Tag Archives: spotting scope

Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

SvBony SV28 15-45×50

SVbony is one of the bigger brands in budget-to-midrange astronomy optics, so I wanted to see if any of that telescope expertise made it down to their least expensive spotting scope, the SV28.

The optic clarity is in the top 5 for 50mm scopes and for a $60 scope, I suppose it’s actually pretty good. But the image is noticeable chromatic aberrations at high magnification. Personally, if your budget is $60, I’d recommend saving a bit more and buying an Orion or GoSky.

PRO

  • Built in Sun Shade
  • Compact and light (as are most 50mm scopes)
  • Budget price

CON

  • Small objective lens
  • Chromatic aberrations

USAF51 RESOLUTION
Group: -1 / Element: 3

PRODUCT LINK
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fxAyQ3

BUY ON AMAZON
Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Spotty Scope: Barska Colorado 15-40×50

The Barska Colorado is a spotty scope instead of a spotting scope (feel free to use this Dad Joke). It is a compact spotting scope with a nice list of specs and a rugged exterior, that is in a word: disappointing. Well, there are many other words you can use to describe it, many comprising of four letters.

The old adage, “You get what you pay for” is certainly true here. The scope was less than $35 on Amazon and 3.9 stars out of 5 with almost half of its reviewers giving it 5 stars. These reviewers either have never seen through another spotting scope or are awaiting cataract surgery? There is one positive thing I have to say about this scope: I can still return it.

If your friend asks you about this scope, remember: friends don’t let friends buy Barska.

PRO
• Cheap

CON
• Blurry
• Milky
• Terrible optical performance

USAF51 RESOLUTION
Fail (no groups or elements could be resolved at 100 yrds)

PRODUCT LINKS

Barska Colorado https://amzn.to/3flcTlO

Celestron 20x binoculars: https://amzn.to/3rQWuuy

Vilux 12x binoculars: https://amzn.to/3A68Wcq

Shooting Sports

Upcycling an old Rifle Scope

I upcycled my old ‘budget’ rifle scope into a spotting scope with these inexpensive camera accessories. Reduce, reduce, recycle, pewpew!

SHOP

Magic Arm and Clamp https://amzn.to/2EuGmKs

Clamps https://amzn.to/2FMexhg

Mini Tripod https://amzn.to/3aV8Itw

Telescoping Tripod https://amzn.to/31nqjqT

Telescoping Extension Pole https://amzn.to/3j7VlsT

CVLife 6-24×50 rifle scope https://amzn.to/2Yvwpn0