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About Hawke Sport Optics
Based in the United Kingdom, Hawke optics are manufacturers of high quality spotting scopes, binoculars and rifle scopes. In 2007 a US Base of operations was added in Fort Wayne, Indiana to develop the US marketplace.
Hawke currently supplies Spotting Scopes, Rifle Scopes, Airgun Scopes, Crossbow Scopes plus a full line of Binoculars and accessories to the UK and North America.
The range of Hawke binoculars has been continuously expanding and they now have a wide range of binoculars suitable for most uses including bird watching, wildlife observation, hiking and camping as well as hunting, sporting events and a series of close focusing binoculars ideal for viewing butterflies, dragonflies and other insects. The binoculars are grouped into a "Series" at various price points and quality of optics, their coatings and build quality.
Sport Optics:
Hawke Sport Optics recently updated its Frontier series with a number of improvements. At the very top are these Hawke Frontier ED X binoculars that now includes ED Glass in the lenses.
Available with either 8x or 10x magnifications with either standard 42mm or mid-sized 32mm lenses, you can also choose to have a green or more muted grey rubber armor exterior.
I have now fully tested two models in this series (8x42 and 8x32) and I truly believe they offer a superb performance to price ratio and are currently one of my top recommendations as to the best value for money binoculars currently on the market.
As well as the ED glass, other high-end features include a fully sealed magnesium chassis with nitrogen gas filling. The focus wheel and eyepiece housings are also made from metal (the latter also being removable making them easier to replace and clean).
As you would expect, the optical system is fully multi-coated and the Schmidt-Pechan, BaK-4 Glass, Roof Prisms are not only phase-corrected but also use the very best dielectric mirror coatings for a very high level of transmittance and which is something you most certainly don't always get at this price range.
Models:
Main Specifications:
| Frontier ED X 8x32 | Frontier ED X 10x32 | Frontier ED X 8x42 | Frontier ED X 10x42 | |
| FOV (ft @ 1000yds) | 405ft | 324ft | 426ft | 336ft |
| FOV (m @ 1000m) | 135m | 108m | 142m | 112m |
| Eye Relief | 16mm | 15mm | 18mm | 15mm |
| Close Focus (ft / m) | 8.2ft / 2.5m | 9.8ft / 3m | 6.6ft / 2m | 8.2ft / 2.5m |
| Weight (oz / g) | 19oz / 504g | 19oz / 540g | 24.4 / 692g | 24.9 / 705g |
Price Range
These Mid-to-High Level Binoculars range in price from around $320 up to $450 / £320 up to £450 depending on the model and where you buy:
Positioned just below the flagship Frontier ED X series (see above), the Frontier HD X looks very similar to them, but the most notable difference is that they do not feature ED (extra-low dispersion) glass lenses.
Whilst this potentially means they will show a little more color fringing in the image, it does mean they are substantially less expensive than the corresponding ED model.
Important to note that the optical system is still fully multi-coated like the ED series use Schmidt-Pechan, BaK-4 Roof Prisms that are both phase-corrected and dielectrically coated which is very impressive at this lower price point.
Models:
Main Specifications:
Price Range
These Mid Level Binoculars range in price from around $250 to $400 / £250to £400:
The Endurance series from Hawke Sport optics is a mid priced range ( $210 to $300 / £110 / €150 - £290 / €300) that in my experience, in terms of features and the quality of components and coatings delivers way more than would you most often find at this level.
On most of the models this includes the use of fully multi-coated optics with phase corrected BaK-4 prisms.
The inclusion of ED (extra low-dispersion) glass on the full sized models is really impressive for this price class and in my opinion (see my full Hawke Endurance ED 8x32 Binoculars Review Here) really does help lift them above much of their direct competition.
The Hawke Endurance series consists of a wide range of configurations. Indeed there are five different sizes on offer (25mm, 32mm, 42mm, 50mm & 56mm) and each is available in a selection of magnifications (8x, 10x & 12x) as well as color variations (green or black).
Sizes & Models Available:
Current Prices & Where to Buy:
Very similar to the standard Endurance ED range above, it makes these instruments quite a lot different to you traditional marine binocular in that Hawke continue to use Roof Prisms instead of Porro Prisms which are much more commonly used in this niche.
An advantage of doing this is that they have been able to produce a more compact marine binocular within each of the size classes and because they are so similar to the standard ED instruments, but with a lower 7x magnification, it makes them an interesting option for many land based uses as well.
For more check out my
Sizes & Models Available:
Highlights Include:
Hawke Endurance Close Focus BinocularsThe roof prism Hawke Endurance binoculars are available in two sizes (32mm and 42mm objective lenses), each with 8x and 10x magnifications and each available in either green or black bodies.
The minimum "close focusing" distance of these binoculars is 2m (6.6ft) which is good and should be more than close enough for most people and will make great binoculars for general birdwatching, wildlife observation as well as viewing butterflies and other critters close up.
Features include quality BaK-4 prisms and fully multi-coated lenses which is good and they come with a hard protective case, stay on lens caps and comfortable neck strap.
Sizes Available:
Price Range
Another of Hawk Sport Optics' premier, top spec series are the Panorama ED binoculars that look to me to be a very interesting option for those in the market for a high end optic.
Currently available in two configurations, the fairly standard 10x42 and and interesting 8.5x42, these roof prism binoculars come with a vast array of high end features:
Most impressively is the use of field flattener lenses that are designed to improve the sharpness and reduce the distortion on the edges of the image. This is a sign of true quality as this expensive to produce and thus is only found on some of the best binoculars.
Other very high end features include fully multi-coated optics with an ED Glass element within each the lenses and a Dielectric coating on the high quality Phase corrected BaK-4 prisms.
As you would expect these Hawke Panorama binoculars are fully water and fog proof and to keep the weight down, but without sacrificing strength, they have a magnesium alloy body.
Models:
Main Specifications:
| Panorama ED 8.5x42 | Panorama ED 10x42 | |
| FOV (ft @ 1000yds) | 389 | 338 |
| FOV (m @ 1000m) | 129 | 113 |
| Eye Relief (in/mm) | 0.9 / 23 | 0.8 / 20 |
| Close Focus (ft / m) | 6.6 / 2 | 6.6 / 2 |
| Weight (oz / g) | 30.7 / 870 | 30.7 / 870 |
Price Range
Hawke Sapphire ED BinocularsBefore the release of the Panorama ED (see above), the Sapphire ED was the flagship range from Hawk Sport Optics and I think their first venture into higher end optics. So even though they are now only second in line, they are still a great pair of bins with a host of higher end features all of which you can read about in my full Hawke Sapphire ED 8x42 Binoculars review.
But to summarize, all models in the Sapphire series use roof prisms and come a tough magnesium body that is both water and fogproof, available in either an open bridge design or a more traditional single top hinge shape.
High spec optical features include fully multi-coated lenses with ED Glass elements and dielectric coatings on the BaK-4 roof prisms.
Also included is a very high quality semi rigid leather carry case and is one of the best I have ever see (read my review of the Sapphire ED 8x42 for more details on this)
The Hawke Sapphire is available in a range of different size, color and even different body shapes, with both open bridge and single hinge models:
Single Top Hinge Models:
Open Bridge Models:
Main Specifications:
| Sapphire ED 8x42 | Sapphire ED 10x42 | Sapphire ED 8x43 | Sapphire ED 10x43 | |
| FOV (ft @ 1000yds) | 426 | 340 | 426 | 340 |
| FOV (m @ 1000m) | 142 | 113 | 142 | 113 |
| Eye Relief (mm) | 18 | 15 | 18 | 15 |
| Close Focus (ft / m) | 6.6 / 2 | 6.6 / 2 | 6.6 / 2 | 6.6 / 2 |
| Weight (oz / g) | 25.7 / 730 | 25.7 / 730 | 26.7 / 758 | 26.7 / 758 |
Price Range
Available as an 8x25 or a 10x25, these top spec compacts from Hawke look to be special in a number of ways:
They have extra-low dispersion (ED) Glass lens elements which on a compact binocular is actually quite rare and really sets them out from the crowd. For more on this read my document on the best compact binoculars with ED Glass.
As well as this, the optics are fully multi-coated and the BaK-4 roof prisms have also been Phase corrected. A real highlight is also their very close minimum focus of only 5.2ft (1.6) as anything under 6ft is considered excellent on BBR.
Twist up eyecups give you a good amount of eye-relief for a compact and the double hinge design of the fully fog and water proof body is also great as it enables them to be folded into a much smaller package than the more common single central hinge designs, making the compact Sapphire ED a true pocket binocular.
Models:
Main Specifications:
| Sapphire ED 8x25 | Sapphire ED 10x25 | |
| FOV (ft @ 1000yds) | 357 | 285 |
| FOV (m @ 1000m) | 119 | 95 |
| Eye Relief (in/mm) | 0.6 / 15 | 0.5 / 13 |
| Close Focus (ft / m) | 5.2/ 1.6 | 5.2 / 1.6 |
| Weight (oz / g) | 8.5 / 241 | 8.5 / 241 |
Related Articles
Price Range
Hawke Frontier ED BinocularsBefore the introduction of the Panorama series, the Frontier ED's were Hawke Optics flagship models, so whilst now they may not take all the headlines, they still look to be a great binocular.
Available in 4 different configurations in either black or green, all are roof prism binoculars featuring the distinctive 'open hinge' cut-away design that not only reduces weight, but comfortable to hold as well.
The body's of these Hawke Frontier binoculars are made from magnesium alloy that reduces their weight even further and is exceptionally strong.
Quality components and optics are used throughout with fully multi-coated optical elements and Phase corrected BaK-4 prisms that give a sharp and high-contrast image over the full field of view. In addition the ED (extra low-dispersion) glass increases performance further and enhances the light transmission.
The binoculars are 100% waterproof and nitrogen purged meaning that the internal air has been replaced with dry nitrogen to ensure there is no internal fogging in areas of high humidity or rapid temperature changes.
The binoculars feature twist-up eye pieces and a adjustable diopter and they all have a minimum focus distance of 6ft (2m) and an extra wide field of view.
Sizes & Models Available:
Main Specifications:
| Frontier ED 8x43 | Frontier ED 10x43 | Frontier ED 8x36 | Frontier ED 10x36 | |
| FOV (ft @ 1000yds) | 426 | 340 | 420 | 348 |
| FOV (m @ 1000m) | 142 | 113 | 140 | 116 |
| Eye Relief (mm) | 18 | 15 | 14 | 15 |
| Close Focus (ft / m) | 6.6 / 2 | 6.6 / 2 | 6.6 / 2 | 6.6 / 2 |
| Weight (oz / g) | 26.2 / 743 | 26.2 / 743 | 24.7 / 700 | 24.7 / 700 |
Price Range
Second in the line of Hawke binoculars is the Frontier PC Open Hinge Series. The PC in the name stands for their Phase Corrected optics, a very impressive feature for a binocular at this price as it is usually reserved for binoculars at a much higher price point.
There are 2 sizes roof prism binoculars in the Hawke Frontier Phase range (8x42 and 10x42) available in either green or black. Apart from the ED glass they have many of the features of the Hawke Frontier ED range, including the 'open hinge' design that reduces weight and is really comfortable to hold.
All Frontier Phase Corrected binoculars in this series have BAK4 Prisms, are waterproof and nitrogen filled to prevent internal fogging and have twist-up-eyecups that enable you to use them with or without eyeglasses.
Sizes Available:
Price Range
Hawke Frontier Phase Corrected BinocularsThese Hawke binoculars still have all of the impressive features of the open bridged versions, but with a more traditional "solid" body. As well as the 8x42 and 10x42 versions, they are also available in the very travel friendly 8x and 10x32 mid sizes, making them an ideal choice as a safari binocular.
Features include the excellent Phase corrected BAK4 prisms, fully multi-coated optics, twist-up eye cups and an adjustable diopter. All models are nitrogen purged to avoid fogging and they are sealed to be fully waterproof.
Hawke Frontier PC binoculars all come a lifetime warranty (restricted to 10 years in Europe).
Sizes Available:
Price Range
Hawke Frontier Phase Corrected Compact BinocularsThese really are the babies in the Hawke Frontier range, small in size, but packed full of quality features that include a body constructed using a tough magnesium alloy body making them light as well as rugged enough to withstand extensive travel.
Theses compact binoculars are nitrogen purged to ensure that they are fully waterproof as well as fog proof. The lenses are fully multi-coated to give high light transmission and ultimate brightness and they have Phase Corrected Bak-4 prisms, making sure you get a very high quality image with plenty of color and contrast.
What really sets compact binoculars apart is how small they are once folded. Many compacts only have a single hinge design, which restricts the size that they can fold to, whilst these have a duel hinge design, ensuring a more compact binocular once folded making them very easy to either carry or put into a pocket. For more take a look at my article on the Best Compact Binoculars which compares the single and duel hinge designs.
Sizes Available:
Price Range
Hawke ProStalk ED BinocularsThe Hawke ProStalk binoculars are specifically designed to work well when both birds and wildlife is most active - during the early morning, late afternoons and early evenings. This is also when light conditions are not at there best and so these binoculars with their large 56mm objective lenses provide up to 7mm of exit pupil (8x56), which is about the same that a healthy human eye can dilate to. this ensures that the maximum amount of light enters your eyes as possible.
On top of this the ED (extra low-dispersion) glass coupled with the Phase Corrected Bak-4 prisms, ensures that the image is sharp, bright and colors are true.
These binoculars are tough and waterproof and therefore make ideal Birdwatching and Hunting Binoculars.
Sizes Available:
Price Range
The new updated series of Hawke Nature-Trek binoculars now feature more models and a single top hinge design as opposed to the older open bridge Nature-Trek series (see below).
This series is still primarily priced to appeal to those looking for a good quality binocular but do not want to spend too much. Perhaps due to the previous versions success, there are now six models available, all of which use roof prisms: The standard sized 8x42 and a 10x42 versions, as well as mid sized 8x32 and 10x32 and the larger 10x50 and 12x50.
The roof prisms are made from quality BaK-4 glass and the optics on all models are fully multi-coated.
Configurations:
Main Specifications:
| 8x32 | 10x32 | 8x42 | 10x42 | 10x50 | 12x50 | |
| FOV (ft @ 1000yds) | 388 | 304 | 388 | 304 | 304 | 246 |
| FOV (m @ 1000m) | 129 | 101 | 129 | 101 | 101 | 82 |
| Eye Relief (in/mm) | 0.7 / 18 | 0.5 / 13 | 0.7 / 18 | 0.5 / 13 | 0.7 / 18 | 0.5 / 13 |
| Close Focus (ft / m) | 6.6 / 2 | 6.6 / 2 | 6.6 / 2 | 6.6 / 2 | 8.2 / 2.5 | 8.2 / 2.5 |
| Weight (oz / g) | 19.5 / 554 | 19.5 / 554 | 23.5 / 665 | 23.9 / 678 | 28.6 / 812 | 28.6 / 812 |
Price Range
Currently selling for between $140 and $150 in the US and £140 and £150 in the UK, Hawke Nature-Trek binoculars certainly offer the user an excellent performance to price ratio:
The Hawke Nature-Trek open bridge series is aimed at the more budget conscious consumer and currently consists of two models, an 8x42 and a 10x42 version.
Whilst they are low cost binoculars, they still posses a number of key optical features that should ensure that they perform well above their price tag:
The roof prisms are made from quality BaK-4 glass, the optics are fully multi-coated.
The ergonomic, weight reducing open hinge body is fully waterproof as well as fogproof and the 8x42 Nature-Trek in particular comes with plenty of eye-relief and a reasonably wide FOV:.
Configurations:
Main Specifications:
| Open Bridge Nature-Trek 8x42 | Open Bridge Nature-Trek 10x42 | |
| FOV (ft @ 1000yds) | 388 | 304 |
| FOV (m @ 1000m) | 130 | 101 |
| Eye Relief (in/mm) | 0.7 / 18 | 0.5 / 13 |
| Close Focus (ft / m) | 6.5 / 2 | 6.5 / 2 |
| Weight (oz / g) | 23.5 / 665 | 23.9 / 678 |
Price Range
Whilst this range is now discontinued, you can still find them for sale on some online retailers and usually at a greatly reduced price:
Like many of their other ranges, the full-sized Hawke Vantage series is available in a choice of two colors (grey / green) and in either 8x42 or 10x42 configurations.
Whilst this is certainly one of their most budget friendly ranges, Hawke Sport Optics have still managed to maintain a reasonably good level of components and features:
This includes a fully waterproof body that is nitrogen filled to help with fog proofing. As you would expect at this level, the chassis is made from a polycarbonate plastic which may not be as robust as the magnesium ones used on their higher end models, but it does have the advantage of being more lightweight and unless your are particularly rough on your instrument should still be plenty strong enough.
The optics are fully multi-coated and the use Schmidt Pechan roof prisms made from BaK-4 glass.
Models:
Main Specifications:
| Vantage 8x42 | Vantage 10x42 | |
| FOV (m @ 1000m) | 115 | 100 |
| Eye Relief (mm) | 18 | 15 |
| Close Focus (m) | 5 | 5 |
| Weight (g) | 670 | 670 |
Price Range
These Hawke Vantage binoculars can now be purchased for under $100 in the US and in the UK they cost around £65:
 Buy & Compare Prices for Hawke Binoculars |
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Below are a few featured and fully reviewed Hawke Binoculars: View >> All Hawke Binoculars that I have reviewed.
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Very high level 8x42 binoculars at a mid-level price range, these Hawke Frontier HD X binoculars feature an extremely wide field of view, a magnesium alloy body, metal focus wheel and eye-piece housings as well as a fully multi-coated optical system with BaK-4, phase corrected, dielectric coated roof prisms. Indeed, the only difference between these and the more expensive Frontier ED X binoculars is the lack of ED lens elements. The difference this makes is... Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Top-end, mid-sized 8x32 binoculars offering an incredible performance to price ratio, these Hawke Frontier ED X binoculars have many alpha level features such as Dielectric, phase corrected Schmidt-Pechan roof prisms, ED glass lens elements and a magnesium alloy chassis. In terms of their optical specifications, this 8x32 binocular from Hawke Sport Optics features an incredibly wide FOV which will please birders and general wildlife enthusiasts alike... Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Excellent value for money 8x42 binoculars that are both reliable and lightweight.
Highlights include a surprisingly good image quality and brightness, Multi-Coated Optical system with BAK-4 Roof Prisms, and a wide field of view making them a good option for the birder, outdoors, or nature enthusiast shopping on a budget. Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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7x50 binoculars that are designed for marine use, but because of several factors which I go through in detail in the review, including the use of roof prisms and a central focus wheel, I feel make them ideal for many other uses including astronomy, birding, wildlife observation and more.
Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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High specification, mid priced 8x42 Hawke binoculars with many highlights including a lightweight , water and fog proof magnesium body, quality optical components and coatings including fully multi-coated ED glass lenses, and that produce a high quality image with a very wide field of view.
Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Aimed at those more serious about wildlife observation, birdwatching, and outdoor adventures, these very high-end Hawke binoculars feature APO lenses with ED glass elements, providing bright, excellent-quality views with minimal chromatic aberration. The compact design, magnesium chassis, and mostly metal components ensure durability. Price: (5/6) High Value Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Low cost binoculars that still retain a number of key features that ensure they perform well above their price tag. This includes fully multi-coated optics and good quality Bak-4 glass roof prisms with plenty of eye-relief and a wide field of view. Their rubber armoured body features an open hinge design and is water & fog-proof. Ideal entry level general use, wildlife and birdwatching binoculars. Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Low cost Hawke binoculars that feature a single open hinge body design that is very lightweight as well as water and fog proof. Optics are fully multi-coated and the roof prisms are made from quality Bak-4 glass that results in a very good quality image that matches or beats most in this price range. Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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View >> All Hawke Binoculars reviewed on The Best Binoculars & Reviews website.
As well as binoculars, Hawke Sport Optics produces an extensive range of spotters and as with their binoculars, the emphasis is most certainly on offering a high level of performance at a reasonable price.
Currently, there are three ranges within their stable:
Hawke Vantage spotting scopes are aimed more at the entry-level and currently come in either 60mm or 70mm sizes with either 24-72x or 20-60x magnifications.
Next, there is the mid-level Nature-Trek spotting scope range where you get a fully waterproof scope with a Fully Multi-Coated optics combined with BAK-4 Porro prisms. These come in either 56mm, 65mm or 80mm versions and all are supplied with zoom eyepieces.
At the top of the tree are the four Hawke Endurance ED spotting scopes that include ED Glass elements in the lenses and dielectric coatings on the prisms. Available in four different sizes (50mm, 60mm, 68mm & 85mm) and all with variable magnification eyepieces.
Hawke Optics are distributed exclusively by Deben Group Industries in the UK.
Address:
Deben Group Industries Ltd
Avocet House
Wilford Bridge
Road Melton
Woodbridge
IP12 1RB
Telephone: 01394 387762
Fax: 01394 386255
Email: [email protected]
Price & Where to Buy
Price & Where to Buy
