Hawke Sapphire ed 8x42

[Highburymark]

Just picked up a nice early Christmas present - Hawke Sapphire 8x42 for birding mainly. Never had a pair of ED binoculars before. Almost £200 off at Birders Store. I believe this model has been discontinued now but I’m very impressed with the views. Super sharp across 80-90% of the field, comfortable, and so far can’t detect any CA. I have no knowledge of this market - have only owned 15x bins in the past, but these strike me as very good value, and might be fun to point them at the night sky too.

[Alan White]

Very nice, snazzy case too.

[Ruud]

Congratulations Mark. These binoculars have a good reputation.

I found this review for you: https://www.feathersoptics.co.uk/reviewSapphireED.php

[Highburymark]

3 minutes ago, Ruud said:

Congratulations Mark. These binoculars have a good reputation.

I found this review for you: https://www.feathersoptics.co.uk/reviewSapphireED.php

Thanks Ruud, hadn’t seen that review - and it’s probably the most complimentary of all those I’ve read.

[PeterW]

5:2mm exit pupil, should be good at night, what’s the apparent field of view?

Peter

[Stu]

11 hours ago, PeterW said:

5:2mm exit pupil, should be good at night, what’s the apparent field of view?

Peter

They do look nice. Looks like the field is 8.1 degrees. I have a pair of 8x42 non ED which are good, although they do show a little CA.

[Highburymark]

And bingo! Woodpecker in garden - never seen one here before. 

This afternoon was a tough test of CA. Low sunlight streaming through tree branches. Just a touch of purple fringing. But only evident under direct sunlight.