Anyone care to update this thread?
Particularly keen on hearing how any 8x36 users are getting on with these glasses in the field and how they might compare to the larger 8x42 model.
Please no comments about the Zen models, I'm only interested in hearing about the Hawkes!!
Matt
Matt,
I received my 8x36 last night and have had an hour to play with them in the garden this morning (wet and dull), comparing them to my Nikon Sporter 8x36's and SLC 10x42's.
My initial thoughts are that there are a very nice pair of bins and excellent value for money. The image and ergonomics are excellent, they are very comfortable to hold and the image falls only slightly short of the SLC's.
Brightness:
Nikon < Hawke < SLC
Hawke much brighter than the nikon and falls only slightly short of the SLC
Edge sharpness:
Hawke < Nikon < SLC
I was expecting more from the Hawkes than this, but it be should noted that the Hawkes have a much better field of view (140m) compared to the Nikon (122m) and edge sharpness only drops off in the bit you don't get in the nikons (if you know what I mean!).
Centre sharpness
Nikon < Hawke < SLC,
Like brightness, Hawke significantly better than Nikon and only slightly short of SLC.
CA - simply looking at roof edges against bright(ish) sky,
Nikon < SLC < Hawke
Hawke showed very little CA at all, much less than the SLC which only show a little off centre. It is a dull day though and probably not the best test of CA.
Field of view
SLC < Nikon < Hawke
No surprises.
Ergonomics
Nikon < SLC < Hawke
I love the weight and feel of my SLC's, they feel solid and sit in the hands very well. However, I think that the Hawkes edge this slightly; they don't have that 'solid' feel but are just a little more comfortable in the hand and lighter. I get the feeling they will be much more comfortable to hold over long periods. The eye cups are also very comfortable - not quite as good as the SLC's, but they have a half-way stop position which is perfect for my eyes and they seem to stay in place well.
Eye relief
SLC < Hawke < Nikon.
The nikons have massive eye relief - I don't know what the figures are but they are the only binoculars that I have ever tried (and I've tried out most at the Birdfair) that I need the eye cups twisted all the way out.
Focus mechanism
Hawke < Nikon < SLC
The focus on the Hawkes is the slowest of the three, and it has the most play, possibly 2mm of turn before it starts focussing. I think that this would hardly notice if it wasn't for the fact that the Nikons and SLC's are so direct and positive. It is very smooth when turned slowly, but when focussing very quickly there is a slight roughness to the mechanism.
Accessories
The only disappointing thing about the Hawkes are the accessories. Nothing really fits together properly - objective covers too loose (they'll get lost in the field), eye pice covers too tight (a fiddle to get them off in a hurry), neck strap too long (I'm 5'10 - not that short - I've got it as short as possible and they still sit just above my stomach). Even the case, which I think is an excellent design is too small to use with the eye-cups in the 'half-up' position and there is no chance of getting the strap in.
Image-wise, the Hawkes knock the socks of the Nikon sporters, but I guess that's to be expected, the nikons are an old design and can be had for about £70 at the moment. They come very close the the SLC's in each category (better for CA) but some how those little differences do add about to a noticeably different overall image. When I look through the Hawkes I get a very very good, very pleasing image, through the SLC's there's all that plus a little bit of wow!
If I didn't already have the SLC's, the Hawkes would be more than adequate, I certainly wouldn't shell out the extra £800 or so needed for them. But as I already have a pair the SLC's are still my faves - the Hawkes won't replace them but make a very nice addition. The nikons get relegated to the boot of the car and for use by the missus!
Overall -
Likes; Image, field of view, lack of CA, ergonomics - actually everything about the unit itself
Dislikes; The accessories - shame really, my guess is that generic designs are used to keep costs as low as possible.
Bear in mind that I have only had an hour or so to play with these so my opinions may change with time - hoping to have a full day with them tomorrow. Also, I'm not an optics guru in any way - this is my first real review on a forum - and my opinions are purely subjective but hopefully they are (reasonably) useful to someone.