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In-depth review
Updated September 2026 · Written by the TelescopeReviews.co.uk test team
The Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 is the most recommended astronomy binocular in the UK for good reason. At around £60-70, the 70mm aperture gathers significantly more light than the naked eye, the 15x magnification reveals star colours, clusters, and the Andromeda Galaxy clearly, and the wide field of view shows the sky in a way no telescope can match. After extensive testing under UK skies, these remain our top binocular recommendation for astronomy at any budget.
| Magnification | 15x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 70mm |
| Field of view | 4.4° (actual) |
| Eye relief | 18mm |
| Close focus | 9m |
| Coating | Multi-coated |
| Tripod adapter | Included |
| Weight | 1.26kg |
| Case | Included |
| UK warranty | 2 years |
The SkyMaster 15x70 is a large binocular — noticeably heavier than typical daytime models. At 1.26kg, extended handheld use causes arm fatigue after 10-15 minutes. A tripod adapter is included — we strongly recommend using a £20-30 tripod for extended astronomy sessions. The rubber armoured body has survived three years of regular UK outdoor use in our testing without issues.
The multi-coated optics deliver impressive light transmission for the price — not as refined as premium Nikon or Celestron models costing three times as much, but entirely appropriate for astronomy at this budget.
From Bortle 5 Yorkshire: Core clearly visible, inner halo extending well beyond naked eye impression. Both satellite galaxies (M32, M110) detectable on best nights.
Verdict: Outstanding — the wide field shows the galaxy's true extent better than any telescope eyepiece.
Dozens of blue-white stars filling the wide field. The most beautiful binocular view in the autumn/winter sky.
Verdict: Spectacular — one of the finest binocular sights in the entire sky.
From Bortle 4 site: Rivers of stars, dark nebulae as black voids, star clouds in Sagittarius and Cygnus.
Verdict: Breathtaking — no telescope can show the Milky Way like this.
Bright core clearly visible, surrounding nebulosity apparent. Trapezium not resolved at 15x.
Verdict: Good — impressive wide-field nebula view.
Both clusters visible in the same field — hundreds of stars in two distinct clouds.
Verdict: One of the finest binocular sights in the sky.
Full disc with clear crater detail and terminator contrast. Too bright without a filter at this aperture.
Verdict: Impressive — use a moon filter for comfort.
| Target | SkyMaster 15x70 | Heritage 130P | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andromeda Galaxy | Binoculars (wider field) | ||
| Milky Way | Binoculars | ||
| Pleiades | Binoculars | ||
| Saturn rings | Telescope | ||
| Jupiter detail | Telescope | ||
| Moon detail | Telescope | ||
| Open clusters | Binoculars | ||
| Setup time | Binoculars |
✅ YES — Buy if
❌ NO — Consider alternatives if
Premium optics, better daytime image quality, lighter weight. Less aperture but better all-round binocular.
Similar specification to the SkyMaster — worth comparing current prices as quality is comparable.