In just a few weeks, on April 8, 2024, the first total solar eclipse since 2017 will occur. It will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This will also be the last total solar eclipse until 2045, so if you’re able to view it, it’s well worth seeing.
To safely view the sun directly, you’ll need products that employ safe solar filters. For last year’s annular solar eclipse, I wrote about using some of the EclipSmart products from Celestron. While these products are certainly great choices, there’s one more way to directly observe the sun, such as using binoculars with solar filters. Celestron sent me one such pair of binoculars to try out.
What Are the EclipSmart 10X42mm Porro Solar Binoculars?
The EclipSmart 10x42mm Porro Solar Binoculars are dedicated solar binoculars that provide 10x magnification with built-in filters for guaranteed safe, detailed views of the Sun. They retail for $87.95, but as of this writing, they are available for $79 at the Celestron store on Amazon.
The binoculars include the following:
- Soft Carry Case
- Binocular Strap
- Eyepiece Covers
- Objective Covers
- Lens Cleaning Cloth
- Quick Setup Guide
The carrying case is sturdy and snugly holds the binoculars. There is no accessories pocket for the included cleaning cloth, but it will fit inside the main pocket of the case.
Here are some of the specifications of the EclipSmart 10x42mm Porro Solar Binoculars:
| Magnification: | 10x |
| Objective Lens Diameter: | 42mm (1. 65″) |
| Angular Field of View: | 6° |
| Linear Field of View (@1000 yds) / @1000 m): | 315 ft (105 m) |
| Exit Pupil: | 4.2mm (.16″) |
| Eye Relief: | 12.7mm (.5″) |
| Close Focus: | N/A |
| Interpupillary Distance (max): | 72mm (2.83″) |
| Interpupillary Distance (min): | 56mm (2.20″) |
| Diopter Adjustment Range: | -4 to +4 |
Using the EclipSmart 10X42mm Porro Solar Binoculars
Using the binoculars is pretty straightforward. If you’ve ever used a pair of binoculars, they operate in exactly the same way… but for the fact that the solar filters will make it impossible to observe anything other than the sun. You can physically adjust the binoculars for the distance between your eyes, and use the center dial to bring the sun into focus. There is also a diopter adjustment dial to fine-tune the focus.
Very importantly, put the binoculars up to your eyes before looking at the Sun. You don’t want to injure your eyes by looking at the sun without the solar-safe filters permanently installed in the binoculars.
EclipSmart 10X25mm Porro Solar Binoculars – The Verdict
With the 10x magnification, you can get a pretty decent-sized view of the Sun with these binoculars. You will be able to see sunspots, and these binoculars should definitely provide a good view of the upcoming total solar eclipse.
Using the binoculars is simplicity itself. They are very portable and easy to take anywhere. They are also comfortable to hold, with rubberized grips on the underside of the binoculars that fit one’s thumbs.
At 24 ounces, they’re not too heavy but may be a bit much for younger children to use while watching the eclipse. In that case, I’d recommend the EclipSmart Travel Solar Scope 50 Refractor Telescope. It is a bit pricier than the EclipSmart 10x42mm Porro Solar Binoculars, but it will provide a stable view of the Sun without having to hold anything up to your eyes.
Overall, the EclipSmart 10x42mm Porro Solar Binoculars are a comfortable, convenient way to get a sharp view of April’s total solar eclipse, and definitely a great way to see more detail than you would with merely a pair of solar eclipse glasses. Plus, you can use them to observe sunspots and solar flares year-round, thanks to their magnification and solar filters.
Celestron provided a unit for evaluation but had no input into this review. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission on qualified purchases.
