Celestron Outland X 10x25 binocular review

The Celestron Outland X 10x25 roof prism binoculars are a tiny pair that you can fit in one hand or carry in a small pocket. They are rugged enough to throw in your hiking bag at the last minute, and would also be good to give to a nature-loving or skywatching child. They feel like they could handle a few accidental knocks and bumps.

We've reviewed several of the best compact binoculars, and we're reviewing the Outland X as they sit at a slightly higher price point than the child-friendly Occer 10x25, but well below the likes of the Olympus 8x25 WP II, which are currently our top pick in the compact binocular realm.

While compact models won't typically replace full-sized optics for serious wildlife observation or skywatching, they are always a great portable option to take hiking, camping or boating, especially if they are waterproof like this pair.

Used to reviewing all sorts of binoculars at different price points, we needed to remind ourselves throughout our review that this ultra-affordable pair retails for around $50.

Let's dive in…

Celestron Outland X 10x25 review

Celestron Outland X 10x25: Design

• Great build quality
• Simple design
• Waterproof and fog-proof

If taking a large pair of binoculars on a nature walk seems like overkill, but you don't want to miss an exciting opportunity for a more close-up view should the opportunity arise, the Celestron Outland X 10x25 could be a handy "just in case" companion.

They are small enough to fit in a coat pocket or thigh pocket, and at 10.9 ounces (310 g), they're probably lighter than your smartphone — you'll likely forget you're carrying them.

The protective rubber armor is pretty smooth and doesn't offer much in the way of texture (unlike, for example, the Hawke Endurance 8x25), but given that these binoculars are small enough to grip one-handed, there is no real reason to provide extra texture. A neck strap is supplied, as well as a case with a belt strap that you can utilize between sessions.

The focus wheel turns smoothly, but with enough resistance that it won't slip once you have focused your view. People with larger hands will probably find they can rest the binoculars on their thumbs and turn the wheel with their fingertips, rather than gripping them in their palms.

Celestron Outland X 10x25: Performance

• Best for daylight use to get closer to the action
• No need to wait when moving between temperatures
• Color accuracy is lacking

After spending a couple of weeks taking these binoculars on various excursions, we would deem their performance OK, or good for what they are — a relatively cheap pair of binoculars.

The view is clear enough to get closer to the action for daytime wildlife observation or sports and events, but the color is a bit lackluster. There is noticeable, distracting color fringing when viewing wildlife or objects against a bright backdrop (a bird sitting on a branch in front of blue sky, for example), which is surprising given the multi-coated lens coating that should help minimize this. Aside from this, we often felt the colors looked undersaturated. We needed to remind ourselves that these are a budget pair of binoculars and lower our expectations.

That said, there were occasions where we would have missed out on identifying swooping birds, spotting deer through trees in the woods or closely following the action at our local sports track had we not had the Outland X with us.

On clear nights, we were able to get a good look at a bright moon, including its craters, but they aren't really useful for skywatching beyond that and getting a slightly closer look at some of the brightest objects in the night sky. This isn't really a fault of these binoculars; it's just not what they are made for.

Celestron Outland X 10x25: Functionality

• Close focus could be shorter
• Very limited 9.1 mm eye relief
• Great for grab-and-go use

Surprisingly for a budget pair of binoculars, the Celestron Outland X 10x25 are waterproof and nitrogen-filled, so they can handle wet weather and changing temperatures. We took these binoculars out of our warm house and on walks on cold, frosty mornings without experiencing any adverse effects.

The twist-up eyecups only offer a tiny amount of eye relief adjustment, so we wouldn't recommend these binoculars for spectacle wearers: the eye relief is a mere 9.1 mm. For comfortable viewing, spectacle wearers should generally look for eye relief of 17 mm or more.

There were a couple of occasions when we wanted to do some backyard wildlife and birdwatching. Sadly, with only a small garden, we found the minimum focus of 19.7 feet (6 meters) to be too far away. Something like the Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 with a 6.5 foot (2 meter) minimum focusing distance would be better for this.

Should you buy the Celestron Outland X 10x25?

Overall, the Celestron Outland X 10x25mm are fuss-free, functional binoculars for users who want something small and lightweight to take out and about, but still value a robust pair with decent glass and weatherproofing.

We can think of models we'd choose over this pair, but if you're not looking for the best and you can pick them up at a reasonable price, they might be just what you're looking for. Something you can sling in your rucksack on long hikes or camping weekends without having to worry about them getting wet or being left out in the cold — and that won't break the bank if you do have an accident with them.

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