Barska Gladiator 25-75x100 Waterproof Straight Spotting Scope w/Tripod: Customer Reviews & Product Details

I was a little worried when I purchased the Barska Gladiator. I just couldn't imagine a 100mm objective at such a low price with good performance. So upon receipt, I did a quick comparision with my favorite astronomical scope, the Televue Ranger. The Barska compared quite favorably in a 70 yard fine target resolution comparision. In fact, I could not discern too much difference between the 70mm Ranger and 100mm Barska resolution in daylight. One might say this is expected of a 70 vs 100mm comparision. However, the Televue optics quality and performance is quite legendary with ability to achieve 180x and still perform. With both scopes I was able to read 0.2 inch high text and track 0.1 inch reticle artifacts at 70 yards (Barska at 75x). So, I expect this Barska to perform quite adequately at the shooting range for most calibers and ranges. I was not disappointed in performance of Barska and scope quality looks and feels superior. Oh, of course I used a stable scope mount in both cases. One really needs a stable, fine az and el adjustment tripod to be able to use this scope at 75x. I recommend this scope.

Scope works great, Tripod was broke when I received it. I tried to register via their web site also to notify them of the broken tripod but web site was down. I was unable to contact them. Cheap tripod! Scope itself 5 stars tripod 2 stars

The low power images are fine. As the magnification increases the crispness of the images deteriorate but not to unacceptable levels for the shooting range. The problem with the scope is it's too big and too heavy and the tripod is not up to the task. It's embarressing to whip out the Hubble Space Telescope and have it topple over.

I purchased this just before a 2 week trip to Yellowstone, based on the high recommendations at Amazon, and the relatively low price.

I was very pleased with the clarity and the sharpness, especially in dim light, because of the large 100mm lens. In the Lamar Valley I could see a wolf scratch it's belly with it's right hind leg at 75x at over a half a mile away. (could barely make out the wolf with normal eyesight). At Canyon I set it up on an Osprey nest with two chicks on a rock pinnacle. The nest and chicks and sometimes mother Osprey filled up the viewfinder. Many people came by and looked through the scope, and I liked watching their excited reaction. Some people couldn't speak English, but patted me on the back or said it was 'magnifique.'

In the Hayden valley at dusk I was able to pick out elk across the valley that we definitely could not see unaided. I also set up the scope on Grizzly in the Lamar Valley and on Dunraven Pass.

The scope is very large - definitely not a field scope. You need a heavy tripod to put it on. The one that comes with it does not do the job.

This is one of the best purchases I have ever made. It added much more enjoyment to my wildlife viewing in Wyoming and Montana.

Eye relief is long enough for me to see the entire field of view while wearing my glasses. Zoom plays well with the exit pupil diameter. Focus knob requires lots of turning but allows for some fine adjustments. The action is very smooth and precise. Optics are top notch.

This is a straight line scope, so it is not the best for pointing upwards at the sky. Best for the terrestrial viewing it is designed for. You can still view objects near the horizon pretty conveniently, however. The lens gathers so much light it is almost hard to look at the full moon on a clear night.