Celestron 71404 TrailSeeker 8x42mm Roof Binoculars with Dielectric-Coated Lens, BaK-4 Prism Glass, Lightweight Magnesium Alloy Body and Soft Carry Case, Black

Product Information

The inclusion of the BAK-4 prisms in combination with the multi-coated lenses create a bright and well defined image. This increase in light transmission through the lenses ensures that the viewable image is always of a superior quality. The level of quality available with these binoculars is certainly enough to rival binoculars from a higher price point. Furthermore, the Celestron TrailSeeker offer a wide FOV at 8.1°which pairs well with the close zoom. These features operate smoothly and allow for users to easily switch between each focus. These are affordable skywatching binoculars that would be ideal for anyone just starting out who wants to get the most for their money. While there are some true wins to this model, there are a few reasons why they're on the cheap side, and we discussed them in our Celestron UpClose G2 10x50 binocular review.

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For a value-added price the Celestron UpClose G2 10x50 binoculars deliver. Intended more as an everyday pair of bins than for use by twitchers specifically, these certainly nevertheless possess sufficient power and poke for the price, if you don't mind the traditional wider binocular build and operation. With surprisingly clear results delivered by this specialist brand as well as a value for money price point, the construction uses basic Bk7 glass prisms and the barrels and bridge are made from aluminium. You do get a rubber coated exterior to aid grip, yet the eyecups aren't adjustable and feel a tad flimsy to the touch. The field of view is impressive at 426 feet at 1,000 yards (some of the widest in its class) and has a very respectable close-in focus of 6.5 feet. For me, the wide FOV is what set these binoculars apart from the others, especially compared with the Nikon Monarch which specs at 360 ft @ 1,000 yards. In the end, the competition may have been unfair after all. The Trailseeker got a second chance, the Monarch 7 didn't. It's quite possible that another set of the Monarch 7 would have performed better, too.

Our Verdict

Whilst the differences are subtle, there is no doubt in my mind that these newer Celestron TrailSeeker ED binoculars are an improvement on the non-ED version which I think already is an excellent binocular at this mid-level price range. For our Celestron Nature DX ED 12x50 review binoculars, we took them to several events, partly because they are lightweight and compact and they can be carried easily in their padded case. We tested them at a motor race and were delighted with the bright and sharp views, even at dusk. If a very wide view is important to you, which will be the case for many users, but especially birders, then these Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8x42 binoculars wont let you down. Bear in mind though that larger lenses often mean heavier and bulkier constructed binos with it. So, once again, it's about arriving at that ideal balance to avoid you 'getting the beak'; something that we believe the binoculars showcased here have got right. Without further ado then, let's swan dive into what we consider the best binoculars for birdwatching… FAQ Are porro prism or compact roof prism binoculars better for birdwatching?

Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binoculars review: the ultimate

Binoculars can be split into two categories: the more old-fashioned porro prism binoculars with angular lens tubes, and more modern roof prism binoculars with straight tubes and a streamlined light path. Although you don't really need to mount the Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 on a tripod, it is possible thanks to a standard tripod adaptor thread on the bridge between the objective lenses. Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binoculars review: performance Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD BinocularIf you want to move up to the next level with your binocular stargazing, then the roof prisms on these binoculars bring super-sharp views and come with a useful harness and an excellent padded case.★★★★

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That, of course, was unacceptable, and incomprehensible too with a bino at such a price tag, especially as a loose hinge had been noted before by other reviewers.

TrailSeeker Binoculars | Celestron TrailSeeker Binoculars | Celestron

The Trailseeker's image has a very slight yellowish hue. I don't think you'd ever notice it without making a conscious comparison, so it's not a big issue. But if you do compare, the little yellowish tint is clearly visible, at least if you are looking at blues or whites. These binoculars provide a very decent view, and we were able to spot three stars within the Trapezium Cluster, which is located near the center of the Orion Nebula (Messier 42). To see the fourth bright star in this star-forming area, you'd need higher magnification.In our opinion, these binoculars are an excellent option for those on a budget and starting with stargazing or exploring. They are lightweight and ideal for trekking. However, we did notice a couple of downsides during our review. First, they require collimation, which means adjusting the alignment of the lenses. They are also prone to fogging in certain conditions. How can that be if they use a roof prism optical system? Though that system is sometimes frowned upon for astronomy, Celestron here makes use of high-end phase and dielectric-coated BaK-4 glass to increase light transmission. It appears to work well, with bright and crisp images in the dark. While scanning the fall night sky we had sharp and crisp images of the Hyades and Pleiades open clusters while the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) appeared well defined, if a little small at 8x magnification. The central field of view is exceptional, though there is a little drift towards the edges. However, we did notice a touch of chromatic aberration when moon-viewing, with a big, bright “Hunter’s Moon” appearing fabulously clear yet with a lit Alongside a decent magnification, you also want to look for a sufficiently sized objective lens; the larger the lens, the greater the amount of light floods in, meaning the brighter the viewing image. So, binoculars with larger objective lens are ideal for viewing birds in low light at the end of the day, or for maintaining clarity on overcast days. It was good to catch up with the guys at Celestron as it has been too long and they as always were most obliging and a brand new pair of Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8x42 binoculars landed on my desk a few days later. Thus after thoroughly researching as well as testing and using them out in the field, below is my full review and thoughts on them: Celestron TrailSeeker ED 8x42 Binocular Review

Best binoculars for birdwatching 2023: best in the nest | T3

Celestron's SkyMaster binoculars, including the 15x70 'giant' model, deliver excellent views at an affordable price. These binoculars, while a bit hefty, are durable and offer impressive quality for their price range. Celestron is a well-respected brand with a strong reputation in the field. Touring the heavens with this pair of telescopes is like using two four-inch (100 mm) refractor telescopes with added 25x magnification as if a mad scientist had blended them using an experimental teleporter. Remember as well as water, a fully sealed binocular is also protected from dust entering, which for many users is the more likely scenario. Canon 10x42L IS WP binoculars: They're not perfect, but they’re as close as you’ll get for hand-held astronomy. They're an outstanding choice for super-steady stargazing thanks to their image stabilization, waterproof design and large objective lenses. ★★★★★ I also feel that the inclusion of the ED glass is a good thing and whilst the non-ED version did not perform badly in terms of the amount of color fringing in my tests (I thought they were very good), these TrailSeekers now perform excellently in this area.

In these situations, I found that the Celestron Trailseeker 8x42 ED binoculars were equal to my alpha level benchmarks and noticeably brighter than the mid-range benchmark. Although these binoculars come with a harness, we realized during our Vortex 10x50 Crossfire HD binocular review that the padded case forms part of the harness so you can't use one without the other which is a little frustrating. These binoculars are extremely versatile and fantastic quality is a guarantee. Brands such as Viking and Celestron provide unrivalled quality at cost-effective prices. We are certain that there is something for everyone here.