Top Binoculars for Astronomy to buy in India 2021

Binoculars are portable, easy to use, no need of any specialized mount, just a fluid head tripod will work fine. Binoculars are great first telescope. They would be more useful then a telescope. Huge astronomical binoculars often have larger aperture than some small refractors. Binoculars are great option for newbies or for those who just want to do some casual stargazing and don’t want to miss out on easily observed astronomical events – a new comet or supernova, conjunctions etc. Prices mentioned will be manually updated.

Here is the list of best astronomical binoculars for stargazing:

1. Celestron 20X80 Skymaster (~13000 INR)

Celestron 20X80 binoculars will give you a sharp and clear view with enhanced image contrast. It is designed to be water-resistant and has a protective rubber covering that offers a firm grip. Binocular has a giant 80 mm objective lens that delivers superior image brightness even for long distances and low-light situations.  Ideal for both terrestrial and astronomical viewing, the functional Celestron 20×80 binoculars is the perfect device for any budding backyard astronomer. The Celestron binocular has an in-built tripod adapter fitting that provides easy and stable tripod mounting. This Celestron Skymaster 20×80 also has an 18 mm long eye relief that proves useful for eyeglass wearers. If you do not wear glasses, you can make use of the rubber eye cups to have a comfortable viewing experience.

Click Here for the detailed review of Celestron 20X80 Skymaster Binoculars

Aperture	Zoom	Water Resistant	Optics	Tripod	Field of View	Weight	Prism
80mm	20X	Yes	Multi-Coated	Needed	2.6 deg	2.13kg	BaK-4

Pros

1. Best overall performance in visual astronomy
2. Affordable price for the given aperture

Cons

1. Heavy weight – can’t be used handheld
2. Low quality bag provided

2. Celestron 15X70 Skymaster (~8000 INR)

Despite the name, astronomy binoculars, it’s a great choice for terrestrial viewing as well. Binoculars are high performance compact binoculars that are perfect for all types of use. It is tripod-compatible. A four element objective lens allows precise focusing across the complete field of view. Completely water resistant, it is designed for rugged usage too.

Aperture	Zoom	Water Resistant	Optics	Tripod	Field of View	Weight	Prism
70mm	15X	Yes	Multi-Coated	Needed	4.4 deg	1.5kg	BaK-4

Pros

1. Field of view
2. Great for terrestrial viewing also

Cons

1. Weight

3. Celestron Cometron 7X50 (~4000 INR)

Wide field of view reveals a larger portion of the night sky, allowing you to view more of the comet’s impressive tail, Large 50 mm objective lenses have. good option for people who want to get started on star gazing with minimum cost and equipment. It does not compromise on build quality, optics, and coating as far as the casual observer can make out. It is light enough to be held in the hands without much shaking..tremendous light-gathering ability, ideal for astronomical use, Large exit pupil provides maximum light during nighttime and low-light viewing sessions, Multi-coated optics dramatically increase light transmission for brighter images with increased contrast and resolution, Strong and durable alumnium housing.

Aperture	Zoom	Water Resistant	Optics	Tripod	Field of View	Weight	Prism
50mm	7X	No	Multi-Coated	Not Needed	NA	900g	NA

Pros

1. Perfect amount of zoom for the given aperture
2. Low Price
3. Can be used handheld

Cons

1. Quality of optics

4. Celestron G2 UpClose 10X50 (~4500 INR)

It is ideal for all types of use, be it terrestrial viewing, leisure or star gazing. is lightweight and can be used for longer time periods. Magnification is often one of the most sought-after feature while selecting a binocular. But the objective of the lens is equally important especially in low light conditions. It has a 10x magnification range combined with a 50 mm aperture that allows incredibly bright images even during low light conditions like dawn or dusk. A BK7 Porro prism and multi-coated lenses in the Celestron Upclose G2 10×50 ensure that each image shows immaculate detail, vivid colours and excellent contrast. Completely water resistant, you can carry it for outdoor use with ease. Exceptionally wide apparent angle of view that enhances your viewing experience.

Aperture	Zoom	Water Resistant	Optics	Tripod	Field of View	Weight	Prism
50mm	10X	Yes	Multi-Coated	Not Needed	6.7 deg	765g	BK7

Pros

1. Wide field of view
2. Can be used handheld

Cons

1. Low quality of bag provided

5. Nikon Action 16×50 EX ATB Binocular (~16000 INR)

High-eyepoint design provides a clear field of view even for eyeglass wearers. Rubber armouring for shock resistance and a firm, comfortable grip. Deliver bright, high-resolution images. Nitrogen filled. Comfortable for extended viewing. shock resistance and a firm, comfortable grip. Deliver bright, high-resolution images. Nitrogen filled. Comfortable for extended viewing.

Aperture	Zoom	Water Resistant	Optics	Tripod	Field of View	Weight	Prism
50mm	16X	Yes	Multilayer-Coated	Needed	NA	1.04kg	BaK4

Pros

1. Hard to use when handheld
2. Easy to focus

Cons

1. Too much zoom for the given aperture
2. Price

6. Nikon ACULON A211 10×50 Binoculars (~8000 INR)

Binoculars deliver a high quality image under a multitude of lighting conditions, making these binoculars effective from dawn till dusk. binoculars are a quality, cost effective choice. Aspherical eyepiece lenses aid in delivering a flat field of view, while lens multicoating enhances image brightness.  The environmentally-friendly Nikon Eco-Glass ’ lenses deliver astonishing clarity and precision in a lighter-weight, lead and arsenic-free glass composition. binoculars are designed to be as light as possible along with excellent ergonomics.  This assures you will be comfortable and steady throughout extended periods of use and makes them extremely easy to carry all day long. 10×50 binoculars are built to handle virtually any environment you can bring them into.  No matter what the weather conditions may be, you will always have a sure, non-slip grip on your binoculars, making them one piece of equipment you can always count on to perform.

Aperture	Zoom	Water Resistant	Optics	Tripod	Field of View	Weight	Prism
50mm	10X	No	Multi-Coated	Needed	6.5 degrees	1.25kg	BaK4

Pros

1. Lens quality
2. Decent for beginners

Cons

1. Heavy for handheld
2. Not waterproof

7. Olympus 10×50 Explorer S Binoculars (~10000 INR)

Binoculars has 5-element/3-group lens design, which helps to reduce fringing and distortion, making views appear sharp and flat with little edge curvature. Traditional Porro prism optical path produces a rich depth of field with true stereoscopic vision for a more “3D” viewing experience. low-light capability for use in challenging conditions such as in the pre-dawn hours and late dusk. Anti-reflection coated optics improve light transmission, contrast, and color rendition. Fold-down rubber eyecups for comfortable use with or without eyewear.

Aperture	Zoom	Water Resistant	Optics	Tripod	Field of View	Weight	Prism
50mm	10X	No	Anti-Reflection Coated	Not Needed	6.5 degrees	850g	Porro

8. Bushnell 13-3450C 10×50 Falcon (~5000 INR)

Falcon promo 10 x 50 mm binocular.-Fully coated optics for superior light transmission and brightness.-Instafocus system for fast focus on moving targets.-Non-slip rubber armor absorbs shock while providing a firm grip. Bushnell is the leading brand in high-performance binoculars, and the Falcon series offers powerful magnification at an economical price. Versatile, and ideal for stadium sports, bird-watching, hunting, and many other outdoor applications, the 10×50 model boasts a durable design and rubberized, abrasion-resistant finish. An InstaFocus lever provides smooth feedback, with just enough tension to fine-tune magnification, while a Porro prism and coated lenses provide sharp viewing. For those who wear eyeglasses, or sunglasses on bright days, clever fold-down eyecups protect your lenses from scratching.

Aperture	Zoom	Water Resistant	Optics	Tripod	Field of View	Weight	Prism
50mm	10X	No	Fully-Coated	Not Needed	NA	830g	Porro

Note: This is obviously not the complete list but these are the ones that you can go with while starting out. Of all the above mentioned, 20X80 SkyMaster is best suited for those who are particularly interested in astronomy. Otherwise, 7X50 Cometron is best for those who are looking for something more portable and for casual stargazing. List will be updated from time to time.

~AK