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Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter |  | Brand: Celestron
Category: Photography
List Price: $99.99
Buy New: $64.99
as of 9/10/2010 01:55 MDT details
You Save: $35.00 (35%)
New (16) Used (1) from $60.99
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  208 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Has Tripod Mount: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.3
Dimensions (in): 12 x 10.1 x 4.9
Legal Disclaimer: We do not in any way represent that any part we sell is legal to possess in your jurisdiction. Check with you local authorities to ensure it is legal for you to possess before buying!
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
MPN: 71009
Model: 71009
UPC: 050234710091
EAN: 0050234710091
ASIN: B00008Y0VN
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Multi-coated optics | | • | Large aperture perfect for low light conditions and stargazing | | • | Tripod adapter | | • | Long eye relief ideal for eyeglass wearers | | • | Diopter adjustment for fine focusing |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Celestron and ;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. The 15x70 version is one of the most popular models in the series. It offers serious large aperture light gathering in an affordable and reasonably lightweight configuration.
Amazon.com Review
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. p 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. p 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? p 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. p 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. p 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. p 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. --IPhil Harrington/I, author of Star Ware and Star Watch p BPros:/Bul li Exceptional value for the price li Light enough to support by hand li BaK-4 prisms li Multicoated optics /ul BCons:/Bul li Outer 25% of the field is soft and a little blurry li Requires a tripod to use for extended periods /ul
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 208
 Looking for powerful Binoculars? You're looking at one of the best deals! September 7, 2010
Omid Khonsaripour (CA, USA)
This item is one of the most powerful and well made Binoculars at this range of price. Its clarity is absolutely satisfying for its value. You probably need a Tripod for it though, because its kind of heavy for holding steady while watching far objects (your image shakes), with regard to its magnification.
br /I got a used one at first. But it was out of collimation and I ordered a new one to compare it with. The new one worked pretty good, so I kept it and returned the used one. It's been months that I'm using this Binoculars and I'm very happy with it. It is hard to carry it around on the shoulder because of its weight. But its magnification strength compensates its bulky body and heavy weight for me.
 Nice Binoculars, Terrible Tripod Adapter. August 20, 2010
Bruce E Bowman (Clayton, IN USA)
These binoculars are big, weigh 4 pounds, have lots of magnification and a narrow field of view. They are not something to just carry with you to a football game. They are nice for astronomy, giving good light grasp for very low cost.
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br /The main problem is the tripod adaptor, which is plastic and has no lateral bracing.
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br /Binoculars with more than 10x magnification cannot be held steady by hand. You must have a tripod and attach them to it. Therefore, the adaptor is CRITICAL, and this one is all but useless. If I so much as touch my nose to the side of one of the eyepieces, these binoculars begin to oscillate from side to side, taking maybe 10 seconds to die out.
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br /I'm going to have to find an aftermarket adapter for this product.
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 EXCELLENT BUY! August 17, 2010
JAMES HAWK (DE)
For the price, these glasses are fantastic. I think they're easier to hand hold than I thought they'd be at least for an adult. I may even buy the step up; which is the 20 x 80's, although these are really great.
Great Product Value August 14, 2010
D. Sprigg
This is a great product for the price. Very clear viewing. I was a bit concerned about weight. But that really is not much of a problem as it is well balanced.
I think ours was built in a hurry. August 11, 2010
HostileHST (Oregon, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
When we bought these, we had no idea it would take 2 weeks before they would get shipped, once shipped, we got our in just days, BUT, the left lens had dust on the inside barrel and on the inside of the lens (with some smearing taboot). There was some green fringing at all ranges of use and this horrible ability to make us go cross eyed, BUT, for 15x and 70mm lenses, they do quiet well in most lighting situations, after your eyes come to terms with them that is. I personally think the manufacture was in a hurry to build these and skimped on the usual quality control, or, the company is simply going down hill, but I rather give them the benefit of the doubt and we just got a beat up pair.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 208
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