Introduction
In this article, I will compare two 8×32 configuration binoculars- Vortex Diamondback and Hawke Endurance ED. Both are small-size binoculars with lenses of a shorter diameter; both available at very affordable prices and especially suitable and convenient for everyday use. I would also advise these two models to all first-time buyers.
The Diamondback series by Vortex are lower priced binoculars, which nevertheless offer excellent optical performance and are built from quality materials. Diamondbacks are available in several configurations (8×28, 8×32, 8×42, 10×28, 10×32, 10×42, 10×50, 12×50).
Hawke claims for its Endurance ED models of binoculars, that they do not have competition in their price ranking, as they offer the most for the price among all their rivals. ED acronym means the binoculars are equipped with extra-low dispersion glass, that eliminates color fringing
Size & Weight
| Vortex Diamondback 8×32 | Hawke Endurance ED 8×32 | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 440 g | 539 g |
| Width: | 117 mm | 119 mm |
| Length: | 114 mm | 132 mm |
| Max interpupillary distance: | 75 mm | 76 mm |
The binoculars are quite different from each other at a first glance, as Endurance is much larger and wider, but when we begin to compare them more precisely, we can see that they are quite similar in appearance and construction. They look almost as if they were the same series, except that the Diamondback is smaller.
Vortex managed to put 8×32 into an extremely small “packaging”; the binoculars are really small, short and light-weight. Endurance ED is larger and longer, and it also has thicker barrels.
As for the design, both are very well made and aesthetic. Diamondback is covered in dark green, matted rubber and has details made of plastic. The barrels and the bridge are very short so that the binoculars are easily held in one hand. On both sides of the binoculars there are various bumps on the surface for better grip- not only are extremely useful, they also look very aesthetic.
A coating on the Endurance is almost the same, the rubber is also dark green and matted
with added soft and smooth rubber around the bridge. The latter is still short enough not to cause problems when held in one hand. It also has a dotted/bumpy surface on both sides for more reliable (non-slip) holding. At Endurance I prefer that the entire coating looks like it was made from one piece of rubber; Diamondback has certain details (bridge and neck strap loops) made of plastic, which is glued to the housing of the binoculars so remains of adhesive can be seen at the edges.
Optical Properties
| Vortex Diamondback 8×32 | Hawke Endurance ED 8×32 | |
|---|---|---|
| Prism type: | Roof -Schmidt/Pechan | Roof -Schmidt/Pechan |
| Lens Diameter: | 32 mm | 32 mm |
| Magnification: | 8x | 8x |
| Variable Magnification: | No | No |
| Coatings: | Fully multi-coated | Fully multi-coated |
| Close focus: | 1.9 m | 2 m |
| Field of View: | 129.9 m /1000 m | 129 m / 1000 m |
8×32 configuration is especially suitable for daytime observations, stalking hunt and scanning for smaller animals, hiking, traveling, safari, birding and wildlife observations. 8x magnification gives you a good overview and a stable image.
Both binoculars have a Roof – Schmidt/Pechan prism type and fully multi-coated lenses. The close focus and field of view on both binoculars is similar. Close focus distance is still short enough for closer observations (animals, insects& butterflies, details on the monuments and in nature) and the field of view wide enough for observing the landscapes and larger open areas.
32 mm lenses are not as capable as the 42 mm in low light conditions, so Hawke used silver mirror coatings in these binoculars, which are only for shade worse than dielectric coatings, but still provide excellent light transmission and brightness. Prisms are phase corrected (PC) for a clean and sharp image. As mentioned before, ED stands for the ED lenses, which will prevent the color fringing and control chromatic aberration.
Diamondback has dielectric fully multi-coated lenses. It also has a phase correction coating on prisms for enhanced contrast and resolution and anti-reflection coatings on the glass to increase light transmission.
Focus Properties
| Vortex Diamondback 8×32 | Hawke Endurance ED 8×32 | |
|---|---|---|
| Focusing System: | Central | Central |
| Central Wheel Grasp: | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Central Wheel Rotation: | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Diopter Setting: | Right-eye | Right-eye |
| Central Wheel Diameter: | 29 mm | 30 mm |
| Central Wheel Length: | 24 mm | 25 mm |
| Total Revolution: | 630° | 740° |
| Bridge Length (Without the Central Wheel Length) | 34 mm | 48 mm |
These two binoculars both have a central focusing system and a right-eye diopter setting. The focus wheel on Diamondback is big, coated in black soft rubber with deep notches for better grip. The wheel rotates smoothly and very silent. The grip of the wheel on the Endurance is also good, because the knob is serrated over the entire surface, and has the appearance of a sprocket wheel. The rotation, however, is not as smooth as on Diamondback and produces the sound of the air trapped inside. I have evaluated the wheel grasp on both with an 8/10 and I also gave the same evaluation for its rotation on a Diamondback. I rated the Endurance’s wheel rotation a bit worse, 7/10, because of the sound and not being sturdy enough.
The diopter setting ring is thicker and more comfortable to use on a Diamondback. The rotation of it is a bit too fast and can be quickly changed. Endurance’s diopter ring is very difficult to rotate, and its grip is extremely bad. However, the latter has the settings for the diopter better marked (with +, – and 0). Diamondback’s diopter setting is indicated only with a small dot.
Eyepiece Properties
| Vortex Diamondback 8×32 | Hawke Endurance ED 8×32 | |
|---|---|---|
| Eyepiece type: | Multipositioned | Multipositioned |
| Number of Click-stops: | 2 | 2 |
| Eye relief: | 15.6 mm | 18 mm |
| Exit pupil: | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Firmness: | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Quality: | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Suitable for Eye Glass Wearers: | Yes | Yes |
| External Diameter: | 39 mm | 39 mm |
| Internal Diameter: | 19 mm | 20 mm |
Both binoculars have a multi-positioned eyepiece, offering 2 click-stops. The rubber used for the eyecups is quite hard and inflexible on both, so it is less comfortable when we press the binoculars to our face/eyes. The eye relief is for more than 2 mm larger at Hawke Endurance and therefore even more suitable for the eye-glass wearers. As for the quality and rotation of them, I still prefer the Diamondback’s, since they seem to be more stable and the rubber used on them more durable. I have evaluated their firmness and quality with an 8/10. I like how the eyecups have an additional ring on the outer side which allows for a better fit.
The rubber on Endurance’s eyecups is much thicker and I, personally, do not like the design, so I have evaluated their firmness and quality with a 7/10.
General Properties
| Vortex Diamondback 8×32 | Hawke Endurance ED 8×32 | |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Material: | Plastic/ Rubber | Plastic/ Rubber |
| Armoring: | Rubber | Rubber |
| Quality of Armoring: | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Quality of Covers: | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Build in Rangefinder: | No | No |
| Waterproof: | Yes | Yes |
| Submersible: | Yes | Yes |
| Filled With: | Argon | Nitrogen |
| Number of Colors: | 1 | 2 (black, green) |
| Tripod Adaptable: | Yes | Yes |
| Made in: | China | China |
| Introduced in: | 2016 | 2015 |
| Warranty period: | 10 years | 10 years |
| MRSP Price: | 269.00 EUR | 249.00 EUR |
As far as the external characteristics and the appearance are concerned, the binoculars are very similar to each other, both have a rubber coated exterior with plastic details. The armoring is very well-made on both, it seems to be very long-lasting and made to resist damage when dropped. I also like the details on the surface, which give a better grip and make the binoculars useful in all weather conditions and in all fields. I rated the quality of armoring on both with a good 8/10.
Both binoculars are waterproof; Diamondback is purged with Argon gas and Endurance with Nitrogen. Both are O-ring sealed for absolute fog, dust and water resistance.
The covers are, again, pretty much the same on both models- with a thick rubber band attached to the edges of the barrels, but non-detachable on the Endurance. Both have their logos imprinted on them. The rubber they are made of is beautifully designed and durable, so they cannot break easily. Hawke’s covers are pushed to the objective lens gaps and Diamondback’s are embracing the edges of the barrels. I rated them with an 8/10.
Vortex Diamondback 8×32 and Hawke Endurance ED 8×32 are both made in China, can be mounted on a tripod and offer 10-year warranty period. The difference in price is minimal.
Group Test
How we made a test
We made a test with a group of 6 people with very diverse knowledge about sports optics. Some had previous experiences with binoculars and other almost none. We compared central and edge sharpness, glare, real FOV, eye-box and overall impression. Everyone in the test group tested binoculars individually without being influenced by other people. We also covered down any brand signs on binoculars, so no one was influenced by knowing which company manufactured which.
| Vortex Diamondback 8×32 | Hawke Endurance ED 8×32 | |
|---|---|---|
| Central sharpness: | 0/6 | 6/6 |
| Edge sharpness: | 0/6 | 6/6 |
| Glare: | 1/6 | 5/6 |
| Real FOV: | 2/6 | 4/6 |
| Eye-box: | 0/6 | 6/6 |
| Overall impression: | 0/6 | 6/6 |
Although these two are very similar models, Hawke gave a better optical performance and is, according to all estimates, a much better pair of binoculars than Diamondback. It was an absolute winner in both categories for sharpness, for eye-box and in overall impression. It lost 1 vote in the category for Glare and 2 in the category for Real FOV. All 6 of 6 people who helped me with the test, would rather buy Endurance ED 8×32 by Hawke.
Conclusion
Not only that the binoculars are very similar to each other, they are also packed in almost identical hard cases – black with logos imprinted on them, looking like small suitcases.
Both binoculars are extremely compact, small and usable in almost all situations.
Disclaimer
This test wasn’t financed and is unbiased. As a wildlife enthusiast interested in sports optics I made this tests because I would like to see how binoculars perform and if they meet the advertised expectations. With this test, I also hope that it will help people choose the right binoculars for their personal use. I am not in any way connected with the manufacturers of sports optics and I’m not personally in favor of particular brand.
In the end, I would like to thank Optics-trade.eu to lend me these binoculars for this test. I also thank them for letting me use their videos.
