Celestron is heralded as one of the best optical instrument companies in the world. They make binoculars and telescopes as well, but here we will compare Simmons and Celestron when it comes to their spotting scopes. If you want a lot of bang for your buck, then it is worth looking at their different models. They offer lifetime guarantee on Simmons' Skymater scopes, Oceana scopes, Outland scopes, and last but not least the Simmons Traveler models.

You may be using a scope for bird watching, traveling, hunting, or nature viewing. Astronomers also use these scopes because the body of the Celestron wide view is actually normally used as the visual tube on the 4" altazimuth astronomy scope. Celestron scopes are good because they are versatile and are often designed to be used for both viewing and photography as well. They are also reasonably priced so that the average joe can afford to pick one up.

The main drawback of Celestron scopes, compared to Simmons spotting scopes is their lack of waterproofing on some of the models. This means that if it is raining, you need to take very good care of the scope. On the plus side, the large aperture lets you see lots of stars and far away planets or comets.

Finally, the built in lens shade is a nice touch that gives you extra clarity when the sun is shining extra bright. These scopes last long and are durable with the right care, so take a look at some today and best of luck in your search. I think that either way you go, Simmons or Celestron, you will be pleased with your choice. Just keep the waterproofing detail in mind if you'll be using your new toy in a lot of wet conditions!