Quillon Sentinel 20x85 binoculars, with photo tripod

Specifications

Description

The Sentinel 20x85 binoculars pair 85 mm objectives with 20x magnification, which gives an exit pupil of 4.25 mm. That exit pupil suits observers whose dark-adapted pupils are 4 to 5 mm across, so faint nebulae and star clusters stay bright across the field. The 3.0-degree true field and 60-degree apparent field resolve double stars and open clusters with clean separation, while still letting you sweep across the Milky Way in Cygnus or Scorpius. Stars remain round and sharp across most of the field.

At 2.6 kg, the Sentinel 20x85 is too heavy to hold steady by hand for long sessions. Mount it on a parallelogram or fork-style mount, or use a standard tripod with a binocular adapter, and rest the eyecups against your brow to steady the view. A sturdy tripod with a locking head keeps the image still when you refocus. The 16 mm eye relief lets you keep glasses on and still see most of the field. The 8.0 m close focus means nearby subjects stay out of focus, so use a separate instrument for close work. The central focus wheel and right-eye diopter adjust smoothly.

The BaK-4 roof prisms are fully multi-coated and nitrogen-purged, with O-ring seals that keep fog and dust out of the optical path. Targets such as the Pleiades, the Double Cluster in Perseus, and the Orion Nebula fill the view at this magnification. Start with the Moon a few days after new, then pan slowly along the Milky Way from Cygnus to Cassiopeia. Note which clusters resolve into individual stars, and return to them on a darker night to compare.

About this configuration

All configurations of the Quillon Sentinel 20x85 binoculars share the same magnification and objective size; the options below change the package and finish. This package adds a photo tripod and an adapter, so you can hold the binoculars steady without further purchases. A tripod works well for objects at low and medium altitude, though viewing near the zenith becomes awkward on one. ED glass reduces the color fringing that otherwise appears around bright objects such as the Moon and Venus.

Slate gray armor uses a slightly harder rubber compound that resists scuffs from tripod clamps and cases. The 2023 edition uses the same prisms and objectives as later years, with small differences in the eyecups. Compare the exit pupil in the specifications with your sky conditions and your age, since both affect how bright the view looks.

What's in the box

• Binoculars with neck strap
• Objective and eyepiece caps
• Hard carrying case
• Lens cleaning cloth
• L-shaped tripod adapter
• Aluminum photo tripod with pan head

Compatibility notes

• The central tripod socket takes a standard L-shaped binocular adapter with a 1/4-20 thread.
• Fits parallelogram mounts rated for 3 kg binoculars.