The Blackhawk 60mm spotting scope uses a multi-coated objective lens and rugged porro-prism design for bright, clear images. At 100 yards, I can clearly focus in on a target, even when I crank the magnification up to the maximum 60X. When I use the scope for wildlife spotting, the sweet spot seems to be about 30X magnification; 30X gives me an ideal combination of sharp images and a wide field of view, perfect for identifying Puffins and Pelicans along the coast.

I also like the compact size and light weight of the Blackhawk 60. At only 14 inches long and weighing less than two pounds, the Blackhawk 60 is light enough to use a photo tripod such as the SLIK U-9000 in the field. Like other entry level spotting scopes, the Barska Blackhawk 60 uses an Achromatic objective lens, which means that some false color or blue fringing is noticeable at high power.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the quality and value of the binoculars and spotting scopes imported by Barska the last few years. The Barska Blackhawk 60mm spotting scope simply offers very good optical performance for a very reasonable price. --Jeff Phillips

Pros:

• Excellent price/performance ratio
• Very good Achromatic optics
• Waterproof design with rubber coating
• Premium hard shell case included

• Blue fringing noticeable at high power
• Limited eye relief for eyeglass wearers