Vanguard has been providing high-quality photo-video accessories (tripods, monopods, ball heads, camera bags and cases), hunting accessories (archery bow cases, gun cases and gun pods/shooting sticks) and sporting optics (binoculars and spotting scopes) for 24 years. They have a diverse lineup of products to meet the needs of hunters, photographers, birdwatchers, and more.
This evaluation features the new Endeavor ED Binoculars from Vanguard. Vanguard’s new top-of-the-line Endeavor ED binoculars are touted to deliver sharpness and clarity like never before with exceptional light transmission and remarkable color resolution and contrast. Other features include an ergonomic, open-bridge design for a comfortable use, a wide view angle, BaK4 roof prisms, an anti-reflection coating, large focus adjustment wheel and long eye relief. The new Endeavor binos use premium ED glass, which reduces color dispersion to provide high resolution colors and clarity. Endeavor ED has BaK4 roof prisms and special lens coatings. Nitrogen-charged and o-ring sealed, Endeavor ED is waterproof and fog proof to take on challenging weather conditions. We’ll take a closer look through the lens of the Endeavor ED binoculars from Vanguard.
The new Endeavor ED binoculars, from Vanguard
Initial Inspection
I enjoy using a good set of glasses, so I was eager to give these Endeavor ED 1045 binos a try. When I received the package, I quickly removed the contents and went outside to try them out. But before I get ahead of myself…I did take time to give a thorough exam of the binos and their quality. Fit and finish was good, and I found no visible defects in workmanship…all in all the Endeavor EDs appeared to be top quality. The Endeavor ED included a very nice case and strap, and well-fitted lens covers.
Twist up cups provide adjustment for glass wearers.
The Endeavor ED features ED glass, the most advanced technology for optics. ED glass provides extra low light dispersion which produces an image quality that is superior to standard optics. Standard optical glass is not able to correct the dispersion of color wavelengths, because each color has a different wavelength. As a result, light refraction creates poorer color reproduction. However, ED glass helps to solve this problem. With ED glass, wavelengths pass through the same point, effectively reducing color dispersion and providing impressive color reproduction. See figure 3 below…
Endeavor ED (extra low dispersion) light waves.
Another important feature of optics includes lens coatings, because they make a big difference in light transmission, especially in high magnification optics and low light conditions. Light transmission directly affects viewing quality. The Endeavor ED binos feature fully multicoated lenses and prisms. Vanguard’s exclusive P2 phase coating on the prism creates super clear images and high resolution viewing. The Endeavor has additional coatings on the lenses, including V-Max Silver Coating lens treatments and anti-reflection (AR) coatings. The V-Max coating produces more vivid images and sharper contrast, while the AR coating enables super bright images, even on the sunniest of days.
The three position eyecups on the Endeavor ED enable folks that use glasses and those that don’t to equally enjoy the crisp views. If you wear glasses, twist the eyecups down to their lowest position. If you don’t wear glasses, twist the eyecups to their highest (extended) position. This will ensure that you see the entire field of view, as it eliminates the shading that you sometimes get around the edges of the glass when looking through binoculars.
To focus the Endeavor EDs, close your right eye and look only through the left eyepiece and rotate the center focusing wheel until the image is sharp. Then close your left eye and look through the right eyepiece. Unlock the Position Locking Diopter Ring and rotate the Diopter Ring until the image is sharp in your right eye. Lock the Diopter Ring in place and you are all set. The Position Locking Diopter Ring is a very nice feature, because it prevents the Diopter Ring from being adjusted without intending to do so. Once your focus is set you lock it down and don’t worry about it again. Now you can simply focus the image at different distances by using only the center focusing wheel. For a hunter, this is important because you don’t have time to mess with focus adjustments when you are preparing for a bruiser to enter your kill zone! This is the first set of glasses that I have seen with this locking feature available, and it makes the Endeavor EDs even more enticing for me.
Testing
Continuing my evaluation of the Endeavor ED binos…my first test was to simply compare the images as viewed through four different optics, including the Endeavor ED binos. I won’t mention brands, but two of them are considered leaders in the optics field, and are more expensive than the Endeavor EDs. I used a tripod for each optic, and viewed the exact same image through each to compare for clarity and sharpness. The Endeavor EDs did not disappoint, and I was extremely impressed with the quality of the image, especially given the price point for these glasses. The 10.5 power of the Endeavor EDs provided a clear field of view, which measures 314 feet at 1000 yards. I tried all four optics from several distances to various images, and the Endeavor ED glasses continued to perform very well.
My next test was to view images in low light situations, comparing the Endeavor ED glasses to the other three optics for clarity and light gathering ability. I headed to one of the local fields at dusk for some early scouting for the upcoming deer season. When compared to the other three optics used for my test, the Endeavor ED binoculars once again faired very well. I had no trouble viewing several deer grazing in a field at dusk, and was even able to determine number of points on the early developing racks. The Endeavor EDs have 45mm objective lens, which allowed sufficient light to see in low light conditions. The Endeavor EDs produced a clear and detailed view during low light situations. This is critical for the bowhunter since these are the times that trophy game tend to move and become more vulnerable.
Large focus adjustment wheel.
Conclusion
The Endeavor ED 1045 binoculars are an excellent set of glasses. You get a lot of “bang for your buck” with these binos, and when you compare features between some of the leading brands and the Endeavor EDs…you get the same features for a whole lot less with the Endeavor EDs. Try them out for yourself and you be the judge.
Very comfortable in the hands.
Specifications as Tested
Extra low-dispersion, ED glass
BaK4 roof prisms
Waterproof/fog proof
Anti-reflection coating
Power: 10.5
Diameter of objectives: 45 mm
Eye relief: 18 mm
Near focus: 8.2 ft.
FOV: 314 ft/1000 yards
Size: 5.1 x 6.3 inches
Weight: 27.9 oz.
Main body material: magnesium alloy
Finish/Camo Pattern: soft rubber armor, black
Retail Price: $399
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Pros: Super clear, excellent light gathering, comfortable grips.
Cons: Heavier at 1 3/4 lbs, prefer a camo version for hunting
To see the full line of Vanguard products, visit their website: Vanguard Outdoors
