BARSKA Gladiator 25-125x80 Zoom Binoculors (Green Lens, Braced-in Tripod Adapter)
From Barska
Specifications:25-125x, Field of View (ft@1000yds/m@1000m) =54/18@25x, Prism Glass: BAK-4, Exit Pupil (mm): 3.3, Close Focus (ft/m) 82/25, Eye Relief 13.3mm
- Amazon Sales Rank: #87910 in Sports & Outdoors
- Color: Black
- Brand: Barska
- Model: AB10594
- Released on: 2008-10-30
- Dimensions: 7.65 pounds
Not a bad one.
I purchased this binoculars online even though it had a couple of bad reviews on other sites about not being able to use the binoculars at full zoom (125x), and I want to say that it was one of the better decisions I made. This is my first binoculars and I purchased it with the intention of kickstarting my long time interest in astronomy.
People who said that the binoculars is not usable at 125x zoom either do not know how to use the binocular or received a defective instrument. Initially even I thought that the binoculars had issues with 125x zoom, but on reading the instruction on how to properly focus the binocs, it all went away.
I cannot compare it with anything else since this is my first binoc but I think it has sufficient light gathering capability for its size. If you intend to use it at 125x zoom be sure to buy a sturdy tripod. I tried to save some money on tripod but had to buy a new one to support this giant.
I havent check out the night sky yet with this binoculars as its winter here in Seattle but I will report back as soon as I get a chance.
Update.
Its been two years since I owned this product. The binoc is still in great condition and works fine. However I am disappointed with the night sky view from this binocs. The amount of light collected during a starry night sky is not sufficient to view the celestial objects at full 125x magnification.
Me? ... I think the world of them! .... Nuff Said!
In deciding on purchasing these binoculars, several factors were pondered; 1) Purpose, 2) usability at high power, 3) Design capabilities and finally 4) optics capabilities.
Likewise, I encourage any prospective buyer to consider all the above factors. So Let's examine my own decision making process, the analogy of which, I am certain many a prospective buyer will find useful.
1) Purpose, and since I am as an astronomer as any brick in my house roof tiles, I had no use for an astronomer's binoculars, which in and of itself, is an oxymoron. Astronomers, be they as they may, amateurs or novices, never use binoculars for their hobby; instead, they use dedicated telescopes, which employ a completely different optical design and sport more massive optical power.
2) Usability at high power in any binoculars requires stability. So in a pair of binoculars such as these, high power here, really and truly, is big mama humunga chunga! .... In other words, these aren't ordinary high power binoculars. You never see Nikon, canon, or Minolta advertising binoculars of their design and manufacture sporting this type of high power, at least for consumer use..... Reason? We will come to that when I arrive at factor 4; optical capabilities..... So for this factor, you must mount your binoculars on a tripod to be able to harness its high power capability; without mounting, you would have a field of view mounted on a Billy Dancer's Hips!
3) There is a limit to technology at any given stage of its development. Here, optical design technology is at its wits end when you try to employ power magnification that must go through atmospheric conditions, and suffer from the effects of the laws of physics, and fabrication limitation in chromatic, pincushion, and spherical aberration. .... So here, you have to either settle for what the laws of physics and the limitation of technology offer you, or settle for 10 to 20 power magnification for the most optimal optical performance. But you can't have both or have one of them and complain.... Get Real!
4) Much like factor 3, factor 4 is dependent on the laws of physics. Until far more advanced and sophisticated optics are developed to overcome some or all the limitations of the current optics, ultra high power magnification will require design characteristics which would render a pair of binoculars fit only for use mounted on space ship in earth orbit.
Conclusion, these are awesome binoculars if you understand their capabilities, have a good purpose to use them for, and are ready, willing and capable of trading some features of optical performance for others.
Me? ... I think the world of them! .... Nuff Said!
