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.
Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 Binoculars Review
I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 binoculars. Their exceptional clarity has elevated my stargazing experiences. The robust construction and water-resistance are significant advantages, and the inclusion of a protective travel case is a delightful extra. They have proven to be an outstanding asset for my astronomical observations. Highly recommended!
Personal Testing Results
Having purchased and used these binoculars for multiple months, I have had the chance to properly test them across multiple criteria.
This included assessing optical quality for sharpness and color accuracy, checking magnification and lens diameter for optimal celestial viewing, and examining build quality for durability and comfort.
I have experimented in various lighting conditions, especially low light, to gauge their effectiveness in night sky observation.
Additionally, I compared them against similar binocular models at similar price points.
Below you can the results of my testing of the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70s:
Overall Score: 8
| Testing Feature/Aspect | Score (1-10) |
|---|---|
| Magnification and Objective Lens | 8 |
| Optical Quality | 9 |
| Field of View | 7 |
| Eye Relief | 8 |
| Focus Mechanism | 7 |
| Build Quality and Ergonomics | 8 |
| Light Gathering and Low Light Performance | 9 |
| Stability and Tripod Compatibility | 8 |
| Accessories | 9 |
| Price and Warranty | 7 |
| Special Features | 8 |
| User Experience | 7 |
| Comparative Analysis | 8 |
| Feedback from Varied Users | 8 |
My Testing Criteria
Below are the various tests I ran, and a brief description as to what each testing feature/aspect included:
- Magnification and Objective Lens – Evaluating the balance between magnification and lens size for optimal viewing
- Optical Quality – Testing sharpness, chromatic aberration, distortion, contrast, and color fidelity
- Field of View -Analyzing the width of the visible area and ease of tracking celestial objects
- Eye Relief – Assessing comfort for users with glasses, full field of view accessibility
- Focus Mechanism – Ease, precision, and range of focusing
- Build Quality and Ergonomics – Reviewing material quality, weight, balance, and comfort during extended use
- Light Gathering and Low Light Performance Performance – Testing in various lighting conditions, especially low light
- Stability and Tripod Compatibility – Assessing image stability when handheld and with a tripod
- Accessories – Reviewing quality and usefulness of included accessories
- Price and Warranty – Assessing overall value for money and warranty coverage
My Video Review
My Photo Gallery
Celestron 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.
Still not sure? You may be interested in my other astronomy binocular reviews:
- Celestron Cometron 7×50 Binoculars Review
- Celestron SkyMaster 12×60 Binoculars Review
- Celestron SkyMaster 25×70 Review
- Celestron SkyMaster 20×80 Binoculars Review
Hey, my name is Jeremy. I’m a passionate and seasoned astronomer who loves nothing more than observing the night sky. I also love researching, learning, and writing all things Space and the Universe. I created Astronomy Scope to share my knowledge, experience, suggestions, and recommendations of what I have learned along the way while helping anyone to get into and maximize their enjoyment of the hobby.
