http://www.barska.com/Blackhawk_Binoculars-BARSKA_9x63_BLACKHAWK_BINOCULARS.html

I’m posting this because of the earlier discussions on it and other binoculars.  I purchased this, it arrived today, and I took it out this afternoon and tonight under a variety of conditions.  These are my preliminary impressions.

First, purpose.  Eventually I’d like to have 2nd generation night vision binoculars.  These are an inexpensive stopgap measure.  Most importantly, I want them for terrestrial night vision in remote areas.  Scanning the night-time desert or forest is ideal, seeing if the eyes reflecting my headlamp is a coyote or raccoon when I’m walking the dog through the woods.  Second, as general purpose binoculars in the van, and third as an aid to very casual celestial viewing.  Inexpensive is essential.

For an inexperienced user, the optics are superb.  A sharp focus extends to the edges and the depth of field is acceptable.  The field of view is certainly tolerable, and allows for finding an object as well as thoroughly examining it.  Once set for my eyes it is easy to move from object to object and re-focus if necessary.

During the day in the woods it renders the deepest, darkest holes bright and clear.  There are no secrets, even when the naked eye just sees darkness and shadows.  At night if there is any light at all it will do a superb job of clarifying what the object is, making items recognizeable which are invisible otherwise.

Celestial objects show up very well.  Flashing lights in the night sky resolve to airplanes, planets are quite bright.  Holding it steady at those distances is a challenge.   It does not have a mount for a tripod.  I have not looked at the Moon yet. 

It is inexpensive, $70 at Amazon including 2nd day shipping.  And it is cheap.  The one adjustable eyepiece is not scaled, there are no scales of any kind.  There is no tripod mount.  It feels cheap.

However, optically it is perfect for my use.  In a vehicle, or on a short walk from a vehicle, for day or night terrestrial use it would be hard to imagine what it could do better, and in a bind one could always steady it for casual celestial use.  I believe it is well worth the money.