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Pros - Includes tripod adapter threads - Waterproof and fogproof - Inexpensive price point makes these bins perfect for getting started Cons - Muted colors at distance - Short eye relief - Occasional chromatic aberration

Welcome to my review of the Celestron Outland X 10×42 Binoculars. Celestron makes some fine optics, from telescopes to spotting scopes and binoculars, and I was excited to try out the rugged Outland X model. Designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts from birders and hunters to sports fans and travelers, the Outland X is advertised as having high resolution, high contrast, and enhanced color fidelity. Let’s see how well they live up to Celestron’s reputation.

What Do I Get in the Box?

It might not be the most important factor to consider when buying a pair of binoculars, but it’s still important to know what you’re getting for your money. In the box, you should find:

• The Celestron Outland X 10×42 binoculars
• Wide binocular strap
• Soft protective carry pouch
• Objective lens covers
• Rainguard
• Lens cloth

The binocular strap comes preattached to the binoculars, so the glass is ready to go as soon as you unbox everything. The objective lens covers are semi-attached, so they won’t get lost. The carry pouch is nicely made, and the binoculars fit snugly but not too snugly inside.

How Much Magnification Do I Get?

With 42mm objective lenses, the Outland X 10×42 binoculars provide 10X magnification. Image quality is good, but not great, making these binoculars terrific for getting started in birding or any other outdoor activity. If you’re an advanced birdwatcher, though, you’ll definitely notice a bit of muting in the color contrast, especially when viewing birds from more than 100 feet. The eye relief is a short 14mm, so if you wear glasses that stand off from your nose, you might have a problem getting a good view through these binoculars.

The linear field of view is 294 feet at 1,000 yards, providing an excellent range of view for locating the wildlife or sports activity with ease. These binoculars have a twilight factor of 20.49 and a relative brightness of 17.64, so they are definitely not designed for use in low-light conditions.

What Type of Optics Do the Binoculars Have?

The Outland X 10×42 binoculars utilizes BaK–4 prism glass in a roof prism configuration. The optics are multi-coated, but not fully multi-coated, so not all air-to-glass surfaces benefit from the antireflective protection. Close focus distance on these binoculars is 14.8 feet, so you observe action easily from close-up or afar.

The center focus wheel is easy to use, but could stand to have a bit more stippling on the coating to accomodate sweaty or gloved hands. Focusing is still easier than many binoculars, though, and I’ve had no problems getting a clear, crisp image of birds or athletes, depending on the circumstance. Finally, there is an occasional red halo when viewing objects under exceptionally bright conditions. This chromatic aberration could probably have been resolved if the glass was fully multi-coated.

What’s the Body Like On These Binoculars?

The mid-size Outland series is rubber-coated for rough and tough handling, and the rubber also provides some amount of “grippiness.” However, there is no stippling on the body and very little texture, so these binoculars can be a bit more difficult to keep hold of with sweaty or gloved hands than much of the competition.

One nice feature of the Outland X 10×42 binoculars is that the binoculars are tripod-adaptable. You can obtain a tripod adapter that fits into the binoculars, allowing you to mount the binoculars on a tripod for either a steadier aim or for sharing your finds with others.

How Durable Are the Binoculars?

The rubber armor on the Outland X 10×42 binoculars makes these particularly well-suited to bumps and falls, as does the roof prism optics design. Roof prism binoculars, after all, can handle more abuse without being knocked out of collimation than their porro prism brethren can withstand.

The lenses are O-ring sealed to make the design waterproof. Furthermore, the optics chambers are nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging in cold or damp weather. All in all, the Outland X 10×42 binoculars are well-equipped to handle almost anything nature can throw at them.