| Whether you want to do wide field, low power astronomical observing; long distance, low light nature study; or you simply want a highly useful companion to take into the field with your telescope at night – the big Celestron 9 x 63mm SkyMaster will do it all. It provides a very worthwhile balance of very big performance versus very little price. The 9 x 63mm SkyMaster has a wide 5° field and very bright 7mm exit pupils ideal for serious low power/wide field astronomical viewing. You can sweep the star clouds of Sagittarius or search out the 3° wide Great Galaxy M31 in Andromeda and the Pinwheel Galaxy M33 in Triangulum. The SkyMaster uses high light transmission BaK-4 prisms and multicoated optics for bright images of faint deep space objects like these, particularly from a truly dark sky observing site. While it offers exceptional low power astronomical viewing on its own, it also makes a good wide-field observing complement to the narrower field of a higher power telescope. The optical performance is surprisingly good, particularly in view of its large aperture and very sensible price. The optics are fully multicoated on all air-to-glass surfaces for high light transmission. The field of view is reasonably flat. Astigmatism, distortion, and chromatic aberration at the edges of the field are nicely controlled. This makes for clean and expansive views of the Double Cluster in Perseus as well as globular clusters like M13 and M22. Open clusters like the Beehive and the Wild Duck are cleanly defined, with point-like stars out to the edges of the field. At 44 ounces, the SkyMaster is a handful to hand hold. We recommend using it on a camera tripod for the sharpest images, as few people will have the wrist strength needed to hold it steady for extended hand-held use. A 1/4"-20 thread mounting hole for an optional photo tripod adapter (#1185) is built into the SkyMaster’s center hinge, hidden under the removable Celestron logo. The body is armored in black rubber for a comfortable grip and added protection against unexpected bumps and thumps. Because it is O-ring sealed and nitrogen-purged to be waterproof and internally fogproof, there’s no need to worry about putting the binocular down in dew-soaked grass or letting dew bead up on it during an evening’s observing session. The large ribbed rubber focusing wheel is easy to adjust, even when wearing gloves. P>Eye relief is specified at a long 17mm. Unlike many binoculars, whose actual eye relief typically measures less than that specified, the SkyMaster truly has a full 17mm of usable eye relief for virtually unvignetted eyeglass use. It’s a refreshing change from the overly optimistic figures quoted by many manufacturers. Rubber-rimmed twist-up eyecups shield the unaided eye from stray light when up, and cushion eyeglass lenses when down. One and a third turns of the large focus knob moves from a not-very-close 35’ near focus out to the far reaches of the Universe. With a 35’ close focus, this center-focusing Z-body SkyMaster is obviously not designed for close-in nature study. That said, its very bright images and high resolution will do a good job of revealing small details from what would normally be considered an excessively distant vantage point. It is a good choice for long distance terrestrial viewing under low light conditions. The 9 x 63mm is excellent for revealing underwing field markings of raptors in flight, for observing deer feeding in distant meadows early in the morning, or any other twilight nature study activity where close focus is not required – but bright images are essential. Nesting eagles or ducks across a lake at dusk are prime candidates for this big binocular. As a serious astronomical observing tool, as a long distance nature study instrument, or as a very useful companion to take into the field with your telescope at night, the big Celestron 9 x 63mm SkyMaster is a very worthwhile balance of performance versus price. The SkyMaster comes with a wide and comfortable woven neck strap, a soft vinyl case, an eyepiece rainguard, and objective lens covers.
|
Printer friendly version
Email page link to a friend
Do you have a question about this product?
