26.11.2015

I figured that a company that specializes in gun sights and hunting equipment (a very demanding market) must be selling a quality product and that indeed seems to be the case. There is nearly a 'full house' of modern desirable features: Bak 4 prisms, Phase correction, ED Glass, full multi coating and nitrogen purged weather proofing. I imagine this ED glass must be a wonder material since it seems to nearly double the price of many binoculars fitted with it, regardless of the make. I was surprised to discover that even the cheaper Hawke 'Nature Trek' range has silver prism mirror coating (far superior to the more usual aluminium) and frankly I cannot discover what additional features the more upmarket 'Frontier'range now offers that the 'Endurance' may lack: superior multi - coating, maybe?The image is very sharp and clear, without evident edge distortion or chromatic aberration. Although I have quite a few binoculars I do not claim to be an optics guru, however it is clear that these compare with the excellent Swan and Nikon glasses that I rate very highly. I firstly bought the 50mm version and as expected the field of view is less than the Nikon poro - prism 10 x 50's but these roof prism type are more compact and much lighter. The weight (50mm) is much less than quoted by Amazon: the makers clain 794grm: I weighed them myself and confirm that is about correct (an expensive magneziium alloy chassis is a feature). Most comparable 10 x 50 roof prisms scale 900grms to 1.0kg and this makes The Hawke much more pleasant to carry about. I later acquired the 8 x 42 version: these are delightful, providing no less than 129 metres field of vision at 1000 mtrs- one of the best in its class. I weighed them at just 630grms. For bird watching these are probably amongst the the most practical binoculars available.As to details, (both versions) the styling is very smart and the 'ribbed' sides provide a good grip. They have a high qulity feel about them. The thumb depressions under the barrels are much too close to the ocular end for proper balance (especially on the 10 x 50 with its heavy object lenses). Diopter adjustment for the right eye is by a proper ring (I dislike central 'levers' for this) and the main focusing wheel is large and smooth to turn (many are too stiff). The jury is out concerning the permanently attached object lens covers- they latch inside the barrel rather than over it and tend to fall out, but at least they should not get lost. Both models feature a mounting bush for fitting a mono or tripod adapter, though is is rarely required for the 8 x 42 version and it is fiddly to fit these to roof prism instruments. A good padded neck strap with the Hawke name on it is supplied. I suppose the one thing I really dislike are the tacky blow- moulded carry cases since I cannot see these lasting very long outside the house: I have replaced them with nice soft leather RSPB pouches (£15 each).All considered I am well pleased - especially as I paid less than £200 for each, which makes them quite a bargain: you expect a price of £250+ for this level of quality. The Hawke name is quite well known but deserves to be more so- certainly you pay dearly for the name with some makers. It is a British company and they design the products. Yes, I dare say its made in China- but so is nearly everything else nowadays and the time when that was cause for abuse is long gone. Of course, I would never have bought a second pair if I had not been delighted with the first!

5.6.2017

I have been using a pair of Zeiss Jena 8x32 Notarem for many years now and have had no cause for complaint about the image quality but despite being built like an East German/Soviet tank I've had to have them repaired a few times at quite a cost.This time when the focusing stopped working on one side it was just not cost effective any more so I started researching a replacement.My friend uses a pair of Zeiss West 8x42 (I don't know the model) so I considered the modern German made Zeiss and was stunned at the price.I was just not prepared to spend that sort of money.I read many reviews on the Chinese made,British designed Hawke and settled for the Endurance ED 8x42 as the low cost option.Well,I've

9.4.2018

I am a casual bird-watcher and have used the standard binocular on the basis that I would have to spend a lot more money to find the quality of image I am used to if I used the roof prism type. As you know in Ireland if you cannot see the mountains it is raining, and if you can see them it means it is going to rain. I decided to go for a waterproof option, meaning roof prism, and as these were back-up, the 8x32 format seemed a good weight compromise. The specifications on this model seemed reasonable, and knowing that the trickle-down of optical technology means nowadays low cost does not equate to cheap. Enough of the preamble - these are incredible for the money! These are now all I carry.

17.5.2017

You'll be able to check out some of the technical information elsewhere but from a layman's perspective these are very impressive.Not surprisingly - although I was still really taken aback by the huge improvement in clarity and magnification - these were a big step up from the very basic 8x10s I'd been using.From an, arguably less important, aesthetic perspective, I really like the contrasting matt green and black finish. Overall, the build and quality feels great. They are presented in a very smart box and with a cool zip up case.I've found them very easy to use and quick to use as well: the lens covers flick down but hang out the way and at the eyepiece end,

8.9.2020

I needed to replace my old damaged binoculars and after researching Justin Whitehead’s outstanding website, Best Binoculars Review, bought these in conjunction with another pair recommended by him and am extremely pleased with both. I wanted quality binoculars to keep for years to come and decided that the £200 mark was my level. These are the kind of binoculars that would easily cost twice that. They are comfortable to hold, have a good grip, feel solid but not too heavy and are easy to use. I am lucky enough to have a large garden and a field opposite my house and I have been watching birdlife in the garden and foxes and a visiting deer in the field.

15.10.2018

I already own some hugely expensive Zeiss optics, but needed a second pait to throw in the car and etc. To be fair, having read reviews, I expected a well made pair of binos with a good enough image for most things, and got that, but a bit more. First, they are very well made, bar one complaint (below). Operation is stiff, but that's fine...it might loosen a little in time and it's better that way round. They are excellent optically however. Better than I expected and quite close to the Zeiss in many ways. So good in fact that I usually now grab these as first choice. I've had then wet and the fog/waterproofing works perfectly. A good comfy strap is included and the eye pice rubber cover is well designed BUT.

7.11.2019

I purchased these 18 months ago and have been extremely pleased with them. I have used them extensively for citizen science wildlife surveys of birds and sea mammals in diverse locations including the summits of mountains, remote cliff tops in Shetland, and the bridges / observation decks of CalMac ferries in the Hebrides. In a wide variety of conditions including high winds, driving rain and frost they have performed superbly. The optical quality and weight also compare very favourably with models costing many times as much.Recently they developed a minor focussing problem affecting the diopter adjustment. As they come with a 10 year warranty I contacted Hawke.

23.2.2018

After weeks of looking at reviews, magnifications etc I purchased this rather than a Opticron 8 x 32 which in itself had won a best small bino. award and had great reviews but was made of abs plastic. I remember a quote "pay as much as you can afford on binos". So I paid a bit more and purchased these which have ED glass are small and no plastic body and has excellent reviews. I was not disappointed, the image is superb almost HD like with sharp no fringes on edges of birds/reeds. Well made and quite compact, the flip down optic covers are a good idea, and the focus is effortless and smooth, good case supplied. The dioptric adjustment is firm and stays where it was adjusted to.

3.1.2019

These are a superior pair of binoculars.The visual clarity is superb, as is the magnification. They were primarily purchased (for more as a present) for bird watching but they are flexible enough for so much more. The ED glass also really helps to remove the haze as seen through other binoculars in the same price range. These are the best I have used and I've tried many! Maybe Swarovski still have the edge but at a massive price jump for not exceptional difference. You will not be disappointed in this particular pair of bins.Not great for astronomy but no real surprise there as you need more magnification and much bigger aperture for that.If you look around the web,

6.10.2016

These are a nice mid compact sized bino. Not too heavy. Optics are crystal clear. The centre focus wheel is very loose/easy to turn which I think is by design since I've read similar comments elsewhere. Maybe just as well since the x10 magnification is very powerful and as a result, if you are watching a moving object or glancing at anything other than your original target you are constantly having to refocus. In summary I would say they are fine binos but be specific about what you're using them for. For a stationary object they are great, for bird watching or such I would drop down to a x8 magnification and that would be the ideal.

23.6.2019

I already knew these were impressive little bino's as my wife has had a pair for around a year now and they really outperformed my old pair which cost around the same when new. Lightweight and compact is a real boon when travelling around by public transport and carrying them around all day! - but that combined with superb performance means they are just the job for birding on the go. Build quality is very good, being metal body rather than the plastic of similar style and priced ones - the Hawkes are a bit heavier than the plastic body ones, but I think the compromise to get that extra sturdiness is acceptable.

28.8.2017

Purchased these after lengthy research in magazines and online. The binoculars are punching above their weight regarding the price paid. They are good value for money and provide clarity of vision. They are adequate for what I use them. (Field work / animal observation) No doubt there are higher spec binoculars out in the market place which would involve a major financial commitment. I feel these suit my needs plus I am not scared to use them for fear of causing expensive damage to them. They appear to be quite robust and I use them as a work / hobby tool that does not need to be kept wrapped up in cotton wool.

11.11.2018

I returned my Hawke for minor reasons. Focus knob took 2 full rounds and it was too much, as in many places it was said to take less. Focus knob was bit stiff. Pic was good, but not enough better than in my cheapo bins. The bins fogged from outside easily when I was sweaty. In the end Hawke brought not enough to the table compared to my cheapos. Finally I bought Nikon Monarch 7 8x30. It was more expensive, but at least it has great FOV, tiny size, fast focus knob and bright pic. There is some glare problems and ease of use problems, but it is clear improvement compared to my cheapos in many features.

25.5.2017

I bought these to replace my Nikon 10x50 ones which I find quite heavy to carry and they pull on my neck. These 8x42 endurance are fabulous. They offer very clear vision and there is not a vast difference between the two pairs of binoculars. They are easy to focus and much lighter for me to carry. They come in a firm case( I wouldn't class it as hard) that is really good. The lens covers on the bottom are attached to the binoculars and the objective cover on the top lens attaches to the strap, so no chance of losing them which I think is very important. All in all, I love these fabulous binoculars

6.1.2019

Bought for my father for Christmas. They seemed a good quality pair of binoculars. Lightweight, well balanced pretty good clear optics but I did think that one of the eye relief twist adjusters wasn't anywhere near as good as the other. Seemed odd to me that they didn't both feel like they clicked into place with a quality "click". I have a pair of bushnell bone collector special edition that someone gave me as a gift and I was expecting the hawke to knock them out the park but they certainly don't. Can't beat getting your hands on the product and tryinh it. Only pr with buying online.

Hawke Optics Endurance 8x42 - Reviews

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