Celestron Skymaster 12×60 binocular review

For anybody searching for a pair of binoculars for stargazing however don’t need to drop a ton of cash, the Celestron Skymaster 12×60 binoculars are in all probability your finest guess. They supply ample magnification (12x) with the intention to zoom in on star clusters and far-away topics and the 60mm goal lenses, while cumbersome, give an amazing deal extra gentle through-put than extra generalist 42mm binoculars.

Celestron Skymaster 12×60 specs:

Design: Porro prism

Magnification: 12x

Goal lens aperture: 60mm

Angular subject of view: 5.3 levels

Eye reduction: 17mm

Weight: 39.2 oz (1111 g)

Dimensions: 210mm x 206mm x 72mm (8.25″ x 8.1″ x 2.8″)

They’re heavy although, so anticipate to make use of a tripod and an acceptable binocular tripod mount to maintain issues regular when you observe by them. Handholding is feasible however you received’t need to be touring too far with them as they weigh over 1 kg (2.45 lbs) and arms will rapidly tire attempting to elevate up such a giant set of binoculars. Designed for adults and for use on a tripod they can even work for older kids and youngsters for observing throughout the day or at evening.

Unsure if these massive, cumbersome low gentle beasts are your factor? Take a look at our information to the finest binoculars to find one thing extra to your style.

Celestron Skymaster 12×60 binocular: Design

A full view of all box contents including accessories

The Skymaster binoculars include lens caps, a neckstrap, carry case and ship in a recyclable cardboard field. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Porro prism design is chunkier than roof prism
Ample textured grip for simple holding
Lens caps sometimes fall off

Encased in black protecting rubber armor, the Skymaster 12x60s really feel pretty safe within the hand even when utilizing them in inclement climate. A knock or a bump in all probability wouldn’t shock them an excessive amount of however oddly you’ll discover (as we did, even with no knock) that the lens caps could fall off simply. Our goal lens caps didn’t need to keep on even after a agency press, one little motion or shake and so they fell to the ground.

The binoculars are massive as we’d anticipate for one thing of this magnification and with goal lenses at 60mm. There’s no getting round it – Celestron required a bigger type issue due to the physics concerned with placing that a lot glass in a pair of binos. The porro prism design additionally means they’re barely wider and chunkier than a comparable roof prism binocular (although we don’t but know of a 12×60 roof prism). However with that comes further readability and optical prowess due to the BaK-4 prism and multi-coated lenses.

Close-up view of the textured grips

Broad adjustable interpupillary distance could possibly be improved on the slender finish. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

The Skymaster 12×60 has an interpupillary distance from between 56 – 72 mm which is lots broad sufficient for nearly everybody. However when you have significantly narrow-set eyes, or have smaller kids utilizing these binoculars then the minimal distance of 56mm could solely simply be slender sufficient.

We discovered that we couldn’t fairly get them shut sufficient collectively to really feel 100% snug and we are able to’t actually see a motive why they don’t, with solely a bridge of plastic spanning the 2 tubes locking collectively that stops them from coming collectively barely extra. Once more, this received’t be an issue for most individuals aside from the aforementioned.

Celestron Skymaster 12×60 binocular: Efficiency

Front view of the objective lenses

Clear, brilliant views are observable by the massive 60mm goal lenses, even in decrease gentle situations. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Nighttime views are glorious
Sharpness is sweet within the heart
12x magnification requires stabilization

We used these primarily for stargazing but in addition a little bit wildlife watching and a few aviation. Views all-round have been spectacular. Sharpness all through the middle of the imaging circle was spectacular and solely a little bit softness and coma was seen in direction of the perimeters when observing the evening sky. We might get in shut sufficient to make out three of Jupiter’s moons and taking a better have a look at Orion’s sword, although they don’t seem to be highly effective sufficient to make out the person elements that make up Orion’s sword and definitely can’t see M42 properly sufficient.

Close-up view of the flip-down eyecups

Flip-down eyecups make the binoculars appropriate for eyeglasses wearers. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Through the day these are good for wildlife watching and are useful in fowl hides to see far-away topics, particularly waterfowl as a result of their swish, gradual paddles make them simple to trace. We discovered it tougher to trace flying birds, particularly those who have erratic flying patterns, due to the upper 12x magnification.

Hand-holding the SkyMasters is a little bit of a problem due to their weight and dimension, particularly for longer durations. Personally, we’d suggest utilizing a tripod and a binocular tripod adapter (opens in new tab) to regular issues. Nevertheless, if you’re going to handhold them the trick is to seek out the middle of steadiness which occurs to be on the finish of the textured grip, proper as they be a part of the sloping binocular tubes. Holding them on the grip as visuals would counsel would truly lead to extreme pressure on the wrists if utilizing for lengthy durations.

Celestron Skymaster 12×60 binocular: Performance

A top-down view of the binoculars and lens caps

The binoculars with lens caps. The eyepiece lens caps are excellent however the goal lens caps fall off and are a little bit unfastened. (Picture credit score: Jason Parnell-Brookes)

Eyecups could be adjusted for spectacles wearers
Clean operation of hinge and focusing wheel
Tripod mount is definitely accessible

For the cash, it’s arduous to dislike something concerning the Celestron Skymaster 12×60 binoculars. Whereas massive and heavy, they’re effortlessly simple to make use of. A clean hinge that gives simply sufficient friction to carry regular throughout remark doesn’t really feel too heavy. The focusing wheel is equally clean and quick sufficient to drag focus to topics, whether or not they be stars, birds, or planes.

Bushnell Forge 15×56 binoculars

Close up photo of the Bushnell Forge 15x56 binoculars — (Picture credit score: Future)

Wish to kick issues up a notch? Attempt the Bushnell Forge 15×56 binoculars which we reviewed in 2022. Implausible optics and nice efficiency imply they sit at primary in our finest binoculars information, although they are much costlier than the Skymasters reviewed right here.

An space we’d wish to see enchancment could be within the adjustable eyecups. They’re adjustable for eyeglasses wearers as much as 17mm however are of the flip-down selection and we’d like to see these observe swimsuit with a few of Celestron’s different binoculars and have twist-down eyecups in order that those that require it could possibly fine-tune their placement throughout use. Nevertheless, we’re splitting hairs right here as they’re much cheaper than many different binoculars and have good efficiency the place it counts.

Functionally, they’re fairly cumbersome and tough to journey with until you’ve gotten a backpack. Carrying them round your neck for lengthy durations would even be a little bit inconvenient. However you realize what you are getting in for with these Skymaster binoculars, offered you’ve got learn the size and weight in our specs field (or have dealt with them in actual life).

Ought to I purchase the Celestron Skymaster 12×60 binocular?

Whether or not you need to view far-away wildlife or aviation exhibits even down into low gentle and twilight otherwise you want a pair of binoculars for some respectable stargazing the Celestron Skymaster 12x60s are an amazing choice.

Funds-friendly and easy to make use of, the worst half about this pair is the lens caps, which isn’t unhealthy all issues thought of. If you wish to actually get into the evening sky nearer and with higher precision although, you could have to look elsewhere as there are limitations on the magnification and goal lens sizes which can turn into obvious when used at the side of among the best telescopes.

If this product is not for you

These mammoth binoculars are seemingly too massive and heavy for a lot of generalist observers. For these we’d suggest the just lately reviewed Celestron Nature DX 12×56 due to their broader enchantment provided that they’re of roof prism design and due to this fact extra slender and light-weight.

For these the place cash is not any object and supreme optical efficiency is required then look no additional than the Nikon Monarch HG 10×42. Whereas extra wide-field than the Skymasters reviewed right here, they reproduce astounding views faithfully with glorious shade and distinction and edge-to-edge sharpness. Virtually no shade fringing could be seen on this pair however you’re going to be dropping practically 4 figures on them, so bear that in thoughts.

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