"Birdwatching" magazine in the UK (January issue) has a review of the Hawke Frontier ED 8x43. It rates them very highly, giving them practically top "marks" for Design & Ease of Use, Optical Rating, and Value for Money. The reviewer mentions a little edge softness and the "halo" effect, but says these can be easily dealt with by re-positioning the eye (I´ve no idea how this resolves edge softness). He also says they felt a little heavier than others in the same class, which is odd, because the specs say they´re even lighter than the Zeiss FL 8x42. They´re now available from some sites in the UK for 280 sterling.
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Hawke Frontier ED: another open bridge ED bin from China (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Kevin Purcell
- Start date
James Bean
Well-known member
Never mind £280, how about £219 on eBay UK? Go to 'Photography' then to 'Binoculars', and type in 'Hawke Frontier 8x43 ED'. Just one seller presently, who has 9 left, and you can choose black or green. Has to be worth a look... Oh, and the 10x are £229...
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James Bean
Well-known member
Update on Hawke 8x43 ED Frontier on eBay UK: now relisted from 'BIN' (appropriate!) to a starting price of £219. I got in while it was a 'buy it now' for £219...
James Bean
Well-known member
Latest update on Hawke 8x43 ED on eBay UK: it's now gone back to 'buy it now' at £219 which is good news, with 10 available, ending in 9 days. Bag a BIN...
"If I mention binoculars, it's just an optical allusion". (JB)
"If I mention binoculars, it's just an optical allusion". (JB)
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James Bean
Well-known member
Hawke 8x43 Frontier ED arrived this morning. First impressions: hard case and half-case excellent; strap too long and garish for my taste (3x silver 'Hawke' emblazoned on black, so I'll fit a more discreet Op/Tech one instead); ocular/objective caps okay, but I have seen better; binocular nice to hold, not quite as comfortable as my Pentax 8x36 HS, but still better than most; build quality impressive, solid feel and fine detailing; opted for the green body, which is Swarovski-esque; focus is slow, but I quite like that, and it's very smooth, neither stiff nor loose; view is somewhat brighter than the Pentax HS, although sharpness seems about the same to my old eyes, perhaps a smidgeon better. So, having paid £90 (as new) for the Pentax HS and £219 (brand new) for the Hawke ED, my Hawke is probably not twice as good as my Pentax, but they were both absolute bargains. For those of you with better eyesight than mine, the benefits of the Hawke may be readily more apparent. I'm delighted with both. Oh, and my Hawke was supplied by the so aptly named Hawkins Optical of Northampton...
Tero
Retired
Yes, Pentax range is actually good overall: the low end is not poor, but the high end, except for ED, is a bit less than spectacular. Very comfortable, easy to get used to.
And this strap thing is a funny thing. Why spend all that money on a case I never use, but give me a garish or cheap strap? The straps are not that costly.
And this strap thing is a funny thing. Why spend all that money on a case I never use, but give me a garish or cheap strap? The straps are not that costly.
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
The case comes with a holster which is handy. And I keep my bins in the case when they're not in the field (it helps when they fall off the shelf or get thrown in the back of a car).
The strap may be a little garish but it is actually very well made and quite comfortable. Though long, which some people don't like, but it works great for "sash" or "bandolier" style carry of a bin that I prefer. One of the better straps I've seen on a bin.
Bushnell are the only other that make straps this long (but they aren't quite as nice quality). Clearly they learned about long straps from Leica
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
People other than Swaro make green bins
The holster is handy when you are in tough terrain and you want the bin accessible but you want it restrained so it doesn't hit you. Hunters will probably use it more than birders but if you watch acciptors (or owls or other woodland raptors) you tend to need to run. Well I do.
James Bean
Well-known member
While I was fitting an Op/Tech strap to the Hawke ED, my wife came home unexpectedly early and caught me 'in flagrante delicto'. "I see you've bought yet another binocular" she said laconically. That was it; no threatened divorce, no wailing or gnashing of teeth, just that pithy remark. Well, I made her a coffee, filled the dishwasher, and took her out for an Italian meal. It was the least I could do. Now I can openly flaunt the Hawke and not worry about hiding it in the wardrobe... When I ordered a green one, I was a little concerned it might be as bright as some of the illustrations I'd seen on websites, but I needn't have worried because it's more a sombre slate-grey/green, quite tasteful really. I've made a sort of half-promise that I won't buy any more binoculars (fingers crossed) to placate my better half. The Hawke seems so good that I may even be able to honour that verbal 'compact', although I was careful not to have it evidenced in writing...
James Bean
Well-known member
Kevin, You'd need a Hawke to follow accipiters, or maybe a Swift Kestrel? And is that a Liver Bird you've got there? Looks familiar: I know of two, just 20 miles from here...
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
Yeap, bird appropriate bins are always a good idea
And that is a Liver Bird. Not listable until those two start breeding ...
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Tero
Retired
James, I was off the hook when my wife bought some trivial thing, I think it was an 800 dollar dryer.
I introduce you to my concept of Bino-Bucks
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=1380867&postcount=326
my bino bucks sometimes spend a few months just sitting in an envelope. Otherwise someone will spend them on useful things.
Perhaps your wife will understand these fine concepts. Mine just says I have to sell some, I can't keep them all.
I introduce you to my concept of Bino-Bucks
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=1380867&postcount=326
my bino bucks sometimes spend a few months just sitting in an envelope. Otherwise someone will spend them on useful things.
Perhaps your wife will understand these fine concepts. Mine just says I have to sell some, I can't keep them all.
James Bean
Well-known member
Those Liver Birds should be on the List. In March last year one of them (which?) laid a silver egg ten feet high, the first time in 97 years, although I'm not sure it's hatched yet. All part of the 'Liverpool 2008 European Capital of Culture'. As to 'bino bucks', I agree wives should get their priorities right: binoculars are 'necessaries' (in legal terms). But then, I don't have my hair and nails done every week, or have countless handbags bulging from the wardrobe. But it is time I divested myself of dozens of cameras stored all over the house, now that I've switched to digital (Canon G9) and maybe I should try to rationalise my binocular collection...
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
That was my mistake ... following up on Tero's comments on the Hawke case and strap (I forgot he doesn't have one ...).
The Hawke has the holster.
The Promaster has the repellant coatings.
sbradfield
Well-known member
James Bean
Well-known member
And with 5 days to go, there are now only 2 left at £219. Bag a BIN...
James Bean
Well-known member
...and then there was one (eBay UK, £219). These Hawke EDs are selling like hot cakes!
James Bean
Well-known member
...and then they were all 'BIN and gone' (eBay UK, £219)!
