Thanks to their magnesium shell, ZEISS’s Conquest HDX 8x32 binoculars are as light – just 620g (22oz) – as they are tough. And at 132mm (5.2in) long, they will fit easily in a jacket pocket, unless you prefer to use the padded and adjustable neck strap.
ZEISS introduced the Conquest HDX family as an update to the HD lineup at the end of 2024. And although the entry level 8x32 model is the smallest of seven products that culminate in 15x56 specification, improvements in terms of features and performance run throughout the range.
Binoculars, of course, have many different applications, but hunters will appreciate the rubber armour coating that is both durable and grippy, even in the rain. Push-on lens caps afford plenty of protection and there’s additional reassurance in the waterproof and shockproof design.
Ergonomics is something you won’t notice if done well. The Conquest HDX 8x32 feel like an extension of your hand with perfect balance and controls within easy and comfortable reach.
The two halves move smoothly to make viewing comfortable. So too do the eyecups that move with positive and muted clicks into one of four positions so you can set eye relief to suit, even if you wear glasses.
A dioptre adjustment on the right lens moves easily and once set up just right, can be locked into place to prevent accidental movement, making the Conquest HDX ready for instant use. The large focus dial in the middle is ideally placed for easy adjustment and will adjust focus from 0 to infinity in 1.3 turns.
These binoculars are far from a cheap option, but ZEISS’s reputation is based dependable performance and class-leading lens technology. It is no surprise then that the image quality through the Conquest HDX 8x32 is stunning. Benefiting from the company’s T* coating as well as field flattening technology, the view at any distance is saturated with colour and as sharp and defined at the edges as it is in the middle.
The 8x magnification may be the lowest in the Conquest HDX range but is ample for airgun use giving a wide field of view that equates to 140m or 420 feet at 1,000m. Equally important for airgun shooters is that, thanks to the T* lens coating and 90 percent light transmission, these binoculars perform well in low light conditions.
In fact, on an early morning rabbit session, I found they were able to give me a view of what was about long before I was able to see through my scope.
I can’t believe there are many airgunners who are not familiar with Hawke products. The right balance between solid performance and sensible prices have made the brand the dominant scope manufacturer, at least in the UK airgun market, for years.
Perhaps less well known is the company’s huge range of other optics, including binoculars. There are four sub-brands, and each one contains multiple products resulting in an offering that will suit just about any budget and any specification.
Here we have the Endurance ED 8x32 Green on test – just one of six models, each available in both green or black finish that span between 8x25 and 12x50 specification.
At 635g (22.4 oz), 138mm (5.4in) long and as little as 103mm (4.1in) wide, these binoculars fall into a jacket pocket and are easy to fish out again. Alternatively, you can attach the neoprene reinforced neck strap or use the crush-proof carry box that has both a shoulder strap and loop to attach to a belt.
Patches of stippling make the Endurance ED 8x32 grippy and the resistance to move the two lenses out to a maximum width of 121mm (4.8in) is perfectly weighted to make adjustment easy but avoid accidental movement when walking about.
The ergonomic design ensures all the controls fall easily to hand. Focus down to as little as two metres is achieved by adjusting the dioptre collar on the right lens and the central dial. And if you wish to mount the Endurance ED 8x32 on a tripod, unscrewing a cap at the front of the central bridge reveals a ¼in – 20 UNC thread.
The twist-up eyecups offer plenty of adjustment with three position stops that once again are unlikely to move unless you want them to. The lens caps are tethered so you won’t lose them and are designed to snap into the lens cavity rather than onto the outside.
Hawke uses silver mirror coated high resolution phase corrected BAK-4 roof prisms that correct any misalignment of light phases that result from roof prisms. Whilst the technology is by no means exclusive to Hawke, the result is significantly enhanced performance in terms of image and colour clarity.
My field test comprised an early morning mooch. I didn’t shoot anything but was able to entertain myself with a bit of birdwatching. Good optical performance along with a field of view of 112m at a kilometre helped me spot a group of pigeons feeding on the ground. And, although I wasn’t able to stalk anywhere near them, the Hawke Endurance ED at least presented me with an opportunity to try.
Distributed in the UK by Range-Right, you may have heard of the Konus brand, but you might be surprised by the scale of the company’s offering which ranges from spotters, thermal products, range finders and all kinds of scopes to night vision, mounts, bipods and torches.
The one thing they all have in come is that they represent great value for money. Take the Regent-HD 10x42 WA binoculars, just one of more than 20 models, that carry a recommended retail price of just £110. Included in that price are a durable nylon carry case that has a shoulder strap and belt loop, as well as a neck strap for the binoculars which, despite limited adjustment, I found perfect even when wearing thick clothing. The Konus Regent HDs are the cheapest binoculars in this test, but it’s hard to see where any costs have been cut as everything feels solid.
Weighing 728g (25.7oz), the Regent-HD 10x42 WA binoculars are covered in a dark green rubber armour which contributes to the waterproof design. Features such as the eye relief adjustment, lens caps at both ends (tethered at the front) and focus dial are all black.
There’s plenty of dioptre adjustment on the right lens and the collar moves with just enough resistance to avoid accidental movement. The large central focus button facilitates on-the-fly adjustment for sharp viewing. And two eye relief cups, which move with precise steps, meant I could use the Regent-HD comfortably even when wearing glasses. For serious glassing, there’s a thread to attach the binoculars to a tripod.
Binoculars are all about image quality of course, and despite their affordable price, the Regent-HD 10x42 WA won’t disappoint. According to Konus, the Bak-4 prism lenses are multi-coated to enhance light transmission in even low light conditions.
I spent a fruitless day in a squirrel hide and passed the time by gazing across the valley through the Konus Regent-HD binoculars. The image was crystal clear with only a little distortion at extreme distance that wouldn’t concern me if using them to spot rabbits in a field.
The controls were smooth to operate and the field of view – 102 metres at a kilometre – meant I could watch gliding buzzards without losing track as they switched direction to catch the thermals.
I’ve always thought that, as far as airgun shooting goes, binoculars are a bit of a luxury. And then my better half, desperate for something to get me for Christmas, got me a pair. I thanked her of course, but suspected they’d be consigned to the bottom of my rucksack.
Then I spent a day sitting in a hide waiting for uncooperative squirrels and got bored. So, I dug the binos out and realised how I’d been mistaken all these years. Not only did watching the wildlife far in the distance pass the time, I was able to spot squirrels hundreds of yards of away and make plans for future forays.
The experience made me evaluate just how useful a set of binoculars can be for airgun shooters. A decent thermal spotter is unrivalled when it comes to revealing the presence of quarry but won’t give you the detail of a set of binos. And nothing compares when it comes to enjoying the countryside.
It is fair to say that binoculars are not essential kit for every airgunner. If most of your shooting time is spent targeting rats at night, then a set of binos is not going to help you that much. But if you shoot during daylight, a decent set will help you spot potential prey more easily. And, of course, unlike most other items of airgunning equipment, they have plenty of uses for when you’re not hunting or sending lead down the range.
If you’re wondering about adding a set of binoculars to your kit, either for hunting or to use down the range to see how your groups are progressing, this trio of the best available is well worth a look and should include something to meet most budgets.
First published 10th February 2025
