Celestron Ultima 10x42 specs and field of view
The Ultima 10x42 is a porro design at 21.9 oz, lighter than the 24.9 oz median for its size, with a 342 ft field above the 336 ft median.
- Field of view
- 342 ftat 1,000 yd
- Eye relief
- 15 mm
- Close focus
- 13.1 ft
- Weight
- 21.9 oz
- Exit pupil
- 4.2 mmcalculated
Why pick it
- 342 ft view, wider than the typical 336 ft
- 21.9 oz, lighter than the typical 24.9 oz
- Waterproof
Who the Ultima 10x42 suits
Anyone who wants a light 10x42 with a wide 6.5 degree view fits here. The 4.2 mm exit pupil handles general daylight viewing, and the 50 to 74 mm eye spacing range is wide.
The 13.1 ft close focus is long next to the 6.6 ft median, and 15 mm of eye relief is under the 16 mm median.
Ultima 10x42 aside, the most popular models of all sizes are in our best binoculars comparison. Ultima 10x42 is one of 87 models in the 10x42 binoculars comparison. Celestron lists it in the $100 to $200 price band, alongside the models in best binoculars under $200.
Ultima 10x42 specifications
Ultima 10x42 figures as Celestron prints them; rows marked * are calculated from the 10x42 size.
| Magnification | 10x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 42 mm |
| Prism type | Porro |
| Field of view | 342 ft at 1,000 yd (114 m at 1,000 m) |
| Angular field of view | 6.5° |
| Apparent field of view | 65° * |
| Eye relief | 15 mm |
| Close focus | 13.1 ft (4 m) |
| Eye spacing range | 50 to 74 mm |
| Weight | 21.9 oz (620 g) |
| Waterproofing | Waterproof |
| Fog-proofing gas | Nitrogen |
| Tripod adaptable | Yes |
| Maker list price | $100 to $200 |
| Exit pupil | 4.2 mm * |
| Twilight factor | 20.5 * |
| Relative brightness | 17.6 * |
* Calculated from the size, not printed by the maker.
Ultima 10x42 against other 10x42 binoculars
Ultima 10x42 shows 342 ft at 1,000 yd, at or above the 336 ft median of the 87 10x42 models in the chart. At 21.9 oz it is at or under the 24.9 oz median weight for the size.
Ultima 10x42 and its nearest rivals
Ultima 10x42 next to the 10x42 models closest to it in maker list price, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil | Maker list price | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celestron Ultima 10x42 | 342 ft | 15 mm | 13.1 ft | 21.9 oz | 4.2 mm | $100 to $200 | |
| Vortex Triumph HD 10x42 | 334 ft | 17 mm | 15.3 ft | 22.9 oz | 4.2 mm | $100 to $200 | Check price on Amazon |
| Athlon Neos G2 HD 10x42 | 309 ft | 14.1 mm | 13.1 ft | 21 oz | 4.2 mm | $100 to $200 | Check price on Amazon |
| Opticron Adventurer II WP PC 10x42 | 294 ft | 15 mm | 16.4 ft | 22.2 oz | 4.2 mm | $100 to $200 |
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Other sizes of the Ultima
Celestron makes the Ultima in 4 sizes; a larger front lens adds brightness and weight, and more magnification narrows the view.
| Model | Size | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celestron Ultima 10x42 | 10x42 | 342 ft | 15 mm | 13.1 ft | 21.9 oz | 4.2 mm |
| Celestron Ultima 8x32 | 8x32 | 425 ft | 15 mm | 8.2 ft | 18.3 oz | 4 mm |
| Celestron Ultima 8x42 | 8x42 | 393 ft | 18 mm | 13.1 ft | 21.9 oz | 5.3 mm |
| Celestron Ultima 10x50 | 10x50 | 315 ft | 18 mm | 22.9 ft | 26.1 oz | 5 mm |
Celestron binoculars
Ultima 10x42 questions
Ultima 10x42: does it work with glasses?
Ultima 10x42 has 15 mm of eye relief, under the 16 mm the RSPB advises for people who wear glasses, so the edge of the view may be cut off with glasses on.
Ultima 10x42: what does 10x42 mean?
Ultima 10x42 magnifies 10 times through 42 mm front lenses, which works out to an exit pupil of 4.2 mm, the width of the beam of light that reaches each eye.
Ultima 10x42: how wide is the view?
Ultima 10x42 shows a view 342 ft wide at 1,000 yd, at or above the 336 ft median of the 87 10x42 models in the chart.
Ultima 10x42: can it go on a tripod?
Ultima 10x42 is tripod adaptable according to Celestron, so it accepts a binocular tripod adapter.