The catch
Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70
Lower magnification for a distant subject that stays still
Side by side
Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70 vs Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80: 20x80 gives more distant detail, with 69.4% more weight for the tripod to support
Quick verdict
The SkyMaster Pro 15x70 is the pick for easier transport and a wider view. The 20x80 is for stationary distant detail, as long as your tripod, head and storage plan can handle its 86.4 oz body. That extra magnification costs 69.4% more binocular weight.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
More power changes the support budget
Going from 15x to 20x brings 33.3% more magnification but 69.4% more binocular weight. A tripod picked for the lighter model should be rechecked and not assumed to be suitable.
Where this comes from
The weights are 51 and 86.4 oz, an increase of 35.4/51. Magnification goes up from 15x to 20x. Tripod-head behavior hasn’t been measured here.
The catch
Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80
Comes out 35.4 oz heavier, with a substantially narrower field
Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70
- Why pick it
- The setup travels with you to a viewing spot
- A wider scene and extra eye-relief allowance are what you want
- The catch
- Lower magnification for a distant subject that stays still
Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80
- Why pick it
- The viewing setup mostly stays in one spot
- You are after 20x detail and already have support suited to the heavier body
- The catch
- Comes out 35.4 oz heavier, with a substantially narrower field
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What this page compares
Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70 vs 20x80. Moving to the 20x80 means 69.4% more body weight and a narrower view. Ask whether your distant subject justifies the heavier setup.
Two waterproof SkyMaster Pro models for supported viewing, where the move to 20x brings a large change in equipment weight.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
You take the whole setup with you away from home
Before support equipment, 15x70 takes 35.4 oz off the binocular weight.
- Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70
- Better fit
- Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80
- Caution
A fixed setup is aimed at stationary distant detail
With suitable support, 20x gives more magnification.
- Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70
- Good
- Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80
- Better fit
A daytime subject stands 55 ft off
15x70 alone reaches the published focus distance.
- Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70
- Better fit
- Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80
- Not suitable
Several viewers need help finding a broad area of sky
More surrounding scene comes with the wider 231 ft field.
- Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70
- Better fit
- Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
More power changes the support budget
Going from 15x to 20x brings 33.3% more magnification but 69.4% more binocular weight. A tripod picked for the lighter model should be rechecked and not assumed to be suitable.
How we worked this out
The weights are 51 and 86.4 oz, an increase of 35.4/51. Magnification goes up from 15x to 20x. Tripod-head behavior hasn’t been measured here.
A narrow balcony view gets narrower still through the binocular
The 20x80 cuts the stated field width by 27.3%. That may be acceptable for a stationary distant feature, but locating and sharing a broad sky area favors the 15x70.
How we worked this out
At 1,000 yd the fields are 231 and 168 ft, a reduction of 63/231, or 27.3%.
A daytime subject at 55 ft flips the preference for high power
At 55 ft the 15x70 can focus, but the 20x80 can’t meet that distance. A mixed day-and-night setup needs the daytime distance checked too.
How we worked this out
The close-focus distances are 49.2 and 66.2 ft. On the larger model eye relief also falls, from 17 to 15.5 mm.
Option A
Celestron, SkyMaster Pro 15x70
SkyMaster Pro 15x70
Waterproof construction is the addition, since the Pro has the same 231 ft field as the standard 15x70. At 51 oz it still calls for a realistic plan for support and storage.
- Best for
- The setup travels with you to a viewing spot
Facts we checked
- Weight before support: 51 oz
- Magnification: 15x
- Scene width: 231 ft at 1,000 yd
- Closest focus: 49.2 ft
Option B
Celestron, SkyMaster Pro 20x80
SkyMaster Pro 20x80
Choose the support carefully for an 86.4 oz body at 20x. Compared with the Pro 15x70, the 168 ft field is narrower and the 15.5 mm eye relief is shorter.
- Best for
- The viewing setup mostly stays in one spot
Facts we checked
- Weight before support: 86.4 oz
- Magnification: 20x
- Scene width: 168 ft at 1,000 yd
- Closest focus: 66.2 ft
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70 | Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight before support | 51 oz | 86.4 oz | The 20x80 body weighs 69.4% more. |
| Magnification | 15x | 20x | 20x is up 33.3%. |
| Scene width | 231 ft at 1,000 yd | 168 ft at 1,000 yd | 27.3% of the listed field is lost with 20x80. |
| Closest focus | 49.2 ft | 66.2 ft | Only 15x70 suits the 55 ft example. |
| Eye relief | 17 mm | 15.5 mm | On paper, 15x70 gives 1.5 mm extra. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70
- Even before support, it’s still a 51 oz body
With Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80
- Eye relief is shorter and the near-focus limit is 66.2 ft
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Moving the gear and finding broad sky areas matter most
Go with Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70. 15x70 is favored by the lighter body and wider field.
A fixed suitable mount is in place, and you want stationary distant detail
Go with Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80. The heavier system can be justified by the extra magnification.
The daytime job you share is a garden view at 30 ft
Neither model fits. Neither minimum focus distance is short enough.
Decision guide
How to decide
Go with the SkyMaster Pro 15x70 if you value easier transport and a wider view. Go with the 20x80 for stationary distant detail if your tripod, head and storage plan can take its 86.4 oz body, remembering the extra magnification adds 69.4% binocular weight.
More power changes the support budget
Going from 15x to 20x brings 33.3% more magnification and 69.4% more binocular weight. A tripod chosen around the lighter model needs another look and should not be assumed to suit the heavier one. Weights are 51 and 86.4 oz, an increase of 35.4/51, and magnification rises from 15x to 20x. Tripod-head behavior is not measured here.
A narrow balcony view gets narrower still through the binocular
Stated field width is 27.3% smaller on the 20x80. That can be acceptable for a stationary distant feature, but the 15x70 is better for locating and sharing a broad sky area. The fields are 231 and 168 ft at 1,000 yd, a reduction of 63/231, or 27.3%.
A daytime subject at 55 ft flips the preference for high power
Only the 15x70 can focus at 55 ft, because the 20x80 cannot meet that distance. A setup used day and night needs the daytime distance checked as well. Close focus is 49.2 and 66.2 ft, and eye relief on the larger model falls from 17 to 15.5 mm.
What this page can’t tell you
- This all rests on manufacturer specifications and comparisons that can be reproduced. It involves no hands-on tests of sharpness, steadiness or brightness.
- Dividing objective diameter by magnification gives the exit pupil. That figure does not establish measured light transmission or a winner in low light.
- Neither published eye relief nor body dimensions guarantees a personal glasses fit or clearance inside a packed case.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the binoculars we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70 |
|
| |
| Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Celestron SkyMaster Pro 15x70
The setup travels with you to a viewing spot
See price & reviews on AmazonCelestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80
The viewing setup mostly stays in one spot
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