Best Binoculars for Star Gazing? - 11/18/24 (3 Viewers)

[ShlundoKyogre]

To the wonderful users of this forum,

I have recently started to take up stargazing and enjoy looking at the many constellations in the night sky. I have been looking to get an upgrade of binoculars so I can finally the night sky in more detail. I've been having trouble concluding if I should get the Celestron Skymaster Pro 20x80, the Celestron Skymaster 12x60, or the Celestron Nature DX 12x56 for stargazing in the night sky. However, I do not want to much magnification too the point where I cannot navigate the sky and tell where the stars of each constellation are. Can anyone recommend which pair of binoculars I should get?

Thanks,
Shlundo

 

[Dennis Mau]

For a beginner, I would get something you can hand hold with a wider FOV, and that usually means 10x or less to prevent shaking. I would look at something like the Fujinon 10x50 FMTR-SX or if you want something lighter that will work just about as good get the Canon 10x30 IS. The IS on the Canon makes up for it's smaller aperture, and it will perform as well as a 10x50 on the night sky, plus you can use it for birding if you desire. The Canon 10x30 IS is great for lunar observation. If you don't mind holding a little more weight, the Canon 10x42 IS-L is another great astronomy binocular.

 

[ShlundoKyogre]

Would the Celestron Skymaster 15x70 compare to any of the binoculars you listed above? I was just wondering because it seems to have a wider FOV than the Celestron 20x80 or 12x56 configurations.

Thanks,
Shlundo

 

[Maljunulo]

How much are you willing to spend?

 

[pat mitchel]

you might want to compare the celestron to oberwerk binoculars if they carry the appropriate models. Ask the same question on the cloudy nights binocular forum- Regards, Pat

 

[Binastro]

The lower priced Celestron 15x70 and clones are usually out of collimation either delivered are quite soon.

£200 would buy a very good astro binocular.

Anybody who thinks one has to spend a large amount has probably not done any serious observing.

But a Canon 12x36 IS Mk3 would be very good for astro viewing.

The main thing needed is a dark sky.

Regards,
B.

 

[ShlundoKyogre]

I have narrowed my two main options to the Celestron Nature DX 10x42 and the Celestron Nature DX 12x56. If I am to just observe constellations and not really deep sky objects should I go for the 10x42 because of the wider FOV, or does the extra reach on the 12x56 really make a difference? I'm really just trying to see the faint stars and form the patterns of these faint constellations such as Cetus, Lacerta, Pisces and more.

 

[Binastro]

10x42 and a dark sky.

I use both 10x42 and 12x56.

Regards,
B.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Would the Celestron Skymaster 15x70 compare to any of the binoculars you listed above? I was just wondering because it seems to have a wider FOV than the Celestron 20x80 or 12x56 configurations.

Thanks,
Shlundo

Anything above 10x will probably require a tripod unless it has IS, and a 15x70 would be very heavy to handhold. A 15x70 will of course go much deeper into the sky, but your FOV will be much narrower, so it is harder to find objects. I would stay with a Canon 10x30 IS, Canon 12x36 IS III, Canon 10x42 IS-L or a Fujinon 10x50 FMTR-SX. The IS binoculars will go deeper into the sky with a smaller aperture than a regular hand held binocular because you are steady. Also, the Canon's and Fujinon are very good for astronomy because they are flat field with sharp edges and that is what you want for star fields so they don't distort at the edge of the FOV. The Canon 12x36 IS III Binastro mentioned above is one of the best binoculars I have seen for Lunar observation. Here is a new Canon 12x36 IS III for $575.00 on Astromart. He would probably take $525.00

Canon 12x36 IS III Image Stabilized Binoculars | Astromart

Astromart.com is the leading portal for astronomy news, classified ads and telescope reviews. Place your astronomy ads, read the latest news articles and check out the current reviews of newest telescopes and equipment.

astromart.com

 

[ShlundoKyogre]

In all honesty, for now I would rather just stay with a lower end pair like one of the Celestron pairs. Although I am more on an advanced level with birding having a Canon R10 body and various RF Lenses, since I am fairly new to astronomy I would honestly rather keep it more simple for now as I can always make greater upgrades later. In regard to the Celestron pairs, would 10x42 be better than 12x56 because of the wider FOV, or would it be more due to less shake caused by the higher magnification? Also as I am trying to see the dim stars in many faint constellations will binoculars with higher magnification cause these stars to appear more dim to the eyes?

Best Regards,
Shlundo

 

[Dennis Mau]

In all honesty, for now I would rather just stay with a lower end pair like one of the Celestron pairs. Although I am more on an advanced level with birding having a Canon R10 body and various RF Lenses, since I am fairly new to astronomy I would honestly rather keep it more simple for now as I can always make greater upgrades later. In regard to the Celestron pairs, would 10x42 be better than 12x56 because of the wider FOV, or would it be more due to less shake caused by the higher magnification? Also as I am trying to see the dim stars in many faint constellations will binoculars with higher magnification cause these stars to appear more dim to the eyes?

Best Regards,
Shlundo

As long as you can hold the 12x56 steady, you would see fainter details on objects in the night sky with it versus the 10x42. If it is just for astro use, I would get the 12x56.

 

[ShlundoKyogre]

Thanks so much for the feedback. Just wondering extra 2x magnification on the 12x56 make it significantly harder to find stars and point out constellations due to the more narrow FOV? Also does the extra 14mm the 12x56 provides really let one see more dimmer starts to a great extent? I'm just wondering if the 12x56 will make a significant difference in quality as it is about twice the price of the 10x42.

Best Regards,
Shlundo

 

[Dennis Mau]

Thanks so much for the feedback. Just wondering extra 2x magnification on the 12x56 make it significantly harder to find stars and point out constellations due to the more narrow FOV? Also does the extra 14mm the 12x56 provides really let one see more dimmer starts to a great extent? I'm just wondering if the 12x56 will make a significant difference in quality as it is about twice the price of the 10x42.

Best Regards,
Shlundo

The 12x56 has a much bigger aperture than the 10x42 and would pull in much more light and resolve much fainter stars than the 10x42. It still has a 66 degree AFOV which is quite wide. For the difference, I would go for the 12x56, especially if you can get to darker skies. The 12x56 will be harder to hold steady than the 10x42, but at 36 oz. it is not heavy at all for a 56mm and could easily be hand held. For example, on the Orion Nebula, you will see fainter detail and more dust clouds with the 12x56 than you will with the 10x42. In astronomy, aperture rules because you are trying to collect a small amount of very faint light.

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/28813-binocular-performance-index/

 

[ShlundoKyogre]

Are there any tripods that may go particularly well with the 12x56? Also, I was wondering that if I were to get the Celestron Skymaster 20x80, although the 80mm aperture would allow me to see more stars than the 56mm aperture of the 12x56 pair the 20x magnification will make it hard for me to navigate the sky as I am trying to observe entire constellations and star formations that make them up rather than particular deep sky objects.

Best regards,
Shlundo

 

[Maljunulo]

Those binoculars will not show you “entire constellations” in one field.

You will have to look around in order to see all of most constellations

 

[ShlundoKyogre]

Yes what I meant to say was I would like to be able to spot the stars in these constellations with the binoculars easily and be able to see the many other stars making up the formation of these constellations. I really think overall the 10x42 are the best for me as the zoom of the 15x70 and the 20x80 will be too high for what I am trying to do and will require a tripod as I can't really justify the difference from the 10x42 to the 12x56 for an extra 100$ I will likely start off with the 10x42. I could also always return the 10x42 to get the 12x56 if do not really notice much of an upgrade from my old pair and I change my mind.

Best Regards,
Shlundo

 

[Dennis Mau]

Are there any tripods that may go particularly well with the 12x56? Also, I was wondering that if I were to get the Celestron Skymaster 20x80, although the 80mm aperture would allow me to see more stars than the 56mm aperture of the 12x56 pair the 20x magnification will make it hard for me to navigate the sky as I am trying to observe entire constellations and star formations that make them up rather than particular deep sky objects.

Best regards,
Shlundo

I would get a lightweight Celestron tripod for the DX 12x56, and you will also need a tripod adapter. I have linked them below. Furthermore, I wouldn't recommend the Skymaster 20x80 for a beginning astronomer. It is more like a small telescope, and you're going to have to know how to navigate the night sky with a red dot finder just like a telescope with a slightly wider FOV, and it takes a lot of skill and experience to do that. I think it would frustrate you because it can be very difficult finding things in the sky without experience. With it's 80mm aperture and 20x magnification, it would give you telescopic views of deep sky objects and many other objects, but you are going to have learn how to use star charts to find anything.

Finding objects in the sky is like finding a needle in a haystack. In other words, very difficult. With its much narrower FOV, the Skymaster 20x80 would not be as good as the DX 12x56 binoculars for observing wider angle views of the night sky like you want to do. If you got the Skymaster 20x80, you will need the heavier tripod linked below. I would start with the DX 12x56 binoculars and then if you become serious about astronomy invest in a computer guided small aperture telescope because to observe planets and such you are going to have to go up to 150x to 250x magnification to see any detail and at least 100x to 150x to see faint fuzzies. I have linked a good computer guided telescope, the Celestron Nextstar 8SE, if you get interested in astronomy.

Ultima Pan Tilt Head Tripod | Celestron

The Ultima tripod is an excellent choice for those seeking a lightweight yet stable platform for a spotting scope, binocular or camera. With three leg sections and an adjustable center column, the tripod can be set in multiple configurations to get the exact height or stance needed for your...

www.celestron.com

Heavy Duty Alt-Azimuth Tripod | Celestron

The Celestron Heavy-Duty Alt-Azimuth Tripod is really useful when you want to do hand’s-free viewing through giant binoculars or a spotting scope. It is also a nice match for small to medium-sized telescopes, like the Celestron C90 or C5. The aluminum legs of the Celestron Heavy-Duty Alt-Az...

www.celestron.com

Binocular Tripod Adapter | Celestron

This adapter allows you to mount your binocular (porro or roof) to a tripod for added stability and convenience

www.celestron.com

NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope | Celestron

Celestron’s signature orange-tube telescope combines advanced features and excellent optics in one easy-to-use system, the NexStar 8SE. It’s the perfect choice for your first serious telescope, offering impressive views at an economical price. Our Founder’s Vision, Reimagined for the 21st...

www.celestron.com

 

[Maljunulo]

You don't say where you are, so I don't know if you have dark skies, but be advised that higher magnification makes the background darker, so easier to see faint objects.

The faintest stars you will see is pretty much determined by aperture, but contrast can play a part too.

I think I would opt for aperture.

 

[Montereyman]

Pentax 20x60 is excellent and what I have been using. There sell for less than $200 and have a weight of 49 oz so best used with a tripod and an adapter.

 

[Dennis Mau]

This was interesting. They picked your Celestron DX 12x56's as the best choice for affordable star gazing.

https://www.space.com/26021-best-binoculars.html