Celestron 71008 SkyMaster 25x70mm Porro Prism Binoculars with Multi-Coated Lens, BaK-4 Prism Glass and Carry Case, Black

Product Information

The focus knob can feel a tad sensitive initially, though it’s easy to get the hang of it with some practice. Best Celestron Binoculars for Travel & Safaris - Advice to a reader who is planning a safari adventure, but can't decide between the Celestron Granite & Trailseeker models.

Instead of the more commonly used twist-up eyecups, the Celestron 25x70 SkyMaster has simple rubber eye-cups that you can roll up or down to adjust the distance of your eyes from the ocular lens to match the 13mm of eye-relief on these. In good light, the image contrast looks good, but because the image was less bright than that of my controls, it looks as though the amount of contrast is less.I also sometimes found myself holding the barrels a point a little further down them which works well and you can get a really good steady and comfortable grip, but the downside to this is that you do need to move your hands to change the focus. One of Celestron's latest ranges, the mid-level SkyMaster Pro's are based on, but certainly also a step-up from the entry-level, but very popular "standard" SkyMaster series. This difference was very small in good light and when comparing them to my average 8x42's, but was far more noticeable in poor and very poor light when the pupil in my eyes would have dilated and been quite a bit larger than the exit pupil on these Celestron binoculars. To find out if they achieved this and all my other thought on them you can read my full and in-depth Celestron SkyMaster 25x70 binocular review below: Sure they may not be perfect, but I do believe that they are quite a lot better than their price tag and as such they are better than most in this class and make a great low cost option if you are after a high powered astronomy and terrestrial binocular.

As you will see from the specification table above, the 20×80 SkyMasters give you a greater Angle of View (3.2°) compared to that of the 27×70 SkyMasters (2.7°) The colors look nice and natural, without any artificial tints, but are less vivid than on my benchmarks.The 70mm objective lenses offer plenty of light-gathering ability for superior low-light performance. The objective diameter-to-magnification ratio is ideal for scanning the skies, observing the Moon and planets, and exploring all the best deep-sky objects. Celestron SkyMaster Pro ED also makes an excellent choice for long-distance land-based viewing—especially at dawn or dusk. Seeing the iconic rings around Saturn is a great feeling, but it is difficult to see where the rings separate from the planet. Aimed at the more price conscious observer, the Celestron Nature Series binoculars don't come with all of the high end features of the Granite's (see above) which is expected, but they do still feature some high quality components and coatings still result in a pretty good pair of optics and all at a great price (Take a look at my full Celestron 8x42 Nature Binoculars Review). Higher-end binoculars, regardless of whether they are Porro or Roof prism designs will almost always come with BAK-4 prisms, although keep a look out for the glass brand, such as Schott or Zeiss, for the absolute best BAK-4 Barium Crown glass prisms. More modestly priced binoculars may come with either one. If you decide on a pair of BK-7's, look for models that have a larger exit pupil if you plan to view in a variety of lighting conditions. Comparing the 20×80 and 25×70 SkyMasters, the former will able you to collect more light and display images with more detail than the latter. Although the 25x70s can ‘zoom in’ slightly further. Hopefully by now you realize that being able to ‘zoom’ is not as important as the ability for binoculars to gather light. Therefore the 20x80s produce better images. Angle of View

Whist the Celestron PowerSeeker telescopes open up the universe with high performance, enhanced brightness, and clarity from lenses that can triple viewing power. On a pair of binoculars, the front lenses are called ‘Objectives’, opposed to the smaller lenses that you look through (Eyepieces).A visually obvious difference however is that they have a more traditional looking single hinge body shape, but Celestron have still used high spec magnesium alloy for it's frame material, which is not often seen on bins at this lower price. Whilst all models are what I would describe as low costing, they do seem to have the most important bases covered and an aspect that I do like is that they all come with Twist-up eyecups, which at this price level is most not usually the case on a porro prism bin. The older, non-ED version of the TrailSeeker (see below) is one of Celestron's real success stories, combining a high level of performance with an affordable price tag. This balancing act is certainly not easy and thus going one step further and improving on an already winning formula often does not work.

The Celestron SkyMaster 25x70s are equipped with 70mm (2.75-inch) f/4 achromatic objective lenses. As expected, these lenses produce a significant amount of chromatic aberration; however, at 25x magnification, it’s not highly noticeable on most celestial objects. For individuals who wear eyeglasses, these binoculars provide only 13mm eye relief, which can be a bit short if you have astigmatism or otherwise need to keep them on. The 15×70 SkyMasters have a much more comfortable 18mm of eye relief. Like most things in life, which design you should choose is not cut-and-dried. Here are a few basic statements about Porro and Roof Prism designs that may help you: The Celestron Outland Waterproof Series offer excellent value in roof prism binoculars. All models are waterproof for use in all weather conditions and with a rugged rubber covering and modern styling for a secure and comfortable grip. High performance optics feature BAK-4 prisms and multi-coatings to ensure high contrast and resolution. These binoculars are perfect for hunters but well suited to any sport or nature activity. Most models have a wide field of view in relation to their power and the 8x42 Granite boasts one that is 426ft wide at 1,000 yards which combined with a stunning view and all the other quality features and components helped them scoop the Best Birding Binocular for 2012 award. You get some fantastic, clear and crisp views when looking at the moon, especially if it is large and full, it almost completely filled up my field of view and whilst a tripod was not necessary, it really helps keep the image steady and gives your arms a rest during longer periods.As well as the addition of extra low-dispersion (ED) glass, this newer series has had quite a big updating terms of the exterior. The design is much more modern looking, uses metal eyepiece housings and the focus wheel is far more stylish and less generic than that which was used on the original TrailSeeker. These Celestron SkyMaster's have ocular lenses that are 23mm in diameter, which is around the same size as the larger ones found on most standard bins.