The Frank Perspective: Hawke Nature Trek 8x32 vs Vortex Bantam 6.5x32 Binoculars For Children
“Never work with children or animals.”
That's a phrase you hear often in the showbiz industry but me being me decided that it was unlikely to apply when I offered to take my friend and walking partner Sasha and her two eight year old twin daughters Connie and Evie to see the swans on Clennon lakes in Paignton, Devon. I had bumped into them a week or so before and the girls had shown an interest in my pair of Opticron Verano binoculars that I bought last year. I let them take a look through them and they seemed so enthusiastic that, in a moment of complete madness, I offered to take them all out for lunch and some birding fun during their up and coming school holiday.
Now, these are no ordinary twins. Think of a cross between Ronnie and Reggie with the brains of Stephen Hawking, and you won’t be far off the mark. I remember Evie, aged six, informing me that it's the male seahorse that gives birth to their babies, and getting a lecture from Connie correcting me when I said that flamingos are always pink. She confidently and correctly informed me that they aren’t pink when they are born but turn pink after feasting on their natural diet of small shrimp and other creatures that thrive in the lakes where they feed. I worked in the education department at Paignton Zoo for seven years when I was younger, and even though I knew those little facts, I still felt pretty small being corrected by a pair of six-year-olds.
People who have read my ramblings before will know that I’m very new to birding and know next to nothing about bird identification or their habits. So, I should have guessed that taking these two little characters out birding could quite possibly be a recipe for disaster and humiliation. But hey, with a bit of ninja spirit, I threw caution to the wind, gathered up a couple of smaller pairs of binoculars, and off we went.
Mummy and twins arrived on time (ish) and everyone seemed enthusiastic and eager to get going. The twins looked the part with their stylish new haircuts and brand-new wellies, squealing excitedly at the thought of the promised lunch and ice cream later.
I didn’t want anything too large for the girls, so I opted for a pair of Vortex Bantams 6.5x32 Binoculars and a pair of Hawke Nature-Trek 8x32 Binoculars. Both are similar in size and weight, optically good, and, in my opinion, excellent value for money.
Not wanting to leave mummy out, I gave her my pair of Opticron Veranos—still one of our best value buys—which left me free to take a few pictures as evidence that I was actually working and not just out for a jolly (honest, boss!).
Not having any children of my own, I was surprised by how 'responsible' I felt, with two excited young ladies around and the inherent dangers a lake could present. First, we were primarily there to look at the nesting swans the girls wanted to see. I’ve heard that a swan can break a man’s wing with one flap of its arm (?) so, as you can imagine, I was keen to keep an eye on them if they got too close. Then, there was the possibility of one or both falling into the water. I’m not a great swimmer, but obviously, I’d feel obliged to jump in after them. After all, binoculars are expensive, and although they’re pretty water-resistant, I do need to return them!
The girls took to the binoculars pretty much straight away. Both pairs needed little in the way of setting up and worked well straight from the box. Both the Hawkes and the Vortex looked similar, which avoided sibling rivalry over who gets the prettiest pair. I let them swap about for a while so that they both had a fair amount of time to try them both.
It was fortunate that we went specifically to see the swans, as apart from the occasional moorhen, mallard, and coot, there wasn’t much else to be seen this time. However, we did spot some lovely moorhen chicks, which looked like little black balls of fluff being blown along the water. Unfortunately, they were too far out for my camera to capture a worthwhile picture.
Swan spotting is usually successful because swans are large, white, and not exactly shy. They often assume that anyone present has bread or some other treat, making them happy to come within range of my lenses, even though they are not ideal for wildlife photography.
We spent about an hour walking around the lakes, observing swans, coots, moorhens, and fussing over any dogs that came within petting distance (with the owners' permission, of course). The binoculars performed exceptionally well, especially when we watched a swan on its nest on the far side of the lake, which proved to be a particular favourite of the girls.
After a good walk spent watching the birds and looking for anything else of interest (including a few dragonflies, damselflies, and some lovely yellow irises), it was time to retire for lunch and gather some feedback on the day's events and how the binoculars performed.
If I’m honest, I assumed that lunch with three hungry women would cost me an arm and a leg, but it turned out to be a surprisingly cheap date. The twins wanted a bowl of cheesy chips and a Coke each, while Sasha (Mummy) and I just had coffee and cake. This meant I had enough money left over for the ice cream that came later. I was surprised at their choice, as, unlike me, they’re usually fed a really healthy diet. But as Mum pointed out, it was a treat for being used as guinea pigs for South West Optics.
So, enough of all this nonsense, you might be wondering, what about the binoculars? Let’s dive into the details and see what makes these optics stand out.
Hawke Nature Trek 8x32 Binoculars
These binoculars are lightweight and easy to use, weighing only 18.4 oz, making them ideal for smaller hands. They feature a polycarbonate body covered in high-quality rubber armour, providing excellent protection from knocks, bumps, dirt, and moisture. Currently priced around £150, you might think that's a lot to spend on your little ones, especially if there’s no guarantee they’ll take to birding or nature watching. But don’t worry—both models are excellent in their own right. If little Johnny decides he’s more interested in heavy metal and a drum kit, you’ll still have a valuable spare pair of binoculars to keep in your bag or glove box.
These binoculars come with a fully coated lens system that produces clear, sharp images. They are water-resistant, nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging, and can focus as close as two metres. The twist-out eyecups are comfortable and provide good eye relief. Despite their small size, both pairs we tested opened wide enough for someone with a larger head like mine to view comfortably. The box includes a case with a strap, a strap for the binoculars, a protective pouch, lens covers, a lens cloth, and an instruction manual. All in all, they offer great value for money.
Vortex Bantam 6.5x32 Binoculars
Slightly lighter than the Hawkes and with a slightly wider field of view, the Bantams weigh in at 14.4 oz. They are well-made and feature a strong rubber coating, ideal for absorbing the daily knocks and bumps of life with youngsters. Like the Hawkes, they are also waterproof, making it easy to clean off chocolate, mud, and other unsavoury substances that small hands tend to acquire throughout the day. Optically, the Bantams offer clear lenses providing edge-to-edge sharpness and excellent light transmission for the price. The Bantams are nitrogen-purged, water-resistant, fog-proof, and focus as close as 12 feet. Each box contains a soft carry case, comfort strap, tethered lens covers, and rain guard eyepiece cover. At the current selling price of £78.95, these high-performing binoculars represent excellent value for money. All the technical details are available on our website.
The Most Important Verdict: What did the twins think?
As you would expect, nothing is ever simple…Evie went for the Hawkes and Connie went for the Vortex, despite them being a little heavier.
They both enjoyed their day out and, although it took a little time to get used to the binoculars (not the twins), within a few minutes, they were up and running, able to focus independently and find what they were looking for with relative ease. Even with her prescription lenses, Connie had little difficulty using both pairs, though the Vortex binoculars were reported to be a bit easier.
We do, of course have, other binoculars that would suit younger or smaller people, including the wonderful Swarovski Optic My Junior 7x28 Binoculars, which are in a different price bracket but beautifully made, lovely to use and in funky colours. Please take a look at our website www.swoptics.co.uk. I'm sure you'll find something to suit your needs. If you need any help or advice, please feel free to pop in or give us a call—we'd be happy to assist.
Id like to thank Connie and Evie for their help, patience and for not getting ice cream all over my car! I would also like to thank Sasha for lending us two lovely, unique and funny individuals.
Useful Links:
Hawke Nature Trek 8x32 Binoculars
Swarovski Optik My Junior 7x28 Binoculars- Jungle Green
Vortex Bantam 6.5x32 Binoculars
Also, be sure to check out the South West Optics YouTube channel for all the latest news, reviews and insights into the best optics on the market today. Click HERE to view.