Viewing the sky with binoculars is popular with both amateur and professional stargazers alike. Offering a wide field of view coupled with excellent magnification and ease of portability, these high-powered binoculars are a great way to observe Earth’s Moon, the Milky Way and many deep space objects. These binoculars are a great alternative for any stargazers on a budget or any newcomers to the world of astronomy.
Best 20×80 Binoculars
Here are our reviews of the best 20×80 Binoculars.
1. Celestron – SkyMaster 20X80 Astro Binoculars
One of the most trusted brands on the market, these binoculars, from Celestron, offer magnificent views and craftsmanship at an unbeatable price.
- Work well in low-light situations
- Multi-coated optics for crisp images
- Wide field of view
2. Celestron 20×80 SkyMaster Pro High Power Astronomy Binoculars
A step up from the model above, the SkyMaster Pro series binoculars are for serious stargazers. Clocking in at double the price of the original series, the pro series comes equipped with a few extra features.
- Detachable RSR rail allows you to attach a finder scope
- Nitrogen purged and water resistant makes them suitable in all weather conditions.
- Rubber armor protection
3. Orion 51464 20×80 Astronomy Binoculars
These binoculars, from Orion, are some of the best optics currently on the market for viewing the skies. Their large field of view and sturdy design makes these binoculars highly recommended by the professionals
- Great choice for eyeglass wearers
- Lightweight design
- Multi-coated optics for crystal clear views
4. Zhumell 20×80 Giant Astronomical Binoculars
These binoculars, from Zhumell, are perfect for viewing everything our universe has to offer. Use these giants to view the lunar surface, planets and any other deep sky objects you happen to come across.
- Center focus dial allows for quick and easy adjustments
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Bak-4 prisms allow for maximum light transmission
5. BARSKA X-Trail 20×80 Binocular
These binoculars offer amazing optics, durability and top-performance all for an unbeatable price, making them a perfect choice for any beginner stargazers.
- Shock proof
- Bak-4 prisms
- Comes with all the accessories you need to get started
20×80 Binoculars Buyer’s Guide
As with any astronomy related devices, these high-powered binoculars are not toys. They are specially designed to magnify and enhance details at extreme distances. These binoculars are not designed for bird watching and with that in mind, there are a few features you should keep an eye out for when making your purchase.
Take a look at our buyer’s guide below for some tips and advice when exploring the market.
Anti-reflective coatings
In short, because glass naturally reflects light, an anti-reflective coating is sometimes applied to alleviate this issue, allowing you to see objects in the sky more clearly and brightly.
When making you purchase, look for terms like fully coated, multicoated or fully multicoated.
Field of view
The field of view applies to how much of the sky is visible though a pair of binoculars. Typically, the field of view measurement is represented by a width in feet or an angle in degrees of he images at 1,000 yards. In other words, binoculars offering a 4.6-degree field of view provide an image of the sky that equals a circle with a diameter of 4.6 degrees.
Remember, the bigger the number —not, the bigger the binoculars—, the more you can see.
Tripod
Another thing you are going to want to consider is the use of a tripod. Most astronomical binoculars come equipped with a tripod attachment. Tripod use is highly recommended with these binoculars as they offer effective stabilization and alleviate strain on the arms. Remember, these binoculars are quite big and can be heavy. The steadier your binoculars, the more you’ll enjoy your experience.
Image stability
Image stabilization is an important feature to keep an eye out for in any set of binoculars. The more zoomed in you are, the more unstable the image will be; even breathing can cause you to lose sight of your target. Many types of binoculars counter this issue by using liquid filled prisms and gyroscopes that compensate and correct this issue. Keep an eye out for binoculars that are built with this in mind.
Recommended Reading:
- Best Binoculars
- Best 8×32 Binoculars
- Best 8×42 Binoculars
- Best 10×32 Binoculars
- Best 10×42 Binoculars
- Best 12×50 Binoculars
- Best Horse Racing Binoculars
- Best Image Stabilization Binoculars
- Best Marine Binoculars
- Best Safari Binoculars
- Best Rangefinder Binoculars
- Best Compact Binoculars
- Best Digital Camera Binoculars
- Best Binoculars for Kids
- Best Night Vision Binoculars
- Best Binoculars for Sporting Events
- Best Binoculars under $50
- Best Binoculars under $200
- Best Binoculars under $300
- Best Binoculars for Hunting
- Best Binoculars for Birding