New Vanguard Endeavor ED II Line Showing Available (1 Viewer)

[BruceH]

Vanguard announced a new Endeavor ED binocular product line a few months ago called the Endeavor ED II. There has been some discussion about it on the forum.

The primary different between the ED and the new ED II is upgraded Japanese glass and the addition of the 8X32 ED II.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjVPSGVF6k8

It appears the original ED model line will continue. Also, Vanguard added an 8X32 ED model to the original product line recently. (There is now an Endeavor 8X32 ED and an Endeavor 8X32 ED II).

Eagle Optics is now showing all models on their website and are in stock. B&H Photo lists all ED II models with all in stock except the 8X42. Adorama is also listing them but without the artwork.

Vanguard has now updated their website with the new ED II ....

http://www.vanguardworld.com/index.php/en/pv/products/sporting-optics/list-3-21-274.html

The new ED II line at current pricing consists of:

Endeavor ED II 10X42 $499.99 FOV 340 ft/114 m
Endeavor ED II 8X42 $499.99 FOV 377 ft/126 m
Endeavor ED II 8X32 $399.99 FOV 378 ft/126 m

Endeavor ED 8X32 $299.99 FOV 377 ft/126 m

(FOV ft figures per Eagle Optics)

The FOV of the original ED 10X42 is the same as the new 10X ED II. The original ED 8X42 is slightly less at 367 ft/122 m vs 377 ft/127 m.

The original ED is a very good binocular and a great value because of the much lower street price. There have been ongoing sales with the price around $250 and even much lower with rebates and one day sales. The new ED II will have to be noticeably better to compete at the initial intro price. Not only will they be competing against the ED, but there are also a lot of excellent choices in the $500 price range.

I was told a couple of months ago by Vanguard that the new ED II 8X32 has silver prism coatings and I assume that is the case for the 42mm models. The trend is di-electric in that price range. Interestingly, the FOV of the 10X42 ED II is right up there with best, but the 377 FOV of the 8X comes up short and that is a show stopper for me at $500.

A frequent complaint of the original ED is the extremely fast focus. If that is still the case, it will hurt them in comparison to other models.

One competitive comparision is the Zen-Ray ED3 line. The normal selling price of the ED3 10X43 is $439 and the ED3 8X43 is $419. The ED3 has ED glass like the Vanguards, but they also have di-electric coated prisms. The ED3 10X has a 340 ft FOV lke the ED II. The 8X Zen-Ray FOV is 426 ft and is right up there with the best. The 8X ED II is only 377 ft. Generally, the Zen-Rays get very good reviews.

Ultimately the proof is in the view, so if the ED II lacks di-electric prism coatings, that does not rule them out. However, a 377 ft FOV of the 8X in the $500 price range does not seem competitive in today's market.

I have both the 10X and 8X Endeavor ED and they are very good. I expect the new ED II to be even better, but I suspect they will have to sell at lower price to be close to the value of the original ED and to be competive in the current market.

Let the reviews begin!

 

[SteveTS]

Thanks for the overview and comparison, Bruce, it's useful to have it all in one place.

I must put my hand up in favour of the comparatively fast focus of the Endeavor EDs, for my purposes it is a positive, and a strong one.

Best wishes,

 

[kestrel1]

but I suspect they will have to sell at lower price to be close to the value of the original ED and to be competive in the current market.

Let the reviews begin!

Yes , that is true, because it seems, that lack of dielectric mirror, and hydrophobic and scratch resistance coating is flaw in that price category, Zen, Kruger... understand importance of these aspects....

But maybe the promised Hoya glass with Vd>94 sounds like CA crusher ))
hope that it is not marketing trick, because Spirit´s ED glass was weak in CA suppression.
Hope that Vanguard will push prices down, but maybe it is worth this price...

Looking forward to tests and reviews

BR/ Kestrel

 

[MPeoples]

Adorama, will have them in late next week.

Mike

 

[BruceH]

Samandag ... I can see were the faster focus could be an advantage in the close range viewing of a moving subject. Also, if you have the ability to control the fast focus, it is more practical than a slow focus. The fast focus is most noticeable on my 10X looking near infinity. It is touchy, but I adjust to it just fine after a cycle or two. Given a choice, I would like about 20 degrees more of travel. I am in a warm climate and rarely wear gloves when using binoculars, so that makes it easier to have a fine touch on focusing. Gloves might give me a problem at infinity.

Kestrel1 .... I am really curious to find out what difference the new glass makes in the view. I've seen the term Vd>94 a couple of times. Could you or someone explain what it means? I tried Google without much success.

CA has been one of the areas of criticism with the Endeavor. Some members say it was terrible and others said there was not a problem. I am thinking it relates to an occasional manufacturing slip up. My first 10X had absolutely terrible CA issues. I exchanged it for a second unit and it handles CA at an acceptable level for me.

MPeoples .... Mike, did you get a chance to look at any of the new ED II models before deciding to take on the line? If so, are you able to share your thoughts on what you saw?

 

[eitanaltman]

The original EDs didn't have dielectric coatings but they still are quite bright and as many are aware highly competitive optically in the <$500 category. So that's not necessarily a killer. A well executed silver based prism coating can still provide excellent views.

With respect to FOV I have also always found it odd that the 10x was relatively wide whereas the 8x is faily weak. That said, relative to the Zen ED the "sweet spot" is much larger as a % of FOV. The Zeiss Terra made the same design decision, going with a smaller but well executed FOV with minimal aberrations vs the Zen ED approach of huge FOV with extreme curvature and blurring at the edges. IMO it's always a compromise at this price point. I never found myself annoyed by the FOV when I've tried the Terra or Endeavor.

I do find that lack of FOV in the 8x32 pretty disappointing though. Usually the x32 will have a wider FOV than the x42.

It is going to be tough to stand out at $400-500. The Endeavor ED originally sold around $350-400 and wasn't really a hot commodity until pricing came down.

 

[SteveTS]

CA has been one of the areas of criticism with the Endeavor. Some members say it was terrible and others said there was not a problem.

Bruce, I guess it's worth pointing out again that we are all uniquely sensitive to the various parameters by which we judge quality and performance ; one person may experience colour fringing / chromatic abberation with one binocular that another person may not with the same bin in the same situation.

Best wishes,

 

[kestrel1]

Vd is abbe number, AFAIK comes from this forum
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=207723
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbe_number

Hope that it means 1st class CA suppression...

CA along with samll FOV were main reasons why I sold Spirit ED, on other hand it was quite nice bino in terms of look and focuswheel.... If it will have wider FOV and better CA suppression It will be good bino..

BR/ Kestrel
Silver mirror can be very good /Meopta, Nikon HG, Alpen Rainier.../
but it affects transmission in blue wavelenghts, so it cannot reach best results....

 

[SteveTS]

Here's a lazy girl's review of the Vanguard Endeavor ED 10x42 that mentions instrusive CA in her view in the high contrast Mediterranean summer :
http://www.birdinginspain.com/blog/general/vanguard-binocular-review-endeavour-ed-10-x-42/

Hopefully the new Hoya glass will control it better in the Endeavor ED II ; perhaps some of you who have bought one could post some observations ?

 

[henry link]

But maybe the promised Hoya glass with Vd>94 sounds like CA crusher ))
hope that it is not marketing trick, because Spirit´s ED glass was weak in CA suppression.
Hope that Vanguard will push prices down, but maybe it is worth this price...

Looking forward to tests and reviews

BR/ Kestrel

I see there is such a glass in the 2014 Hoya optical glass catalogue (FCD-100, Vd=95.1). It will be interesting if that's the glass in the ED II because I think it would mark the first time an FPL-53/Fluorite equivalent glass with a Vd around 95 has been used in a binocular, including the Alphas. It remains to be seen whether such a very low dispersion glass in the objective group will further suppress lateral CA (the yellow and purple fringes mentioned in the Spanish blog above), some of which is inherent in the eyepiece.

Henry

 

[typo]

I'd missed the mention of Vd=95 glass and silver coatings. Sounds like a bold move but I think it paid off. My first impressions on Friday was they have succeeded in standing out from the crowd, and have produced something a bit special for the price category.

David

 

[SteveTS]

There's an advertorial type product overview from the Bird Fair for the Vanguard Endeavor ED II 8x42 here : http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=4550#comments

If the Vanguard Endeavor ED II 8x32 can be had for £275.00 here that would be a good move on the manufacturer's part.

 

[Boro Birder]

I compared the new Endeavours on Friday with my Mk 1 8x42 and I was blown away, I'm no expert but I've looked through enough bins to know I was looking through good glass.

Damian.

 

[John Cantelo]

I looked at the new Endeavour 8x32 model at the UK Bird Fair and was very impressed. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make direct comparisons with other bins but came away thinking it very close to the much more expensive Kite Lynx 8x32 and a tad better than the similarly priced Monarch 7 8x30. However, I'm not very sensitive to CA so look before you buy. I may well have come away with a pair except that they only had a demo model and supplies weren't due to arrive for several weeks - as I wanted a pair of small bins before the end of the month I got the Monarchs.

 

[postcardcv]

I was in the same marquee as Vanguard at BirdFair so had the opportunity to test the Endeavour ED II on a few occasions over the weekend in varying conditions. I tested both the 8x42 and 8x32 and was very impressed with the view through both. They were both bright and sharp and had really nice colour, with a good smooth focus wheel. For me the 8x32 fitted my hand and face best so I spent more time with them than the 8x42, even in dull conditions (we had some very dull wet spells) they performed superbly. I would definitely say that anyone looking for sub £500 bins needs to try the Vanguards as they looks to be great bins for the money.

 

[paddy7]

ED2 review

Hi folks -
It took some finding, but here's a review of the ED2 8 x 42:
http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/Vanguard8x42EndeavorEDII-138.htm

I've had the 8.5 x 45 Endeavor for about 3 years and love it, apart from occasional CA, strangely more in grey conditions than bright, which i've never quite understood.
I was thinking of Alpha-ising, but really, really need to try some ED2s first, as the law of diminishing returns between £400 and £1400 takes some swallowing!

 

[John Cantelo]

Another review can be found here -

http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=4550

 

[cnick6]

Bruce, I have a pair of the ED II 8x32 on the way. Should be here in a few days. Will submit a report late next week.

 

[BruceH]

Cnick6 ... I am looking forward to reading you comments. I have seem some positive comments on the new ED II from members that saw the line at the Bird Fair, but I think you and Typo will be the first to spend significant time with the line.

 

[cnick6]

I think you and Typo will be the first to spend significant time with the line.

Oh, I didn't know he had ordered one. I'll sync up with David and we can compare notes. We've been discussing some other binocular models as well.

What do you think of these?

http://snypex.com/collections/knight-ed-binoculars/products/knight-ed-8-x-32-optical-binocular

The Endeavor ED II look a bit more refined (in terms of features and styling) than the Knight ED model but I'm impressed that these guys have the APO lens system on the Knight ED models... the only sticky point is the narrow FOV even on the lower power models. I think that's due to the APO system.

Not a bad price point too.


-Nick