We may earn a commission from affiliate retailers — it never changes our score.
Celestron
Celestron UpClose G2 8x40
The 'is this hobby for me?' price.
76Bird
4.2· 335 Amazon ratings
$49.95
Price checked Oct 22, 2026Buy on Amazon
Our verdict
HSReviewed by the BirdingPath team · Hilly Shore LabsUpdated Oct 22, 2026Price checked Oct 22, 2026
Synthesized from public specs and 41 buyer mentions. We research and analyze — we don't lab-test.
Get it if
Curious first-timers testing whether birding sticks, at the lowest possible $50 entry price.
Skip it if
Skip if you need true waterproofing or a wide field; it's water-resistant only, with build-quality and FOV complaints. Rated 4.2 stars on about 300 ratings, just under our usual 4.3 bar.
Magnification
8×
Objective lens
40 mm
Field of view
429 ft / 1000 yd
Weight
1.5 lb
Buyers praise
- Functionality
- Price-Performance Ratio
Buyers flag
- Image Quality
Compare it with the closest picks
Owner ratings come from Amazon; BirdingScore is our separate research score.
Compare two picks
Tap an unselected chip to compare it with your current right-hand pick — all 4 picks available.
BirdingScore
76/100
79/100
Skip it if
You need true waterproofing or a wide field; it's water-resistant only, with build-quality and FOV complaints. Rated 4.2 stars on about 300 ratings, just under our usual 4.3 bar.
You want a featherweight or bombproof body; buyers note the weight and flag durability.
Magnification
8×
8×
Objective lens
40 mm
42 mm
Field of view
429 ft / 1000 yd
388 ft / 1000 yd
Eye relief
—
17.5 mm
Weight
1.5 lb
1.4 lb (22.6 oz)
Waterproof
No — water-resistant only
Yes — waterproof & fogproof
The BirdingScore, unpacked
Our published method blends real owner satisfaction with in-category value. No hidden math.
Owner satisfaction68/100
Field value95/100
Specifications
- Magnification
- 8×
- Objective lens
- 40 mm
- Field of view
- 429 ft / 1000 yd
- Weight
- 1.5 lb
- Waterproof
- No — water-resistant only
Specs from the manufacturer listing and public product data; confirm the current listing before buying.
Manufacturer's claims (from Celestron)Show
- TOP QUALITY AND BUDGET-FRIENDLY BINOCULARS: A great pair of binoculars that combines top engineering features with an economical price. Perfect for backyard birdwatching, sports events, nature and wildlife viewing, hunting, travel, boating, concerts, and live events.
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS INCLUDED: Start your adventures today with this durable pair of water-resistant full-size binoculars. Accessories include: carrying case, objective covers, eyepiece covers, lens cloth, and instruction manual.
- TOP AMERICAN OPTICS ENGINEERING: These 8x40 powerful binoculars provide you with multi-coated BK-7 prism glass that increases light transmission, resulting in brighter and sharper images with high contrast levels and 8x magnification to get you even closer to the action.
- A DURABLE AND COMFORTABLE BODY: The Celestron UpClose G2 8x40 water-resistant binocular will be your event, birding, or hunting buddy for many years to come. The stylish waterproof exterior features a rubber-covered aluminum body, ergonomic thumb indents, and finger ridges for extra non-slip comfort and ease of use.
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading optics brand based in California since 1960. When you purchase from an Authorized Dealer on Amazon, you will receive a Celestron Limited Lifetime US Warranty and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts.
Marketing copy as listed by the manufacturer — not our assessment.