Friday 21 May 2010

Hawke Optics Endurance ED 80 spotting scope



Hawke Optics Endurance ED 20-60x80 spotting scope
If there is a better spotting scope for around £550, I hav,nt found it yet
This has to be the best scope I have had the privilege of looking through
Superb low light performance
Colours contrast and brightness is superb throughout the zoom range (even with glasses on)
The ED glass gives virtually no chromatic aberration for pin sharp images with true colours
The twist eye cup gives an impressive 20mm eye relief at 20x
The lens is protected by a pull out Sun shade
For accuracy, there is a dual speed focusing system
Both the zoom and focuser are very smooth in operation
The body is fully rotatable
Complete with lens covers, stay-on-case and Aluminium hard carry case
Nitrogen waterproof for use in all conditions

Extra wide angle eyepieces and digiscoping adapters are available if you wish to upgrade in the future
(extra eyepieces and digiscoping adapters not included)
At 2kg this is no light weight. What you do get is a very solidly built scope with a 10 years warranty

Spec
Objective 80mm ED glass
Prism BaK-4
Nitrogen waterproof
Focal length 480mm f6
Magnification 20-60x
Eyerelief 20mm @ 20x
Close focus 6.1m @ 20x
Length 432mm
Weight 2kg

Wednesday 12 May 2010

Camlink 15-45x50 spotting scope


15-45x power
50mm lens
Grippa strap
Dual use table top tripod / car window mount
Carry case
Price as of May 2010 £69 (offer price)

Super lightweight with very good optics
Better than expected clear views that rival many £99 scopes

Got less than £100 to spend on a general purpose spotter ?. You,ll struggle to find better value than this little "pocket rocket".

At low power, the sharpness is excellent across the view. A wide field of view and good depth of field makes for ease of use.
Colours and contrast are much better than the price suggests.

Quality tails off a little at high power (45x), but is still well within tolerances.
Smooth focus and zoom eyepiece can both be used with gloves on.

Easy to hand hold at low power with the grippa strap (included)
Very good quality table top tripod/car window mount and carry case add to the value.

Will accept compact cameras for digiscoping (adapter £40 extra)

For. Great value and clear optics for the promotional low price.
Against. Slight yellow cast on the edges (that's being really picky)

By far our best selling spotter.

At just £69.00, go for it

Tuesday 11 May 2010

Hawke Optics Frontier PC 8x32 binoculars


8x32
Phase corrected BaK-4 prisms
Nitrogen waterproof
Price as of May 2010, £159

Super little binoculars with great handling and clear optics.

Outstanding views from the 32mm objectives, that match many 42mm binos.
The biggest surprise was the lack of chromatic aberration (false colour). Considering these are not ED glass, the low level of colour fringing is quite incredible.

The Frontier PC is a step up from the Endurance. For an extra £30 you get a lot more for your money. This makes them excellent value.

You are easily able to pick out detail in the dark shadows of trees and shrubs.
This makes them ideal for low light work.

The grippy rubber coating and quality finish give a reassuring look and feel.

Eye relief is around 15mm, so should suit most spectacle wearers.

Great all round binos that will keep you happy for many years

Monday 10 May 2010

Hawke Optics Frontier 8x43 ED


8x43 roof prism
BaK-4
ED glass
Nitrogen waterproof
Price as of May 2010 £339

OK, lets not "beat about the bush"
If there,s a better pair of binoculars out there for less than £500, I hav,nt found them yet.
The views through the 8x43 ED is quite jaw dropping.
Brightness, colours and contrast really have to be seen to be believed.

Virtually no colour fringing (chromatic aberration) for pin sharp images.
The 143m @ 1000m field gives a "picture window" wide view

Great news for spectacle wearers with an impressive long eye relief
Handling is excellent, with solid build construction.

They received one of the highest scores for a review in Birdwatching magazine ever seen.
Optical rating 9.5 out of 10
Design and ease of use 9 out of 10
Value for money 9.5 out of 10

No wonder these are my best selling Hawkes at our retail outlet at the Waters Edge centre.

10 years warranty for peace of mind

As for minor faults. There ar,nt any

Saturday 8 May 2010

Olympus 7x35 DPS I


7x35
Porro prism
BaK-4
Price as of May 2010 £79.00

Great alround binoculars, with super handling to match. Build quality is excellent, with a 30 years warranty.
Believe me these binoculars are solid. This will be the first thing you notice.
They dont have a 30 year parts and labour warranty for nothing.

At 9.2 degrees, these have one of the widest fields of view. This together with a massive depth of field makes them a joy to use.
Although eyreilef is quoted at 12mm, I found I could get a full field with spectacles on.
Colours and contrast are increadible for this price range, with clear views from edge to edge.

Low light performance is very good from the two 35mm objectives.
The chunky focusing wheel means they can be used with gloves on.
I dont believe they are nitrogen waterproof. If you are not worried about water proofing, it is difficult to find any faults, (no matter how I tried)
If you want a little more power, go for the 8x40s for an extra fiver.