You know, I think I'm going to have to take back about all that I said. I did not mention this, but I was comparing that Barska with my Sightron looking through my patio window. This is what I can't figure out:
The Barska looks the same when looking through the window and taking it outside, but the Sightron looks 100x better when it is outside compared to when it is going through a window. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that was the problem. Maybe I'll take them both outside and compare them again tomorrow, but for right now, I would say Sightron is making a comeback in my book.
I think you've jumped to an errant conclusion, and I was waiting for you to see the light. I don't see how you could ever hope to compare two scopes until you get them out in the field side by side. When I looked through the SIII glass at the Orlando Convention Center this past January, I could tell instantly it had some quality glass. When I then purchased one and compared it to my other scopes out in the field - side by side comparison, I wasn't one bit disappointed. You've got great glass in that scope, or you've got a lemon. Last possibility is you've got a bad set of eyes. I can't think of any other possibilities. Now that you've posted, you may make it easier for me to find another SIII at an attractive price. If your's is the current SIII, and your selling price is right, I may be inclined to relieve you of your problem.