wobbling. I strongly suggest purchasing a separate tripod adapter equal to the task. I got this one Vanguard BA-168 Binocular Tripod Adapter and it is a significant improvement. All in all, even with the extra $15 for a proper adapter, these binoculars are a great deal.