Looking for compact binoculars that deliver pro-level optics without weighing you down? The Celestron Granite 9×33 really stands out as a solid pick, blending portability with serious optical punch.
You’ll find ED glass objective lenses here, which pretty much kill off color distortion and give you crisp, true-to-life views. And since these binoculars are nitrogen-purged and waterproof, you can take them out in any weather—no need to stress about the elements.
Most users rave about the clear optics and how comfortable these feel in hand. Not everything’s perfect, though—some folks say the diopter adjustment loosens up over time, which can mess with your focus.
Bottom Line
The Celestron Granite 9×33 packs excellent optical quality into a compact body that’s ideal for birding, stargazing, or just about any outdoor adventure.
Check out the Celestron Granite 9×33 on Amazon if you want to see if these premium binoculars fit your needs.
Overview: Celestron 71380 Granite Series 9×33 Roof Prism Binocular
Celestron designed these binoculars to bring premium optics to a more approachable price. The Granite Series uses ED glass lenses to cut down on color distortion and deliver sharp images. With 9x magnification and 33mm objectives, you get a nice mix of power and portability.
Key Features:
- ED Glass Technology minimizes chromatic aberration for clearer colors
- Phase-Coated BaK-4 Prisms boost light transmission and contrast
- Waterproof Design uses nitrogen-purged construction to prevent fogging
- Ergonomic Build features an open bridge and thumb indentations
The rubber armor coating helps guard against drops and gives you a grippy feel. Metal focus knobs and twist-up eyecups add durability over cheaper plastic parts. Still, a handful of users mention the diopter adjustment can loosen up as you use it.
Birders and stargazers like the 9×33 setup for detailed views without extra weight. With a 4.1-star rating from almost 200 customers, the feedback is mostly positive, though a few people gripe about the lens caps not staying put.
Curious about what these binoculars can do? Check out the Celestron Granite Series on Amazon for more reviews and up-to-date pricing.
ED Glass Objective Lenses
Optical quality in any binocular really comes down to the glass in the lenses. Celestron uses standard glass elements in the 33mm objectives for the Granite Series, not ED (extra-low dispersion) glass.
Because of this, you might spot some color fringing around high-contrast edges, especially near the image borders. It becomes more noticeable when you look at bright objects against dark backgrounds.
What you’ll notice:
- Sharpness is good in the center
- Some chromatic aberration appears at the edges
- Decent performance for the price
If they’d used ED glass, those optical quirks would drop, but so would your bank balance. For casual use, the standard glass gets the job done for most outdoor activities.
The 33mm objectives hit a sweet spot between light gathering and portability, though you won’t get the same brightness as with bigger lenses.
Want to see how these lenses hold up out in the wild? Check out the Celestron Granite Series on Amazon for more specs.
Fully Multi-Coated Optics
Lens coatings make a huge difference in what you see. Celestron coats every glass surface in the Granite Series with broadband multi-coatings. So, every lens gets several layers of special treatment.
These coatings push more light to your eyes and cut down on reflections that can make things look washed out. Since the coatings work across the light spectrum, you get better contrast and more natural colors.
Key optical perks:
- Brighter images since more light gets through
- Better contrast with less glare
- True colors without that weird color fringing
Plenty of users say the optics stay sharp and clear, even when the weather gets rough. The coatings also help fend off scratches and moisture. That said, the lens caps have a habit of falling off during use, which isn’t ideal.
The fully multi-coated optics and ED glass team up to fight color distortion. The result? Sharp details whether you’re birding or stargazing.
Want to try these advanced optics yourself? Check out the Celestron Granite Series on Amazon for current prices and availability.
BaK-4 Prisms with Dielectric and Phase Coatings
Inside, these binoculars use high-quality BaK-4 glass prisms. This glass type gives you brighter, higher-contrast images than the cheap stuff.
Celestron adds two special coatings to the prisms. Dielectric coatings bounce more light toward your eyes instead of losing it inside the binoculars. Phase coatings fix a problem where light can split as it passes through the prism system.
Thanks to these coatings, the Granite series goes well beyond basic binoculars. You’ll see sharper images and colors that look right. The combo also helps minimize fuzzy edges you sometimes get with lower-quality optics.
The BaK-4 prisms and ED glass work together for clear, crisp views. Of course, all these upgrades do bump up the price compared to simpler models.
Want to check out these advanced prisms in action? See the Celestron Granite 9×33 on Amazon for full specs.
Waterproof and Rugged Design
Celestron built these binoculars for the outdoors. Nitrogen purging keeps moisture out completely, so you won’t get fogging inside—even if you move between hot and cold temps.
The rubber armor coating shields the body from drops and bumps. It also keeps your grip secure when your hands are wet or freezing. Unlike cheaper coatings, this armor doesn’t crack or peel over time.
Thumb indentations and finger ridges help you hold on during long sessions. The open bridge design feels comfortable for hours. Some users do say the lens caps don’t stay attached well, which could be annoying if you’re out in the rain.
Celestron uses metal for the focus knob and diopter ring, so they last longer than plastic. Even after lots of use in dusty or sandy places, these parts keep working smoothly.
Want to see how the Granite Series handles your outdoor plans? Check current pricing and availability on Amazon.
Ergonomic Handling and Build Quality
The open bridge design makes these binoculars easy to hold, even during long outings. Your fingers naturally rest in the ridges and thumb spots, so slipping isn’t much of a problem.
The rubber armor not only protects from drops but also keeps the grip steady, even if your hands are wet. The metal focus knob feels sturdy and turns without sticking. Adjusting the diopter ring is simple, though it might loosen up after a while.
Some folks mention the diopter can drift out of alignment. The twist-up eyecups are metal, not plastic, which means they’ll probably last longer than the ones on cheaper models.
Build Features:
- Open bridge design with finger grips
- Rubber armor for protection and grip
- Metal focus knob and eyecups
- Nitrogen-purged waterproofing
At about 2 pounds, these aren’t featherweights, but they’re manageable for this size. The neck strap has thick padding to spread the weight across your shoulders.
Want to try out the comfortable grip and solid construction? Check out the Celestron Granite 9×33 on Amazon for today’s price.
User Experience Highlights
People who buy these binoculars often talk about how comfortable they feel during long viewing sessions. The open bridge, finger ridges, and thumb spots just make them easy to hold without hand fatigue.
What Users Like:
- Clear, bright images for birding or stargazing
- Neck strap is comfy and doesn’t dig in
- Focus knob and eyecups are easy to adjust
- Good low-light performance
Annoyances:
- Lens caps fall off easily
- Diopter adjustment can drift out of alignment
- The full moon can look a little too bright
Many buyers feel these binoculars outperform their price tag. Some even compare them favorably to pricier brands. The 9x magnification finds a nice middle ground between the popular 8x and 10x options.
Birders and astronomy fans especially seem happy with the image quality and color accuracy.
Check out the Celestron Granite binoculars on Amazon to see the latest deals.
Pros and Cons
When you look at the Granite Series, you’ll see some strong points and a few quirks that might affect your experience.
Pros
ED glass lenses give you excellent color accuracy for birding or stargazing. The multi-coated optics help produce bright, clear images with good contrast.
Since these are waterproof and fogproof, you can use them in all kinds of weather. Nitrogen inside keeps the fog away when you’re switching between temperatures.
Comfort features:
- Open bridge with thumb indentations
- Finger ridges that help prevent slips
- Rubber armor for protection
- Twist-up eyecups for eyeglass wearers
The metal focus knob and diopter ring make for smooth, precise adjustments. Users say the 9×33 size offers a nice balance between magnification and portability for longer outings.
Cons
The diopter adjustment sometimes loses its setting. Some users notice the diopter ring shifts after a few months.
Lens caps don’t stay put, which can get annoying in the field. You might need to find a better solution or risk losing them.
Size trade-offs:
- 33mm objectives don’t gather as much light as bigger models
- Not the best for very low light
- 9x magnification can show more hand shake than 8x
The field of view is a bit narrower than with 8x binoculars, so tracking moving subjects can be trickier.
Want to see if these binoculars match your adventures? Check out the Celestron Granite Series on Amazon for more user experiences.
Customer Reviews
People keep raving about these binoculars for their clear optics and comfortable design. Plenty of users talk about the well-placed finger wells and the open bridge, which really make them easy to hold—even if you’re out for hours.
What People Love:
- Sharp, bright images for birdwatching and stargazing
- Comfortable grip with solid ergonomics
- Great value when you compare them to pricier brands
- Handy for astronomy viewing, like checking out galaxies or different moon phases
Common Concerns:
- The diopter adjustment sometimes drifts out of alignment
- Lens caps tend to fall off instead of staying put
- A few folks got units with alignment problems
Outdoor enthusiasts really like how these binoculars handle birding trips and safaris. Some reviewers even say they go toe-to-toe with more expensive brands. That 9x magnification? For lots of people, it strikes a nice balance between 8x and 10x.
Check out the Celestron Granite binoculars on Amazon and see if they fit your viewing style.
Conclusion
After digging into the features and reading through user feedback, I think the Granite Series lands as a pretty solid middle-ground pick for outdoor folks. The 9x magnification feels like a sweet spot between the usual 8x and 10x—it gives you a bit more detail, but doesn’t get too shaky.
Strengths:
- Clear optics, nice and bright
- Comfortable grip, easy to hold
- Works for birding, stargazing, hunting—you name it
- Price feels fair
Weaknesses:
- Lens caps tend to fall off
- Some people have trouble with the diopter adjustment
These binoculars handle a bunch of activities well, even if they don’t totally excel at one thing. The build quality matches what you pay—not fancy, but not flimsy either. Most folks seem to like the balance of features without having to splurge.
If you want reliable binoculars for different outdoor activities and don’t want to empty your wallet, these are probably worth a look. Check current pricing and availability on Amazon to see if they fit what you’re after.