CELESTRON SKYMASTER PRO 15X70

This binocular offers an amazing stargazing experience, with a good combination of magnification, aperture and portability

- Robin Scagell

Binocular advice

Cost: £189 (approx. $253.50)

From: Celestron

Type: Mirrorless

Optical design: Porro prism

Objective diameter: 70mm

Magnification: 15x

Exit pupil: 4.6mm

Eye relief: 17mm

Weight: 1,575 grams

Actual field of view: 4.4 degrees

Apparent field of view: 66 degrees

Close focus: 15 metres

Construction: Centre focus, nitrogen-filled

Coatings: Fully multi-coated

Almost every amateur astronomer has some binoculars – even if they have an impressive array of telescopes as well. Binoculars have qualities that telescopes don’t: they’re instantly available, easy to use, can be pointed at any object in the sky quickly without the need for motors and give a wide field of view. They allow you to use both eyes for observing, which is far more comfortable than using just one eye. They are also comparatively low cost.

Standard everyday binoculars are versatile instruments. The workhorse specification of 10x50 – a magnification of ten and objective lenses of 50mm aperture – is an excellent compromise of usefulness for daytime viewing and night use. At night, stars that are too faint to be seen with the naked eye spring into visibility, while the larger nebulae, galaxies and star clusters become recognisable glows. Just scanning along the Milky Way on a clear night is something that even experienced observers never tire of.