Comments on: Barska Blueline 10×40 Close Focus Monocular

By: Tim Brain

Tim Brain — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:36:59 +0000

Review by Tim Brain for Barska Blueline 10x40 Close Focus Monocular Rating: OK, my take on the Barska Blueline 10x40 Close Focus Monocular. Semi-compact size, sturdy rubberized body, feels like build quality. The image is somewhat sharp, slightly color fringed, reasonably bright.

I guess I really hadn't considered the way a monocular operates. That a tubular 10x optic with a narrow field of view really has to be steadied with both hands to keep vertigo from setting in. Hmmm, kind of awkward, one hand ahead of the other on the barrel, elbows on the desk.

Which sets the thing at chest height, unless I want to sit on a paint can. In the chair, I'm hunching over on it, which tips my head forward, my eyeball squinting upward into the eyepiece. Neckstrain, eyestrain.

Now to focusing with that rotating eyepiece. Remember two hands holding it steady? Now you have just one. Which way to turn? Try one way and see what happens. About two full revolutions between the stops. No? Back the other way then. What's that? Your bird flew off already?

In conclusion, there's nothing wrong with this monocular. Works as claimed. If you need an optic mainly for positive ID on a bird or critter, fine.

But...if you are into your birds, would like a nice sharp image and good color, might enjoy some watching as well as just "spotting"...well, I'm springing for compact binoculars!

By: Brian J. Rueger

Brian J. Rueger — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:42:36 +0000

Review by Brian J. Rueger for Barska Blueline 10x40 Close Focus Monocular Rating: This item seems to be well made. I am a professional photographer and I have been around quality optics for a long time. View is bright and crisp. Focusing is quick.

Only one small problem. The forward element seems to be a little loose.

By: Netagene Kirkpatrick

Netagene Kirkpatrick — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:02:21 +0000

Review by Netagene Kirkpatrick for Barska Blueline 10x40 Close Focus Monocular Rating: I'm a friend of Mr. Watts, also legally blind but with some usable sight. I saw his Barska Blueline Monocular. Most smaller monoculars have lenses that are too small to let in sufficient light. This one is still small enough to be easily portable, yet has big lenses. It is by far the best for the money that I have found. Wish I'd had it when I first became legally blind!

By: Joseph Shane Watts

Joseph Shane Watts — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:08:34 +0000

Review by Joseph Shane Watts for Barska Blueline 10x40 Close Focus Monocular Rating: I am considered 'Legally Blind.' With this monocular, I could see the name of a store from over 2 blocks away, as if it were just across the street. I also could monitor my students' computer screens without having to get in their personal space. The range is excellent! the clarity is superb! I'd recommend this for birdwatchers, commuters, school students with vision problems, and theatre goers.

By: J. Hoerth

J. Hoerth — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:20:58 +0000

Review by J. Hoerth for Barska Blueline 10x40 Close Focus Monocular Rating: Just got this from Amazon, I read a lot of reviews on other sites and thought I'd add my 2 cents. I never liked binoculars, even gave away my last pair of binoculars. This is really nice, focuses down to about 12 feet, works great in low light conditions. Pulls in distance objects, all just like advertised and with great focus. Tit for tat as good as my much larger spotting scope. Lightly rubber 'armored', overall great quality for the price and the weight is the same as a can of soda and doesn't seem to tire the neck when carried that way. I looked at smaller, lighter, cheaper, weaker monoculars but glad I ordered this one. Basically the 10 pulls in the objects and the 40 gives you plenty of light gathering capability. The lens caps are tight, almost too tight. Comes with a nice belt holder. That addresses all the nit picking I read on other sites with reviews. Plus, Amazon shipped it free and got it to me in 10 days. Overall, the lowest price I found. And the negatives? Just one, it came with a cheap, thin, light neck strap that I simply replaced with a longer, thicker water bottle strap. Just got done watching wild turkeys and the rest of birds at my feeders and I'm still giddy. Great buy, order it and enjoy. I am.