Product Review: Celestron 52252 Ultima 100mm Spotting Scope
If you’re looking for a high-quality spotting scope that can handle any outdoor adventure, you might want to check out the Celestron 52252 Ultima 100mm. This scope is one of the best in its class, offering a large 100mm objective lens, a zoom eyepiece that can magnify from 22x to 66x, and a durable waterproof and fogproof design. In this review, I’ll share my personal experience with this scope, as well as answer some frequently asked questions and recommend some similar products that you might like.
Table of Contents
– Features and Specifications
– Pros and Cons
– My Experience
– FAQ
– Similar Products
– Conclusion
Check Price and Availability
Features and Specifications
The Celestron 52252 Ultima 100mm is a refractor spotting scope that uses a porro prism system to deliver bright and sharp images. The scope has a large 100mm objective lens that gathers more light than smaller scopes, making it ideal for low-light conditions and long-distance viewing. The scope also has a zoom eyepiece that can magnify from 22x to 66x, allowing you to adjust the level of detail and field of view according to your needs. The eyepiece has a twist-up eyecup that can accommodate eyeglass wearers, and a rubber grip that provides a comfortable and secure hold.
The scope has a multi-coated optics system that reduces glare and enhances contrast, as well as a BaK-4 prism that ensures high light transmission and color fidelity. The scope also has a built-in sunshade that protects the lens from direct sunlight and reduces glare. The scope has a long eye relief of 18mm at 22x and 15mm at 66x, which means you can view comfortably without straining your eyes.
The scope has a durable design that can withstand harsh weather conditions and rough handling. The scope is waterproof and fogproof, thanks to its nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed construction. The scope also has a rubber-armored body that provides shock resistance and a firm grip. The scope comes with a soft carrying case, an objective lens cover, an eyepiece cover, a lens cloth, and an instruction manual. The scope also has a tripod mount that can fit most standard tripods.
The scope weighs 4.5 pounds and measures 19 inches in length. It has an angular field of view of 1.8 degrees at 22x and 0.9 degrees at 66x, and a linear field of view of 95 feet at 1000 yards at 22x and 45 feet at 1000 yards at 66x. It has a close focus distance of 33 feet, which means you can observe objects that are relatively close to you.
Pros and Cons
The Celestron 52252 Ultima 100mm has many advantages, but also some drawbacks. Here are some of the pros and cons that I found while using this scope:
Pros
– Large objective lens that provides bright and clear images in low-light conditions
– Zoom eyepiece that offers a wide range of magnification and field of view
– Multi-coated optics and BaK-4 prism that enhance contrast and color accuracy
– Waterproof and fogproof design that can handle any weather situation
– Rubber-armored body that provides shock resistance and a firm grip
– Long eye relief that allows comfortable viewing for eyeglass wearers
– Built-in sunshade that reduces glare and protects the lens from direct sunlight
– Tripod mount that fits most standard tripods
– Soft carrying case and accessories included
Cons
– Heavy and bulky design that makes it hard to carry around
– Zoom eyepiece that can be difficult to adjust smoothly and accurately
– Chromatic aberration (color fringing) that can occur at high magnification levels
– Narrow field of view at high magnification levels
– Close focus distance that is not very close compared to other scopes
My Experience
I bought the Celestron 52252 Ultima 100mm spotting scope about six months ago, after doing some research online. I wanted a spotting scope that could give me clear views of distant objects, such as wildlife, landscapes, and celestial bodies. I also wanted a spotting scope that could perform well in low-light conditions, such as dawn or dusk. I chose this scope because it had good reviews from other customers, and it had the features that I was looking for.
I have used this scope for various outdoor activities, such as birdwatching, hiking, camping, hunting, stargazing, and photography. I have been very impressed by the quality of the images that this scope produces. The images are bright, sharp, detailed, and colorful. I especially like the large objective lens, which allows me to see more details in dim light. I also like the zoom eyepiece, which lets me adjust the magnification and field of view according to my preferences. I have seen some amazing sights with this scope, such as eagles, deer, bears, mountains, sunsets, and the moon.
However, I have also encountered some issues with this scope. The first issue is the weight and size of the scope. The scope is quite heavy and bulky, which makes it hard to carry around. I usually need a backpack or a shoulder strap to transport it. I also need a sturdy tripod to support it. The second issue is the zoom eyepiece. The eyepiece can be tricky to adjust smoothly and accurately, especially at high magnification levels. Sometimes, I have to twist it several times to get the right focus and zoom. The third issue is the chromatic aberration. The scope can produce some color fringing around the edges of bright objects, such as the moon or the sun. This can be annoying and distracting, especially when taking photos. The fourth issue is the field of view. The scope has a narrow field of view at high magnification levels, which means I can only see a small portion of the scene. This can make it hard to locate and track moving objects, such as birds or animals.
Overall, I think the Celestron 52252 Ultima 100mm spotting scope is a great product that delivers excellent performance and value. It has some flaws, but they are not deal-breakers for me. I would recommend this scope to anyone who is looking for a high-quality spotting scope that can handle any outdoor adventure.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the Celestron 52252 Ultima 100mm spotting scope:
Q: Is this scope suitable for digiscoping?
A: Digiscoping is the technique of attaching a camera to a spotting scope to take photos or videos. This scope is suitable for digiscoping, but you will need some additional accessories to do so. You will need a T-ring adapter that matches your camera’s mount, a T-adapter that fits the eyepiece of the scope, and a tripod that can support both the scope and the camera. You can also use a smartphone adapter that attaches your phone to the eyepiece of the scope.
Q: Can this scope be used for astronomy?
A: Yes, this scope can be used for astronomy, but it is not designed specifically for that purpose. You can use this scope to observe bright objects in the night sky, such as the moon, planets, stars, and some nebulae and galaxies. However, you will not be able to see as much detail and contrast as you would with a telescope that is dedicated for astronomy. You will also need a tripod that can tilt and rotate smoothly to follow the movement of the celestial objects.
Q: How do I clean and maintain this scope?
A: To clean and maintain this scope, you should follow these steps:
– Use a soft brush or a blower to remove any dust or dirt from the lens surfaces.
– Use a lens cloth or a microfiber cloth to gently wipe away any fingerprints or smudges from the lens surfaces.
– Use a mild soap solution or a lens cleaner to moisten a cotton swab or a lens tissue and gently clean any stubborn stains or spots from the lens surfaces.
– Use a dry cloth or tissue to wipe away any excess moisture from the lens surfaces.
– Store the scope in its carrying case when not in use.
– Avoid exposing the scope to extreme temperatures or humidity.
– Avoid dropping or bumping the scope against hard surfaces.
Similar Products
If you’re interested in other spotting scopes that are similar to the Celestron 52252 Ultima 100mm, you might want to check out these products:
– Gosky 20-60×80 Spotting Scope: This scope has an 80mm objective lens, a 20-60x zoom eyepiece, and a dual focus system that allows fine and coarse adjustments. It also has fully multi-coated optics and BaK-4 prism that deliver clear and bright images. It has a waterproof and fogproof design with a rubber-armored body. It comes with a tripod, a carrying case, an eyepiece cover, an objective lens cover, a cleaning cloth, and an instruction manual. It also has a smartphone adapter that lets you take photos or videos with your phone.
– Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Spotting Scope: This scope has an 85mm objective lens, a 20-60x zoom eyepiece, and an argon-purged and O-ring sealed design that makes it waterproof and fogproof. It also has fully multi-coated optics and dielectric-coated prism that enhance light transmission and color accuracy. It has an adjustable eyecup that can accommodate eyeglass wearers, and a helical focus system that provides fast and accurate adjustments.
