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Rating: 
Summary: Celestron SkyMaster 25X100 ASTRO Binoculars
Review: BACKGROUND:
I am an amateur astronomer and Vice President of the local Astronomy club. I own
several pairs of large binoculars and have looked through many more. My needs were
beautiful images of deep sky objects at a price I could justify. The Celestron 25x100
Skymaster Binoculars meet those needs.
GENERAL COMMENTS:
The binoculars arrived July 2004 and had a collimation error of about 1 degree (very
bad collimation). Celestron support was contacted at the request of Amazon support
and confirmed what I already knew, factory repair was required. I lacked the skills
and equipment to collimate and refill with nitrogen. Amazon promptly picked up the
broken pair and delivered a new pair in just a few days. What a difference a few days
made. The new pair was packaged inside a secondary box and arrived in pristine
condition. Daytime collimation was excellent. We tested the binoculars after
astronomy club on a distant lighted sign and found them to be essentially flat to the
edge of the field of view with a minor vignetting at the edge. Everyone was impressed
and several members wanted a pair. During the club meeting I suggested that
everyone who wanted a $500 pair of binoculars for $250 needed to go to Amazon and
purchase one before the price went up.
I sky tested the binoculars a few nights later and they performed very well. I had only
about 20 minutes till the clouds took over. Due to the high humidity and generally
poor observing conditions we were unable to use the binoculars for an extended time
and get a really good test.
A tripod is pretty much required for astronomical observing although you can lay on
your back and observe the zenith. You have to hold your breath and squeeze up tight
to get a steady image. I was able to hand hold the binoculars during daylight and
look at distant trees, etc. It was very difficult to hold the binoculars with one hind
while adjusting the focus with the other. Leaning the binoculars on a steady object
such as a fence would probably work. Note that not just any tripod will work (read
below), so if you used these in the field you will be packing a lot of weight. I
recommend that they be used pretty close to home or car.
CONCLUSION:
But, based on what I have already seen, this is the best buy for the money I have
made for astronomical equipment.
CAVEATS
I highly recommend purchasing these if:
1. you can handle the weight (these puppies are heavy)
2. you want to see bright images of distant objects
3. you can deal with lack of center focus (not good for moving objects)
4. you are very careful not to jar them out of collimation (big binoculars are easily
knocked out of collimation
5. you want excellence, and also a bargain (better binoculars are available
for an order of magnitude more money. 6. you have a sturdy tripod
(I have a Bogen which cost over $100 25 years ago and it seems barely adequate).
IRRITANTS:
1. First pair arrived in only the product box and I suspect that may have contributed
to the collimation problem. You should be ready to send a pair back if they do not
deliver a good image.
2. the "built in" 1/4-20 threaded adapter which attaches to the tripod head is
undersized and has movement. There is a single screw which was not tight on both
pairs which when tightened would slow the play of the center shaft. There is a plastic
sleeve between the adapter and the shaft which had play and this could not be
removed (again, same problem with both pairs). When the know was tightened to the
max the binoculars were still not very snug. The result is that if there is any
unbalance in the weight on the tripod then the adapter is unable to hold the weight of
the binoculars and the binoculars will swing to a more balanced position. I believe that
the solution to this problem is to build one of the "binocular holders" seen in "Sky &
Telescope" or "Astronomy" magazines which will hold the binoculars steady while
providing a counter balance. Otherwise, you will have to be extra careful. Also, the
tightening know should be larger for people like me who do not have the strength of
superman.
3. there is an old adage that the mount is half the price of the telescope. A mount
which fully supports the binocular tubes at both ends would perform better than the
inadequate mount provided. For those mechanically inclined, the solution is straight
forward and inexpensive. It could take 10-15 hours of time (at least for me).
Rating:
Summary: Very good for terrestrial viewing
Review: I live up on a hill, with a nice view of city lights from about three to fifteen miles away. These binoculars are excellent for this range, although you have to know what you're looking at in order to fully appreciate what you see 15 miles away. And as others have said, A TRIPOD IS MANDATORY, as is a firm surface with which to place it. There is no ZOOM, but anything further than about 25 feet comes into focus well.And at 25X, you are not going to be tempted to spy on your neighbors unless they live right next door. These binoculars give you good terrestrial viewing, but if you want to make out fine details from about a mile or so, you won't get it with this. You'll need 50X or more, but be prepared to pay dearly for that in a pair of binoculars. 25X, at least at this price, is a very good combination, especially considering the wide field of view this provides.
Rating:
Summary: Very good for terrestrial viewing
Review: I live up on a hill, with a nice view of city lights from about three to fifteen miles away. These binoculars are excellent for this range, although you have to know what you're looking at in order to fully appreciate what you see 15 miles away. And as others have said, A TRIPOD IS MANDATORY, as is a firm surface with which to place it. There is no ZOOM, but anything further than about 25 feet comes into focus well. And at 25X, you are not going to be tempted to spy on your neighbors unless they live right next door. These binoculars give you good terrestrial viewing, but if you want to make out fine details from about a mile or so, you won't get it with this. You'll need 50X or more, but be prepared to pay dearly for that in a pair of binoculars. 25X, at least at this price, is a very good combination, especially considering the wide field of view this provides.
Rating: 
Summary: affordable 25x, but with reduced quality
Review: These binoculars are very large (1 foot long and almost 5 kg). Difficult to hold and almost impossible to focus if held by hand. A tripod is needed, and this item is all set for this. Once mounted, the view is very nice. With a 25x magnification, this is close to a telescope (which generally offer 50x to 100x), but with superior view because you are looking with both eyes. Also somewhat more portable and simpler to handle than a telescope. The carrying case is OK, no more, but this monster isn't meant to be taken on hikes. Overall, one must be aware that at this price, some quality is sacrificed for high magnification. Image and finishing quality are inferior to regular sized binoculars (like 10 x 50) of similar price. I would buy a high quality 10 x 50 first, and then this inexpensive 25 x 100 to see what the 10x can't show.
Rating:
Summary: affordable 25x, but with reduced quality
Review: These binoculars are very large (1 foot long and almost 5 kg). Difficult to hold and almost impossible to focus if held by hand. A tripod is needed, and this item is all set for this. Once mounted, the view is very nice. With a 25x magnification, this is close to a telescope (which generally offer 50x to 100x), but with superior view because you are looking with both eyes. Also somewhat more portable and simpler to handle than a telescope. The carrying case is OK, no more, but this monster isn't meant to be taken on hikes. Overall, one must be aware that at this price, some quality is sacrificed for high magnification. Image and finishing quality are inferior to regular sized binoculars (like 10 x 50) of similar price. I would buy a high quality 10 x 50 first, and then this inexpensive 25 x 100 to see what the 10x can't show.
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