Just an update on my post. I've had a few e-mails back and forth with CliveP in which I agreed to buy his Hawkes for (what I consider to be) a very reasonable price.
Clive very kindly fitted in with my unusal schedule and the bins duly arrived about 10am this morning, superbly packaged. Can I just say that CliveP is a very nice chap to do business with? Nothing is too much trouble.
The bins are like new. I think Clive must have worn gloves when using them as there is no sign they have ever been out of the box, although we know they have.
I've always had porro prism bins before and these are my first roof prisms. Also, I've never spent more than £50 on bins (except the pair of Opticron Countryman MC's I inherited from my dad although, technically, I didn't pay for them)
The Hawkes are a good, chunky pair of bins. Not quite as heavy as my WWII 6x30s, but still a fair good weight. Not too heavy, mind. A feel of quality in the weight.
The centre diopter will take a little getting used too. I've already moved it a couple of times whilst focusing, but that is more user error than anything else.
My word, the view though! Miles better than anything else I've ever owned. I've looked thru some 10x42 Swaros before and, whilst perhaps not quite in this league, the Hawkes can hold their own. They box above their weight.
At then end of the garden there are some fir trees hanging over from next door. My feeding table is there as the birds like to hop back and forth. Normally, they are lost within the gloom of the branches to other optics. The Hawkes make then stand out, like you're right there using just your MkI eyeballs. Brilliant colour.
A Willow Warbler alighted in a tree at the end (first ever for my garden!) and the Hawkes showed its colour magnificently. There was not mistaking the light legs and supercillium. Clarity and detail I've not seen before.
I have yet to try them out in the field - I am on a birdwalk over Ashtead Common on Saturday am where they will get a proper outing - but my first impressions are very favourable.
I'm glad that Clive e-mailed me and agree to let his bins go. I do know of an as new pair in a local retailer at a marked discount over the RRP, if anyone is interested? They were in my sights originally until Clive showed up!