How Many Yards?

TPAW · December 11, 2009, 08:03 PM

Would this Scope be good for targets out to 200 yards? Is Barska a decent product? Thanks for your input.

Barska Benchmark 25-125X88 Spotting Scope with Tripod and Case

Sale $99.99

NWPilgrim · December 11, 2009, 08:34 PM

With a good quality scope (Nikon, etc.) I can easily see .30 caliber holes in the target with 10x per 100 yds. If I use the Shoot-N-See type targets I can get by with less power per 100 yds. Smaller calibers like .223 would need more maginifcation per 100 yds.

I have not used a Barska but it is pretty low cost. It may be fine in good daylight, but may dim out on you toward dusk, or not have the resolution to make out bullet holes as easily. On the other hand it has twice the magnification usually used for 300-500 yds spotting so it might be fine for even .223 out to 300 yds or so.

The main problem with substituting magnification for resolution is movement and heat mirage. The more magnification you have, the more solid the tripod needs to be and the more fine the adjustments need to be made, and low cost scopes may not have very good adjustment controls.

Personally I would spend more on a better quality scope with top end of 40x to 60x. 125x just seems it would be so sensitive and dim that it would rarely do you any good.

zoomie · December 11, 2009, 08:46 PM

Barska is bargain basement stuff. It'll work, in good conditions, most of the time, for a while.

Jimro · December 11, 2009, 09:34 PM

Spend a little bit more money and get at least a Celestron. Lens size is important, but lens quality is more important. An Ultima 65 from optics planet is only 35 more dollars.

Jimro

TPAW · December 12, 2009, 05:34 PM

Thanks guys, I'll poke around some more.

Relentless Pursuit · December 12, 2009, 10:39 PM

Barska floats.........(grin)

Art Eatman · December 13, 2009, 11:27 AM

What I've found is that these El Cheapo 20X-60X telescopes from Wally World will do fine up to maybe 35X or 40X. Plenty good for spotting bullet holes at 200 yards. Do okay on 30-cal at 500 yards, I know...

kraigwy · December 13, 2009, 11:42 AM

I bought one of those cheep wally world spotting scopes. It worked pretty good. But dont hold up, I've found if you leave one on the tailgate of a truck, they fall off when you move the truck. Then when you come back to camp and run over them, they dont work with a hoot.

Seriously, I've have nothing against the cheap scopes, Before I buy one, I look across the parking lot, if I can pick up mirage, then I dont care that it only cost $50 bucks.

I'd rather run over a $50 spotting scope then run over a $2000 scope.

I'd rather spent the extra money on ammo my self.

Relentless Pursuit · December 13, 2009, 01:01 PM

Good gear is never a concession and while many things are subjective,the merits of good glass are not......................

December 11, 2009, 08:03 PM	#1
TPAW Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 2,860	How Many Yards? Would this Scope be good for targets out to 200 yards? Is Barska a decent product? Thanks for your input. Barska Benchmark 25-125X88 Spotting Scope with Tripod and Case Sale $99.99

December 11, 2009, 08:34 PM	#2
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	With a good quality scope (Nikon, etc.) I can easily see .30 caliber holes in the target with 10x per 100 yds. If I use the Shoot-N-See type targets I can get by with less power per 100 yds. Smaller calibers like .223 would need more maginifcation per 100 yds. I have not used a Barska but it is pretty low cost. It may be fine in good daylight, but may dim out on you toward dusk, or not have the resolution to make out bullet holes as easily. On the other hand it has twice the magnification usually used for 300-500 yds spotting so it might be fine for even .223 out to 300 yds or so. The main problem with substituting magnification for resolution is movement and heat mirage. The more magnification you have, the more solid the tripod needs to be and the more fine the adjustments need to be made, and low cost scopes may not have very good adjustment controls. Personally I would spend more on a better quality scope with top end of 40x to 60x. 125x just seems it would be so sensitive and dim that it would rarely do you any good. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

December 11, 2009, 09:34 PM	#4
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Spend a little bit more money and get at least a Celestron. Lens size is important, but lens quality is more important. An Ultima 65 from optics planet is only 35 more dollars. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

December 13, 2009, 11:42 AM	#8
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I bought one of those cheep wally world spotting scopes. It worked pretty good. But dont hold up, I've found if you leave one on the tailgate of a truck, they fall off when you move the truck. Then when you come back to camp and run over them, they dont work with a hoot. Seriously, I've have nothing against the cheap scopes, Before I buy one, I look across the parking lot, if I can pick up mirage, then I dont care that it only cost $50 bucks. I'd rather run over a $50 spotting scope then run over a $2000 scope. I'd rather spent the extra money on ammo my self. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

December 11, 2009, 08:46 PM	#3
zoomie Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: GA Posts: 1,863	Barska is bargain basement stuff. It'll work, in good conditions, most of the time, for a while.

December 12, 2009, 05:34 PM	#5
TPAW Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Posts: 2,860	Thanks guys, I'll poke around some more.

December 12, 2009, 10:39 PM	#6
Relentless Pursuit Junior member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Posts: 116	Barska floats.........(grin)

December 13, 2009, 11:27 AM	#7
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	What I've found is that these El Cheapo 20X-60X telescopes from Wally World will do fine up to maybe 35X or 40X. Plenty good for spotting bullet holes at 200 yards. Do okay on 30-cal at 500 yards, I know...

December 13, 2009, 01:01 PM	#9
Relentless Pursuit Junior member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Posts: 116	Good gear is never a concession and while many things are subjective,the merits of good glass are not......................