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 Buy Used: from $31.17 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter
Customer Review: Great Value, and pay attention to the reviews...
Summary: 5 Stars
These binoculars are wonderful. I have not experienced any quality/collimation problems with mine (Bought January 2010). Was tracking high altitude fighter jets practicing dogfighting over the city last night. These are excellent for looking at the moon, The Pleiades, and other distant objects. They are much more practical than my telescope for away from home use. They get used a lot because they are cheap, mobile, and work well. If they break or get lost I'll just buy a new pair, which I can't say about the telescope.
Thought I could use these with just a pair of steady hands. The other reviewers are right in that I did need to order a tripod. You can steady your arms against something, like a tree, and get a stable view for a few minutes. If you are going to be out looking for more than 5-10 minutes you will most definitely want a tripod. It's not just the stability either. Your forearms may go numb after about 10-15 minutes, especially if you are wearing a heavy winter coat. If you don't already have one save yourself some time, and maybe some shipping costs, and just order the tripod at the same time.
Customer Review: Great Value, but tripod adapter is nigh on useless
Summary: 5 Stars
My binoculars were perfectly collimated, and the quality is amazing at the price, but factor in the $15-$20 additional expenditure for a different heavy duty adapter.
These binos require use of a tripod for any extended usage, but you must also purchase a more substantial L adapter than the one provided. There considerable play in the screw at the end of the provided adapter which makes for a shaky view. In addition due to the fact that it is merely molded plastic with little cross bracing, the adapter flexes and vibrates given the leverage of the binoculars, and will not steady with your eyes pressed against the binoculars. I bought an oberwerk heavy duty adapter instead and the difference in build quality and strength was immediately obvious, as it is metal cast, has a rubber foot, and the screw is far tighter. The provided adapter simply wasn't meant to be used with binoculars of this size.
I'm using them with a manfrotto/bogen tripod and head, which is 4x the price of the binocular, but enables rock solid viewing, and no stooping even when viewing the zenith.
Customer Review: Simply Great binocs
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had these binoculars for about 1 year now and I still bring them basically anywhere I go. I started to get interested in Astronomy last summer and needed an optical instrument that would be easy to use and not very expensive. I went ahead and ordered SkyMaster and loved it from day 1. They are great for both Astronomy use and for day time observing. From looking at distant landscape, contrails of an overhead jet travelling at 35,000 feet or looking at Andromeda galaxy, these binocs bring everything much closer and much brighter than most people would expect. There is always a WOW factor when someone picks it up for the first time. All moving parts, including focuser are smooth and very well made. The only downside that I see is that these are relatively big and heavy binoculars. I would suggest buying a monopod, so your viewing sessions will be longer and more enjoyable. If you don't have monopod or tripod, just find some kind of support for your arms or sit in the reclining chair. Overall, this is top level, highly recommended product.Customer Review: Excellent 15x70 Binoculars.
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought these on Astromart for 60 bucks shipped used but Like New condition. Amazon's price is SUPER for a new set, less than 10 bucks more shipped. I've looked through many high power binos over the past 20 yrs. & by far these have them all beat hands down for the price. Reviewers have said there heavy but I'll be honest I can hold them as steady as a pair of 50mm. The long barrels have that heavy look but I think their lightweight compared to Barska or Oberwerk 70mm. With great eye relief along with eyelenses being over 3/4" diameter. Center focus is great. Only way I can describe it is like the fine tuning on the old base short wave radios. If your used to fast focus binos you'll adore these. Best way to hand hold I've found is one hand all the way out on one barrel. Balance is excellent. I sold my 16x60 Pentax's & bought these because views were a heck of a lot better, Overall better bino in my opinion. If you want some long range views with great fov you gotta try 'em. You'll be thrilled for the priceCustomer Review: Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
These binoculars are just plain amazing for the price. The crisp images of the star fields in Saggitarius is worth the price alone, not to mention the beautiful views of the Lagoon nebula, Orion nebula, and Andromeda galaxy.
Past reviews have pretty much summed it all up, but I wanted to offer some helpful advice to those who are having difficulties with the tripod adapter. First of all the outlet to screw in the adapter to the binoculars s under the screw off cap in front on the binoculars. When using the binoculars and tripod adapter on a tripod out of box, you may find that the adapter bends, making the binocular view swing left to right. To remedy this, buy some epoxy for plastic at your local hardware store, the good kind is the kind with two siringes in one, and put the glue into the open space on both sides of the adapter. Glue one side at a time, mix the glue in the space, and let it dry solid. This should make the adapter more solid, and your viewing more stable! =)