About this item POWERFUL 20x SOLAR BINOCULAR: This dedicated solar binocular offers 20x magnification and large 50mm objective lenses with built-in filters for safe, detailed views of the Sun. Perfect for eclipses or any day! SOLAR SAFE FILTER TECHNOLOGY: Filter conforms to the ISO 12312-2:2015(E) international safety standard for filters for direct viewing of the Sun. The ideal tool for viewing eclipses, sunspots, or the Sun any day! PERMANENTLY ATTACHED FILTERS: Use your solar binoculars with peace of mind, knowing the filter will not be knocked off or accidentally removed. MULTI-COATED OPTICS: See details like sunspots clearly with added contrast from Celestron’s optical coatings. GENEROUS FIELD OF VIEW: Find the Sun easily and view the entire solar disk at once. DURABLE AND RUGGED: Rubber-armored aluminum body stands up to rough handling and harsh conditions. UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading optics brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a Celestron Limited Lifetime US Warranty & US-based expert tech support.
This premium quality 20x50mm powerful solar binocular is ideal for viewing the Sun, including solar eclipses and sunspots.
Observe the natural details of the Sun, including daily sunspot activity, eclipses, and planetary transits.
This dedicated solar binocular offers 20x magnification and 50mm objective lenses providing a generous field of view, so you can see the complete solar disk without moving the binocular.
Filter conforms to ISO 12312-2:2015(E), Filters for Direct Observation of the Sun. Solar Safe technology filters IR, UV, and 99.999% of visible light.
Use your solar binoculars with peace of mind, knowing the filter will not be knocked off or accidentally removed.
These white-light solar binoculars provide a clear black-and-white image of the Sun, perfect for visual observing
and capturing images through your binoculars.
Inspect your filter before every use. Do not use and discard if damaged, torn, punctured, or separated from the frame in any way.
Buy from the world’s #1 telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts
Magnification 20x 12x 10x 10x 18x Aperture 50mm 50mm 42mm 25mm 50mm Permanent Solar Filter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Lens Coating Multi-Coated Multi-Coated Multi-Coated Multi-Coated Fully-Coated Prism Material BK-7 BK-7 BK-7 BK-7 N/A IPD (mm) 56-72 56-72 56-72 56-72 N/A Eye Relief (mm) 8 12 12.7 10.5 16 Eyecup Yes Yes Yes Yes No Environmental Protection Water Resistant Water Resistant Water Resistant Water Resistant Water Resistant Tripod Adaptable Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Product Dimensions 7.83 x 2.56 x 7.32 inches Item Weight 2 pounds ASIN B0BTZ9ZW72 Item model number 71240 Customer Reviews
4.1 out of 5 stars Best Sellers Rank #3 in Camera & Photo Products ()
#2 in
Date First Available February 6, 2023 Manufacturer Celestron Country of Origin China
Manufacturer’s warranty can be requested from customer service. to make a request to customer service.
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Celestron – EclipSmart Safe Solar Eclipse Binoculars – Large & Powerful 20x50MM Solar Binoculars – Exclusive Solar Binocular – Crystal Clear Views of The Sun, Solar Eclipses, Transits & Sunspots
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Product Dimensions 7.83 x 2.56 x 7.32 inches
Item Weight 2 pounds
ASIN B0BTZ9ZW72
Item model number 71240
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Best Sellers Rank #3 in Camera & Photo Products (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo Products) #2 in Binoculars
Date First Available February 6, 2023
Manufacturer Celestron
Country of Origin China
About this item POWERFUL 20x SOLAR BINOCULAR: This dedicated solar binocular offers 20x magnification and large 50mm objective lenses with built-in filters for safe, detailed views of the Sun. Perfect for eclipses or any day! SOLAR SAFE FILTER TECHNOLOGY: Filter conforms to the ISO 12312-2:2015(E) international safety standard for filters for direct viewing of the Sun. The ideal tool for viewing eclipses, sunspots, or the Sun any day! PERMANENTLY ATTACHED FILTERS: Use your solar binoculars with peace of mind, knowing the filter will not be knocked off or accidentally removed. MULTI-COATED OPTICS: See details like sunspots clearly with added contrast from Celestron’s optical coatings. GENEROUS FIELD OF VIEW: Find the Sun easily and view the entire solar disk at once. DURABLE AND RUGGED: Rubber-armored aluminum body stands up to rough handling and harsh conditions. UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading optics brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a Celestron Limited Lifetime US Warranty & US-based expert tech support.
The Celestron EclipSmart 20x50mm Solar Porro Binocular is one of the most convenient ways to enjoy safe, detailed, magnified views of the Sun anywhere. This large aperture solar binocular is the perfect grab-and-go option for eclipse chasing, studying sunspots, or simply observing our closest star any day. With powerful 20x magnification, you’ll see the Sun up close like you would with a small telescope and a solar filter. But with a solar binocular, you can find and watch the Sun in a fraction of the setup time. Best of all, Celestron EclipSmart binoculars feature Solar Safe filter technology, ensuring ultimate protection from harmful solar radiation. Unlike detachable filters, which can be knocked off unexpectedly, EclipSmart Solar Binoculars feature built-in filters embedded in the objective lenses. Enjoy the Sun with confidence, knowing it’s impossible for the filters to become dislodged while you or your loved ones are observing. The Celestron EclipSmart 20x50mm binocular multi-coated optics deliver high-contrast images of the Sun. These are white-light solar binoculars that provide a clear black-and-white image of the Sun. Although it offers high magnification, the 20×50 model still boasts a wide enough field of view that you can see the complete solar disk without moving the binocular. A durable, rubber-armored aluminum housing protects your EclipSmart binocular from damage without weighing you down. The binoculars are comfortable to use for eyeglass wearers and non-eyeglass wearers alike, thanks to their durable folding eyecups. Fold them down for safe and effective use with your eyeglasses or keep them unfolded if you don’t wear glasses. Carry your EclipSmart binocular with the comfortable included neck strap. The binocular also includes a protective padded nylon case for storage and transport, and protective eyepiece and objective lens covers.
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| Product Dimensions | 7.83 x 2.56 x 7.32 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 2 pounds |
| ASIN | B0BTZ9ZW72 |
| Item model number | 71240 |
| Customer Reviews | /* .cm-cr-review-stars-spacing-big { 4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 631 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when('A', 'cf').execute(function(A) { 4.1 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #3 in Camera & Photo Products (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo Products) #2 in Binoculars |
| Date First Available | February 6, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Celestron |
| Country of Origin | China |
Amazon Customer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid product from a Solid company
Just got a chance today to try out my new Celestron EclipSmart 10×42 Solar Binocular. Living in Socal, there are plenty of sunshine everyday to test it out. I chose noon time when the sun was at its brightest. As soon as I point the binocular at the sun, I can see what I thought were Sunspots. The sun appears white through these filters. The optics on this binocular was great and the sun filters performed as advertised. The dioptic was easy to work with, you have to focus the left side and then adjust the right to match. Focusing was easy to do also.The binocular body is very sturdy and comes with a nice case and lens covers. It had a very good feel to it once I had it in my hands. The eyepieces fits perfectly for my eyes and I didn’t have any problems of lights getting into my eyes as pointed out by some other reviewers.Overall, I’m very happy with this purchase and I can’t wait for the Eclipse event in August to test this baby out. I highly recommend this binocular for viewing the Sun on a regular day even though it was intended for veiwing Eclipses. Keep up the good work, Celestron.
One person found this helpful
Mark Desy –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solar Filters For Solar Eclipse Viewing:
I liked everything about these Eclipse Smart 10X42 Solar Solar Viewing! These Binocular’s “Were Great.” I purchase these for the “Total Solar Eclipse” on Monday August 21/2017. We were originally going to ST. Joseph, Missouri. It turned out to be “Totally Overcast” 100% Solid Cloud Cover. Just a little bit away further to the “South East” we went to a place called Columbia, Missouri where it turned out to be a “Break” “In The Clouds. ” The Entire Total Solar Eclipse,” ” Was Clear.” This was “My Second” “Total Solar Eclipse” that I have seen with “My Eyes.” The other “Total Solar Eclipse” which happened on Monday February 26/1979 being in Estevan, Saskatchewan. I also plan to see the Total Solar Eclipse in 2024 either with my friend Geoff, just southeast of Beamsville, Ontario, or in Mazatlan, Mexico, where “Totally will be enjoyed for almost “Two Minutes More.”
AS –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Works as Advertised – Be Prepared for a Learning Curve
I purchased these binoculars so that I’d have something portable to allow me to be able to move around on eclipse day. The binoculars work as advertised, and provide good magnification of the sun – enough to clearly see sun spots. I also purchased a Celestron EclipSmart Solar Telescope 50 and found that that device, while less portable and slower to setup, is a fair bit easier to use.Pros:+Solid and heavy construction.+Compact, extremely portable.+Provides magnification as advertised.+Neck string is a good length.Cons:+Very difficult to use while standing and the sun is high in the sky. You can try lying down, and that works wonderfully.+Tricky to focus, tricky to aim. Usually the only thing bright enough to see through the binoculars is the sun or the sun’s reflection on something else. Unlike in normal binoculars, everything but your target is pitch black – so finding the sun can be a challenge. I found that more use of the binoculars allowed me to find the sun more quickly.
11 people found this helpful
Regolith –
2.0 out of 5 stars
Poor quality control results in a disappointing experience
This review is for the Celestron EclipSmart 10×42 Solar Binoculars. It takes a little practice to locate the sun while using these binoculars, but when you find it in the sky, you can dial in the focus for a decent, magnified image of the sun. They allow you see much more detail than just the cardboard solar glasses. I have been able to see sunspots, and was looking forward to using these for the Mercury transit in 2019.The problem with the binoculars that I received is that there is a distinct image of the sun for both the left eye and the right eye, and those two images do not line up. In order to use these, I have to close one of my eyes and observe with only one eye, otherwise I constantly see two separate images of the sun.I called Celestron technical support and they said this type of problem happens when the optical tubes are out of alignment. I got the impression that this was a common problem people have had, and it requires factory servicing in order to fix it, or else a complete replacement of the binoculars. These binoculars have been this way since I first took them out of the box. The binoculars seem cheaply constructed, as there are portions of the binocular that can move around and are flexible, but should be much more rigid and fixed in position (in comparing them to the construction of a good quality standard binocular).The question that I asked myself was, do I really feel comfortable looking directly at a magnified image of the sun through cheaply constructed binoculars with poor quality control, that were made in China? My eyesight isn’t worth the risk. These are going to be returned for a refund.
4 people found this helpful
Michael Guerra –
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not collimated
I had the same experience as Tom. Both sides were totally uncollimated. In fact, the objectives screw in to the body with plastic threads, and the right tube was cross threaded and crooked. After screwing it back in properly, both tubes were still totally out of whack. Plastic, Chinese, terrible QC. I guess I’ll just do like a lot of others and make my own filters for my good Japanese binocs. And send these back.
William B. Dean –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth the money.
Nice value for the money. For solar viewing they are sufficient.
One person found this helpful
nancy carrnancy carr –
4.0 out of 5 stars
10×25 work well. Recommend eyeshields to block daylight.
I liked these. At first, I thought the sun looked small. But, no. After I looked through eclipse glasses, these 10×25 binoculars are wayyy better. Seriously. Watched the eclipse with these. You can make out sunspots, not huge, but you can see them if there are some. Looking forward to having these for other eclipses or a planet transit.Ended up also buying binocular eye shields to block daylight coming from the sides. These help greatly. I don’t regret the $15 they cost. Field Optics Research brand compact binocular eyeshields worked well. Fits eyecup diameter of 1.10 – 1.46 inches. They seemed too tight out of the box. Do a pre-stretch and they go on good & snug. Focus your diopter before putting the eyeshields on. Fold them back to put binoculars back in the case. For some reason lens caps don’t come with these, (really Celestron?), just use the plastic bag they come in. It’s fine. Here’s the link to the eyeshields I ordered.https://www.amazon.com/Field-Optics-Research-Binocular-Packaging/dp/B00A45OHP0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1503434661&sr=8-4&keywords=binocular+eye+shields
6 people found this helpful
Charles A. Hall –
1.0 out of 5 stars
This is my third broken pair
My first pair saw double. One front lens barrel was crooked. My second pair arrived with the front right lense completely detached. My third pair seemed to work (finally) but then I noticed both eye cups are barely attached and they push in and out when you look through.I guess Celestron is cranking these out for the eclipse. I have given up on this brand.
GIJohio –
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not Collimated
I unfortunately never checked my binoculars when they first arrived and they sat unopened in the box for some time. I finally tried them out and the optics aren’t collimated, giving me separate left and right images that don’t align. That seems like some poor quality control and now it’s too late for me to send them back.
One person found this helpful
Ompus –
1.0 out of 5 stars
Junk
1) too dark. You never want to look directly at the sun w/o serious filters, but these are ridiculous. It took 10 minutes to locate the sun. When i finally did, it was incredibly dark. So dark it’s difficult to find a proper comparison. How about staring at a dying match from 100 feet while wearing two pairs of sun-glasses. *Maybe* that’s the safe level, but if it is, it’s darker than any other solar telescope, glasses or binoculars I’ve used for solar viewing and essentially worthless.2) Bad collimation. I’ve used many dozens of binoculars. This was the first that wasn’t even close to collimated and i’ve abused more than a few. Straight out of the box there was simply no way to bring the left and right images together. In theory you can collimate binoculars yourself. But I didn’t spend ~$100 for the hassle.3) I’d probably buy a nice Celestron telescope, but these binoculars were Tasco quality at best. So I’ll return them and thereby ruin the entire point of Amazon: Ease of purchase. It’s a first world problem, no doubt, but hassling with a return when your goal was to avoid hassles is poisonous to any brand.
8 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fun to use.
Difficult to use. The field of view is different that regular field glasses. Hart to focus in both eyes.
Bill Allen –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Get a pair for your next eclipse!!
These are really good. I purchased them last spring for the 2017 Great American Eclipse, and was impressed. My wife got some cheapie paper eclipse glasses from Amazon, who were kind enough to return her money when it was discovered the glasses were not safe. She then ordered a pair of these binoculars after using mine, on July 25, 2017 or some ridiculously late date when everything was sold out; they shipped the same day and arrived well before the eclipse!! The binoculars are 10×42, which is supposed to mean that the sun is magnified by a factor of 10x, and the aperture is 42mm. They do magnify (10x? Mmmm…, could be), they collimate perfectly, and the sun can be put into extremely sharp focus using the main and secondary (right eye) focusers. You can observe sunspots and other surface features clearly, but the penumbral structures in the spots may not be magnified enough to see any decent radial structures within – and that could be my eyesight, which used to be perfect but now is less than so. I use these binocs on a daily basis to see if it might be worthwhile to put the white light filter on the telescope and study some sunspots. They are well-made and look like they will last for centuries with the appropriate care. We went up to the Malheur National Forest near the Oregon/Idaho border for the eclipse. I got a lot of queries from other eclipse watchers, and almost everyone was very impressed with the views through these binocs. We had set up a 11″ Schmidt-Cassegrain scope, with an excellent eyepiece, but most of the inexperienced viewers preferred the binoculars (because it takes practice to use a telescope comfortably).
One person found this helpful
Kindle CustomerKindle Customer –
2.0 out of 5 stars
Arrived broken and misaligned
As the titled stated, I got a broken copy.Curious, I still gave it a try and used the one good side like a telescope. It worked pretty well. Going to return this one and try my luck one more time.
CosmicsniperCosmicsniper –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stellar performance in a binocularCelestron EclipSmart 2017 North American Total Solar Eclipse Binocular, Black, 10×42 (71238)
The Celestron EclipSmart 10×42 Solar Binoculars offer a generous 10x magnification, meet and conform to ISO requirements for filters used to safely observe the Sun, and allow for mounting on tripods or monopods with a tripod adapter (purchased separately). These are special-purpose binos for direct visual observations of the Sun for solar eclipses, sunspots, and transits. Features that the EclipSmart 10×42 Solar Binocular share with its normal binoculars cousins are interpupillary distance adjustment (distance between the centers of each eye), diopter adjustment, folding rubber eyecups, focus dial, dust covers, and strap.The EclipSmart 10×42 Solar Binocular weighs approx. 2 lbs and has an easy-to-grip rubber exterior coating. If you prefer to not hold something up to your eyes (or have trouble doing that), consider a binocular or tripod mount. These can be purchased from Celestron or other vendors, or you can build your own. To attach a tripod adapter (sold separately), unscrew the cap printed with the Celestron logo from the front of the binocular. I noted no issues with my 10×42 for alignment of the Sun’s images and focus was easy.A word of caution: the Sun’s visible and invisible rays can cause serious damage to the sensitive tissues of the eyes. One should never modify, tamper with, or remove the solar filters. Do familiarize yourself with the product’s safety notes, care instructions, and how to use -especially regarding how to position the binocular in front of your eyes before pointing at the Sun. Solar observations are fun and Celestron provides a stellar product for those who are curious about our nearest star.
7 people found this helpful
Timeryder –
5.0 out of 5 stars
This works for viewing the sun.
It was to cloudy where I was to see the annular eclipse. ( bummer)I can see sun spots when the weather permits. All and all a good purchase.
One person found this helpful
R. S. ONeale Jr. –
5.0 out of 5 stars
View Solar Events Worry Free
Easy to use, focused well, allowed party members (especially those who had no interest in photographing the event) to witness the entire Annular Solar Eclipse worry free. One of my better event preparation actions.
Chris B.Chris B. –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inexpensive, compact and powerful binoculars for solar viewing.
I’m gearing up for the upcoming eclipse, so I decided to add this pair of binoculars to my inventory of equipment. I’m very happy with the performance of the 10×25 pair. They provide plenty of resolution and the 10x magnification provides a much more satisfying view of the sun than a simple pair of eclipse glasses.To get a feel for this, know that the sun takes up about a half a degree of the sky. 10 times magnification increases this to about 5°. If you hold out two fingers at arms length, the width of those fingers is about 5°.I was also pleasantly surprised by the compact size and convenient carry case with belt loop.While I intend to view the eclipse with these, they also allow for viewing of sunspots. There were a few small sunspots visible on the day I received these and they were clearly visible.The only criticism I can think of is that there must be a way to manufacture a pair of these that are permanently fixed at a focus of “infinity”, as there is never any need to use these for anything other than solar viewing. Looking anywhere else would be useless and provide a black image anyway, as these were designed to block out nearly all light. The thin string/strap is not even to be criticized, as the binoculars are so light that they will not be uncomfortable.Be sure to use these safely! Point them at the ground, put your eyes to the eyepieces, and then lift your head to face the sun. Then when done viewing, tip your head down to the ground before removing the binoculars. This way you will avoid accidentally looking at the sun without the binoculars.Happy viewing!
118 people found this helpful
Herbert McPherson –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sturdy, Functional, and Inexpensive
I like these compact, seemingly well-made binoculars. There is a knack to using them: sealing out the ambient light, acquiring the sun through them, holding them steady, and above all bringing them to and from your eyes ONLY WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING AWAY from the sun. I imagine it’d be easy to damage your vision, not to mention ruining the eclipse experience, if you took these away from your eyes while staring directly into the sun.Some caveats: it was difficult or impossible for me to use with my eyeglasses because of the need to seal the eyecups from ambient light. Also, it was not so easy to find the sun through them, or to hold them steady for viewing. Some reviewers have stated the solar filters can be removed but I’d be afraid to use them for their intended purpose after being modified or tampered with, and I have a nice pair of Nikons for that purpose so I wouldn’t think it would serve much purpose to try to alter the solar blocking capability. Be aware that they are useless for any purpose other than solar viewing; they’re so dark that you see only blackness when not looking directly at the sun.Finally, there is no tripod mount, or in my view much reason to try to use these with a tripod because of the need to seal off ambient light before raising them to view the sun – some sort of steadying brace is very necessary but a tripod would be tough to make work.
2 people found this helpful
Nam T Nguyen –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good product
I now own both the 10×42 and the 10×25, and I can reasonably compare the two. The 10×42 is definitely the bulkier. Both have the same magnification, but 10×42 has a wider viewing angle. The wider viewing angle would probably be worth it if you want to be able to see the Sun’s corona in one glance versus moving the 10×25 around.A nice feature of the 10×42 are the added lens caps. I’ve noticed that since the 10×25 don’t have lens caps it can pick up dust, lint, and oil much more easily. You can easily wipe it off of course, but the lens cap does help a lot for the 10×42. After a few days of consecutively looking at the sun, the 10×42 view has been good. The sun is white with a completely blacked out sky. The 10×25 has the same view, albeit a little hazier. Simple wipe makes it better, but lens cleaner works for sure. This is more annoying than anything.Both the 10×42 and 10×25 are good for travelling. I would say the 10×42 is about the size of large hard cover book. The 10×42 comes with a carrying case with a small shoulder strap. The 10×25 has a string for a neck strap. If price and size isn’t a factor, I would recommend the 10×42. Both are good for travelling, and can fit in my luggage bag easily since I’ll be flying out to find a good spot to watch the eclipse.
22 people found this helpful
Bill Johnson –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Only for sun
Great product for looking at sunspots and will use for solar eclipse
One person found this helpful
Michael Bruchas –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like the design and filter protection. Celestron brand a plus.
Xmas gift for lifelong friend – very into astronomy.For use at April 2024 Eclipse viewing.He will have a tripod mounted camera but this is for quick viewing.
Lori –
4.0 out of 5 stars
These eclipse binoculars are great, but I wish I hadn’t bought them.
The good: they magnify well, image is clear. Good quality.The less-good: hard to adjust the focus.Why I wouldn’t buy them:As with any binoculars, stability is dependent on hands being stable. The sun is hard to find through these, because solar binoculars block out all other landmarks. I spent a lot of time trying to find the eclipse through the binoculars before I gave up and switched to eclipse glasses.
4 people found this helpful
alfred bergeron –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hi Quality for a great price
Safe to view the sun
Sebastian –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excelente
Fue excelente para ver el eclipse en 2023
L. Gtz –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great binoculars to watch the eclipse!
Loved watching the eclipse in Oct 2023, waiting for the next one in April 8, 2024! Get a pair it’s amazing to see the sun safely!
Patricia R. –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blue image; hard to find sun
I teach astronomy and are always on the lookout for good products. For solar observing, I like filters that give an orange sun rather than a blue sun (this one is blue). The high magnification means a small field of view, so it is tricky to find the sun. Since the objective is small, it is easy for the sunlight to sneak in to your eyes while trying to find the sun. (I have to put both hands around the objectives to shade my eyes). It does not have a mounting screw hole so you can’t easily mount it to a tripod. (On a tripod it’s easier to align the binoculars by minimizing the shadow).
16 people found this helpful
Anthony J. Hitchings –
3.0 out of 5 stars
possible to damage
these were great until one front optical tube got knocked out of alignment – and won’t go back to where it was. So now we have double images :-(This may be because they do not come with a hard case.
sadatoni –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Quality Control Lacking
The binoculars arrived today. Upon unboxing, the left objective tube was loose. I’ve screwed in in tight, but I’ve not had opportunity to see of if everything is aligned when looking at the sun.
Amazon Customer –
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is a reasonably priced product for the binoculars
Viewing solar eclipses.
Paul W.K. Rothemund –
5.0 out of 5 stars
great binoculars, add soft binocular covers for best use, practice sighting before eclipse.
Having played with both these Celestron 10x42s and some nicer plastic rimmed eclipse glasses
Solar Eclipse Glasses – Plastic – 2 Pack – CE and ISO Certified – Safe & Durable Eye Protection – Viewer & Filter Eclipse Shades
(which are well made and fit well over my prescription glasses), my opinion is that for solar viewing, I would much rather have these binoculars than eclipse glasses. Looking around at anything other than the sun with the eclipse glasses is uninteresting (for the obvious reason that they block out anything other than the sun). While watching the sun, I found light from the sides quite distracting, as others have noted, due to the small eye cups.To solve the problem of small eye cups, and stray light distracting from solar / eclipse viewing, add binocular covers, e.g.
Alpine Innovations Men’s Bino Bandit Binocular Cover, Stealth Shadow, One Size
or
Bino Bandit – Water-Resistant Binocular Eyeshields to Block Glare and Reduce Eye-Strain- Alpine Mountain Camo
They are much more comfortable than rubber eye cup extenders /eye shields and work much better. I tried a pair of such extenders / eye shields (these ones:
AmScope EG-SM Microscope Eyepiece Eyeshields or Eye-guards
) and the problem, as many others have observed, is that the extenders have an asymmetric rim which rotates with the diopter and is difficult or impossible to readjust as one focuses the right eye. The Bino Bandit Binoculars are soft and super comfortable and work really well with prescription glasses.Hand holding these 10x42s in a test run was surprisingly easy, but I also got the tripod mount:
Celestron 93524 Binocular Tripod Adapter (Black)
which screws easily into the hinge point. We’ll see how that works out during the eclipse.I also agree with many other reviewers of these and the Lunt sunocular binoculars (
Sunoculars-Red with 8x the magnification of Eclipse Glasses
) that sighting the sun takes some practice, and one has to be careful not to bleach one’s retinas when sighting.I think that most people will not look at the sun long enough to actually hurt their eyes while finding the sun, however even if there is no danger it means that the retinal bleach spot needs time to fade before you can get the best view of the sun. It is annoying to try to pay attention to thesun with purple spots dancing around your central vision.So the best thing to do is to spot the sun, get your azimuth right and get the frame of your body perfectly in line with the sun, bring the binoculars to an approximate elevation *without* bringing them to your eyes, and get an idea of where the sun is first. Then look down, bring the binoculars to your eyes, and sweep up through the desired elevation to find the sun.
29 people found this helpful
Kindle Customer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Product
Simple and easy / safe to use. Great!
Mark H –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Binos and easy to use.
These Binos are GREAT! They are well made and easy to use. They adjust just like regular binos. They have a focus knob in the center and a diopter adjustment on one of the eyepieces. The width also adjusts narrower or wider to fit different eye spacing. The directions describe how to adjust and use the binos. The sun filters are inside of the binoculars so they are protected from damage. They are ABSOLUTELY black when you look through them unless you are looking at the sun. To find the sun, you kind of have to scan the sky but once you find it, it resolves the solar disk nicely. My only suggestion for Celestron is to make the eye cups a bit larger. I found myself cupping my hands around the eyepieces to block the sun from sneaking into my vision. Not really a big deal but it would be nice if the eye cups had a flange around the outer diameter.Once you find the sun, it appears white with a slight yellow hue. I didn’t see any sunspots but the sun may have just been quite the times I was viewing it. I can’t wait to give these a spin during the 2017 eclipse!Overall, these are a VERY affordable way to view the sun up close. They are designed and built with high quality and well worth the money for curious viewers and serious observers.
10 people found this helpful
VYC –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Celestron – EclipSmart 50×12
I believe this binoculars have the best price versus objective and the weight is not bad at all.
Kindle Customer –
1.0 out of 5 stars
Poor design and construction makes them impossible to use
First I know optics. I have ground my own telescope mirrors and years ago used to evaluate binoculars for a major manufacturer. These binoculars are a huge disappointment. I have even owned Celestron binoculars and been very satisfied with them. These 12×50 Solar binoculars are constructed like a toy. The eyepieces are connected by a thin flexible plastic piece that makes it impossible to keep them in collimation. After much effort I could manage to find the image of the sun but only with one eye at a time and that would jump around after you touched the eyecup. It’s actually quite sad that the optics could have been acceptable had the execution of the design and construction been better. Don’t buy them!
Patrick Nixon –
2.0 out of 5 stars
Deceptive Field Of View
For the 10×42 binoculars this ad seems DECEPTIVE. In binoculars of that field of view (Celestron says 6 deg) the 0.5 deg sun would occupy only 1/12 of the width of the FOV. The image seems to be the one that actually is correct for Celestron’s Eclipsmart TELESCOPE.
Anon –
5.0 out of 5 stars
They work great
Very impressive for the price. Very cool to be able to see sunspot changes day to day.
X –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clear view of the sun
Just used these to watch an annular solar eclipse, and saw a couple of sunspots too! Sharp clear view even through some clouds.
Edward Bass –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent budget solution to observe the sun
I purchased the 10x25mm version of this set of binoculars partly due to the upcoming solar eclipse and partly to view the sun at other times. They operate just like any other set of binoculars and are very portable. Be advised that due to the fairly small objective lens, it can be a bit difficult locating the sun, since all you’ll see until you find the sun is black. Once you do, the sun will be a white disk. If you’re planning to get these for the eclipse, I recommending practicing a few times with the full sun to figure out how to locate it and get the focus settings the way you like them. Also, it would help to have a shroud over your head and the binoculars to block out as much light as possible around your eyes, since that light can make it difficult to locate the sun. Aside from that issue, which is to be expected due to the small field of view, these are excellent. If I had to do this over again, I would have sprung for the 42mm objective lens version.So far I’ve viewed the unobstructed sun and the sun with some light clouds passing in front of it, which is a pretty cool thing to see. Hopefully I’ll get to see sunspots eventually.
5 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
1.0 out of 5 stars
Binocular construction has too much plastic and is not rigid enough to allow for stable collimation.
TLDR Summary: The image quality is okay and fair for the price IF you look through one half of the binocular at a time, HOWEVER, the collimation is not okay and not fixable.I am preparing for the October 14, 2023 solar eclipse and I know a pair of sub-$100 binoculars is not going to be great, but I thought they would at least be serviceable. After all, Celestron makes decent products for a wide range of price and quality. These binoculars were not collimated out of the box which is not necessarily a deal-breaker for me. Initially I thought, “no problem, with porro prism binoculars, which I prefer anyway, this can often be rectified by the end-user.” Once the collimation issue became clear and I began to look into adjusting the prisms I realised that a large portion of these binoculars is actually plastic. One review has a video of a person moving the eye pieces by flexing the plastic support with one finger and this was my experience as well. So the binocular frame and construction is not actually rigid enough to merit a collimation attempt. To be fair, looking through the Left and Right halves of the binocular independently the images of the Sun were what I would expect of a white light solar binocular in the sub-$100 price range. But the problem is that I didn’t buy two separate 10×42 sun scopes, I bought a single 10×42 binocular in order to get the full benefit of using BOTH of my eyes simultaneously without inducing a headache due to poor collimation.
15 people found this helpful
Eric Remy –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quite nice for the price
I picked up a pair of the x25x for the eclipse as a cheap sidekick to a much more expensive solar telescope and I’m quite pleasantly surprised with themBuild: They’re surprisingly solid. The rubber exterior has a nice grip, the focuser has a little slop to it but once engaged moves smoothly and they fold neatly into a small cloth case. I assumed they’d have a lot more plastic in themOptics: The binoculars keep the sun’s color roughly correct- some of the cheaper films give a tint. The dioptic works well- focus the left side, then adjust the right to match. Once dialed in the view is sharp and crisp. There’s no attempt to be apochromatic here- there’s distinct color fringing on the top and bottom of the image, but for $35 what do you want? 10x is about the max power you’re going to want with something like this- unless you can really brace yourself you’ll get some jitter in holding it.You can modify a pair of normal binoculars with some cheap eclipse glasses to get the same ability, but you need to be comfortable making sure you’re going to do the job absolutely correctly since even an instant of looking through the sun with unfiltered binos will do permanent damage. These are a nice, inexpensive alternative
10 people found this helpful
Daniel Jacob –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not Collimated (double image) BUT covered under warranty.
The first set I received was not collimated. Unfortunately, I did not check them within the Amazon return window and missed that so I contacted Celestron technical support. After a couple of emails and a couple of phone calls from them just to update me, my new ones are on the way. I’m going to leave this as a five star review because they’re a nice little set of solar binoculars for the price. Using one lens I can see sunspots clearly and I watched the annular eclipse on Oct 14, 2023 with them.
2 people found this helpful
NM –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Be a solar observing super hero and add this to your utility belt!
As an educational outreach professional I have had to prepare for the Great American Eclipse this August and I have been sourcing as many outreach tools as possible, that are lightweight and easy to use. The Celestron EclipSmart 10×25 Solar Binocular definitely address that requirementThe Binoculars are very well made with a durable metal construction and rubberized skins to keep it cool while observing the Sun even over extended periods of time. The optics are exceptionally clear and crisp. Because there is no reference point you can visually see when using the binoculars, finding the Sun is a bit of a challenge the first few times for new users but once you give them ergonomic advice it becomes second nature.Having had eye surgery I was happy to see that these binoculars do have a center focus with a diopter adjustment on the right eye. I was able to dial in focus to get a nice sharp image and I was able to resolve medium sized or larger sunspots with ease….We just need more of them!While the binoculars work fantastically there are some points that I was not super keen on and can probably be addressed on future models:• Since these are for solar observing they would have been much better if they had deeper or adjustable eyecups. Many first timers find themselves looking at their own reflection at first because of the stay light filtering in around the ends.• The thin rope style neck strap is not easily replaceable and would be better suited to have had a better designed removable system.• Celestron should have taken advantage of its signature Orange color and have rubberized these binoculars in Orange rather than black to help distinguish these as solar observing binoculars. People looking at you observing may assume that you are using normal binoculars and try to mimic these actions with their own equipment, not realizing the differences.All that said these are a definite plus and I look forward to buying more for outreach as we get closer to August. The price makes it easily affordable and the compact size and included pouch make it portable and accessible at any time. Kudos Celestron on another top notch product.
179 people found this helpful
Andrew Sundquist –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Needed Collimation!
4/5 stars because it’s great overall, but this was an annoying thing to experience out of the box. I might expect this from a telescope but these binoculars hide the screws needed to perform this otherwise simple (an educational) task. Major points lost on ease of use.I expected better of such a big name brand. Perhaps in the future they can include a page in the manual that came with these about collimation and a small screwdriver.
11 people found this helpful
Don Davison –
3.0 out of 5 stars
defective
They were defective. One of the views was applied crooked and they are useless. Replacement offered by manufacturers
L. ToliverL. Toliver –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comparison of the two models
Update after viewing eclipse: both pair worked well, the larger pair made seeing sun spots easier, which was a nice bonus as the moon was starting to cover up the sun since it provided reference points to be able to see the moons motion relative to the sun. I mounted the larger pair on a chair and was very happy, everyone took a turn viewing sub with them. I’ve been taking the filters off and on with the bigger pair, so getting normal use out of them as well. Very happy with these, larger pair was worth the extra money for comfort (eye relief) and better visibility of sun spots. I imagine I will still use larger pair from time to time to check out sun spots.Original review:I bought both sizes. They have the same magnification. I didn’t realize that at first, haven’t used binoculars much before. The difference is the size of the objective. From what I gather the main benefit of that normally is that more light gets in and the image is brighter. But for viewing the sun, the brightness isn’t an issue, in fact the whole purpose of these is a very very dark filter on the front. That said, the bigger ones are a bit more comfortable to use – the size itself seems to help, and I think perhaps the image is easier to see from farther back off the eye piece. Also note the smaller pair is a roof prism style (I think that’s what it’s called) that goes straight back where he bigger pair are the offset size that I think give a bit wider field of view. I also find it easier to hold the bigger ones and that they fit against my eyes easier.I also was surprised at first not to see sun spots, but then looked up that we are in a sun spot drought to a degree. Apparently sun spots go through cycles and we are in a low point. Today though, I easily saw a sun spot with both pairs. The larger pair seemed a touch easier and more comfy, but I think the image was largely the same with both.Also, as another review pointed out, the filters easily unscrew out of the big pair giving you dual functionality (so you also have a normal pair of binoculars). It doesn’t seem the smaller ones do (haven’t tried too hard for fear of messing them up).
12 people found this helpful
Sekova –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quick magnified viewing of the Sun
Far better than the 10x42s. Easy to adjust. Great for viewing sunspots too. If you can afford the telescope instead, the view is noticeably better and for me – worth it.
6 people found this helpful
William TracyWilliam Tracy –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun gadget!
The narrow field of view makes finding the sun difficult, but otherwise I’m quite happy. The included carrying case is a very nice extra.
3 people found this helpful
Mr. Dextrose –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Budget Solution
I’ve made my own solar filters for my Celestron Skymasters but I was looking for something a bit less clunky. These fit the bill perfectly. The price is right for something I’ll only use a few times a year. They’re compact and light so they’re more likely to be taken out and used. Even with my old eyes, I am able to see sun spots quite often with these. I’m looking forward to using them for the upcoming annular eclipse which I’ll be observing from Farmington, NM.
6 people found this helpful
Theron L. –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for watching sunspots
These can be tricky to use at first but once get the hang of them they are great. They can be difficult to keep still. A tripod adapter might be helpful. I really love these.
One person found this helpful
Lindsey –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good quality for the size
Delivery was wonderful (I ordered at the last minute and it got here in plenty of time, although it was a third-party so the estimated range on Amazon was quite wide). Watched the eclipse with this and some of the cardboard glasses. This had a more white color than the solar paper in the glasses, which made me feel like I was watching in black & white, even though I knew I wasn’t and it was just the different filters. They have a helpful video to show you how to adjust them, which I followed. It was nice to be able to see it a bit bigger. The only reason I marked 4 stars is that they are smaller, which matches the price point I was looking for (I ran out of time to get the glasses and was just looking for the cheapest cost-effective option–at that point it cost just as much to buy some of the glasses!–but someone ended up giving me a free pair after purchase), but if you really want to see the eclipse up close, you should invest in the larger binoculars or something else. It’s nice that they’re very portable, though. I had to move to avoid cloud cover and was grateful I didn’t have to lug around a telescope! Also, the quality is much nicer than other pocket binoculars I saw available for a similar price. If this is the size you want, this is a great product.
2 people found this helpful
SM –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely worth it.
We used these during the 10/14 eclipse and they were absolutely the Goldilocks fit for us.They are affordable, light-weight but well constructed, and very much gave a far superior view to any of the glasses or other filters that everyone else had. We had no trouble at all carrying these around for ~3hours.We viewed the October 2023 eclipse from the San Antonio Zoo, and while we were nearly the only folks I saw with something more than cheap glasses… we were the only ones who didn’t regret not having these binocs by the end. At least a good dozen random people asked to take a turn and had nothing but good things to say about them.We did find that you really do need to open/close the distance to get dialed in for your eyes/face, but once you know to expect that shift it’s easy to quickly readjust. Finding the sun can be a challenge, but if you start with your eyes looking right below it, bring them up, THEN look at the sun, it’s quite easy. Alternately, physically point at the sun then bring the binocs up; the brain figures that out fast with HEC.Visual quality was great and we were even able to see sun spots!For the 2024 April eclipse we’re buying another (bigger) pair and will not waste any time with the old paper glasses.
23 people found this helpful
AmazonerAmazoner –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice solar binoculars
The 20×50 binoculars provide a very clear and nicely magnified view of the sun. You can clearly see sunspots if they are there. I was planning to mount this on a tripod but thought I would try them without it first. Using it only handheld, it can be a bit challenging to find the sun. What I found worked best was to find the visual location of the sun wearing approved solar viewing glasses, and then you have a better idea how to position yourself with the binoculars. You do need to move slowly when viewing through the binoculars because the sun will quickly move in and out of view due to the high magnification. I also found that when using it handheld, there is a fair amount of image shake even though I have pretty steady hands. Again, with the high magnification, this is not unexpected. So, all things considered, I will definitely be buying a tripod adapter mount, and I’m sure it will make the experience with these binoculars even better. Overall, I recommend these binoculars, and look forward to using them during the April 2024 eclipse.Update 10/26/23: I bought a tripod adapter (FANAUE Binocular Tripod Adapter Quick Release) and, as expected, it makes a world of difference. I now have a nice clear, shake-free, view of the sun. I found an easy way to get the binoculars aligned is to turn your back to the sun and, while looking at the shadow on the ground, adjust the binoculars to minimize the size of the shadow. It’s probably harder to try to explain in words than it is to actually do, but I attached a picture that shows what it looks like when properly aligned. When doing this, I was consistently able to get the sun in the field of view on the first try. I also included a photo I took of the Sun through the binoculars with my Samsung S21 mounted on with a Tridaptor cell phone holder. The color distortion around the edges is from the camera, not the binoculars. The direct view through the binoculars is a lot better than the photo shows. Overall, I’m very happy with the binoculars.
24 people found this helpful
Amarillo Russo –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worked okay after fixing
First pair of 10-42 was terribly misaligned. Double images that could not be corrected at all. Returned but second pair was exactly the same. That was bizarre, I thought, so I looked more closely at them. One of the lens assemblies was not threaded in straight — so obviously these were not tested at all after manufacture (not two pairs, plus others reporting same problem). My only concern with trying to unscrew it was possibly breaking it, but it came loose easily enough, and the plastic (!!!) threads seemed to be okay. I carefully reattached it (correctly threaded), and the alignment was fair. Not perfect, but these are not, in my opinion, top quality binos in the first place. Not with plastic threaded parts, not with no testing — but they work okay for eclipse or sunspot viewing. Weight is good, but for any of the larger ones, you want a tripod mount. I can NOT guarantee you can fix your pair if they have the same problem — the risk is yours. It is also possible that you get one that is so badly misthreaded that the threads really are damaged. But if it is just a little bit off like mine, the fix is simple. I’d post a picture, but it is not easy to see the misalignment in a picture. It just doesn’t take much to cause a double image.
2 people found this helpful
TomTom –
1.0 out of 5 stars
Poor binoculars with solar filters added
I got a bad pair that wasn’t aligned/collimated at all (couldn’t stare at the sun through both eyepieces at the same time), but Amazon replaced them in a timely manner, so no deductions there. The replacement isn’t as bad, and I really wanted to love them, but I’m still having issues with collimation. Though not nearly as bad as the first pair, I still have a double image when looking through these, and it’s especially apparent when comparing it to other binoculars.First, these seem to be nothing but regular binoculars with solar filters put inside them, in case you’re thinking these are somehow specially engineered for looking at the sun (if they were, they wouldn’t have such a wide focus range). I am glad I went with the 20×50’s for the magnification as I was able to see six sunspots pretty clearly with giving me a wide field of view, but I had to do so with one eye closed due to the double vision in the replacement pair. I’ve gotta wonder since these were cheaper than the 12×50 at the time I purchased them if the 12×50 have better optics, because there’s significant chromatic aberration in these (the red on the left and blue on the right edges of the sun due to the prism effect of light separating, which my cellphone pic shows, even if my picture isn’t nearly as sharp as looking through these binoculars actually appears). Had these binoculars been engineered as true solar binoculars, this could be reduced since the sun is almost a fixed distance from Earth, and the optics in these could be optimized for a very narrow focal point of between 147 and 152 million km (or just fixed it at 149.6 million km). Instead, it’s more likely they just took one of their standard binoculars off the shelf, in this case the $50 Celestron UpClose G2 20×50 Porro water-resistant Binoculars for sporting events, with its 4.2 rating and good for focusing on objects as close at 42 feet to infinity, threw a solar filter in it, and more than doubled the price.In the end, I was so bummed by the performance of these that I ended up purchasing an 8×8 inch solar filter sheet, and with cardboard from a cereal box and some duct tape I made my own filters for my Bushnell 10×42 H2O binoculars. Seeing the difference between the two, the collimation issues with the Celestron become glaringly obvious as the Bushnells just work like they’re supposed to–the Celestrons do not. The image in the Celestrons also have that chromatic aberration that I’m not noticing in the Bushnells, and on top of that I find the image using the solar filter is more pleasing, a little orange hue to it, whereas the Celestron is more white. I also wonder if the orange of the filter paper isn’t filtering out more light and is therefore more protective of my eyes. I would assume that the Celestrons protect my eyes just fine, but then again, I also assumed that a company that makes telescopes and other optics would make a decent pair of solar binoculars, and I was wrong about that. (full disclosure: I own two Celestron telescopes and several eyepieces and am very happy with them).But don’t buy these. If you’re happy with the binoculars you have, buy a solar filter sheet and some duct tape and make your own, or buy a good pair of binoculars and still do that–then you’ll have a good pair of binoculars, too. I was able to cut the 8×8 sheet to use with my 10×42 Bushnells, a 12×50 monocular scope, a 77mm for my DLSR telephoto, and I still have a 4×4 inch square left over. The price of the sheets has gone up as we approach the April 2024 eclipse, but it’s still a fraction of the price for these lousy Celestron binoculars.
7 people found this helpful
Shawn ConnellyShawn Connelly –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Crisp, sharp image of our star – not just for eclipse viewer, use throughout the year!
The quality of the
Celestron EclipSmart 10×42 Solar Binocular
is quite exceptional. The sun focuses into a very sharp sphere and is almost rendered in natural color (just slightly bluish); the optics are excellent, which is what I expect from a Celestron product.Although I purchased the binoculars for the 2017 solar eclipse, these binoculars are also useful before and after the solar eclipse. If you are interested in following sunspots year-round, this is the least expensive way to observe the sun.Pros:- Excellent optics.- The filters render a pleasing color and level of brightness. You could view the sun for a while without eye strain (although, I recommend placing a shroud over you to block out the sunlight around you).- Smooth center focus control with right eye diopter adjustment (for people of eyes that focus differently).- Very high-quality design, fit/finish.- They feel very solid and thanks to the rubberized skin, easy to grip.- Tripod adapter mount! Unscrew the cap with the Celestron logo (in front of the center focus) and purchase an inexpensive Binocular tripod adapter. With the adapter, you will be able to lock its position on the sun to allow casual observers to view the sun without the difficulty of manually looking for the sun.Cons:- I am rather surprised that Celestron didn’t label these binoculars so that they stand out as obvious solar binoculars. I imagine that people will easily assume that you are crazy for looking at the sun with regular-looking binoculars. Or worse, accidentally encourage a less knowledgeable person to mimic you with regular binoculars. :-O- The filters are not removable… or at least, not easily removable. This isn’t necessarily a ‘con’. In fact, it is probably good that the binoculars have this single purpose, in order to avoid one from making a foolish and permanently damaging mistake.- Considering their purpose, it would have been nice for Celestron to include the tripod adapter.Overall, I am very pleased with this purchase and looking forward to using them in Wyoming, for a public viewing.[UPDATE]I have attached a photo that shows the EclipSmart binoculars attached to a tripod, using the Celestron 93524 Binocular Tripod Adapter
Celestron 93524 Binocular Tripod Adapter (Black)
. This little connector is recommended to make it easier to find and lock in on the sun for extended periods of time. I am also using a Gosky
Gosky Universal Cell Phone Adapter Mount – Compatible with Binocular Monocular Spotting Scope Telescope and Microscope – For iPhone Sony Samsung Moto Etc -Record the Nature of the World
cell phone adapter to connect my smartphone to one of the eyepieces.*EYE DAMAGE WARNING*Question: Why can’t I use regular binoculars to view the sun if I am wearing protective solar eclipse glasses?More than once, I’ve been asked if one can use regular binoculars to look at the sun if they are wearing solar eclipse glasses. I cannot emphasize this enough… NO, NO, NO! You cannot do that! Attempting to do so will cause irreversible damage to your eyes because regular binoculars will concentrate enough sunlight to instantly burn through ANY solar eclipse glasses. If you wish to have a closer view of the sun, you must purchase specially made binoculars, designed to filter the sunlight BEFORE it enters the optics. I hope this public service warning will save, at least, one person’s vision. :)*EYE DAMAGE WARNING*
130 people found this helpful
Vinh T. –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Satisfied Repeat Customer, Excited for the eclipse!
Having recently bought the Celestron Travel Solar Scope, our family realized that with the upcoming eclipse this month, we didn’t want to share viewing devices or split our eclipse-viewing time. We had been really happy with our Solar Scope, but didn’t think we needed 2 of them, so we decided to get the Celestron EclipSmart 10×42 Solar Binocular, to add variety to our items. We made the right choice. Considering the size of the scope, we didn’t anticipate that the binoculars would feel so solid; like a legit piece of hardware!The quality and craftsmanship is evident throughout the design. The movements are smooth, and tight, and it’s not the least bit flimsy (not that we were expecting flimsy, of course, but just that the solar scope felt really light for its size, but these binoculars feel substantial and rightly proportional to what it is.)Maneuvering its knobs or dealing with the lenses is not at all difficult, and despite having said that it is a solid/substantial piece — it’s still quite comfortable to hold, and the rubberized skin provides a good grip for the whole item.So on to the actual use: The viewing is exceptional. The color and brightness is “just right” We’re big fans of the natural light feature these binoculars boast. The summer has been generous in sun-viewing opportunities, and these guys do not disappoint. The images that we’re able to view are precise enough that you can make out sun spots (which is always so cool! and a total plus!)And not sure if this is relevant in anyway but while my eyesight is normal, my wife wears contact lenses, and has an astigmatism, but the right eye diopter helps us both get the best view out of the binoular. Additionally, the field of vision is large enough to easily locate the sun, and we both feel like we are able to get some serious detail.All in all, we are both very excited to have these binoculars at the ready for our upcoming eclipse-watching experience. We are pretty satisfied considering the quality and the price (it didn’t break the budget, but we have a very nice pair of solar binoculars)Cons:It took a little longer to arrive than expected, but to be fair, that says nothing about the actual quality of the binoculars… if anything, it must be in high demand.the carry case doesn’t have a long strap (for over the shoulder, or neck carrying.)
6 people found this helpful
Joseph Stephenson –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worked really well!
It worked amazingly well. It was a little hard to find the sun with ’em; you sorta hafta move in a circular pattern to find it. Once found, tho, it does a great job. Gives a sort of blue-green tint to the sun.It was a little scary, because I have no guarantee that these things are doing an adequate job of shielding my eyes, but I never had any difficulties later, so I assume it worked as it was supposed to.
2 people found this helpful
Winston –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good option for viewing an eclipse, also work as basic binoculars
Got these, of course, for eclipse 2017. I found them hard to aim, and should have practiced more beforehand. Part of the difficultly was that we didn’t have perfectly clear conditions – we had hazy clouds. We ended up using a telescope with a white card behind the viewing lens as our primary viewing method. I suspect these binoculars would have worked a lot better in full sunlight, as when I did practice beforehand in full sun I had a lot less trouble with aiming.I also like that these can have a tripod mount attached at the front. (Not included – we bought one separately.) However, we found that the tripod mount was useless for eclipse viewing, as the binoculars needed to be at such a high angle that we couldn’t use them on our tripod. We could not get under the binoculars in any comfortable manner for viewing. Our telescope had a viewfinder at a right angle, which was much easier to use.The sun filters can be removed: you have to roll the rubber edge back around the front of each lens, then you can easily unscrew the filters. The optics of the resulting regular binoculars are not great, but they do work. I don’t think the optics are coated, but it’s nice to have that option.For those who say that eclipse binoculars should have a fixed focus: that would be true if everyone had perfect vision. For the same reason that binoculars have a diopter control on one side of the viewing lenses, it’s helpful to be able to focus the entire unit. And of course, it makes them usable as basic binoculars if the filters are removed.
One person found this helpful
Angelic Beaver –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Manage expectations and they’re a cool alternative to paper glasses
I got these for the upcoming solar eclipse, after viewing the last eclipse with paper eclipse glasses my university handed out. I figured it’s neat to be able to observe the sun in greater detail whenever I want, and the binoculars should last forever with light use.The Reality:You’ll see a white disc with speckles. The speckles are sunspots, and they’re constantly fluctuating. They’re handy as a focus aid, and I’ve found these need to be adjusted for each viewing. I’ll focus using the fixed left side, then twist the eyepiece on the right side to match sharpness. To me, it’s worth it to be able to see how the sun changes from day to day. I’d like to be able to see more texture in the sun surface, so possibly an even darker shade would have been better, but for the price, these are a neat tool. I can imagine plotting sunspots over the course of a day, and over the course of months.Good-Price-Better than solar glasses-Sunspot tracking!Not so good-Other than sunspots, no surface detail-Kind of a pain to focus every time (took me some time to figure out how to get both sides to match)OverallI think they’re a good deal for people who think they might want to check out our local star more than once a year.
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DennyMo –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Only partially assembled on delivery
One of the main collectors was not assembled. Easy to fix, but should’ve never left the factory like that.Fun for viewing sunspots, learning to use it while waiting for the Big Day. I’m glad I went with the largest magnification, any smaller would’ve been much less enjoyable. As expected, it is jittery while handheld, will need to mount on a tripod for viewing.
One person found this helpful