Hawke Frontier ED 8x36 Binocular
40f96ab3-be4b-4d4c-87de-5b6f7f8e2508
Unconventional, a compromise or simply a model for those who can’t decide between standard size and more compact binoculars? The Frontier ED 8x36 offers buyers at the lower end of the market a ‘halfway house’ between 32 mm objectives and the generally favoured specification of 42 mm, though in reality this niche model from Hawke is closer in size to the latter if you make the comparison across a broad cross-section of popular bins. It is, however, still 10 per cent smaller than the company’s 43 mm flagship model.
The open-bridge construction, along with the magnesium alloy body, is designed to minimise weight, and the 700 g this binocular weighs in at is about what I’d expect for its size. The toughened rubber body armour, available in black or green, has no thumb-rests, although it features an extensive, coarsely stippled area to increase grip – which it does – and appears to offer more than adequate protection. The eyecups, comfortable against the eye, are also rubber-covered and twist out, extending to loosely lock in two positions above the base.
Focusing is achieved via a broadly milled, rubber-covered wheel which is about one and a half fingers’ width. Initially a little stiff, it quickly loosened with use, becoming smooth-turning and easy to operate, with 2.3 revolutions between close focus and infinity. A reasonably good depth of field meant I didn’t have to make frequent or significant adjustments to the focusing, while the single eye adjustment on the right ocular, though sounding a little like a turnstile when operated, was smooth and precise and rotated freely, irrespective of the eyecup setting. It is non-locking, although it maintained its setting during use.
The close focus stated by the manufacturer is 2.0 m, though I found 1.5 m was easily achievable with the test model; commendable indeed, as is the wide field of view which, at 140 m, is as good as, if not better than, Frontier’s top-tier counterparts. I did have some problems with peripheral image sharpness, with a noticeable loss of definition in an estimated 15 per cent of the edge of the field. This ‘soft’ area was less noticeable in bright light, being more evident in overcast conditions or during twilight periods.
There was also some curvature of field evident at the edges of the field of view, as well as the expected chromatic aberration, but both occur in relatively low degrees and do not raise cause for concern.
The 36 mm Frontier has fully multi-coated optics, phase-corrected prisms and the same ED glass as used in the larger, 43 mm model. The resultant image is pleasingly bright and the contrast between colours strong. I found the colours themselves to be richer than reality and this was more evident when viewing blocks of natural background as opposed to birds. Beds of Phragmites, for example, appeared ochre rather than straw, while green woodlands and meadows were a deeper green. Again, this was more evident in poor light conditions.
Colour nuances aside, the overall performance of this model is commendable and the 36 mm objectives clearly contribute to increased light-gathering over and above standard 32 mm lenses. Having already reviewed the 8x43 model (Birdwatch 197: 47), which costs only £10 more, I would suggest prospective buyers weigh up the differences between the two binoculars to assess which one is more suited to their personal needs.
The Frontier ED 8x36 comes with a hard protective case and ‘stay-on’ lens caps, while the extremely long neck strap – seemingly a Hawke trait – has more than a generous proportion of its length padded.
The open-bridge construction, along with the magnesium alloy body, is designed to minimise weight, and the 700 g this binocular weighs in at is about what I’d expect for its size. The toughened rubber body armour, available in black or green, has no thumb-rests, although it features an extensive, coarsely stippled area to increase grip – which it does – and appears to offer more than adequate protection. The eyecups, comfortable against the eye, are also rubber-covered and twist out, extending to loosely lock in two positions above the base.
Focusing is achieved via a broadly milled, rubber-covered wheel which is about one and a half fingers’ width. Initially a little stiff, it quickly loosened with use, becoming smooth-turning and easy to operate, with 2.3 revolutions between close focus and infinity. A reasonably good depth of field meant I didn’t have to make frequent or significant adjustments to the focusing, while the single eye adjustment on the right ocular, though sounding a little like a turnstile when operated, was smooth and precise and rotated freely, irrespective of the eyecup setting. It is non-locking, although it maintained its setting during use.
The close focus stated by the manufacturer is 2.0 m, though I found 1.5 m was easily achievable with the test model; commendable indeed, as is the wide field of view which, at 140 m, is as good as, if not better than, Frontier’s top-tier counterparts. I did have some problems with peripheral image sharpness, with a noticeable loss of definition in an estimated 15 per cent of the edge of the field. This ‘soft’ area was less noticeable in bright light, being more evident in overcast conditions or during twilight periods.
There was also some curvature of field evident at the edges of the field of view, as well as the expected chromatic aberration, but both occur in relatively low degrees and do not raise cause for concern.
The 36 mm Frontier has fully multi-coated optics, phase-corrected prisms and the same ED glass as used in the larger, 43 mm model. The resultant image is pleasingly bright and the contrast between colours strong. I found the colours themselves to be richer than reality and this was more evident when viewing blocks of natural background as opposed to birds. Beds of Phragmites, for example, appeared ochre rather than straw, while green woodlands and meadows were a deeper green. Again, this was more evident in poor light conditions.
Colour nuances aside, the overall performance of this model is commendable and the 36 mm objectives clearly contribute to increased light-gathering over and above standard 32 mm lenses. Having already reviewed the 8x43 model (Birdwatch 197: 47), which costs only £10 more, I would suggest prospective buyers weigh up the differences between the two binoculars to assess which one is more suited to their personal needs.
The Frontier ED 8x36 comes with a hard protective case and ‘stay-on’ lens caps, while the extremely long neck strap – seemingly a Hawke trait – has more than a generous proportion of its length padded.
Tech spec |
|
Price: £329.95 Size: 150x120 mm Field of view: 140 m at 1,000 m Close focus: 2.0 m Gas-filled: yes Waterproof: yes Guarantee: 10 years |
