The popular Celestron SkyMaster Pro ED 15x70 binoculars have been updated to include extra-low dispersion (ED) glass lenses.
Celestron might be best-known for its telescopes, but it also produces a wide selection of well-regarded, good-value astronomy binoculars.
With an aperture that allows plenty of light-gathering that’s contained in a portable frame, we were keen to see how the SkyMaster Pro ED version performed.
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Unboxing
They arrived in a single box, containing the binoculars with all eye caps attached, a carry strap, case and instruction book.
Our first impressions were that they are clearly very well made, with snug-fitting and robust caps.
The centrally located focus wheel had a firm, yet smooth action.
The main body of the binoculars are contoured and, combined with the grippy protective rubber coatings, fitted comfortably and securely in our hand.
Removing the lens caps revealed the large 70mm-aperture lenses, which have a purple hue to them thanks to Celestron’s advanced StarBright XLT optical coatings.
The glass is recessed within the barrel by a few centimetres to help protect from accidental knocks and touches, while the internal barrel is ridged to reduce reflections.
Using the Celestron SkyMaster Pro ED 15x70 binoculars
Stepping outside to give the Celestron SkyMaster Pro ED 15x70 binoculars a daytime test, the first thing we noticed was how well balanced they felt in the hand.
Lifting them to our eyes, the weight of the binoculars was centred on our palms.
This meant that despite the 2.1kg weight – near the limit of what we’d consider easy to maintain in an upward viewing angle – they were still comfortable and easy to hold steady.
The SkyMaster Pro EDs have twistable eye-cups that allow up to 16mm of eye relief, meaning they can be enjoyed by astronomers with spectacles.
The cups are a hard, rubbery plastic, which are very firm and took a little getting used to when pressed to our nose.
We found it an easy process to adjust the binoculars so that the distance between the exit pupils was correct for our eyes.
With a tweak to the individual focus on the right eye, we achieved a perfectly focused and collimated view.
With a closest focus point of 13 metres, they’re unsuitable for close-focus situations, but as they’re marketed as astronomical binoculars, we didn’t see this as an issue.
Performance
Aiming the Celestron SkyMaster Pro ED 15x70 binoculars at a local airfield situated 4.5km (2.8 miles) away, we clearly identified aircraft and tail markings.
Our image was crisp, with only a tiny hint of colour fringing evident.
A few days later, we had our first clear night, so after dark we went outside to let the binoculars cool and our eyes adjust.
A 60%-illuminated Moon, high in the sky, was well placed for our first test.
The lunar views we received were excellent, with sharp details highlighting the craters and no notable colour fringing.
Nearby was the Beehive Cluster, M44, which not only fitted our field of view easily but presented stunning views of the brighter stars, despite a bright Moon being in proximity.
We discovered that the stars were round and tight, with no distortions or aberrations visible.
Turning away from the Moon, we swung over to Cassiopeia.
Brighter stars within the constellation further confirmed the excellent optical quality of the SkyMaster Pro EDs.
It allowed the contrasting star colours to really stand out as we scanned the skies.
This contrast was particularly noticeable while we observed the Double Cluster in Perseus.
The clusters appeared to have been sprinkled across our view, with the fainter red stars presenting beautifully against their bluer counterparts.
Despite holding the binoculars without a tripod, we enjoyed exceptional views throughout the session, although for longer or more detailed observing we would recommend mounting them on a sturdy tripod.
The Celestron SkyMaster Pro ED 15x70 binoculars excelled at every target we tried and would make a great addition to anyone’s observing kit.
Celestron SkyMaster Pro ED 15x70 lenses
The Celestron SkyMaster Pro ED 15x70 binoculars are fitted with 70mm extra-low dispersion (ED) glass lenses.
ED glass is used in premium telescopes as it helps to focus each colour channel, reducing colour fringing and increasing image sharpness.
Each lens is coated in proprietary XLT optical coating that’s also used on Celestron’s range of telescopes.
These reduce reflections and flaring, especially when viewing bright objects such as star clusters or the Moon.
Upholding the premium feel, Celestron has also fitted the SkyMaster Pro ED binoculars with BaK-4 prisms.
These are fully circular, unlike prisms in budget binoculars, which are often square.
Circular prisms allow for an even illumination across the entire field of view, meaning they come into their own for astronomy as the dark means our pupils are fully dilated.
Any darkening around the edges of our field of view, therefore, becomes particularly noticeable.
Our time with the SkyMaster Pro EDs confirmed a consistent, flat and sharp view illuminated from edge to edge.
Best features
Diopter adjustment
The Skymaster Pro ED binoculars have a diopter on the right-hand eyepiece for fine-tuning focus. Thanks to the two large, ridged tabs, this was easy to locate with the binoculars raised to our eyes, and we found that the movement to adjust was firm yet smooth.
Lens caps
The front lenses are protected by secure individual rubber caps that attach to the binoculars with rubber bands. However, these can be easily removed if preferred while stargazing. The eyepieces are covered by rubber caps joined in the centre and have hoops that allow them to be connected to the carry strap.
Focuser
Made of robust and firm rubber, the centrally located focuser has large ridges that offer plenty of grip, allowing easy focus even if wearing gloves or with cold hands. It has just the right amount of tension, allowing precise movements without the risk of accidental nudges or slippage.
Carry case
Supplied as standard is a sturdy nylon bag that holds the binoculars securely. The bag and the large strap enables the binoculars to be transported safely to dark-sky sites. On the rear of the bag is a pair of sturdy hoops for attaching it to a backpack if hiking.
1.25-inch threaded eyepieces
Each eyepiece is threaded to enable 1.25-inch astronomical filters to be fitted. This allows the use of light-pollution filters if heading to brighter locations, or UHT filters for increased contrast while perusing nebulous regions. Of course, a filter is required for each eyepiece so these must be purchased in pairs.
Vital stats
- Price: £319.99
- Optics: ED glass, fully multicoated
- Aperture: 70mm
- Magnification: 15x
- Prisms: Porro, BaK-4 glass
- Angular field of view: 4.4º
- Focusing: Centre and diopter
- Eye relief: 15.7mm
- Interpupillary distance: 56–74mm
- Weight: 2.1kg
- Supplier: Wex Photo Video
- Tel: 01603 486413
- www.wexphotovideo.com
This review appeared in the July 2024 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine
