reflector74
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 1249
Loc: Milky Way Galaxy, Orion Arm
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I'm considering a pair of these for my son. I've not found any reviews on them. What about the 15x70 Skymasters? I have a parralellogram mount.
Thanks for the info.
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
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FebStars
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/02/06
Posts: 796
Loc: MA
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I have the 15x70 Skymasters and really like them. I bought them from Amazon and the first pair was way out of collimation. The second pair was fine. I find that I can hold them for awhile without a tripod, using them for locating DSOs for my telescope as well as enjoying extended and lingering sweeps with a tripod.
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Tom H
Meade SN10 Orion ED80
Orion ED100 AstroTech66
Televue Genesis 500mm
Garrett Gemini LW 20x80 Binocs
Orion EQ-G, LXD75 Mounts
"The cure for boredom is curiousity. There is no cure for curiousity."
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reflector74
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 1249
Loc: Milky Way Galaxy, Orion Arm
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I find laying down for instance no problem for 20x80's to hold very stead, as well as standing up for durations. I'm 6'1" and 275lbs. I am not flimsy by any stretch of the imagination and 15x70's for me do not require mounting to enjoy. We're all different.
If I don't get more substantial advice I will need to speak with OPT for more serious advice.
Thank you for your opinion regarding the 15x70 model. 
I will speak with OPT to make sure they are a collimated pair before they're sent. I have been nothing but very happy with their service.
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2551
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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Here is another report about the Celestron Skymaster. QC seem to vary a lot based on many other members' feedback:
Skymaster 15X70
Erik D
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NairB
member
Reged: 11/11/06
Posts: 49
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Hi Reflector74, I have had a really bad experience with the Skymasters as you can read in my signature.
I received my new 15x70's from Strathspey and currently testing them....looking very good indeed.
They are of the same stock as Garrett binoculars and from what I can see so far these bino's are superior to the Skymasters....especially the coatings.
So take it from me, consider 15x70's from either www.strathspey.co.uk if your in the UK or www.garrettoptical.com in the US.
Hope this helps
-NairB
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Strathspey 15x70's FMC - Amazing cheap bino for the price. Bright, natural color/contrast, sharp, and well collimated. Best for Daytime viewing
Celestron Skymaster 15x70's MC - Field of view has a Smoky/Brown tint making them less bright during daytime viewing BUT this doesn't seem to affect night time viewing...Testing against the Strath's continues!!!
Oberwerk Lightweight 20x80mm FMC - Arrived - Had to collimate them. Undergoing tests.
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edcannon
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/19/03
Posts: 679
Loc: Austin, Texas
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My mini-review "Celestron Skymaster 12x60 added 4-26-06" is listed on the reviews page. (I don't know how to add a proper CN link to it.)
Considering it cost less than US$100, I am truly very pleased with it. I can use it handheld pretty well, although of course 44oz is fairly heavy. I really like the 5.7-deg field of view, most of which is very usable. The eye relief is plenty for me as a person who always wears eyeglasses.
Two caveats. First, it's definitely not fully multicoated, so on bright objects (the Moon and Jupiter so far) I do see reflections, and glare near the Moon. Second, I bought it in person in a local astronomy store and so was able to check the weight and feel, to make sure it did not have gross problems (double images, smeared or cloudy lenses, etc.). That store has a big window across the front, so I could look outside and see quite a ways away. So here the point is that I can't recommend buying it sight unseen, because I don't have any experience with that.
Oh, there's a minor third caveat, which is that I would prefer the more modern screw-style eyecups to the old-style fold-down rubber ones. But I've found that with the supplied single cover for both oculars, I can leave the eyecups folded down.
I accidentally found something different than a neckstrap to use to carry it, and it works pretty well. It's supported by both shoulders rather than my neck.
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Ed Cannon - Austin, Texas, USA
As of 23 August 2008 - Celestron Skymaster 12x60
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reflector74
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 1249
Loc: Milky Way Galaxy, Orion Arm
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I will get OPT to check them before they are sent to me. I'm sure they're fine if I get a good pair. They will be meant as a finder and exploring pair for my son who is now 10 years old. Perhaps I'll even try them from time to time. Round exit pupils and collimated is what counts. 60mm of aperture is 60mm of aperture. I'm not into spending an arm and a leg for a simple pair of binoculars to function and be useful.
If I want the Moon and Jupiter, I'll use my Denk's through my 12".
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10142
Loc: Lancashire UK
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If 12 x 60s , specifically , are being sought , I would recommend the Oberwerks over the Celestrons .
Regards , Kenny
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2551
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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....."If I don't get more substantial advice I will need to speak with OPT for more serious advice."
______________________________________________________
Many of the regulars on this forum have made over 1,000 posts on the THIS binocular forum alone. Quite a few of us have probably read over 50,000 posts about binoculars on this and other forums. I ordered 7 pairs last year, kept 4. Purchased 3 more in 2006. Starting my two week evaluation of a friend's pair today. I can easily name 20 members who have 1/2 dozen or more binoculars. We read, research and use binoculars every day.
The Skymaster 12X60 is not a popular model. There is very little written about them. However, One can read all 45,000+ posts on this forum and reasonably conclude there is about 50-50 chance of getting satisfactory pair of Celestron Skymaster. If that collective experience is not substantial or serious enough I don't know where to look for better info.
Can you build quality and performance into optics by inspection? I think not. Better coating, baffling, mechanical assembly adds up to a better overall binocular. The one pair of Celestron Skymaster I looked thru at a scope show looked pretty good to my eyes inside the exhibit hall. Would I buy a pair? Probably NO. I am inclined to go with Oberwerk or Garrett Optical. I'd like better odds than 50-50 in my binocular selection.
Erik D
PS. I purchased the Oberwerk 12X60 for $105 3 years ago. I consider them pretty good binos for the money. I also have the $149 Burgess Series I 20X80 LW and I like them a lot. You don't have to spend a lot for very good quality 60-70mm binos but I think ~$100 is the current threshold.
BTW, My son is 12 years old. He is a skinny 82 lbs but swims 2000 yards after school, four days a week. He is not into astronomy or optics but if we were going to observe together I would hand him something smaller than a 12X60. I don't use a mount for binos 12X or less. I weigh 155 lbs & I handhold my 20X80 LW for short observing sessions both day and night. I have no objection to hand holding high power binos but it does take more motivation & practice to hold binos 12X or higher.
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reflector74
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 1249
Loc: Milky Way Galaxy, Orion Arm
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Money is also an issue this Christmas for me, so spending a fortune on binocuars is not a possibility. I'm on a budget.
Great binoculars for their aperture cost a small fortune.
OPT will send me a collimated pair and a pair that has round exit pupils.
In the light polluted city, 60mm is better than 50mm for objectives.
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
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reflector74
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 1249
Loc: Milky Way Galaxy, Orion Arm
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I just checked out Garret's site. A few dollars difference may meann a huge performance difference. I have sent them an e-mail.
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
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edcannon
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/19/03
Posts: 679
Loc: Austin, Texas
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Wow! For a 10-year-old kid 12x60 is too big -- a lighter weight 10x50 is much better IMO. With binoculars it's not just aperture. But if the kid will use them with a mount, then sure, 12x60 or even 15x70.
Fully multicoated Oberwerk or Garrett aren't that much more than the Skymaster, just a few bucks. Both have good customer service reputations.
What is "OPT"?
For that matter, to other CN folks, in another thread some time back someone was talking about "TS", and I couldn't find what that was in the thread.
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Ed Cannon - Austin, Texas, USA
As of 23 August 2008 - Celestron Skymaster 12x60
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Joad
Wordsmith
Reged: 03/22/05
Posts: 11919
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OPT is Oceanside Photo and Telescope: a large and well respected optics vendor based in Southern California.
I don't really know what "TS" is at the moment.
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reflector74
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/05
Posts: 1249
Loc: Milky Way Galaxy, Orion Arm
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Quote:
Wow! For a 10-year-old kid 12x60 is too big -- a lighter weight 10x50 is much better IMO. With binoculars it's not just aperture. But if the kid will use them with a mount, then sure, 12x60 or even 15x70.
Fully multicoated Oberwerk or Garrett aren't that much more than the Skymaster, just a few bucks. Both have good customer service reputations.
What is "OPT"?
For that matter, to other CN folks, in another thread some time back someone was talking about "TS", and I couldn't find what that was in the thread.
I made my son a parralellogram mount for Christmas! They are NOT too big for him in either size. Some people are shakier than others while hand holding binoculars.
I have done plenty of buisness with the reputable OPT in California and obviously want to consider them for future buisness.
Regards,
Michael
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10142
Loc: Lancashire UK
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I can't recall the thread in question , but TS is a commonly used abbreviation for TELESCOPE SERVICE .
Regards , Kenny
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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