The Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 Monocular distinguishes itself as a superior performer within its price range, thanks to its exceptional features and top-quality glass.
Reasons to buy
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Nitrogen-purged and waterproof
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Clear and bright images
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Impressive depth of field
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Close focus to 6 ft (2 m)
Reasons to avoid
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Fairly bulky
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The eyepiece cap isn't tethered
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The Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 Monocular, with its convenient top-mounted focusing wheel and compact size, provides a user-friendly design that is easy to utilize and transport.
Key specifications
Design: Roof prism Magnification: 10x Objective lens: 42mm Eye relief: 13mm Weight: 11.5 oz (325 g) Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.6 x 2.8 in (19.6 x 11.7 x 7.1 cm) Durability: Waterproof and fogproof
We were impressed by the performance of this monocular during our tests. Despite its small size, it boasted a high-quality lens that provided powerful and reliable functionality, making it suitable for more than just occasional use. This monocular features Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass, coated to enhance low-light performance for clear images in dim conditions. At 325g, it is lightweight and suitable for one-handed use, making it competitive in its price range.
Did the meticulous attention to detail result in a strong performance in our tests? Let's find out.
The Hawke Endurance ED 10x42mm appears to be a well-built unit with thoughtful design and tactile, grippy material in strategic areas. It has a purposeful appearance and the touchpoints are well-constructed.
The device features an adjustable eyepiece, which allows for use either with glasses or with the naked eye. The eyepiece is designed with a twistable plastic cup that offers three different positions for added convenience. During testing, the device performed well, but some users may find that the eyepiece feels somewhat lightweight and cheaply made.
The objective lens cap is fixed to the body but can be easily moved out of the way when necessary. On the other hand, the eyepiece comes with an untethered, slip-on cap that may be prone to getting lost.
The focus wheel located on the top of the device offers smooth operation but may require some adjustment for users with smaller hands. Its knurled edge provides a good grip, allowing for quick and efficient focusing. Additionally, the inclusion of a tripod mount on the bottom of the unit is a useful feature.
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The Hawke's accessories.
(Image credit: Matt Morris)
The monocular comes with a strap already attached underneath the eyepiece. However, we found this to be unnecessary because the monocular is so compact that it can easily fit into a pocket when not in use. When we tried wearing the strap around our neck, we found it got in the way while walking around. The monocular tended to bounce around on our chest, so keeping it in our pockets proved to be a better option.
The Hawke Endurance ED comes with a durable, belt-mounted carry bag that features a secure hook-and-loop fastening system. The bag is constructed from a robust woven material, providing excellent protection for the binoculars. During testing, the carry bag performed exceptionally well, offering convenient, reliable storage for the device.
Hawke Endurance ED 10x42: Performance
The Hawke is compact enough to fit in one hand.
(Image credit: Matt Morris)
Clear, crisp imaging
Light yet sturdy construction
Good low light performance
The Hawke Endurance monocular delivers exceptionally sharp and clear images with great attention to detail in the quality of the glass. It is equipped with extra-low dispersion and premium BAK-4 coated prisms to ensure top-notch performance, and excels in low-light conditions, producing clear images well into dusk, thanks to the large 42mm objective lens. Although the unit is quite large compared to some of its competitors, this design compromise guarantees clear viewing even in challenging lighting conditions.
During testing at a lake, the Hawke performed comparably to higher-priced competitors such as the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Monocular. Despite being nearly twice the price, the Bushnell model did not demonstrate performance that was proportionate to its higher cost.
The top-mounted focus wheel had a pleasing action.
(Image credit: Matt Morris)
At 11.5 ounces, the Hawke Endurance is lightweight yet feels sturdy and reliable. It is both waterproof and fogproof, thanks to nitrogen purging, providing confidence in various weather conditions. Testing the unit in low light, we observed that the Hawke Endurance ED delivered a clear image despite its relatively small 42mm objective lens. The device is compact enough to be comfortably carried in a spacious coat pocket, but it may not fit in anything smaller.
Hawke Endurance ED 10x42: Functionality
The Hawke has a 42mm objective lens.
(Image credit: Matt Morris)
Non-slip rubber armor
Only the objective lens cap is tethered
Decent-sized belt pouch
The Hawke Endurance monocular comes encased in rubber armor with textured areas for easier grip, making it suitable for one-handed use in wet conditions. The top-mounted focus wheel is smooth and quick to use. However, the included shoulder strap is somewhat short. The objective lens cap is fixed onto the unit's body, while the eyepiece cap can easily get lost, though it has an attachment hoop. The provided soft material bag seems unnecessary due to the monocular's rugged build.
The Hawke Endurance features 13mm eye relief and a three-position twist-up cup, making it comfortable for both spectacle wearers and those using it with the naked eye. However, the cup's movement could be more distinct and it feels somewhat cheap. Additionally, it does not include a lens cloth, but there is a rugged belt pouch with a hook-and-loop fastening to securely hold the monocular in place.
Should you buy the Hawke Endurance ED 10x42?
The objective lens cover falls out of the way when used.
(Image credit: Matt Morris)
The Hawke Endurance monocular is a great option for those looking for a high-quality monocular on a tight budget. It performs well, has features similar to more expensive options, boasts a well-made chassis and provides excellent images at its price point. While it may not have pinpoint clarity, it is still considered an excellent all-round performer.
If the Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 isn't for you
Looking for better-quality imaging from your monocular? Consider the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42mm monocular. Our recent test showed it has excellent imaging capabilities, although it comes with a higher price tag.
For a smaller option, the Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42, which has a less bulky focus ring and a comparable price, may be worth considering.
If low-light performance is a priority, then the Celestron Outland X 10x50mm monocular with its larger 50mm objective lens is a solid choice.
How we tested the Hawke Endurance ED 10x42
Our tests included visiting bird hides, lakes and woodland locations in various weather conditions. We used the monocular in as many different situations as possible so that the test covered a broad spectrum of use.
Matt Morris is a keen astronomer, wildlife watcher and photographer living in Somerset, UK. He started stargazing and birdwatching at the age of 10 with his father who took him to bird hides and nature reserves around England. This sparked his interest in cameras and optics, a passion that has now spanned the better part of four decades and led to his being featured in several national photography magazines for competition-winning photos. Matt has had deteriorating eyesight in one eye over the last few years due to being Type-1 Diabetic. This has led him to develop a special interest in optics, spurring his passion for bird watching and wildlife spotting.
