Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 Binoculars Review [My Experience + Thoughts]

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Welcome to my Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 Binoculars Review.

If you’re interested in experiencing the wonders of the night sky in greater depth and seeking a powerful, yet affordable pair of astronomy binoculars, this guide is for you.

As an avid stargazer and binocular enthusiast, I recently had the opportunity to test out these 15×70 Celestrons during numerous night sky viewing sessions over several weeks.

In this review, I’ll be sharing my hands-on experiences using these giant binoculars for both astronomical and terrestrial viewing.

You’ll get my honest thoughts on their optical performance, ease of use, ergonomics, and how they compare to other models.

Whether you’re a novice just getting into the hobby or a veteran observer looking to upgrade, I’ll provide detailed insights to help you determine if the Celestron SkyMaster 15×70’s are right for you.

Short of time? Here is my quick verdict:

Quick Verdict

The Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 are an excellent pair of binoculars for both astronomical and terrestrial viewing.

With sharp optics and ample light-gathering ability, these binoculars showcase celestial objects and terrestial scenes in impressively bright detail.

Their comfortable fit and intuitive controls make it easy to keep nebulae, galaxies, and wildlife in steady view.

I recommend them to stargazers who want more power to explore the night sky on a realistic budget.

View Price on Amazon

Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 Binoculars Review

15×70 Binocular Specifications

  • Magnification: 15x
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 70mm (2.75″)
  • Angular Field of View: 4.4°
  • Linear Field of View (@1000 yds) / @1000 m): 231 ft (77 m)
  • Exit Pupil: 4.7mm (.18″)
  • Eye Relief: 18mm (.71″)
  • Close Focus: 43 ft (13 m)
  • Relative Brightness: 22.09
  • Lens Coatings: Multi-Coated
  • Prism Glass (Type): BaK-4
  • Weight: 48 oz (1361 g)
  • Environmental Protection: Water Resistant
  • Tripod Adaptable: Yes
  • Dimensions: 220mm x 110mm x 280mm (8.7″ x 4.3″ x 11.0″)
  • Included Items:
    • Tripod Adapter
    • Objective Lens Caps
    • Rainguard
    • Neck Strap
    • Lens Cloth
    • Instruction Manual

What I Like About The Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 Binoculars

Optical Performance

I have been consistently impressed by the sharp, bright images the 15×70 binoculars have delivered.

They provide a expansive field of view which takes some practice to master for star hopping, but enables beautiful views of open star clusters, nebulae and galaxies.

The fully multi-coated optics and BaK-4 prisms really make a difference, producing crisp, high-contrast views with true color rendition.

Focus remains razor sharp across the entire field, even when zoomed in on the tiny details of celestial objects.

Under moderately light-polluted suburban skies, I am able to detect nebulous patches and individual stars in nebulae like the Orion Nebula.

The Pleiades star cluster appeared as a glittering jewel box, with dozens of stars visible.

On nights with good transparency, these binoculars have enough aperture to show some color in bright deep-sky objects.

They also perform well for terrestrial viewing, bringing far-off birds, wildlife and landscapes into sharp focus.

The image brightness and generous field of view make them ideal for scanning along horizons.

General Design & Build

I found the SkyMaster 15x70s very intuitive and easy to use right out of the box. The smooth focus knob in the center provides precise control, allowing you to dial in fine details. The long eye relief (over 15mm) accommodates eyeglasses and makes it easy to get the full field of view.

The binoculars are already collimated for optimal alignment. So there’s no need to fiddle with adjustments to get the barrels aligned – the views are sharp and free of distortion right from the start.

They have a comfortable weight and well-balanced feel. At just over 3 pounds, they are lighter than expected for their size. I can hand-hold them comfortably for a while before needing a tripod or other support.

The textured rubber armor coating gives an extremely secure grip, even with cold fingers on chilly nights.

Things To Consider With The Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 Binoculars

You may or may not want to buy, and/or use a tripod with these binoculars.

In fact, I do recommend using a tripod for extended viewing sessions.

That being said, while a tripod can be used, I found them light enough for short handheld observing sessions and the ergonomic thumb indents and overall balance make them easier to hold steady than other giant binos.

Just be aware that shake is amplified at higher magnifications. Sitting or resting your elbows on a solid surface helps stabilize the view.

Ideal Uses For The Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 Binoculars

With their impressive light gathering power and sharp optics, the SkyMaster 15×70 binoculars are ideally suited for:

  • Stargazing – They provide bright, high magnification views of the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies from a dark sky location. Perfect for astronomers on a budget.
  • Terrestrial viewing – Excellent for birding, whale watching, viewing landscapes and scenery. The generous exit pupil makes it easy to get the full field of view.
  • Low light conditions – The large aperture gathers enough light for using at dusk or in the early morning. Useful for opportunistic viewing in poor lighting.

Final Verdict; Should You Buy The Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 Binoculars?

Overall, the Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 binoculars deliver outstanding optical performance for their price point. The generous 70mm aperture, fully multi-coated optics and smooth focusing make them a joy to use.

I highly recommend them to anyone looking for an affordable way to explore the night sky in greater depth and detail.

They are an excellent value for casual and serious amateur astronomers alike.

And when it comes to buying them, the best place (which often has them at the best available price) is, drumroll please….Amazon.

Click here to visit the Amazon Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 product page directly here.

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