Do The Vanguard Endeavor ED Binoculars 8×42 Offer Enough For Keen Birdwatchers?
The Vanguard Endeavor ED Binoculars look like a simple, streamlined pair of binoculars with a user-friendly design for the average birdwatcher. The lends have a 19mm eye relief for added comfort, the open bridge body and large wheel should make them easy to handle and there is also the promise that they are lightweight.
With this and the great optical specification, these 8×42 binoculars should be a great aid out in the field. Is this the case or is something missing?
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What benefits have buyers noted in their reviews for these Vanguard Endeavor 8×42 ED Glass Binoculars?
The main advantage for most buyers seems to be the clarity and quality of the image and magnification. There is brightness to the image, which is achieved via the Bak4 phase-coated prisms and multi-coated lenses, and it is easy to change the focus to sharpen the image further thanks to the smooth dial. This model has a field of view of 367ft and a near focus of 6.6ft and this range seems to be appreciated by birdwatchers and trackers alike.
In addition to the viewing experience, there are also positive comments about the construction and design of this product. Vanguard binoculars are meant to be built to handle the outdoors and rough treatment and this is seen in a number of ways. Many appreciate the waterproof elements for rainy days – the 100% waterproofing being matched by 100% fogproofing – and the casing seems to be tough enough to handle drops and damage. Furthermore, the lens caps are attached to the binoculars so there is no risk of losing them.
What are the disadvantages in choosing these Vanguard Endeavor ED Binoculars?
At the time of writing this review, these binoculars have an impressive consumer rating on Amazon.com where 87% of buyers have given them the full 5 stars. A closer look at the more negative reviews does, however, highlight a clear problem with the optical performance. The phrase “purple fringing” is repeated often in testimonials and this colour distortion has been both irritating and distracting to some users.
The ED glass is meant to reduce colour dispersion but there is clearly an issue here. Some question whether this is due to the use of 8×42 lenses and suggest opting for the 10×42 version of the product instead. Others have taken off a star because of the product’s 25.8oz weight, saying that they are slightly heavier than they had hoped for.
Summary: are these Vanguard Endeavor weatherproof field binoculars still recommendable with this negative feedback in mind?
There are downsides to consider in the construction and capability of these binoculars but when only 13% of buyers see the need to point them out, you know that this is still a great product. The issue of the weight and colour fringing will depend on the purpose of the binoculars and duration of use.
Some critical users admit that casual birdwatchers will probably not have any complaints and they are perhaps being more picky. In the end, the Vanguard binoculars still offer a decent optical performance with some great protective features and a good design and should suit most consumers.
Find more reviews about the Vanguard Endeavor ED 8×42 Binocular on Amazon here.