Customer Reviews

Vanguard 10.5x45 Endeavor ED Binocular (Black)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have had my Endeavor ED's for about 9 monhts. During that time I've not switched back to my Vortex bins. The Vortex had a lower transmission than these ED binoculars, and that is what drove my purchase decision. I was able to directly compare them to Swarovski and Nikons at a fall hawk watch festival in Monroe, MI. That is what sold me - because they were as bright and sharp as the Swarovskis at 1/5 the cost! They feel nice and don't feel that heavy - it is important when you have them around your neck all day during hiking and birding. The strap is first rate, soft and comfortable. I really like the way they look and feel - let alone the optics which are outstanding. So why 4 stars instead of 5? The focus is a bit strange and takes getting used to. I have to focus in and out a few times to get the object in crisp focus - a very fine adjustment to the focus takes a bit of effort, and I had the feeling one side was always a bit out of focus - but it is a feeling and I cannot prove it. These are high power - so there will be shake - that is unavoidable - you have to have a steady hand for 10.5 power bins. In hindsight - I should have opted for the 8.5s. Still I do travel around the country with them, and have not felt the need to change - so they are really growing on me. Summary: These are terrific bins for the price - I bet it would be hard to find a better pair at this price!

As someone who's pretty much only used cheap binoculars before, i was literally astonished by the clarity, contrast, and vividness that these binoculars offer. Cheaper lenses just make what you're looking at bigger, like zooming in on a high-resolution image. These lenses make it clearer, like you're really standing closer instead of just looking through lenses. While it's trite and cliche to say this, it really does make you feel like you could just reach out and touch objects that are hundreds of feet away.

(Let me reiterate: this is my first experience with nice binoculars, so there's a chance that the things i'm about to complain about are par for the course, or perhaps even features. However, they still hampered my ability to use these.)

My biggest frustration with these binoculars is the brute force requires to adjust the width. I'm not the strongest person in the world, i admit this, but i really have to strain to adjust them. Given that they only fit in the carrying case when squished down to the smallest setting, this means straining to get them flexed to my ideal width before using, and then straining to get them back into compact-mode for stowage. Maybe they'll loosen up a bit as i continue to use them, but if they did, i'd worry that they'd get too loose eventually. We'll see.

The weight is a mild frustration as well. I understand that the glass required to make lenses like these is going to have a bit of heft, and the nice sturdy body of the binoculars adds a bit more. The end result is that i can't hold them up to my eyes for long stretches without support. For quick glances, it's fine, but if i want to sit and stare at something, i need something to rest my elbows on.

In all, though, the image quality provided by these lenses is the best i've ever seen. For someone ready to take the step up from cheap to quality, these binoculars will be quite a treat.

---

Since writing my original review, i'd had a chance to let several other people take a look through these binoculars. All of them, even a few birdwatchers who spend a lot of time looking through binoculars, were impressed with their quality. I heard a lot of 'wow's.

I fully admit: I'm not an expert on the workings of binoculars. I am, however, a photographer, and thus pretty familiar with glass. The glass in these binoculars is pretty good. Definitely not perfect, though. Despite these binoculars having ED glass, there's a bit of purple fringing, especially in lines on buildings etc. Not awful, but definitely noticeable.

Also, the binoculars, while far from being soft when dialed in, are just not brilliantly sharp and vibrant. I have a great mountain view from my house, but through the binoculars, everything in the distance just loses a lot of vibrance, and gets a little hazy....

That said, for actually being able to SEE things in the distance, these binoculars are clearly a winner at 10.5x45mm magnification. Very solid feeling, easy to adjust etc. I like that the caps for the front and back secure very tightly, and the case is a nice addition, too, though if you're going backpacking through the rain-forests, you may want something sturdier as the case is by no means "heavy duty."

Overall, though, there's a lot to like. You could definitely do a lot worse!

4 out of 5.

These binoculars are a higher grade than the typical "big-box" brick&mortar retailers sell...these are high end (expensive) at $400.

Optics: ED (extra low dispersion) BaK4 prism includes V-Max silver coating as well as Anti-Reflective coating
Power: 10.5x 314ft @ 1000yds.
Objective diameter: 45mm
View angle: 6*
Near focus: 9.8ft (3m)
Weight: 26.8 oz (760g)...nearly 2 lbs!
Adj Diopter: +/- 4

At nearly 2 lbs weight, these are not "pocketable" glasses, they are definitely hand-carry or hanging around the neck.
No tripod mount either so 100% hand-hold with noticeable shake at greater magnifications.

Extremely sharp optics with perfect color rendition; again...not the kind of optics found in cheap retail chain stores.
Absolutely no discernible chromatic aberrations whatsoever.

Package includes:

Vanguard Endeavor 10.5 X 45 binoculars
User Manual
Fiber lens cleaning cloth
Vanguard gel-foam neck strap
Vanguard black nylon carry case

As of this writing (March 2011) I cannot comment on the "waterproof" claim as it is still too cold to venture out & about in our kayaks.

This binocular is excellent value for its price and the reviews I read about it are accurate. We use them for bird watching and are finding them fun. David N. Seidman, Skokie, Illinois 60076

The Vanguard Endeavor 10.5x45 binocs seem to have been designed for hunters, but they are terrific for those who like to look at birds. For their price range, they received a rave review from AUDUBON magazine, and they have excellent optics. Up close, you can see every feather and marking on a nearby bird, and even those hiding in the shrubbery are easily picked out and focused on. If you're the sole user of a set, you can securely fix the diopter setting for your eyes only. Although these are relatively heavy binoculars for extended viewing at 26.8 ounces, you can put your elbows on a table to stare at backyard visitors. A good over-the-shoulders binocular harness helps (Amazon has these!), and they can be used on a tripod with Vanguard's BA-185 adapter. That set-up provides a budget approach to a spotting scope. These are well worth the price if you like to study birds.

These binoculars provide a startlingly clear image. The focus is very precise. If you wear glasses, as my husband and I do, it's tough to enjoy these to the max. They are quite heavy so not practical for travel. But we are looking forward to making use of them at the next concert we attend.

Vanguard's Endeavor binoculars come with plenty of bells and whistles, but the real question is whether they offer the clarity and magnification worthy of the price tag. Does the product live up to the hype? The answer is a resounding "yes," as the Endeavor has crystal clear resolution and fantastic magnification that is far above what can be found from the average pair of binoculars sold in the sporting department of a retail store.

The box has a reference manual, but figuring out how the binoculars work is a fairly simple and intuitive process. Focusing the lenses is easy, and the manual helpfully points out the best setting to use for viewers who wear glasses. Once the lenses are adjusted, the image appearing through the binoculars is incredibly crisp and sharp.

A carrying case is included that contains an extra strap, covers for the lenses, and a high quality cleaning cloth. Everything fits snugly into the case so nothing jostles around, but it isn't so tight that getting things out or putting them back in becomes a chore. The Endeavor is large and sturdy, but not big enough to be a pain to carry around. Hand carrying isn't a big deal for a brief stroll, but it's easier to use the case and carry over your shoulder if you are taking a longer hike. Whether enjoying the local flora or fauna, these binoculars get the job done incredibly well and with a surprisingly clear image.

This is the most impressive pair of binoculars I have ever used.The resolution is flawless. Details sch as the easily adjustable eye relief makes this easy to use for one who wears glasses.I saw no color fringing edge to edge. The weight and balance is very comfortable.Friends who asked to try them all wanted to buy a pair.

I admit, when I ordered this set of binoculars, I wasn¡¦t sure what I was going to do with them. I do, on occasion see a play or go fishing, so what the hey, perhaps I¡¦ll give it a shot and order it through amazon¡¦s vine program.

Vnaguard has a reputation for coming out with high quality lenses and great design, and this model ¡§Endeavor ED¡¨ is no different. The design is pretty stylish with a finish that can easily be gripped and to make things more attractive, it is sturdy (lenses seem scratch-resistant) and waterproof. Yes, it is a little expensive at $ 400, but I have to admit this set of binoculars may become one of my motivations to go bird-watching, go to the beach and even to the mountains just to see how well I could see things from afar.

I was not disappointed. The lenses and the magnification are totally impressive. I can see clearly from a very long distance. It is easily adjustable and adaptable to what you need it for.

The set is a little heavy though and sizable that it cannot fit in your pocket. It does come with its own neck strap, a case and lens cover to protect it while not in use.

A great product that made me go outdoors again¡Khey, I may check out some things on the beach now¡K º
4.5 out of 5 Stars