Celestron Echelon 20x70 Binoculars
- 20x Magnification
- 70mm Objective Lenses
- 3.0° Angular Field of View
- 19.5mm Extended Eye Relief
- XLT Coated Japanese Optics
- Waterproof and Nitrogen-Purged
- Includes Custom Waterproof Hard Case
The Celestron Echelon 20x70mm Porro Binoculars deliver uncompromising low-light and long-range observation by pairing high-power 20x magnification with large, 70mm Japanese-made objective lenses. With a generous 19.5mm of eye relief and a 3.5mm exit pupil, these binoculars provide comfortable, bright views across a 3.0° angular field of view. The optical system achieves a twilight factor of 37.42, enabling you to resolve fine detail long after sunset or deep into the night sky.
At the core of the Echelon 20x70 are superior 70mm objective lenses, handcrafted in Japan and paired with high-grade BaK-4 prisms. All air-to-glass surfaces receive Celestron's proprietary XLT multi-coatings—the same coatings used on observatory-grade telescopes. This combination maximizes light transmission and produces images with exceptional contrast, sharpness, and neutral color fidelity, critical for discerning subtle details on distant subjects or faint celestial objects.
Engineered for peak performance in low light, the Echelon 20x70's specifications translate directly to superior astronomical and terrestrial views at dusk. The 37.42 twilight factor and 3.5mm exit pupil deliver a bright, detailed image, allowing the binoculars to reach a limiting stellar magnitude of 11.73 under ideal conditions. This optical power allows you to resolve individual stars in globular clusters like the Hercules Cluster (M13) or trace the faint dust lanes of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31).
The Echelon 20x70 is built for field use, featuring a robust aluminum alloy housing that is both durable and lightweight for its size. The chassis is sealed and nitrogen-purged, making it fully waterproof and preventing internal fogging in damp environments. An individual eyepiece focus system ensures precise, stable focus at infinity. With 19.5mm of eye relief, these binoculars offer comfortable viewing for all users, including those who wear eyeglasses, without sacrificing the full 3.0° field of view.
While the optics are sourced from Japan, every pair of Echelon binoculars is hand-assembled by skilled technicians in Southern California, ensuring meticulous quality control. To protect this investment, each binocular includes a custom-fitted, waterproof hard shell case. This rugged case provides ultimate protection from dust, moisture, and impact, ensuring your optics remain safe and perfectly collimated wherever you take them.
For observers considering different large-aperture options, the Echelon 20x70 represents a significant step up from Celestron's popular SkyMaster series.
They are exceptional for this purpose. The combination of 20x magnification and high-quality 70mm objectives with XLT coatings provides the power and light grasp to resolve M31's bright core, its companion galaxies (M32 and M110), and even hints of its dust lanes from a dark-sky site. The 3.0° field of view is wide enough to frame many large nebulae and star clusters completely.
No, the internal optics are protected. The Echelon 20x70 is fully waterproof and nitrogen-purged. This process removes internal moisture and seals the optical housing, preventing condensation or fog from forming on the inside surfaces of the lenses and prisms, even with significant temperature drops or high humidity.
An individual focus system allows you to set the focus for each eye separately. For long-distance and astronomical viewing where the subject is at infinity, this is a "set-it-and-forget-it" system. It is more mechanically robust than a center focus mechanism and is less likely to be accidentally bumped, ensuring your view remains perfectly sharp throughout an observing session.
For brief periods, they can be handheld by most users. However, their 1840 g (65 oz) weight and 20x magnification make any small hand movements noticeable. For the best, shake-free views, especially for astronomy or extended surveillance, mounting them on a sturdy photographic tripod is highly recommended. They are tripod-adaptable for this purpose.
Yes, absolutely. The Echelon 20x70 features a long eye relief of 19.5mm, which is ample space for most eyeglass wearers to see the entire 3.0° field of view without needing to remove their glasses. The included rubber eyecups help position your eyes at the correct distance.
These binoculars are specialized instruments designed for extreme long-range observation. The optical design is optimized for viewing subjects at or near infinity. The 100 m (328.1 ft) close focus is a trade-off for this high-power, long-distance optical design and is not a limitation for their intended uses like astronomy, landscape viewing, or surveillance.
| Magnification | 20x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 70mm (2.76") |
| Angular Field of View | 3.0° |
| Linear Field of View | 157 ft @ 1000 yds (52 m @ 1000 m) |
| Exit Pupil | 3.5mm (.14") |
| Eye Relief | 19.5mm (.77") |
| Close Focus | 328.1 ft (100 m) |
| Interpupillary Distance | 58mm - 72mm (2.28" - 2.83") |
| Diopter Adjustment | ±4 |
| Prism Type | BaK-4 |
| Lens Coatings | XLT (Fully Multi-Coated) |
| Twilight Factor | 37.42 |
| Relative Brightness | 12.25 |
| Limiting Stellar Magnitude | 11.73 (Ideal), 10.73 (Moderate) |
| Environmental Protection | Waterproof, Nitrogen Filled |
| Tripod Adaptable | Yes |
| Weight | 65 oz (1840 g) |
| Dimensions | 258mm x 222mm x 84mm (10.15" x 8.74" x 3.31") |
Neck strap
× 1
Hard shell Waterproof carrying case
× 1
Objective lens caps
× 1
Eyepiece cover
× 1
Lens cloth
× 1
Instruction manual
× 1