The Celestron Cavalry 15x70 is a giant, weighing over 3 pounds and reaching nearly a foot long. Its large size draws from Celestron's design to allow the user to see objects incredibly far away, from a herd of elk to a constellation. For this reason, the Cavalry is a powerhouse when looking at the night sky and zooming in on galaxies far, far away.
All of the minor complaints that arose from testing this pair of binoculars are trade-offs for what makes this binocular specialized. Celestron markets the Cavalry 15x70 as designed for "long-range observations, " and indeed, they are not ideal for the casual outdoor enthusiast. Their weight and size make it difficult and uncomfortable to hike with the Cavalry far from the car. Celestron is known for their SkyMaster series and designing binoculars to be used for astronomy. The Cavalry 15x70 seems like an upgrade from the popular Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, with a few additional features: waterproofness, fog-proofness, as well as a higher price tag. At the end of the day, the Cavalry is a great binocular for star gazing, but we would suggest something such as the Bushnell NatureView 6x30 or the Nikon Monarch 3 8x42 ATB if you plan on doing any hiking with your binoculars.Celestron Cavalry 15x70 Review
Cons: Heavy, need to use a steadying device
Manufacturer: Ceslestron
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
A large and navy binocular built for long-range viewing, such as star-gazing, this model has a specialized use.
Performance Comparison
Clarity
If you are peering into the eyepiece in order to see the Milky Way or the craters on the Moon, be prepared to be blown away. The clarity provided by the Calvary for star gazing is unparalleled by any other binocular tested. However, if you are trying to use the Cavalry for every day purposes, be prepared to be disappointed. Anything less then 70 feet away will be noticeably blurry. Please remember, the Cavalry is not built for viewing objects close-up, and is a powerhouse for viewing objects incredibly far away.
Magnification
The magnification power of the Calvary 15x70 is breath-taking, especially when you focus in on the milky way. With a magnification power of 15, it's hard to dispute! This is the strongest binocular included in our review.
Ease of Adjustment
For the size and weight, the Calvary is incredibly easy to adjust. However, be prepared that depending on your arm strength, you may need to lower the binoculars slightly to adjust the focus knob comfortably. This is avoided if you are using a tripod, or a home-made steadying device.
Durability
The Celestron Cavalry is built to be the long-range "outdoors man's" binoculars. As a result, the Cavalry has been upgraded from its cousin the SkyMaster to be waterproof, fog proof and comes with a tougher plastic coating.
Portability
Simply put, the Cavalry is not a compact pair of binoculars. Once in their case, they are nearly 1 foot long by 5 inches wide and over 3 pounds; this is a beast to carry around. If planning to hike with them, a larger backpack is needed to ensure that the binoculars fit comfortably along with other hiking supplies. During testing, this giant was lugged into the North Cascades for a 5-mile round trip hike, and it's safe to say our tester's back was a little sorer then usual upon returning to the car. However, viewing the stars from a remote peak in the wilderness with the Celestron Cavalry 15x70 was well worth the added weight and space.
Best Application
Celestron advertises that the Cavalry is "designed for hunters, boaters, law enforcement, and military personnel," however, keep in mind that this pair is designed specifically for far away viewing and is not ideal to hike with. Consider your end-use and identify if the size and weight will really impede on your sport of choice.
Value
At $130, the Celstron Cavalry 15x70 is more expensive then its star-gazing cousin, the Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, sold for $90. Depending on your end-use, and if you need the additional durability that the Cavalry provides, you may prefer the less expensive SkyMaster. A tripod adapter is also included in the accessories kit.
— Stephanie Bennett