Celestron SkyMaster 12x60 Binoculars – Wide-Field Long-Range and Astronomy Binoculars – Includes Carrying Case – Multi-Coated Optics

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 great professional telescopes. I have hand built my own newtonian telescope including machining the german equatorial mount. Soon after completing this instrument I took it to a star party and ended up on my back with a pair of Fujinon SX binoculars. To make a long story short, I preferred the binos to the view in my telescope. Telescopes are expensive, they are big, heavy, hard to move, 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, easy use. And because they are so easy 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 everyone's eyes are not able to discern the fine differences between the two instuments. Mind you, I am not telling you that these are as good as the Fujinons, but at about a 10th of the price...well you get the idea. My experience with Celestron is that they are a first class operation. And now with their lifetime no-fault warranty, the best in the industry, you can purchase products from them knowing that if anything ever goes wrong for whatever reason, they will always stand behind their product. If you are looking to get started in astronomy or looking for an excuse to leave your telescope in the closet, these binoculars are a great 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.......

I bought these for my husband and he is absolutely in love with them! They are very nice, you can see the craters on the moon with them, and so much more. Definitely will need a tripod because they are heavier and longer in size. But they are a must buy! Definitely worth the money.

I purchased these and they arrived on time. I have used "Standard Size" binoculars for hunting and general use for over 50 years and these are my First pair of "Giant Binoculars". Other than the enormous size and increase in weight, these are Binoculars. After taking these out of the box, I was quite pleased with the overall quality and "feel" of the binoculars. Very nice rubber coating and overall they seemed heavy and well built. I also ordered the Vista Explorer 60" light weight tripod with the binoculars. OK...so here is what I got: 1) On the first "trial" I could not get the binoculars to focus, and the images were Double and Misaligned. This was a disappointment, but, like many things in life can be disappointing and many other reviews Cautioned about defects, I took my chances based on the low price and free returns with "Prime". Like any other purchases I make that are seemingly defective, I am most likely to try and determine and correct the problem before returning, especially if a lot of reviews "Exclaim" about the quality. (if it had a Flat tire, would you simply try putting air in it BEFORE returning ? I would ! ) So, I got online and immediately found this site: http://www.oberwerk.com/support/collimate.htm It turns out that this particular problem is a "colimmation" issue and not "that" serious and if You have any mechanical ability and some basic experience with Jewelers screwdrivers, this is an Easy Fix. It did take me about 45 minutes but, for $60 I think these Binoculars are still a Great Value ! 2) These Binoculars are Heavy. You will need a tripod if you plan on using them for more than 15 minutes, or, something to lean or rest them on. I purchased the Vista Explorer 60" "LIGHTWEIGHT" Tripod. It clearly says these are light weight and ANY time you put something Very Heavy on top of something Light Weight, You Will have issues. Key words here: "Heavy" and "Light weight". 3) I bought these binoculars and tripod to introduce my 10 year old Grandson to Beginning Astronomy. I didn't want to spend a small fortune on a telescope and figured this will suffice in fulfilling the requirements of his first time and at a minimum, provide some exposure. He will learn to be patient. He will learn to be very patient, very gentle, and very careful with this New "high dollar equipment". In conclusion, if you have very little mechanical ability and things have to be perfect, and, you have very little patience then do not buy these Binoculars, OR this particular tripod. Go ahead and spend $1000 to get some serious equipment. I consider the 45 minutes it took me to remedy the adjustment issue (collimate) kind of like "assembly required". Also, I now know how to collimate binoculars.

I purchased the 15x70 Celestron Skymaster Binoculars primarily for casual astronomical viewing. Most of my remarks and observations center around using them for deep sky scans. First, the basic stats: Magnification: 15 power (50% greater than 10x50's) Objective size: 70mm (equivalent light gathering power twice that of a 50mm binocular) Field of view is 4.4 degrees or 230 ft. at 1000 yards A surprising near focus of a mere 43 ft.--exceptional for this type of binocular. Eye Relief: 18mm so one can wear eyeglasses--providing the rubber eyecups are folded down Exit pupil is 4.67mm (only .33mm less than 10x50's at 5mm) Other stats: Center focused; BAK-4 prisms, Porro design; Multi coated (but not fully multicoated) optics; Tripod adapter included an extra value (3 ½ inch vertical clearance). Case with strap--the latter the weakest part of the whole package. During daytime, we used it for scanning distant wildlife and mountain ridges. Excellent performance. Tripod adapter best used when viewing level or slightly above level angles. I found it too tedious and straining to attempt oblique views with a conventional photographic tripod. A tip on holding it steadier by hand: rather than grasping it the normal way, try holding each 70mm objective end with your hands. For amateur astronomers and novices wondering what you can see and its limitations, here are some notes in viewing familiar objects: Jupiter is readily resolved as a disc but seems too bright to see its bands. Its four moons can be easily seen (when in view); Saturn was near the sun but I think one may be able to resolve or infer its ring shape; Compared with a traditional 7x50 or 10x50 binocular, The Pleiades (M45), the Lagoon Nebula (M8), M35 in Gemini and the Orion Nebula (M42) are all breathtaking. So are the Scorpius open clusters M6 and M7. M13--the great Hercules Globular Cluster--was tantalizingly larger than the fuzzy spot I saw in my 10x50's. If you have a favorable southern horizon, the globular cluster M22 in Sagittarius also exhibits size. You can resolve some of the Wild Duck Cluster, M11. The shape of the Beehive open cluster (M44) in Cancer can be traced. Given a dark night, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) almost sprawls across the entire field of view with the companion galaxy M32 glimpsed as a fuzzy smudge. Even under urban and suburban skies, M31 does show expansive width. Both the North American and Pelican Nebulae near the star Deneb at the top of Cygnus the Swan--the Northern Cross--can be detected on a dark night's viewing--with patience. The colorful double star Albireo (at the opposite end of Cygnus) can just be resolved if you can manage a steady view. Mizar & Alcor in the Big Dipper's handle are easy to separate. I found it difficult to keep the stars in the Pleiades from dancing across the view unless I used a flat surface to lean on or a tripod. In terms of field of view (4.4 degrees): You can see the entire belt of Orion in one field; you can capture the entire sword--including M42--in one field of view; The near parallelogram head of Delphinius the Dolphin fills a field; So do the Coat Hanger and Kemble Cascade asterisms, respectively; In Lyra, Vega and the stars epsilon and zeta fill a field. The latter two are revealed as double stars. So also is Castor in Gemini. The Perseus Double Cluster and nearby open cluster Stock 2 can fit in one field, but in urban or moonlit settings this is more of a challenge. The three delightful open clusters sprawling across Auriga can be seen two at a time: Either M36 and M38 or M37 and M38, respectively. One of the four keystone stars in Hercules, eta, can be positioned with the globular cluster M13 also in the same scene. As the field of view is less than five degrees, one cannot place the pointer stars in the Big Dipper in the same field nor contain the entire of the Hyades in Taurus. The central four stars in Cancer the Crab are just barely outside the field. I also own a pair of Celestron OptiView 10x50's and have found the increased magnification and light gathering power of the Skymaster 15x70 worth the price to upgrade. In a quick comparison, the increase in apparent size of Jupiter's disc in the latter is quite noticeable as is that of M13 and M31. There is a pair of stars several degrees west of M13 that appears white in the 10x50's (at least to my eyes) yet are a stunning red with the 15x70 Skymaster. The moon, of course, can be seen with greater clarity in the Skymaster yet it does not fill the entire field of view. The down sides--and no surprise here--are that I can hold the former much steadier and see more of the sky with the smaller binos. There is also some chromatic aberration with the brighter objects like Jupiter but then again, for the price point (about $60), that's part of the game. All in all, I find the Skymaster 15x70 an excellent investment for the price. I've already relegated my trusty 10x50's to backup and use the Skymaster to quickly and effectively tour the heavens on nights when I don't want to take the time to set up my 8" SCT. I'd especially recommend it as a portable alternative for those considering purchasing the typical 60mm/2.4 inch department store telescope. The caveat is that one will have greater satisfaction with the use of a tripod or other means of steadying for sustained observing of stellar objects. I suggest acquiring a different tripod adapter such as the all metal Celestron Binocular Tripod Adaptor (#93512-A or equivalent) to alleviate some of the strain of viewing because it extends the height and clearance from the tripod an additional 1 1/8 inch vertical dimension beyond that of the supplied Bakelite tripod adapter.

I'm a newcomer to backyard astronomy. I have a crummy little telescope that really made me dislike my new hobby. Then I found out about these babies. I haven't used them at night yet, but for daytime terrestrial viewing, these are AMAZING. Crisp, clear optics. No collimation required ( at least for my set, but being a binocular guy, i always have a jewelers screwdriver nearby...) I was instantly able to spot lear-jets at various altitudes, and by spot, I mean count the windows. Tonight we are king to have flawless skies, and I intend to get the fire pit roaring, and stare off into space with the best set of binoculars i've ever owned.... Update: One week later.... HOT DAMN. I had one good night this week. And I was all over it. Jupiter is resolved as a bright disc. Fine details don't make it through, but a few Jovian moons are Visible. Saturn is seen as an 'Eared' disc, but you can def. tell it's Saturn. No moons are visible now, but Saturn is pretty far away at the moment. M31 eludes me still. But I am confident that under dark enough skies, I'll get her. The Pleiades are explosive. I live at sea level in Central Long Island, so light pollution and sub par skies are the norm. These binoculars are a must for any Astrology or Optics enthusiast. Sturdy, handy and overall one of the most impressive buys I've ever made on Amazon. I intend to get the largest pair of Celestron Skymasters within the next 6 months. Update: 7/14/2016 I've had these for a year and a half now. I've taken them to Lake George, NY, many times and have used them extensively for terrestrial and astronomical viewing. With these, I've seen the Triangulum of the Orion Nebula, the moons of Jupiter, the "Ears" of Saturn, the Pleadies, and for the first time just recently (mostly thanks to increased elevation) the Andromeda Galaxy and the amazing clusters around Casseopeia. I would buy again, but they are still like new. Update: 6/07/2017 There are certain times in your life when you look back at a purchase and say: "Yup- that was a good one." Let me tell you, this is that purchase. At least for me. I've had these babies since 2014. Travel everywhere with them in all kinds of conditions and they're still like new. I continue to enjoy them, as does the family. If you want a great pie of binoculars for a reasonable price- look no further.

**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.

i bought this pair of binoculars after having them for a long time in my shopping list after browsing around for the best binoculars for space viewing. i wish i could say more about why i picked these, but i really don't remember. i was notified of a sale by amazon, and i had the money, so i picked them up on a whim i have to say, they're perfect. on a tripod, i can see very well. without a tripod, it's quite shaky, but not completely useless (definitely get the tripod though. the amazon basics tripod seems fine for me. i've literally never used a tripod before, and i'm clumsy and not hands-on, and i found it astoundingly intuitive.) in my inexperienced opinion, despite what other reviews say, the plastic adapter they come with is fine. it shakes a little as it settles in, but once it's in, it's good. i'd say if you don't want to spend even more money on an adapter, at least try the plastic one out first as far as what i got to see, the moon looked stunning. my initial expectations were a little wild, but what i wound up seeing was really cool. you can see all these little craters you can't see with the naked eye. i looked at it on a waxing gibbous night, and i hear a half moon is the best, but the craters looked great anyway. it looked a lot more detailed than i expected. also, you can look at patches of the sky that look empty and see a rather lively assortment of stars through the binoculars. i also saw mars, which looked like a slightly more mars-y looking dot than it usually does. as far as stuff on earth goes, i spotted a couple planes, which look a lot cooler in the binoculars than by naked eye. i saw them by holding the binoculars, and once even by holding up the tripod in my hands, and i'm small and weak for a man, so like i said, not entirely useless without being stationary on the tripod (admittedly though, the image gets quite shaky and those more prone to headaches than i am may have a worse experience). lastly, a hawk or eagle's nest a thousand or so feet from my backyard looks rather close in the binoculars, and the view of the opposite side of a small pond in my backyard looks right up in my face, but i would rather get lighter binoculars for backyard/nature viewing overall, i'm very pleased with my purchase, especially after expecting to have many difficulties and instead finding the entire process extremely smooth and rewarding. if you're a newbie like me looking to get into viewing the sky, i highly recommend these binoculars. i remember getting a cheap telescope when i was a kid and getting discouraged i didn't know how to use it and giving up. with better internet research, i learned binoculars like these were the way to go, and i wish i could go back in time to tiny me and give him these binoculars. so for anyone you know including yourself getting into astronomy, grab them these binoculars and an amazon basics tripod, and they'll be set!

I would give 3 1/2 stars if that were possible. Make no mistake, these are cheap binoculars. I already have a pair of mid range binoculars in 10x for any practical needs. I wanted these pretty much as a toy to be able to look at things that are really far away. I will be using them for star and moon gazing as well. First of all, my pair came out of collimation. I knew that this was a common problem with these when I ordered. Luckily, this is a pretty easy fix, all you need is a set of mini screw drivers. There is a great you tube video showing how to fix this. The focus knob has a TON of adjustment in it, which is good for getting it right where you want it, but it takes a while to get there if you are far off. The diopeter knob also seems to have a lot of adjustment in it. The clarity of these are about what I expected from a cheap pair of binoculars. By no means will you have trouble seeing things, but it just doesn't have the crisp look and feel of more expensive ones. If you are used to $150+ binoculars, you will be a little disappointed. If you aren't, you will be happy with the clarity. The eye relief is also pretty long on these, and the eye cups have two distance positions. I keep the eye cups out, and it is just a hair too far from the lens, which means I have to push on the eye cups to get it just right. The in position is way too close to the lenses and gives me a headache. The other thing to consider is if you are looking for a good all around pair of binoculars, these are not the best choice. These are very large and have a limited field of view because of their power. Something in 8x or 10x is much better suited for a good all around pair of binoculars. Where these really shine is if you have already found what you want to look at, and you don't need a wide field of view. Overall for the money they are good binoculars. If you want them to look at stuff that is really far away for shorter periods of time, I would say this is it. If you are planning on spending all day looking through them, I would spend more money.