Hawke Frontier PC Open Hinge 10x42
I searched around quite a bit and couldn't find any mention of these Hawke binoculars, all I got was a bunch of discussion on the Frontier ED models.
Sounds like the OH = open hinge?
Anyone used these or have any feedback? They seem like a relatively compact 8x42 model, only 24oz, with all the right base specs (phase corrected prisms, fully multicoated, water/fog proof, etc)... but what caught my eye is the advertised 459' FOV. That would be (AFAIK) the widest FOV available in the 8x42 body style.
Anyone? The price is right at $239, curious to hear any opinions?
Hi Hawke OH seekers. While looking for 8x42, all this time later, I couldn't find much about these either but saw the
10x42 version of Hawke Frontier PC open hinge virtually new but with a broken box for £76. The focus mechanism on a pair of Leupold Yosemite had been jamming solid if left for a couple of days, and manufacturers had just confirmed a fault. So, instead of exchanging for Hawke 8x42 and paying the additional £90, I accepted the full refund which was kindly offered by Uttings and took a chance on the Hawke 10x50s.
It was dusk when they arrived but first impressions were very good, with a degree of contrast/brightness which almost seemed to turn the light up. This impression was confirmed indoors, where they provided fine detail in a watercolour which has been used for trying out binoculars before. In a fairly gloomy corner of the room the details seemed almost as clear as when seen close up with the naked eye, the best so far.
I have been on a buying spree for 3 binoculars as gifts and one pair to replace Nikon 8x32 SEs which I had never really been able to get on with. Out of four Bushnell examples (which seemed potentially quite good) three had serious flaws: two out of collimation and one on the limit of the dioptre adjustment, as well as the fault with the Yosemites, but this pair of Hawkes seem to be properly made and very well finished. Nice touches include the 'click calibrated' dioptre adjustment, which is central when adjusted, and the neat flip-down objective covers which are replaceable but semi-permanently attached.
With a pair of Bushnell Ultra-HD Legend 10x36 I discovered that I could hold 10x steady after all, and that the extra magnification provided a more satisfying view. The eye relief '15mm' was just right with glasses for me, instead of around '17mm' or '18mm' provided by various 7x or 8x models which required the eyepieces to be wound up a bit, and this was so with the Hawkes too.
The Bushnell Ultra Legends are away with Bushnell for the dioptre problem so they were not available for direct comparison but I got on fine with their smaller exit pupils while the (presumably slightly bigger) Hawke 10x c.4mm pupils seem, surprisingly, to be a little more problematic and so the angular adjustment of the barrels is more critical. Just as well that it is stiff enough to stay put. Closest focus with Hawkes is around 7ft which does require slightly less of an angle between the barrels but not as badly as some I have tried. The clicking dioptre adjustment ring records precisely the last point of adjustment, which is useful in order to get it just right.
In daylight the first impressions are confirmed and sharpness/contrast/colour discrimination give realistic views e.g. foliage and blades of grass appear distinct and clear, with sufficient depth of focus to include nearby objects. Highlights and textures show up well and blacks look 'black'. From memory this performance is at least as good if not better than Bushnell Ultras, which in spite of ED glass were not so good in dull conditions when a slight overall 'greyness' tended to be noticeable. With the Hawkes, although it is not often obtrusive, any straight vertical lines are badly affected by pincushion distortion, while focus is quite good nearly to the edges. The action of the focus wheel is a smooth 1.5 turns stop to stop, with only a small rough patch in the 7m focus zone, and no play.
I think the Hawkes are most attractive for their design and quality of construction, with expensive looking rubber and components and a nice bulge towards the objective ends of the barrels. The open hinge and area of sharp nobbles on the sides makes them easy to handle. They are compact enough at 14cms long and 11.5cms wide when adjusted and 750gms complete. Reckon they are pretty good all round!
Regards
Chris