Optics

Celestron 8–24mm 1.25-inch Zoom Telescope Eyepiece with Multi-Coated Optics

Name: Celestron 8–24mm 1.25-inch Zoom Telescope Eyepiece with Multi-Coated Optics
Brand: Celestron
Rating: 4.8 (13 reviews)

4.8 13 reviews 2 min read Updated 11 October 2026

4.8/ 5

Customer rating

Average of 13 reviews

Brand Celestron

5 stars 11
4 stars 1
3 stars 1
2 stars 0
1 star 0

Product review

The Celestron 8–24mm Zoom Eyepiece is a variable focal-length ocular designed for any telescope or spotting scope that accepts standard 1.25-inch eyepieces. The unit covers focal lengths from 8 mm up to 24 mm, and many users will find discrete useful positions roughly at 8, 12, 18 and 24 mm by rotating the rubberized zoom barrel.

Optically, every air-to-glass surface uses multiple layers of Celestron’s coatings to reduce reflections, boost contrast and preserve brightness. The eyepiece body is built with a metal housing and a textured, rubberized outer sleeve for a secure grip when changing magnification. A folding rubber eyecup provides comfort for both eyeglass wearers and those observing without glasses. The barrel measures the standard 1.25-inch diameter and is threaded to accept 1.25-inch filters.

Field of view varies with magnification, generally in the neighborhood of 40° to 60°, and eye relief is approximately 15–18 mm depending on setting, which helps with comfort at lower powers. To use, begin at the low-power end to locate and center objects, then increase zoom to examine finer detail. The design eliminates the need to carry multiple fixed focal-length eyepieces, but users should be aware of increased mass compared with compact Plössls and the practical limits of image quality at extreme zoom settings. The package includes the zoom eyepiece with its folding eyecup and manufacturer support/warranty from Celestron.

Pros

Wide 8–24 mm focal range replaces multiple eyepieces
Fully multi-coated lens surfaces for improved contrast
Fits standard 1.25-inch focusers and accepts 1.25-inch filters

Cons

Heavier than typical fixed eyepieces
Image can soften toward the extremes of the zoom
No tactile click stops to lock focal positions

VerdictA flexible, all-purpose 1.25-inch zoom eyepiece that saves time and kit space by covering a wide range of focal lengths. Optics are fully multi-coated and deliver clear views for casual observing, though weight, edge performance at some focal settings, and the lack of detents are trade-offs to consider.

Reviews

Francisco Javier Andrés 5/5

Prestaciones muy buenas

Aunque es algo caro, ofrece un rendimiento sobresaliente. El zoom evita cambiar oculares durante la observación y la calidad óptica es muy aceptable. Muy recomendable.
Graham 5/5

Solid, handy and well made

No more hunting for eyepieces in the dark. Feels sturdy and gives pleasing views across the magnification range. A good minimum option for an amateur astronomer who doesn’t want a large investment in several fixed oculars.
Carlos Francisco Aguirre Solms 5/5

Muy cómodo y efectivo

Muy práctico para cambiar la focal sin retirar el ocular. La imagen se ve nítida y no he apreciado aberraciones destacables. Soy principiante y lo estoy disfrutando mucho.
Ganesh Gopalan 5/5

Excellent at lower powers, weaker at the top end

I initially couldn’t reach focus on my Newtonian until I used a zero-profile adapter; some scopes need a short or recessed adapter to focus. The zoom is convenient and saves swapping eyepieces, but image quality drops quickly at the highest magnifications. Build quality feels solid, though it leans toward the pricier side—worth it if you have the right adapter.
Will 5/5

Great for casual sky surfing

The 24 mm end is excellent for getting the broader view; not as wide as a 40 mm Plössl but effective for small clusters. The continuous zoom down to 8 mm makes exploring targets quick and avoids swapping eyepieces and re-centering. Almost parfocal behavior meant only slight refocusing between settings, so it’s perfect for casual observing with a Newtonian.
Kindle Customer 5/5

Convenient and practical for many users

On a 102 mm f/5 refractor this eyepiece replaced carrying several oculars—no more swapping and risking a dropped lens. It delivers roughly 21x to 63x on that scope. Eye relief is generous at the long end for eyeglass wearers but tightens at 8 mm, making the extreme shorter setting harder to use with glasses. Views were comparable in sharpness to standard eyepieces; be prepared to rebalance the mount due to the extra weight.
J. Michail 5/5

Know what zoom optics can and can't do

This eyepiece performs well, but remember magnification changes apparent field size: zooming in reduces how much of an object you can see. The moon can go from nearly filling the view to occupying a small fraction as you increase power. For distant faint objects the zoom helps reveal more detail, but optimal views for some targets occur at a particular focal point, so patience and fine adjustment are necessary.
DustinS 5/5

May stay in my focuser permanently

Optical quality is very good across the zoom band, limited only by atmospheric seeing. Field of view is a bit narrower than my 25 mm eyepiece, which actually helps center targets during alignment. On my C8SE Saturn looked spectacular at mid to high power; I could resolve multiple moons even under light-polluted skies. Minimal refocus was needed when changing zoom.
Moot Pt 3/5

Handy for visual use; limited for projection photography

On an 8" f/6 manual reflector this was mainly a visual workhorse. Very convenient at star parties when you don’t want to risk expensive fixed eyepieces. Expect apparent field narrowing at higher magnifications and some outer-edge distortion at f/6. The zoom ring is stiff without clicks and will rotate the whole unit if it isn’t secured tightly. Eye relief is good for glasses wearers, but eyepiece projection photography is only marginal.
hbassi 5/5

Changed my opinion about zoom eyepieces

I used to avoid zooms after reading forum warnings, but improvements in design have changed my mind. As a hobbyist who observes regularly, this eyepiece has been a reliable, enjoyable tool. It’s not for the purist who wants a full set of specialty oculars, but for casual observing I’ve been very satisfied.
Daryl Wayne 4/5

Nice on SCTs; good coatings and handling

Using it on an f/10 Schmidt–Cassegrain (5" Omni) I found the coatings excellent with little glare and only small refocus required after zooming. The true field seems a bit narrower than the quoted numbers for that focal length, so mid-power frames may only include Jupiter and its main moons in my setup. In side-by-side tests at similar focal lengths I preferred this zoom over another maker’s Plössls in the 9–15 mm range. Recommended for a variety of targets like stars and brighter nebulae.
Modern Caveman 5/5

Clear, straightforward and effective on a Mak

Installed in a C90 Mak (1200 mm focal length) the zoom gives about 50x to 150x and fits the standard 1.25-inch holder easily. The Moon was bright without a filter, and Jupiter transformed from a dot at low power to a resolved disk with moons as I increased magnification. Image quality was clear with reasonable focus adjustments.
David C. Gulliver 5/5

Great performer, with some issues

Bought this after a big lunar event and it quickly became my go-to ocular. The apparent field feels roomier than my modified achromats and the exit pupil makes positioning comfortable. While twisting the zoom I sometimes saw distortion that initially corrected by turning back, but after extended use the self-correction stopped except at the end stops. Drawbacks I encountered: intermittent distortion, noticeable weight on small beginner scopes (especially refractors that affect mount balance), no detents or clicks so you must look to set focal length, and the assembly loosened over time requiring tightening.