Telescope Reviews: NKOTB: Barska 30x80

Hello Stephen,

Awhile back I had some questions for you, about your Barska 30x80 X-Trail, based upon your mini-review. I finally took the leap & received a 30x80 for my birthday, this November, as a gift from my wife. So, I thought I would give you a quick rundown on the one that came to me from SWFA.com at $119.95 + $12 UPS Ground.

Lets look at the minus side first: Mine only has Fully Coated Optics, close focus is around 100'+, the braced-in tripod mounting post did not have any rubber washer on the bottom where it screws into the tripod head (I picked one up at a local hardware store for under a dollar), the braced-in tripod mounting post is too short for one of my tripod heads (had to purchase a Garrett Optical Binocular Center Post 1" Extension for $25), the right side appears to be slightly out of collimation, I can only use it with the eyecups folded down, with the eyecups in the up position I get serious tunnel vision, the neck strap is like a shoe-string. For some, the lack of waterproof/fogproof should probably be mentioned, even though it would be unrealistic at this price.

Now for the plus side: A 30x80 giant binocular for a mere $131, looking at a full moon/absolutely no visible ghosting, color fringing around the full moon was insignificant, craters at 30x are nicely defined, stars focus very well with the exception of very large bright stars showing up as double, my favorite nighttime view is the Orion Trapezium, the Pleiades completely & very brightly fill up almost the entire viewing area, stars show up where there are NO visible stars to the naked eye, handholding these whether standing/sitting/or if you prefer to lie down on your back is "no problem" (no kidding), at 4.3 lbs. they really do feel LightWeight & balance nicely in my hands, indoors the front objective lenses have a greenish coating & the rear eyepiece lenses have a pale bluish coating, daytime long distance bird watching everything appears bright & clear & sharp, fit & finish & workmanship appears excellent, front objective lens caps stay on, nice carrying case, focusing is a breeze (not to stiff & not too fast), hinges are nice & tight. Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Overall, for the price, the Barska 30x80 X-Trail is TONS-OF-FUN, & a BARREL-OF-LAUGHS + a REAL-KICK-IN-THE-PANTS, & you can even throw in, SMILES-FROM-EAR-TO-EAR. No exaggeration! If I was exaggerating I would have said, MORE FUN THAN A BARREL OF MONKEYS.

My next request for you is, will you PLEASE order a Barska 25x100 Cosmos & do a mini-review on it?

Thanks for starting the ball rolling, in the right direction, with your mini-review of the Barska 30x80 X-Trail binoculars.

p.s. Yes, I do own a Manfrotto tripod & Manfrotto 501 two-way pro video head & I use them w/the Barska 30x80's when I need to get serious.

Also, the Barska 2006 catalog shows the Optical Coating as being Multi-Coated. Same for the 20x80 X-Trail, however, for the 15x70 X-Trail it lists the Optical Coating as Fully Coated. I looked through the Barska 15x70 & 20x80 X-Trail's at a Big 5 Sporting Goods store & looking thru them outside, in the daytime, I thought they were great inexpensive binoculars.
I would recommend that those who are interested in knowing more about Barska binoculars, etc, that you call 888-666-6769 and ask for Sandra & tell her you'd like to receive their Sports Optics Catalog.
Stan

--------------------
Pentax 12x50mm PCF WP II FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 16x60mm PCF WP FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 20x60mm PCF WP II FMC/WP/FP
Orion 12x63mm Mini Giant FMC/JAPAN
Orion 15x70mm Little Giant II FMC/JAPAN
Orion 16x80mm Giant FMC/JAPAN
Orion 20x70mm Little Giant II FMC/JAPAN
Orion 30x80mm MEGAView FMC/JAPAN
Barska 30x80mm X-Trail LW FC
Burgess Optical Series II 20x90mm FMC/WP/FP

Handel's Messiah**Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth

Edited by hallelujah (11/21/06 02:17 PM)