Binoculars

[Fenlander]

Funny how a thread can prompt unexpected thoughts. Despite being happy with my Pentax 16x50 for around 20yrs their physical size and not having a case meant they were the least likely pair to have to hand other than on the window cill at home. Also due to their power the close focus distance was quite long meaning tracking a bird moving to our nearest feeder could make clear focus impossible. But finally I was realising what a nuisance it was to remove my glasses every time I used them as the fixed eyepiece rubbers did not work with glasses.

So, 4wks on from the chat above, today in a local house disposal auction I dropped on a pair of waterproof Hawke Endurance ED 10x42. Bought blind but after a bit of home testing their attributes, optical quality and condition will cause the Pentax pair to be outed. Importantly for me the eyepieces twist out to three positions and using the minimum position they are fine with glasses. A side benefit is a close focus distance being a third of the Pentax model.

In the image Pentax for size comparison.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Importantly for me the eyepieces twist out to three positions and using the minimum position they are fine with glasses.

That's a major feature I forgot to mention on the Viking Vistron binoculars I bought.
Being able to use them with glasses is a big benefit.

Huge difference in size Fenlander!

[Fenlander]

Yes I've been so used to putting my glasses down... or taking the ultimate risk with Mrs F in asking "hold my glasses for a moment" when she's already holding the dog, her phone and just tucking into a long awaited warm pasty.

Useful size saving as you say and 30% trimmed off the weight too.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

So, 4wks on from the chat above, today in a local house disposal auction I dropped on a pair of waterproof Hawke Endurance ED 10x42.

Nice catch, you did good. Not the same spec but: Linky

I was REALLY careful to omit the brand I bought - but now happy to confirm they were Hawke 'Sapphire' - IIRC the predecessor of the Endurance. Funny, I was 'out' today and using the freebie Bushnells on a coastal walk (they are actually 10x42, proving my memory is shot). I was just telling Mrs willk that I thought the optics were only so-so and that I must man up and carry the Hawkes next time.

Edit: The Frontiers replaced the Sapphires, soz

[Fenlander]

That's interesting thanks. Despite my lifetime of owning binoculars my experience is biased to the old brands such as Zeiss, Pentax, RussianGNU and so on. I had to look up Hawke when I saw them in the auction as despite their 40yr history the name was new to me.

Looks like yours are another notch up the stick from mine, must be a really nice image.

The only defect on mine is a broken rubber strap on one lens cap but they just push in and are available (OE) at a reasonable £9.99/pr.

[Fenlander]

Just to complete my obsession with the new to me bins...

The OE end caps arrived today, a real plus to find they supply "consumables" as so many items today have zero spares backup in a buy it - use it - chuck it kind of way.