BARSKA 20-60x60 Waterproof Straight Spotting Scope with Tripod , Black

This scope seems very durable and yet is lightweight. I haven't tested its waterproofness. The tripod it comes with is small but durable -- because of its size, you have to have something to set it up on if you don't want to lie on the ground to look through it. I bought a larger tripod so I could look through it standing up, which overall is better, but does cause a lot more vibration and shakiness in the image when I'm trying to adjust the focus and zoom. The zoom with this scope is great. I took it up on a hill and could see windmills over 25 miles away with it! For more practical viewing, the text on street signs can be read at 100 yards quite easily. So I expect it'll do just fine for what I primarily purchased it for: viewing targets at the shooting range. At the maximum zoom, light level does diminish noticeably, but not so much to make viewing difficult or unsatisfying. Focus is not crystal clear, but more than acceptable, especially for the price. At night the scope picks up enough light that you can do a little amateur stargazing with it -- on a dark, clear night and with careful focusing Jupiter's brown bands can be distinguished! Overall, I am very satisfied with the value of this scope -- good performance for a great price! (I did get it on Lightning Deal for 20 bucks off, but even for Amazon's normal price I think it's a good deal.)

Overall, this is not a 'great' spotting scope. But for the price, and if you only plan to use it at shorter ranges, it's well worth it. Pros: - Optics (short range): Decent optics at near distances (less than 400 yards). Clear enough to easily read road signs and make out rust and medium to fine detail at those distances. - Overall Build: The waterproofing seems to work well. I haven't left this in a strong storm, but I have had it in drizzle and damp conditions without any fogging. And overall the housing seems well made and reasonably sturdy. - Price: Getting this level of quality at the price I paid is extraordinary. Cons - Optics (long range): At longer distances (350+ yards), the optics become difficult. There's a hazy or fuzzy quality once you hit 500 yards that makes you lose any fine detail no matter how carefully you focus it. You can still make out what objects are down to items maybe six or eight inches in size, but the clarity is not there. For target shooting or serious bird watching, I wouldn't recommend using this scope much past 300 yards. - Focus and Zoom: The controls for focus and zoom are a bit sticky and the grip ring on the zoom will continue to turn past the stop points with very little effort. - Tripod: This is not a quality tripod and you should not depend on it if you want to enjoy your scope. Spend thirty bucks on a decent camera tripod and you will be much happier.

I'm not sure why no one has made a review on this product yet. Here's the quick report. I wanted to buy a good spotting scope for when I go on nature hikes or whatever (I'm a bio undergrad at UCLA), so of course i'm interested in observing natural phenomenon. Anyways, looked online, found this one (but no one reviewed it yet), took a chance and ordered it. My logic was, it didn't have all the accessories that come with other spotting scopes, plus a cheap looking bag, cheap looking tripod, and had a high original listing price. So I figured, most of the quality was invested into the scope itself. Ordered it, and got it within two days via amazon prime here at UCLA dorm. Tried it out, at night, by viewing from within my dorm out the window to another window of a dorm about 100-150 meters away. It's extremely clear, at least in my opinion. Now take note that I have never had one of these devices before, and am brand new at the hobby or interest, so I have nothing to compare with. But to me, it seems extremely clear, at 20 magnification all the way up to 60 magnification (fine focus knob helps a lot). I mean, from 100-150 meters away, at night, I can read the evacuation plan in the other dormitory room. And I can recognize facial expressions very clearly (yeah, creeper status, I know). So, in my opinion, it's an awesome spotting scope, for a good price too. It's got an included lens cover, eyepiece cover, and is simple yet slick looking. Rubber coated, feels nice and light weight, yet feels like it's made of great quality. I'm really happy with this product. I can't wait to use it out on the field. Impressive device, overall. 5 stars based solely on the quality of the scope to price ratio, not anything else (tripod, bag, etc.)

Great Spotting Scope for the price. I received it 3 days ago. I set it up and tested it at about 100 yards. I could read the alarm company sign in a neighbors yard on the next block. I used it today at the shooting Range. I could see .22 and .223 holes on paper at 100 yards. I could also see the hits great on shoot n see targets at 200 yards. That is all I needed it to do and it did Great. The tripod worked fine for me. I set it up where I needed it to be, on the table. I had it focused on My target and my buddy was on the target to the left of me. I could look at my target, or just look from the right side of the eyepiece and see his target. So I could spot for him without moving the scope. No issues with the tripod, it swiveled and locked when and where I wanted it too. However I will put it on my camera tripod next time I take it out. A Quality scope for a Great Price. *Update* I used this spotting scope last night to view a Full Moon. WOW, It worked Very Well. Crisp and clear view. The adjustments worked Great. I'm impressed. *Update* Today I got to use this spotting scope at 300 yards to spot .223 holes in a reactive target and on paper. I could see ALL of the .223 holes on the shoot&see target center. I could also find Most of the .223 holes on the paper once I Fine Tuned the focus. Next Stop.. The 500 Yard Line. I'll update at that time.

I bought this for my father for his birthday after we spent a few afternoons shooting his crossbow in the back yard. We're both getting a little older, and our sight isn't what it used to be. When it arrived, we set it on the truck bed and looked down the street. It was amazing to see how clear and how far we were able to sight in objects. It was easy to read numbers on a mailbox all the way down the street. My only beef with this thing is that the tripod isn't the strongest / most stable out there. I don't think for the price it warrants knocking off a star. In fact, if you pair this with a better tripod you have a real winner. I'd still buy another one for him if he bangs this one up. That's probably not a big worry, because it felt like it was very solid. So, if you are a crossbow fan, or you want to look at stuff from far away... this is a great scope. Check it out!

I am giving this scope 4 stars because it's a good example of getting what you paid for. This scope is exactly what I need, and with the Gold Box deal the price was right. Even at the normal price, it's still a good deal. I can't give it five stars because the scope is just not a 5 star product. The focus is good, not great, and it does not let in quite as much light as you would expect from optics this size. Also the tripod is stable but a bit flimsy. It is, however, good enough for my purposes and probably the best you will find for the price. I had to think long and hard about the 4 vs 5 stars. I know many people belong to the school of thought that the star rating should reflect the overall value of the product. I belong to school that the number of stars should reflect the quality of the product. In my opinion; this is a four-star product at a three-star price. That is the best way I can put it. On a side note: it was shipped to me requiring a signature. This was unnecessary and inconvenient. It did not say anything in the description, at the time I purchased it, about needing to sign for it. This is just FYI and does not affect my rating of the product.

I always read reviews before I decide on a purchase here, mostly start with the one star and work upwards. Some people stated they didn't like this because of the focal point at short (100 yard) distances. I have to disagree, but the caveat is due to this price point. For a spotting slope less than 75 dollars, I am really impressed. It's more than I will ever need. I sighted this outdoors at 200 yards and was able to see the target hits easily (but, I used splatter targets). I also sighted it at an indoor range at 100 yards and it was excellent at spotting hits, even when the lighting on the target wasn't ideal (one lane is darker than some others). I'm pretty impressed and like it a lot. I loaned it to a shooter next to me at the indoor range and he used it for a few minutes and said the same thing...big thumbs up, especially for the price. I have no complaints and give it 5* for anything below 200 yards daylight and 100 yards indoors. I can't rate it other than that. Any cons at all would be that the adjustment knob is inset and a bit hard to turn, but that's not really a bad thing....it stayed in focus sitting on the table next to my rifle through a 100+ rounds, so vibration wasn't any worry. Comes in a nice carry case with the tripod (also supplied) separated with a flap. Big thumbs up. As always, amazon delivered exactly on time. UPDATE 12/2014....I'm on my second scope...had to return the first due to the entire front lens falling off. Literally, while I was shooting and it was on it's tripod sitting there next to me, the front lens came disattached, and was not reattachable. Amazon sent a new one. Worked ok for 2 months, now from mag 40-60 X the image is reducing at a rate such that it looks like you are looking through a peephole. It was wide viewing at first, then got worse and worse. I'm changing my 5 star to a 1 star since 2 out of 2 have been bad in a very short period of time and it is past time to return this through amazon prime. Maybe my fault, as much shooting as we do, guess we'll go to a much better brand and scope...and much more expensive. Still, no matter how inexpensive, if it only last a very short time, it's still a waste of money.

Read all of the different reviews on several spotting scopes and ordered this one with some reservation. Arrived today and of course, I had to try it out on something. I scoped a street sign right at 100 yards and went through the powers and focus routine. Clear even at 60 power. Felt like I could "reach out and touch" the sign. Taking it to the range tomorrow for the real test. I only have access to 50 and 100 yards so that will be the extent of the test. I think you would be satisfied with the quality of this scope unless you are a scout sniper and plan shooting beyond 200 yards. So far the only thing that I would even consider dropping a star from the rating for is the warranty. As another reviewer put it, this is pretty much a disposable scope as the cost of repairs under the warranty is not really an option. Update: Went to the range today. Overcast with periodic rain. Scope was clear from 20-60 power at 100 yards. No issues what so ever. The tripod is just the right size to use alongside your scope at a shooting table. I am comfortable that this scope would yield the same results at 200 yards. Decent two compartment nylon carrying case to separate the tripod from the scope. Nice screw on eyepiece cover and attached rubber front lens cover. So ......, if you are looking for an economical spotting scope, this is the one.!

This is an excellent product for bird watching. You can even watch moon, mountains and craters are visible. Now I am trying to getting photographs through it. It is easy to carry and handy.

This spotting scope is more powerful than I thought. Even with the magnification turned down to the lowest reading , the view was better than I had hoped. I could see all hits on the target easily.

good product for the money

Works great for the range. Can't beat the price .

I’ve only had this for a week so I can’t comment on how well it holds up but so far everything looks good. Focus dial is very handy to use in the field. At the low power of 20 it is sharp and clear and seems to be good up the zoom range.