VistaPix IS70 Digital Spotting Scope
Item #52212

Award-Winning Actor Takes Home Title And A SkyScout Personal Planetarium As His Universal Appeal Outshines A Competitive Field Of Nobel Prize Winners, Former Presidents, Famous Explorers, Hollywood Celebrities And Professional Athletes

TORRANCE, CA – (September 12, 2007) – Celestron®, a leading manufacturer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes, announced today that William Shatner has been named “the person most deserving of a star named in their honor” according to the results of a recent people’s choice online poll taken in conjunction with Celestron’s Ultimate Backyard Adventure Sweepstakes promotion.

Best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the popular Star Trek TV and film series, the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, director, producer, screenwriter, recording artist and author claimed his rightful place in the night sky as he edged out Oprah Winfrey and Tiger Woods to take the people’s choice title for “most deserving of their own star.” Other notable nominees included Edward “Buzz” Aldrin, Carl Sagan, Bill Clinton, Angelina Jolie, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bill Gates and The Simpsons.

"I'm honored to be the people's top choice to have a star named after me,” commented Mr. Shatner. “I believe that you head toward the North Star and turn left, the one on the right is mine."

In addition to his celestial status, Mr. Shatner also received a Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium®, the revolutionary handheld device that uses advanced GPS technology with point and click convenience to identify thousands of stars, planets, constellations and more.

“Mr. Shatner and the entire Star Trek franchise has had a tremendous impact on the pace of scientific and technological advancements as they inspired a new generation of world-changing scientists and inventors that would go on to revolutionize space exploration and consumer technology, paving the way for advanced products like the SkyScout Personal Planetarium,” said Joseph A. Lupica Jr., president and CEO of Celestron.

About the size of a camcorder and weighing less than 16 ounces, the SkyScout utilizes a consumer-friendly “point and shoot” GPS technology that enables stargazers to instantly identify and/or locate over 6,000 celestial objects in the sky with the press of a button and listen to commentary on the object and its history. The SkyScout also has a “locate” feature that allows users to select an object they wish to view (i.e. Mars) and the SkyScout, using illuminated arrows in the viewfinder, will point the user to the object.

Prior to naming Mr. Shatner as the online poll winner, Celestron announced that Robert Papuga from Morganton, North Carolina had been randomly selected from a pool of over 80,000 entries to win the Ultimate Backyard Adventure Sweepstakes adventure pack, complete with a Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium, NexStar® 6 SE computerized telescope, VistaPix® IS70 digital spotting scope, Traveler® 8 24X25 binoculars and all the camping gear needed to enjoy a family camping trip under the stars.

About Celestron
Celestron is a leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become one of the world’s leading telescope makers, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. Celestron’s innovative products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader’s Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association and more. Celestron sells and markets its products worldwide through a variety of specialty retail outlets and international distributors. Celestron is a privately held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities, in Torrance, CA. For more information about Celestron and the SkyScout product please visit, http://www.celestron.com and http://www.myskyscout.com.

Robert Papuga of Morganton, NC, Wins A SkyScout Personal Planetarium™, Computerized Telescope, Digital Spotting Scope, Binoculars And Family Camping Gear

TORRANCE, CA – (August 30, 2007) – Celestron®, a leading manufacturer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes, announced today that Robert Papuga from Morganton, North Carolina is the grand prize winner of the Ultimate Backyard Adventure Sweepstakes. As the Grand Prize winner, Papuga was randomly selected from more than 80,000 entries to win a complete outdoor adventure pack that includes a Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium, NexStar® 6 SE computerized telescope, VistaPix® IS70 digital spotting scope, Traveler® 8 24X25 binoculars and all the camping gear needed to enjoy a family camping trip under the stars.

"I've always been interested in astronomy, but never had the tools to take my curiosity to the next level," said Papuga, a retired vice president of a textile company. "I entered the contest every day for three weeks and now I’m really looking forward to sharing the prize with my family and learning together about the wonders of the Universe."

In addition to receiving a Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium, NexStar® 6 SE computerized telescope, VistaPix® IS70 digital spotting scope, Traveler® 8 24X25 binoculars, Papuga will also receive, a family-size tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, lantern, portable stove, fire pit, chairs, first-aid kit, flashlights, tarps, can opener, portable shower, pots and pans, batteries, coffee maker, duct tape, compass, knife, insect repellent, cooler, extension forks, cooking utensils, pie iron, cutlery, marshmallows and trail mix.

"Camping and stargazing have always gone hand in hand, and all of our stargazing and exploration products are designed to enhance the overall outdoor experience by making it easy for 'adventurers' of all levels and backgrounds to learn about the night sky," said Joseph A. Lupica Jr., president and CEO of Celestron, who personally called Papuga to announce he was the grand prize winner. "We are absolutely delighted to award Robert with many of the Celestron products that have revolutionizing the way we all look at the night sky, and look forward to being a part of their outdoor adventures for years to come."

In addition to Papuga's grand prize, Celestron also announced Ned Chestnut of Hood River, OR, Melanie Bruno of Newhall, CA and Rodney J. Koodray Jr. of Waretown, NJ as the three first prize winners who will each receive a SkyScout Personal Planetarium. Six runner-up winners will be receiving Traveler 10X25 binoculars.

About the size of a camcorder and weighing less than 16 ounces, the SkyScout utilizes a consumer-friendly "point and shoot" GPS technology that enables stargazers to instantly identify and/or locate over 6,000 celestial objects in the sky with the press of a button and listen to commentary on the object and its history. The SkyScout also has a "locate" feature that allows users to select an object they wish to view (i.e. Mars) and the SkyScout, using illuminated arrows in the viewfinder, will point the user to the object.

NexStar 6 SE computerized telescope combines state-of-the-art features with an easy-to-use interface to make astronomy fun, exciting and most importantly, easy for star watchers of all experience levels. Celestron’s innovative SkyAlign® technology automatically aligns the telescope for optimum viewing of any star, planet or galaxy that is selected by the user from a computer database menu of over 40,000 celestial objects.

The VistaPix IS70 is a fully integrated, high-performance spotting scope with a built-in, digital camera that allows users to view, capture, save and share vibrant, high-resolution images and video from a distance, using the scope’s built in high-powered magnification and digital zoom features. Designed for use in a wide range of viewing environments, the VistaPix IS70 brings nature’s live action closer than ever with high-resolution, razor-sharp, vibrant images and video that can be saved and viewed later on a television or PC.

Celestron’s Traveler 8 24X25 is a streamlined binocular that can be tucked away in a backpack or overnight bag, or within arm’s reach in your vehicle’s glove box, and is comprised of compact, go-anywhere porro and roof prism binoculars. Featuring BAK-4 prisms and multi-coatings for brilliant views with maximum resolution and high contrast, the Traveler features a conveniently located finger lever for quick and accurate zoom adjustments.


About Celestron
Celestron is a leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes. Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become one of the world's leading telescope makers, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. Celestron's innovative products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader's Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association and more. Celestron sells and markets its products worldwide through a variety of specialty retail outlets and international distributors. Celestron is a privately held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities, in Torrance, CA. For more information about Celestron and the SkyScout product please visit, http://www.celestron.com and http://www.myskyscout.com.

FROM BIRD WATCHING TO BACKYARD ADVENTURES, CELESTRON’S DIGITAL-SPOTTING SCOPE INTEGRATES HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL CAMERA TECHNOLOGY WITH HIGH-POWERED ZOOM TO TRANSFORM FAR-OFF ACTION INTO UP-CLOSE IMAGES AND VIDEO

TORRANCE, CA – (March 1, 2007) – Celestron, one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes and related accessories, is answering the call of wildlife explorers with the release of its ground-breaking VistaPix IS70 Digital Spotting Scope. Selected as an Innovations Honoree at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show, Celestron’s stylish and versatile VistaPix IS70 is a fully integrated, high-performance spotting scope with a built-in, digital camera that allows users to view, capture, save and share vibrant, high-resolution images and video from a distance, using the scope’s built in high-powered magnification and digital zoom features.

Equipped with 70mm multicoated optics, an integrated eyepiece, a built-in, dual-power 3-mega pixel digital camera (3.1 MP high-resolution/0.3 MP low-resolution images), a 2” LCD full-color image preview screen and a digital focus meter, the all-in-one scope brings the action up-close with an incredible field of view ratio that delivers bright, high contrast, images at up to 144x magnification using the scope’s powerful digital zoom capabilities.

Designed for use in a wide range of viewing environments, from observing nature, to spotting shots on the range, to spectator events and backyard excursions, the VistaPix IS70 brings nature’s live action closer than ever with high-resolution, razor-sharp, vibrant images and video that can be saved and viewed later on a television or PC using the supplied video cables and easy-to-install VistaPix software.

“Hikers, campers, and nature observers no longer need special spotting scope camera attachments or adaptors to take photos or videos of their outdoor adventures, as the VistaPix IS70’s seamless integration of technology gives today’s outdoor enthusiasts an amazing all-in-on, easy-to-use product to capture special moments and live action up close,” said Joseph A. Lupica Jr., president and CEO of Celestron. “Similar to what our SkyScout did for celestial exploration, the VistaPix IS70 gives consumers the tool they need to explore and learn more about the world around them.”

The IS70 is powered by two AA batteries, mounts to virtually any tripod, comes with an aluminum hard case and weighs only 3.5 lbs.

The VistaPix IS70 has a suggested manufacturers retail price of $479.00 and will be widely available both online and at retail in 2007. Visit, www.celestron.com for more information on product features and availability.

About Celestron
Celestron, is a leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes.  Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron  has grown to become one of the world’s leading telescope makers, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology.  Celestron’s innovative products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader’s Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association and more.  Celestron sells and markets its products worldwide through a variety of specialty retail outlets and international distributors. Celestron is a privately held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities, in Torrance, CA. For more information about Celestron please visit http://www.celestron.com.

CELESTRON'S DIGITAL-SPOTTING SCOPE WITH ITS BUILT-IN DIGITAL CAMERA AND HIGH-POWERED ZOOM IS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN AND ENGINEERING AT THE CONSUMER ELECTRONIC SHOW'S NEW YORK PRESS PREVIEW

TORRANCE, CA – (November 15, 2006) – Celestron, one of the world's leading designers and manufacturers of telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes and related accessories, announced that its high-performance VistaPix IS70 Digital Spotting Scope has been selected by the Consumer Electronics Association as a 2007 Innovations Honoree in the highly competitive digital imaging category. The announcement came today at the Consumer Electronic Show's (CES) New York Press Preview, the Consumer Electronics Association's annual sneak peak of the hottest new products and upcoming 2007 International CES technology trends.

Set to be on display at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show in January, Celestron's stylish and versatile VistaPix IS70 is a fully integrated, high-performance spotting scope with a built in state-of-the-art digital camera that allows users to view, capture and save vibrant, high-resolution images and video from a distance, using the scope's built in high-powered magnification and digital zoom features. Equipped with a side-mounted dual-power 3-mega pixel digital camera, a 2" LCD full-color image preview screen and a digital focus meter, Celestron's VistaPix IS70 is designed to deliver enhanced brilliance and razor sharp images and video in a wide range of viewing environments.

From observing nature, to spotting shots on the range, to spectator events and the mysteries of space, the VistaPix IS70 brings nature's live action closer than ever with high-resolution images and video that can be saved, and then viewed later on a television or PC using the supplied video cables and easy-to-install VistaPix software.

"It's a great honor to be named as an Innovations Honoree by the CEA and the innovations judges. With the Celestron SkyScout winning 'Best of Innovations' in 2006, and the VistaPix IS70 being honored as one of 2007's most innovative products, the message is clear that Celestron's commitment to innovation is strong," said Joseph A. Lupica Jr., president and CEO of Celestron. "The VistaPix IS70 seamlessly integrates the latest digital camera technology with a high powered scope to give today's outdoor enthusiasts an amazing all-in-one product to capture special moments and live action from the world around them. Whether it is viewing wildlife, bird watching, scenic views, traveling, sailing or even exploring the far reaches of the night's sky, the IS70 brings users closer to the action than ever before."

The all-in-one scope's 70mm multicoated optics and integrated eyepiece puts the action in the users lap with an incredible field of view ratio that delivers bright, high contrast, close-up images (3.1 MP high-resolution/0.3 MP low-resolution images) at up to 24x magnification using the scope's powerful digital zoom capabilities. The IS70 mounts to virtually any tripod, comes with an aluminum hard case and weighs only 3.5 lbs.

The VistaPix IS70 has a suggested manufacturers retail price of $479.00 and is available both online and at retail.

The Celestron VistaPix IS70 Spotting Scope will be on display at "CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of CES" on Saturday, January 6, 2007, in the Marco Polo Ballroom at the Sands/Venetian in Las Vegas, as well as at the Celestron booth # 70422, in the Sands Expo from January 8 – 11, 2007.

About Celestron
Celestron, is a leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes.  Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron  has grown to become one of the world’s leading telescope makers, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology.  Celestron’s innovative products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader’s Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association and more.  Celestron sells and markets its products worldwide through a variety of specialty retail outlets and international distributors. Celestron is a privately held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities, in Torrance, CA. For more information about Celestron please visit, http://www.celestron.com.

Celestron's line of integrated binocular/digital cameras expands to include a full size imaging spotting scope featuring 3 megapixel resolution, and 2” LCD flip screen.

TORRANCE, CA – September 2006 – Celestron, a leading manufacturer of telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes, has added a new line to its popular VistaPix family of digital imaging optics. The addition of the VistaPix IS70 incorporates a full-size 70mm spotting scope with a 3 megapixel digital camera. This imaging spotter model is a unique product offering advanced features at an unbeatable price. VistaPix IS70 models are set to ship in the October of 2006.

"This exciting new addition to our VistaPix line reaffirms Celestron's commitment to innovation" said Celestron CEO Joseph A. Lupica Jr. "Those wanting to get closer to the action than ever before can now bring away a high quality image or video to record and enjoy using our IS70 imaging spotter."

Features
The VistaPix IS70 features a 70mm spotting scope with 14x magnification. The 3 megapixel camera features a 2" LCD screen for a sharp, clear imaging preview; 6x digital zoom; a digital focus meter for quick, sharp focus; dual power for high magnification or wide field of view; and continuous video capability.

Other IS70 features include a rotatable tripod adapter that fits standard photo tripods or Celestron computerized mounts and the ability to view images on your TV screen with the included video cable. The IS70 also includes an SD card slot for additional image storage options and a protective carrying case for travel and storage. All VistaPix IS70 models feature Celestron's 2-year warranty.

About Celestron
Celestron, is a leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes.  Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron  has grown to become one of the world’s leading telescope makers, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology.  Celestron’s innovative products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader’s Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association and more.  Celestron sells and markets its products worldwide through a variety of specialty retail outlets and international distributors. Celestron is a privately held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities, in Torrance, CA. For more information about Celestron please visit, http://www.celestron.com.
# # #