For nature study, the 15 x 70mm SkyMaster will let you observe deer feeding in distant meadows early in the morning, mother birds feeding their chicks in nearby nests, courtship behavior in distant off-shore rookeries, and more. With a close focus of 43’, this is not a binocular for warblers or butterflies (unless you are watching them from across your backyard). However, its bright 4.7mm exit pupil makes it a good and very economical choice for any twilight birding or nature study activity where close focus is not required – but bright images are essential.

For astronomers, the 15 x 70mm SkyMaster is almost the equivalent of a low power 100mm rich field telescope. With a wide 4.4 degree field of view, it excels at sweeping the star clouds of Sagittarius, searching out the Great Galaxy in Andromeda, taking in open clusters like the Beehive and the Wild Duck, and more. A supplied separate tripod adapter lets you mount it on any convenient camera tripod (at 48 ounces, it is realistically too heavy to hand hold steadily enough for extended observing). The tripod adapter mounts on any standard 1/4”-20 thread 35mm or video tripod and can be used with many other binoculars, as well as the SkyMaster. The supplied neck strap is narrow. Adding an optional wide padded neckstrap, such as the one listed below, would make carrying the SkyMaster more comfortable.

This center focus Z-body porro prism uses BaK-4 prisms and multicoatings for good light transmission. It comes with a lightweight soft storage case, soft rolldown rubber eyecups, and an extra-wide woven neck strap. Light rubber armor with textured rubber gripping surfaces provides a sure hold when dewing becomes a problem. The 15 x 70mm is water resistant, but not waterproof. Setting it down in dew-soaked grass would not be recommended.

There is some barrel distortion (straight lines at the edge of the field are curved), and some visible astigmatism and chromatic aberration at the edges of the field. However, these flaws are not obtrusive, particularly in view of the large aperture and exceptionally low price. As a first serious astronomical observing tool, as a long distance nature study instrument, or as a highly useful companion to take into the field with your telescope at night, the Celestron 15 x 70mm SkyMaster is priced to be easily affordable for any birder or astronomer.