BARSKA Colorado Waterproof Spotting Scope Black

I spent many hours reading reviews and checking specs. for "under $200" spotting scopes, here and at other websites, inc. manufacturers. I settled on the Barska Colorado model but discovered there are 3 part numbers for the Colorado 20-60X60 model. CO11216 - CO11502 and CO10866. Look carefully at these because the eye relief and possibly other specs are different. I chose the CO11216 primarily for it's claimed 17.8-14.8 mm eye relief. When it came yesterday, I was initially disappointed as the eye relief seemed much shorter. I could take off my glasses and fold down the rubber lens cup and place my eye against the lens assembly to see the full field of vision so the eye relief seemed very short. I spent some time in the past 24 hours checking out the focus and at various powers and realized, I don't have to see the whole sight picture simultaneously for it to serve just fine as a range spotter. Furthermore, I was pleasantly surprised to find the included tripod works just fine and is quite stable in the "no wind" test I performed. Therefore, even with glasses on, I don't have to touch the scope in order to spot my targets. Seen in this light, I'm quite satisfied with the scope and feel sure it's going to serve the purpose just fine. My range includes 200 yd shooting although I don't know if I'll want to do so. I only expect this scope to perform there under certain lighting and contrast so it will be interesting to observe that particular test. For $72.50, a spotting scope that can handle 50 and 100 yds alone seems quite a bargain. Thank you to all previous reviewers for helping me make this choice.11/03/2013 - I had occasion today to go to the range and try it out. I found I preferred to take my glasses off to use the scope as it is clearer when you eliminate looking thru 2 lens. I was not disappointed at all. It performed well on both 50 and 100 yd ranges, even with .22lr rounds and I could see them fine with both black and white targets. I believe the scope is adequate for the 200 yd course as well but cannot comment although I did spot a target on that course, just for fun. I saw a user comment, newer than mine that mentioned that his wasn't usable above 50 power. The focus isn't as crisp at 60 power as at lower settings but I used mine today exclusively on 60 power and was quite satisfied. For the money this scope is a keeper.

i was really worried about this purchase because of the 30+ bad reviews.Don't worry, it's a great spotting scope, especially for the price.Package came on time, well packaged, nothing damaged or missing.Pulled the scope out and started sighting in the scenes out my windows. Zoomed right into a living room 100 yards away.Zoom and focus knobs are smooth, I was surprised how easy it was to focus at ALL zoom levels.The bad reviews must have been written by really incompetent spotters.I have no doubt this will work great for sighting in my .22 at 100 meters, and I'll probably be able to see .22 bullet holes even at 200 m. I'll update if I find this to be incorrect when I go to the range this weekend.It's true the eye relief is bad when you zoom in past 20x. If you wear glasses, you will have to take them off to use this. So if you're planning to look through it for long periods of time (viewing wildlife) it will strain your eyes. If you're using it to spot shots on a range, no problem.The tripod is actually surprisingly sturdy. I don't feel a need to replace it with a better one.What it comes down to is a price/eye relief ratio.If you want a scope as good as this one with good eye relief, your searching the wrong price bracket. Start at $300+ and go up from there. If you're looking for a scope that works great and won't break the bank, this is the one.It's pretty lightweight so obviously you want to be careful not to drop it. But honestly, you wouldn't want to drop a Nikon either. At least if something happens to this one you're only out $60 instead of $300.If you have the luxury of spending hundreds of dollars on a spotting scope, you aren't reading this review. For the rest of us, this is a great buy.

Used it to sight in rifles and spot elk. I've looked through many high end scopes, this falls short of those, but that's not the point. For 90 bucks you can get this thing and see what you need to see; bullet holes in a target easily out to 300 yards; elk points even farther.Not as sharp near the edges, but I expected that for the price. Amazingly, the focus tuning is as good as I've ever used on a scope of almost any price. Housing is plastic but seems tough enough. Very light. I'm not sure how it would hold up if you dropped it on rock or something solid.Eye piece cup folds down for eye-glass wearers, and stays down! I wish the tripod base was a bit more robust, but it works. The tripod itself is metal with baked-on no glare coating. It is very basic, but the legs seem pretty tough. But it has plastic axis components. Bag isn't anything to get excited about.All in all, for under a 100 bucks, you get clear glass with fantastic focusing and smooth magnifying. I won't exaggerate the optics, but they are definitly worth the money, especially if you don't see the point in spending hundreds on a spotting scope.

It is an economy scope. Under $100. The eye relief is really short. I had to trim the rubber eye piece because I wear glasses. Other than that everything is great. The tripod again is economy, but feels like it should do the job. The adjustments on the tripod work well and hold when tightened. The scope itself is fine; remember it is an economy scope. The adjustments work well and the focus is fast and easy. No problem seeing a .30 cal. hole in a target at 100 yards. The soft case separates the scope from the tripod, good idea. If I break this one will I get another one? Sure will. Oh and it is light in weight. Won't kill you to carry it.