Hawke Binoculars

[Hobjob]

I've posted in other threads about them

To-day I was killing time in Dorking waiting for the missus, and passed a shop selling them.
Went in and had a happy half hour.

Conclusions:

1. Prostalk (10x50)
2. Saphire ED open hinge (the newest model and most expensive)

Both of these were a heap of manure. The first Saphires they gave me had play in the focussing wheel like my old morris minor had in its steering eons ago.

3. Frontier ED 10x43

Blooming fantastic. Compared well on a foul day to Swaros.
Far, far better than their more expensive cousin. Much, much sharper and lighter too.

Just my opinion.

[johnf3f]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

I've posted in other threads about them

To-day I was killing time in Dorking waiting for the missus, and passed a shop selling them.
Went in and had a happy half hour.

Conclusions:

1. Prostalk (10x50)
2. Saphire ED open hinge (the newest model and most expensive)

Both of these were a heap of manure. The first Saphires they gave me had play in the focussing wheel like my old morris minor had in its steering eons ago.


3. Frontier ED 10x43

Blooming fantastic. Compared well on a foul day to Swaros.
Far, far better than their more expensive cousin. Much, much sharper and lighter too.

Just my opinion.

Probably just sample variation - but it shows the need to "TRY BEFORE YOU BUY". This is where a high street vendor beats the on line discounters.
I don't know the prices of the bins you tried, but for about 400 quid, a friend of mine picked up a pair of the Vortex Viper 8x42 HDs - not perfect but far from shabby compared to my 8.5 x ELs. Well worth a look.

P.S. If you do like Swarovski then a camera shop near me is letting ELs go at VERY reasonable prices (which is why I have a pair!) - PM if interested.

[markbugman]

Coming soon from Hawke
Panorama ED 8.5x42 with flat field lenses (retail price £579)
Waiting to see a sample pair in Jan but looking at the spec they should be a fantastic bino for the money.
Regards
Mark

[Hobjob]

What are flat field lenses - thats a new one on me.

Originally Posted by markbugman

Coming soon from Hawke
Panorama ED 8.5x42 with flat field lenses (retail price £579)
Waiting to see a sample pair in Jan but looking at the spec they should be a fantastic bino for the money.
Regards
Mark

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

What are flat field lenses - thats a new one on me.

Field Flattener Lenses
Improves edge sharpness and lowers the distortion by minimizing curvature of the field aberrations that occur when focusing on the center of the field of view causing the edges to go out of focus or the center to go out of focus when focusing on the edges. This produces sharper, clearer images all the way to the lens periphery and are used in most high end binoculars these days.

Binocular Glossary

Cheers
Jonathan

[wizzo]

For a long time now, I've sang the praises of these fantastic bins. Having owned much more expensive bins, I'd say that taking all things into consideration, these are by far the best binoculars I have used and wouldn't part with mine for anything. As I've said before on here, a lot of my birding buddies use top of the range Swarvo's and Leica's, and many of them wont even look through mine. Those that have, can't believe they are only around £350. A couple of casual passers by even pointed out, having had a look though mine, how "stunning" 'these' Swarovski bins are, until I pointed out that they were in fact, Hawke's. Their jaws nearly hit the floor! Wizzo

[Hobjob]

Yes, but note my comments about the Protsalk and Saphires - and I tried 3 pais of saphires, and they were all pants in terms of sharpness.

Originally Posted by wizzo

For a long time now, I've sang the praises of these fantastic bins. Having owned much more expensive bins, I'd say that taking all things into consideration, these are by far the best binoculars I have used and wouldn't part with mine for anything. As I've said before on here, a lot of my birding buddies use top of the range Swarvo's and Leica's, and many of them wont even look through mine. Those that have, can't believe they are only around £350. A couple of casual passers by even pointed out, having had a look though mine, how "stunning" 'these' Swarovski bins are, until I pointed out that they were in fact, Hawke's. Their jaws nearly hit the floor! Wizzo