hi guys after looking in my local shop browsing forums and the net,what would you say are the best bins for under £350 that is my budget,my local dealer sells hawkes optricon those are the ones I have tried,haven't tested the hawke frontier ed yet.want them for birdwatching in woods coast paths,reservoirs etc,if got enough money left will get a scope to with Xmas money.
The Hawke Frontier EDs that you mentioned would certainly be a good choice...both the 8x43 and the 8x36. I did own the 8x43 version a couple of years ago and felt they were very good optically. The fit and finish was good as well. Several individuals have posted that the 8x36 is just as good but more compact. Both are easily within your price range.
Speaking of which, I did the currency converter so I could see how much in US dollars your price cap was and it comes out to $558. In the US Market there are quite a few excellent binoculars within that price range. Your comment about having some money left over to pick up a scope makes me think that buying the 8x36 Frontier EDs might be the route to follow. Based on US prices for the bin that would leave you with about $300 US (188 pounds) to play with.
If I did all the conversions correctly then I would suggest you check out the Bresser Helios Fieldmaster ED60DS . I have tried the US version of that scope and find it truly remarkable for price. A wonderfully bright, sharp image that is practically free of color fringing. It has received some positive reviews on your side of the pond and fits right into your price range.
http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/He...sterED60DS.html
Here is a thread from the spotting scope forums where we discussed it.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=209394
Hope this helps.
The Hawke ED, at least the 8x42 (or is it 43?) I've tried was superb
Sean