The Frank Perspective: Hawke Frontier vs Opticron DBA VHD - Great Value Under £500
One of the perks of working at South West Optics is being able to handle and try out top end equipment as and when it arrives in the showroom. One of the drawbacks though is when you have access to the very best that money can buy, some of the more moderate brands tend to get over looked. Recently, a customer asked me my opinion on which binoculars I would choose for under £500.
I like these kind of questions as it gives me the task of gathering together a few models in and around that price bracket and try them out in the field. As always, I need to point out not all brands/models will suit everyone. For example, I have a head the size of a small planet and you could park a Smart car in the gap between my eyes, so I need to have a pair that will open wide enough for me to have the best possible viewing experience. Luckily, most makes and models will accommodate my vast acreage of a forehead, but occasionally there are those, however good they may be optically, that just don’t fit.
Here at South West Optics, we are always adding to our already extensive range of good quality optics and we pride ourselves on our customer service. It's fair to say that we have a good selection of binoculars in that particular price bracket. However, I’ve selected two that I thought stood out from the crowd and would like to share my thoughts about them with you.
As I've mentioned before, I don’t claim to be an expert on the technical side of things, we have one of those on site already called Russell. He’s your boy if you want to know the finer details and the ins-and-outs of how things work. What I can do is point out what I think are good starting points for those wishing to get into birding, nature watching or just a general upgrade from older equipment.
Last week, my wife and I were out and about in the South Hams in Devon, near where I live and where South West Optics is based. While we were driving down a country lane towards a friends farm, we spotted a juvenile buzzard on a telegraph pole. We stopped the car and popped out my trusty pair of Opticron Veranos 10x42 (excellent bino’s for the price) and watched for a while as it sat looking for things to pounce on for dinner. We sat and watched it for some time, until it got bored with the two funny people sat in the car and flew off to Greggs, McDonalds or wherever they go to find gourmet buzzard food. I realised that while we were sat there my wife, Mandy, had more than the lions share of the binoculars. Now being a generous kind of chap (I’ve been known to give her my last Rolo), I didn’t complain, but I realised that since I’ve had my interests in birding and nature watching in general rekindled, it dawned on me that we now need a second pair of binoculars…
Now, I know you’re wondering why you’ve had to read through all this guff just to find out which binoculars are the best for under £500 (I’m actually wondering why I’ve even written it), but it turns out that having to write this little article has done me a favour.
I took Mandy with me to Stover Park, near Newton Abbot to put the two pairs of binoculars through their paces. Stover is a lovely place and was the location of my very first solo birding trip. Unlike me, Mandy, is tiny and has a much smaller head so we get to compare our thoughts and conclusions from both ends of the spectrum. So, without further ado, here are our thoughts on the two pairs of 8x42 binoculars under £500, drum roll please!!!
As I said earlier, we do stock other binoculars in this price bracket but I chose these two because they both have really sharp and clear optical performance and, in my humble opinion, punch a little above their weight when it comes to value.
For this comparison, I’ve selected the Hawke Frontier ED X and the Opticron DBA VHD+ both in 8x42 spec.
I’m familiar with the Opticron range as I have a pair of Opticron Veranos 10x42 myself and, although slightly cheaper, they are an excellent buy. The Hawke model is new to me but I am familiar with their less expensive HD range.
On first appearance, they do have a different look about them. The Opticrons are slimmer and look stylish, all in black, with a dual hinged body. Whereas the Hawkes are a little chunkier in appearance, but still not massive, and look very nice in dark green with nice contrasting brushed alloy focusing rings. Both pairs have a good quality feel about them and are comfortable in the hand with a good rubber armour coating that offers excellent grip and protection from knocks and bumps. The two position twist out eye cups on the Hawke Frontier ED X were positive and comfortable for both myself and for Mandy, whereas I felt the three position eye cups on the Opticron DBA VHD PLUS binoculars did give a little more eye relief and were comfortable but didn’t feel quite so positive.
Both pairs are reasonably compact and similar in weight. The Hawkes weighed in at 765g and the Opticrons at 720g, so there's not much in it, but a little more than the manufacturers specs. (Just to note, I did have the eye and lens covers fitted when I weighed them).
Both were nice and easy to focus with good textured focusing rings, the Hawkes being a little firmer and smoother. The Opticrons were a little “sticky” but would probably loosen up after use, as my Veranos have. The diopter adjustment on the Hawkes Frontier ED X is smooth and stays put, whereas the centre diopter adjustment on the Opticron DBA VHD PLUS were looser but pops out to adjust and then locks back in again, so it won’t move unless you want it to. A slightly better arrangement in my opinion.
Both models are nitrogen filled to avoid fogging during rapid temperature change, and both are waterproof (although I wouldn’t recommend taking them in the bath with you). Both pairs have multi coatings to reduce flare and provide water resistance, if you want the full details of coatings you can find all the information on our website: www.southwestoptics.co.uk (or ring Russell and ask him).
So, what are they like optically? Well to be fair I don’t really think there is much in it. Both performed really well, they are sharp and crisp and I don’t think you’d be disappointed with either of them in this price range. Both had good but similar colour rendition and also had good 3D “pop”. The Opticron DBA VHD PLUS focused a little closer, which I like, but again, not much difference between them. Both have excellent light transmission, ED glass (Extra Low Dispersion), and a myriad of different coatings. The Hawkes Frontier ED X however do have a better field of view, boasting 426ft at 1000yds compared to 366ft for the Opticron's at the same distance.
So here is a quick rundown on our thoughts:
Opticron DBA VHD+ 8x42.
Cost at time of writing £499.00
Pros:
• Optically clear, sharp image with good colours and 3D pop.
• Made in Japan (Japanese glass is good)
• Lighter
• Good eye relief
• Good field of view
• Well made, comfortable to hold and use.
• Comes with soft canvas bag, rain guard, Neoprene strap, lens covers and 30yr warranty.
Cons:
• Eye cups a bit Wobbly.
• Diopter focusing and focusing ring could be better but still ok.
• Price. £50 more than the Hawkes.
Hawke Frontier ED X.
Cost at time of writing £449.00
Pros:
• Good sharp image, good colour rendition and 3D pop
• Good eye relief and field of view.
• Well made, attractive to look at, good solid construction.
• Comfortable to hold and use.
• Comes with instruction manual, lens cloth, carry case and strap, harness adaptors, neck strap, lens covers and Hawke world wide warranty. (Probably the best warranty of any optics around. Google it and see for yourself)
• Price. £449.00 Excellent value in my opinion.
Cons:
• A bit chunky.
• Weight , Heavier but not by much.
• Made in China.
To summarise, we both thought that these binoculars were excellent performers over all. We both agreed that the Hawke Frontier HD X binoculars look the more attractive of the pair, but Mandy preferred the Opticron DBA VHD PLUS binoculars for weight, feel, and optical performance. Both pairs fitted her tiny brain housing comfortably, as they did my massive bonce. I found the Hawkes to be more suitable for my eyes, and if I was looking for a pair in that price range I’d go for the Hawkes as I felt they just pipped the Opticrons on handling, and at fifty pounds less they present better value for money.
As I said earlier, buying binoculars has a few risks, but on the whole, most brands/models fit most people, so buying without trying is fairly straightforward and successful. I hope this has been of help. However, should you purchase from us and you find that they are not compatible or don’t suit you in any way, there is always our South West Optics Promise. Return the item to us in the same condition within 60 days and we will credit you for a replacement item.
Hope you're still awake after all this. Please feel free to call or visit us at any time.
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