Celestron Granite 10x42 Binoculars - First Impressions (1 Viewer)

[Juxedo]

Hi all, this is my first post since joining today!
Just thought I'd share my first impressions on the recently released Celestron Granite 10x42 binoculars.

After much research on/offline I decided I would like to upgrade my current Olympus 8x25 bins to a more powerful. sharper model. I've just started spotting and I really needed larger objective lenses as light was becoming an issue. I also decided that, as Ihad the 8x magnification on the Olympus that I'd go for 10x just to give me that little extra reach - luckily I've a fairly steady hand so all is fine with image bounce.

For my budget (£400ish) I looked at Nikon Monarchs, Bushnell Elites and Hawke bins but came across some promising previews and videos of the Celestron Granite range.

A quick search on google and I found a local stockist - got myself down there that day and tried them out. The guys at http://viewpointoptics.co.uk were extremely helpful and allowed me to compare the Granites alongside the Hawke Frontier and top of the range Swarovski models. I could see the lesser quality image in the Hawke Frontiers and but I have to say that the Granites stood very closely to the Swarovski models. The only differnce being slight fringing and minimal less qaulity on contrast.

The Granites were perfect for me - the shop price matched and before I knew it I was off testing my new bins out that evening!

Took them to spot a family of Barn Owls and the extra light and larity allowed me to watch on far later into the evening than my Olympus bins.

So my first impressions are extremely positive! Off to Wales at the weekend so will report back on progress!

For thos interested in the Celestron here is the initial YouTube video that caught my eye.

 

[FrankD]

Thank you for mini-review. I look forward to hearing further comments on these bins. I have to admit that I did notice them a few months back when I was looking for reasonably priced, ED glass bins. They are competitively priced and spec'ed with other ED glass bins currently available (thinking Zen Ray ED2s, Theron Wapiti, Kruger Caldera, Promaster Elite ELX, etc...).

Admittedly, the only thing holding me back was I was hoping for a bit more of a bargain from Celestron. In my experience they typically produce superb optics at any given price point in comparison to their competitors...thinking Celestron Regal spotters, Celestron Nature porros, discontinued Celestron Ultima DX, etc...) If they had put this bin out at around $200 US then I would probably own one already.

Definitely continue to report your experiences with this bin.

 

[lilcrazy2]

Thank you for mini-review. I look forward to hearing further comments on these bins. I have to admit that I did notice them a few months back when I was looking for reasonably priced, ED glass bins. They are competitively priced and spec'ed with other ED glass bins currently available (thinking Zen Ray ED2s, Theron Wapiti, Kruger Caldera, Promaster Elite ELX, etc...).

Admittedly, the only thing holding me back was I was hoping for a bit more of a bargain from Celestron. In my experience they typically produce superb optics at any given price point in comparison to their competitors...thinking Celestron Regal spotters, Celestron Nature porros, discontinued Celestron Ultima DX, etc...) If they had put this bin out at around $200 US then I would probably own one already.

Definitely continue to report your experiences with this bin.

Frank
The 8x42 Celestron Granites look identical to my 8x42 Alpen Apex Wings ED (except color), and every spec is the same except the FOV which is listed as 399ft in the Alpen and 426 in the Graniite?? I really like the Wings ED and have been wanting to compare them to the new Zen ED3 to see if there is any real difference.

Tom

 

[TMG555]

Celestron Granite

Hi. I visited BirdFair in the UK for the first time this year. I went mainly for the opportunity to try just about all the optics available at present in the same place with a view to knowing which binoculars were best within my price range.
I tried the all the top makes and they are of course very good. The Pentax DCF ED,s caught my eye and thought that maybe they were the ones for me. Just before we left we noticed the Celestron exhibit tucked away in a small marquee. I tried the Celestron Granite and they blew me away for the price they were asking (£400). My brother in law who has a lot better eye sight than me and owns a pair of Swarovision just said "Wow, these are the best bins I've looked through all day. So unless something better comes along soon for four hundred quid I know what I want for Christmas. Regards.

 

[CliveP]

Vanguard

I was looking at the bino image and I was trying to place where I had seen that bino bridge design already.

Finally it comes to me. It was the Vanguard ED top range whatever they were called. Those I had to return because of the excess CA and ropy focuser but they only cost £300.

Wonder are the Celestron any better reguarding the CA and focuser. They do seem like another clone. If they are better for the extra £100 then they should be very good indeed.

That video is pretty fancy. The chinese are marching on while we westerners distribute our whole economies to a few rich.

If I didn't have a good set of bins and somewhere nice and quiet and scenic to go and relax I think i would have to start a revolt. Maybe I will just delay it another little while.

 

[dipped]

I'm guessing these focus anti-clockwise to infinity?