Home > Consumer Reviews > Barska Blackhawk 8x42 Waterproof Binocular

I purchased the Barska Blackhawk binocs to use at football games and for hunting. Overall, they are good value for the price.

Pluses:
The focus knob is large and can be easily adjusted while wearing gloves
Reasonably sharp optics

Minuses
4 individual lens caps that can be easily lost or misplaced


I haven't had a chance to try them yet in really low light or driving rain so YMMV.

My wife wanted a compact design for her binoculars but did not want to sacrifice on optics or quality. After alot of looking around in shops and on the net, I ordered these. She has small hands so adjusting the focus on a pair of standard 7x50's was almost impossible. She tried these out and immediately liked them. The eye relief is just a bit less than the 7x50's but not enough to matter wearing glasses. Great feel due to the rubberized grip. These are not useless mini sized, or ultra-lightweights. They feel substantial but will not weight you down on a good hike. The right eye adjustment knob was a bit tight when I first went to adjust it but it has loosened just enough after a few turns. The screw up eye cups work very well and the focus is easy to adjust. Views are clear and crisp and we both like looking through them.
I was a bit dissapointed that there was no strap for the binoculars, but I'd probably replaced it anyway as I did with my others. The case is nothing special either. Just cheap nylon with a cheaper nylon mesh on the inside flap. Oddly, the case does had a decent strap. These little things should mean nothing in the decision to buy these fine optics. I always replace the bags and straps with something that will actually protect the unit and that is of suffcient size so you can get the item in and out easily. Good, comfortable straps are available on-line.

I just returned from the Amazon where I took these Barska knowing that I would put their 'waterproof' to the test. After a month of use there was never a problem with moisture. Optically, these binoculars are very good. Other in my group had more expensive binoculars (Nikon, Bushnell etc.) and we passed each other's around. The Barska were as good or better than the others. They are also fairly rugged. They can take a drop. If there is a negative, it is with design for the neck strap and the cheap strap that comes with the set. It sucks. The strap interferes with your hand placement. Outside of that, and especially considering the cost, I strongly recommended these binoculars. 4.5 stars.

After review of several different brands of binoculars at the local sporting stores, I was very pleased with the quality and price of the Barska Blackhawk. These should last me for many years, yes a bit heavier than other brands but should take the punishment they will go through in the field.

These binoculars are a fantastic bargain. They are solid and well made. The lenses are very bright and the focus wheel and main hinge operate smoothly and precisely. I started shopping for a set of binoculars after using a set of Leupold Cascades that were provided by the Marine Corps for the use of students in the Combat Hunter training program. The Leupolds were very impressive and as I shopped for a comparable set of binoculars I found the Barska Blackhawk to a be comparable in almost every feature. Though they use a different prism the view from the Blackhawk is indistinguishable from the more expensive Leupolds. I don't have experience with high end binoculars such as Zeiss or Leicas but the Barskas leave no reason for me to be curious about spending an additional $1000.