Gemini Lightweight Binocular Reviews

Don't just take our word for how great our products are... Listen to what reviewers and customers are saying about our Gemini Lightweight binocular line:

Gemini 10x50 LW

All arrived safe and sound in this mornings post, finally a 10x50 bino that's nice and light and not a piece of junk, even allowing for the dollar difference and shipping this a nice binocular for a modest price, sharp, crisp and clear, well made and finished, what more can one ask for? Thank you again, Dave, formally from the U.K. now residing in the great white north, Canada.
P.S. - Good packaging job as well....
- David Arbon (Canada)

I am just writing to thank you. Garrett Optical recently donated a pair of Gemini 10X50 binoculars to the Las Vegas Astronomical Society for our annual fund raising raffle. Well, I won the binoculars. They are great! These binos are surprisingly lightweight and I was impressed by the lack of chromatic aberration - even when scanning mountain ridges during daylight viewing. The money we raise from the raffle helps to support our educational outreach program and our various donations such as support to our local planetarium and State parks that provide extra services to support astronomers. Two years ago I purchased your 25X100 IF binos, along with a Unimount and Universal Astronomics tripod. I use that setup as a "spotter scope" when going deep with my 25" Obsession, and just for enjoying those great richfield views. Everybody asks where I bought the setup and I am always happy to tell them "Garrett" and talk about the great, personal customer service that I received during the multi-part purchase...
- John Heller

Gemini 11x56 LW

...After much research, I selected the Garret Gemini 11x56 binocs. They are excellent, the optics are clean, and the views really appear 3-d, I had read about the 3-d effect in viewing with binocs, but in my 8x42 set never really experienced it until now.  In looking at the moon last night, I was struck with awe, it was crystal clear, very detailed and bright.  The binocs weigh in at 2 lbs 4 ounces , and I was able to hand hold them comfortably for around 30 minutes before getting tired. The views are spectacular and clear. The 11x, allows me to clearly seem some of the moons craters, I was able to see Jupiter but not able to see planetary details. I could make out the 4 moons next to Jupiter. I was able to see m22 cluster and m13 vaguely. I could see may double stars, and the Albiero double with a gold and blue star looked amazing. The field of view in excellent and comes in at 64 degrees. I spent a good 20 minutes just panning around the sky. [...] I almost hate to let the secret out about how good these binocs are, because then people will start buying them and their prices will go up. My opinion is if you are buying binocs for Astronomy and want the best option that you can hand hold the Gemini 11x56 are the way to go.
- Clayton Ostler
Click here to read the full review on CloudyNights!
 
Gemini 12x60 LW

I got the 12x60's yesterday [...] and got to try them out that evening with my SCT telescope as skies cleared off around 7 PM. They were noticeably lighter and easier to hand-hold than the 15x70's I had used previously. I liked the 15x70's for their added light gathering ability, but they became harder to use after 30-45 minutes as my arms and neck got tired and the "shakes" increased somewhat. The 12x60's optics were sharp/clear and the somewhat wider field of view was also nice. Got to view several Messier objects and also was able to detect Saturn's rings with them. These should satisfy me in helping me star-hop with my Meade 8" SCT OTA as well as when I occasionally pull out the 30x100's. Thanks again and take care.
- Bill Barlow  

Gemini 15x70 LW

The binoculars arrived and I just wanted to tell you how pleased I am with them. I did a side by side comparison last night with my 12 x 60’s and the difference was surprisingly quite noticeable in brightness. The amazing thing was that your 15 x 70’s were even a little lighter than the 12 x 60’s. Although I do have a mount, most of my binocular viewing is hand held, so the weight is an important factor. The binocs arrived in perfect collimation and I am more than pleased. For the price, I doubt that there is much better out there and I think that the 15 x 70 set up is perfect for most astronomical viewing [...].
- Mark Pacini

[As] part of an astronomy club with over 150 members [...] I have had the opportunity to observe with several types and brands of binoculars. I carefully chose the 15X70 Lightweight Giant Binoculars. They are perfect for lawn chair viewing. Amazing views of many objects the first night out at the observatory: crescent moon, double cluster, Dumbell Nebula, and of course the Orion Nebula. I enjoy looking at open clusters such as the Pleiades and these binocs are a treat for such observing. They are large enough to enjoy observing and light enough to handle. Garrett optics has the highest quaility binoculars I have observed with so far. Many of the club members think so too as they borrowed my binooculars to take a look.
- Teresa Kincannon
 
I wanted to write a little review [...] what I can say is that I've been trying them out on daytime viewing and they are amazing. I was treated to a surprise this morning when I looked out my window and there were lots (maybe 15 or 20) hot air balloons floating over the city (I live in Colorado Springs). I got out my new 15x70 LW and I was able to see very clearly the people standing in the basket. I watched as they fired up the flames to ascend and I could even see the expressions on their faces way up in the sky. I scoped the nearby mountains here and noticed incredible details that are impossible to see otherwise, such as a radio/television antenna high up on a mountain I never knew was there. The sense of "being there" and in 3D that these binoculars afford is amazing. I drove near a field where one of the balloons had landed and even though I was maybe 200 yards from the people, when I looked at the scene through the 15x70's, I felt like I was right there and could even read the lips of the people talking to each other.
- Nader Matin-Nia
 
I got to use the 15x70 over the weekend and they were just fabulous. I did almost 2 hours of viewing [...] with no headaches at all due to eye strain. For a newbie like me, that's a big deal. I would definitely recommend your stuff to anyone, most especially guys just starting out.
 - Mark Rivera
 
The LW's arrived today, and I'm pleased ... I like the feel of these and the views they provide: I gave them a test drive on some evening stars. Wow! All in all, thanks for a fine product [...].
- John Stocker
 
I just thought I would let you know that I have used the 15x70 binoculars I ordered from you several times in the past few weeks. They are just about perfect for what I need a hand held binocular for. They are a fairly large jump up in performance from the 11x56 model I used for over a year before I sold them to a co-worker recently. I got to use the 15x70 side by side with the 11x56 pair on evening before I sold them. The targets I observed were several of the Messier objects in the constellation Sagittarius, the moon and M13-the globular cluster in Hercules. The larger aperture made the star clusters and nebula noticeably brighter and brought out more detail with the slightly higher magnification. The 15x70 pair were heavier, but not to the point my arms got tired after a few minutes. There is a little more image-shake than the 11x56 pair, but not too much. The thing I liked about the 11x56 pair was the wider field of view-6 degrees compared to 4.3 degrees. [...].  I primarily use the 15x70 pair to find my target, then slew my 6" SCT to the same region in the sky [...]. All in all, I am very satisfied with the 15x70 binoculars I purchased from you and will give them a workout whenever I get the chance to [...].
- Bill Barlow

As advertised, these binoculars offer a superb tradeoff between aperture, magnification, and weight (or lessening thereof). A night of viewing M42, M41, and M93 confirmed that even in light-polluted urban skies, the 4.3° FOV makes this instrument a classic Richest Field Telescope par excellence. 
- Margo Schulter

I received my Gemini 15x70 binoculars about this time yesterday... They were packed very well and arrived in perfect condition. I am not a binocular expert but at age 65 one does have the experience to recognize good quality. The binoculars are much lighter than expected and can be easily used without a tripod by bracing your arm against a solid object, if you are going to view for an extended period of time. The tripod adapter is very well made and fits the binoculars and my [Bogen] Manfrotto tripod perfectly. The wide neck strap furnished with the binoculars is well made and makes [a standard strap] look tiny. A brief look at the stars last night showed the binoculars were properly adjusted. This morning I watched a sparrow hawk catch a mouse in the front yard about 150 yards away. I look forward to using your excellent product many more times. It was a pleasure to do business with your company. Thank you.
- Cres Keys

No questions, just wanted to let you know how happy I am with the 15X70 Gemini binoculars.... They arrived in perfect collimation; the [broadband] coatings are great and the useable field is excellent. I've been writing a series of binocular observing articles for the club newsletter and wanted a higher mag/smaller exit pupil pair to help penetrate suburban light pollution and be a better fit to my less than young eyes. They performed very well from the back yard. The real eye-opener (pun intended), however, was when we actually got a couple of good nights in February (a fairly rare occurrence in SW Idaho) and I took them out to one of our semi-dark sky sites. The first trip I looked at objects for an article on Orion and the belt and sword regions were amazing. I saw the nebulosity associated with NGC 1980 and a hint of the Running Man Nebula (1973-75-77). The next trip I was doing observations in Puppis. I was able to see M46, M46, Mel 71 and NGC 2423, four of the targets for the next article, in one field of view. I just wanted to thank you for an excellent product at a very good price. The Gemini 70mm binoculars may very well represent the best value available for medium aperture astronomy binoculars.
- Steve Bell

Gemini 20x80 LW

I received my binoculars promptly and perfectly collimated. Thank you for a great product [and] for a very good price [...] and I am WELL pleased.
- Phil Brown

I have only had my Garrett binocular since the end of July but I have been putting it to the test with both astronomy & watching birds. The reason I purchased the Garrett Gemini Giant binocular is I wanted something DIFFERENT from the ordinary, everyday field binoculars. Looking at the full moon through this binocular is nothing short of incredible. The Garrett Gemini binocular is so much brighter & clearer & sharper than anything I own. You would have to experience the difference to really appreciate it. With my other binoculars it just is not as exciting. (80mm really makes a big difference). I do long-distance bird watching at one of our local State Park Lakes. I really am thankful for not only the magnification but also the light-gathering capability. This binocular is wide-field & sometimes I feel like I can reach out & touch whatever it is that I am viewing. (Of course, this much magnification requires a solid tripod.) [...]. The Garrett Optical Gemini 20X80 LightWeight Binoculars are of the highest quality & I can't say enough good things about them. I am so very impressed with this product, & this company, that I am looking forward to owning other models as well. [...].
- Stan Baniszewski
 
I received my binocular today and wanted to let you know I am extremely impressed with it. I purchased the 20x80's as an upgrade from a pair of 10x50's. Not only can I see Jupiter's moons with greater ease, I can now faintly see the red belts above and below its equator. And this was on a relatively cloudy, moonlit night; I can't wait to see how they perform under optimal conditions. Thanks again for your terrific customer service, equitable pricing, and excellent binoculars!
- Joel Tonyan
 
Just purchased and tested the G2080LW. It is a terrific value, and the attention to detail of your company is oustanding. Five Stars!
- Joe Zigler
 
The binoculars were better than ever expected. I took them to the shooting range to see how they would work spotting targets instead of using my spotting scope, the answer "great," I really planed to use them for more than the range but it was a great first test, 100 yards then 300 meter spotting, outstanding results. It was a pleasure doing business with you, thank you for your timely answers to my email and thank you for a very, very good product. [...] You have a class A+ operation. 
- C.S. Powell
 
I purchased the Gemini 20x80 LW Binocular from Garrett Optical after seeing several glowing reviews online about the company and its outstanding line of Binos. As a newbie to amateur astronomy, I had several basic questions pertaining to proper set-up, recommended accessories, and an appropriate tripod to accompany my new investment. Every seemingly trivial question I had was answered promptly, professionally, and thoroughly [...]. None of my other astronomical equipment purchased from other well-known companies even came close to the thorough and complete packaging in which my Binos arrived. They were perfectly collimated right out of the box, and I have been enjoying my binos immensely the past few months. If you are thinking about purchasing top-quality affordable binos, look no further! In my book, Garrett Optical is THE place to shop for binos and other accessories, there's nothing else. 
- Kobi Nathan

The 20X80 LW Binoculars I ordered ... were
delivered to my door ... Almost exactly 24 hours later.  I
am astounded by the prompt service.  The binoculars arrived in good repair
and seem to work fine.  I'd like to try them out on a few deep space
objects tonight, but it looks like the weather isn't going to cooperate.  Again,
thank you for the prompt service.  I will definitely recommend you to all my
friends in the [local] Astronomy Club. You can certainly call me a satisfied
customer!
- Jerry Taylor

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