Vanguard VEO HD 2 8×42 Binocular Evaluate

Execs: Prime quality optics that ship premium options and a high-performance viewing expertise at an affordable worth level. Sharp, contrasty picture impresses in a spread of difficult viewing situations. Shiny, vivid colors that make the picture “pop”.

Cons: Twist up eyecups are plastic, quite than metallic, Vanguard Guarantee dropped from 25 years to solely 10 since I reviewed their predecessor, eye-placement proved slightly finicky for me (occasional blackout of areas on the periphery of the sphere), however prone to be a private challenge that will not have an effect on you. Slight greenish/yellowish color bias… though solely noticeable while you examine alongside different premium binoculars.

Value: GBP£399.99 (c.€455.00) — at time of writing on sale for £299.99 (c. €345.00)

Score: Advisable

Vanguard is a Chinese language model that has quietly advanced to develop into an actual contender within the congested mid-range optics market. I’ve been notably impressed with their Endeavor vary of binoculars prior to now (I reviewed the ED, EDII and EDIV right here and located all three to supply nice efficiency and excellent worth for cash). The VEO line seems to be a revamp of their older fashions, utilizing the identical (or very comparable) optical programs paired with a brand new carbon composite physique development.

If you happen to’re in search of a top quality binocular at a mid-range costs level, the Vanguard Veo HD2 is actually price a glance.

Take a look at the Veo HD 2 8×42 on Vanguard’s web site.

Purchase the Vanguard Veo HD2 on Amazon:

Vanguard VEO HD2 8×42 Full Evaluate

After being impressed by each incarnation of Vanguards Endeavor vary of binoculars over time, I used to be eager to see how their newest twin hinge premium providing, the VEO 2 HD stacked up. Let’s discover out….

First Impressions

A lot as the unique Veo ED seemed to be a contemporary reboot of Vanguards Spirit ED binocular, so VEO HD 2 feels very very like a refreshed Endeavor EDII. Evaluating the specs of the 2 binoculars, the optical programs and options, apart from the Endeavor EDII’s premium Magnesium Alloy housing, are just about similar (together with the usage of Vanguard’s a lot vaunted Hoya ED Glass). The VEO HD2 is a contact lighter, thanks presumably to that Carbon Composite development Vanguard talks about. Name me quaint, however I’d take the extra 50g or so for a Magnesium Alloy physique any day.

That stated, the Veo HD2 is a brilliant, modern-looking binocular that feels strong, with a pleasant heft to it and a high-quality really feel that means it would go the space.

Steadiness, Dealing with and Construct High quality

Vanguard’s twin hinged designs have at all times been very snug to carry and to make use of, and so they look nice. The VEO HD2 isn’t any exception. It’s effectively balanced, feels strong and effectively put collectively, and customarily appears like a premium little bit of package.

The complete physique is roofed in a barely textured exhausting inexperienced rubber armour from Mitsubishi (I’m not too positive why entrepreneurs felt it vital to emphasize that reality) that’s tactile, and appears and feels nice. It offers a great grip, is snug to carry, and helpful indents on the underside of the barrels assist information your palms to the perfect place for optimum steadiness and dealing with.

Vanguard pushes the all new Carbon Composite physique development as a profit in its advertising and marketing — however primarily what it boils right down to is that the binocular itself is constructed out of a carbon fibre strengthened plastic polymer, quite than the premium metallic (Magnesium Alloy) utilized in earlier fashions at this worth level.

That’s a little bit of a disgrace… however to be trustworthy, if Carbon Composite wasn’t plastered all around the packaging and advertising and marketing materials, I’d haven’t any means of realizing. The binocular feels strong and each bit as sturdy and effectively made as its predecessors. When you do know although, there’s no getting round the truth that it appears like a little bit of a downgrade.

My private desire has at all times been for single hinge binocular designs — particularly the extra modern single-hinge design with a narrower hinge excessive on the physique, permitting for a real, inimpeded wrap-around grip. I’ve at all times discovered the decrease hinge will get in the best way on twin hinge designs, and whereas you may get used to them, I’d quite not need to.

That stated, there are advantages to twin hinge development. They lend total energy, and every particular person hinge may be narrower, with out compromising the general energy and stability of the design. It will probably additionally assist scale back the general weight, and enhance steadiness… though that may be subjective.

Regardless of my private desire, Vanguards twin hinge binoculars stay a number of the most snug and finest dealing with binoculars I’ve ever used… and the VEO HD2 picks up the place the Endeavor left off in that regard, with nice steadiness and a cushty all-around consumer expertise.

Focus & Dioptre Adjustment

The metallic focus wheel is ample, and the knurled rubber central ring affords loads of grip. Focus motion is as easy and fluid as any binocular I’ve used, and the resistance stage is effectively balanced. About 2 1/2 anti-clockwise turns take you from a quoted close-focus distance of c. 2m to infinity. Whereas that’s extra focus journey than you’ll discover in lots of binoculars, I by no means discovered focusing to be too gradual on the VEO HD2, and the picture snaps with out having to hunt backwards and forwards.

Dioptre adjustment is within the common place beneath the right-hand eyepiece, and is lockable, which implies there’s no hazard of it slipping after you have it arrange.

Eye Cups and Eye Reduction

Like most prime quality roof-prism binoculars at the moment, the VEO HD2 options twist-up eye-cups with 4 stops (absolutely down, two intermediate stops, and absolutely up). This could will let you modify the eyecups to afford you the total subject of view, though for me, even with the eyecups absolutely prolonged, the eyepiece lenses had been nonetheless slightly too shut for my eyes. It made positioning the binoculars appropriately tougher than it must be, and meant I’d often get disconcerting peripheral blackouts on the fringe of the sphere of view, forcing me to reposition the bins.

A quoted eye-relief of 19mm is great, and may imply most spectacle wearers could have no drawback utilizing these binoculars with their glasses on.

One different factor to notice right here — the eyecups look like plastic quite than metallic, which implies they may very well be extra inclined to wreck and put on and tear. Nonetheless, the excellent news is, if they’re broken they may unscrew, so Vanguard can simply ship out a alternative you could substitute your self. Eyecups are the one most frequent level of failure on any binocular — and it’s very helpful to have the ability to substitute a broken eyecup your self, quite than sending the entire instrument again to the manufacturing facility for restore.

Weatherproofing

Like all binoculars at this worth level, the VEO HD2 is absolutely sealed and weatherproof, and purged with inert fuel to forestall inner fogging and condensation. Throughout testing the binocular suffered no ill-effects regardless of the worst an Irish late winter/early spring may throw at it.

Optical Efficiency

Picture High quality and Discipline of View

The view by means of the VEO HD2 is great: vibrant, sharp, contrasty and stuffed with element.

It’s pin sharp from the centre, and stays good throughout a lot of the subject, softening only a tad as you get out in the direction of the very edge. The sphere of view is sweet, although not distinctive for an 8×42 at 7.1 levels (124m/1000m).

On steadiness the view by means of the VEO HD2 is great, with little or no to criticise for an instrument at this worth level.

Color Constancy, Distinction and Chromatic Aberration

Broadly talking the view by means of the VEO HD2 seems impartial, with no actual perceptible color bias to the bare eye. The picture is punchy with good distinction, and hues seem pure and vibrant. If you happen to use the VEO HD2 alongside different premium binoculars, there does look like an ever so barely perceptible bias in the direction of the inexperienced/yellow finish of the spectrum, however that is by no means obvious when you’re utilizing the instrument in isolation.

Chromatic aberration (color fringing) is dealt with effectively, and I by no means seen it when viewing high-contrast topics beneath regular, and even fairly excessive subject situations. As with virtually any binocular, you possibly can induce fringing by purposely viewing excessive distinction scenes on the very fringe of the sphere of view… however that’s not the way you’ll be utilizing the binocular.

Low Mild Efficiency and Coatings

All air to glass surfaces within the optical system of the VEO HD2 are fully-multi-coated with Vanguard’s proprietary suite of coatings designed to enhance mild transmission and scale back glare and stray mild reflections. Coupled with high-quality Japanese ED glass and high-performance BAK4 Roof Prisms the picture produced stays vibrant and clear even in difficult situations, and whereas it unsurprisingly falls in need of the most effective binoculars on the market, the VEO HD2 can greater than maintain its personal in opposition to competitors in its personal worth band, and can proceed ship as the sunshine fades.

The VEO HD2 additionally has a particular protecting armour/hydrophobic coating utilized to the exterior lens surfaces. This not solely protects the extra fragile coatings beneath, but in addition means the floor will get much less soiled, wants cleansing much less usually and, crucially, is way simpler to scrub when it does develop into obligatory.

Equipment

The VEO HD2 comes with the standard assortment of equipment you’d anticipate with a top quality optical instrument. There’s a new-design neoprene carry case, a cushty neoprene neck-strap, an eyepiece rainguard you may tether to the strap, and detachable tethered goal lens covers. You’ll additionally discover a microfibre cleansing fabric within the field.

Guarantee

Vanguard gives a 2 12 months normal guarantee and a ten 12 months prolonged guarantee while you register your buy of considered one of its VEO line of optics.

Full particulars of the guarantee can be found on the Vanguard UK web site right here.

Conclusion

The Vanguard VEO HD 2 is an attention-grabbing reboot of what was already a really succesful binocular design within the Endeavor ED II (which remains to be listed on the Vanguard web site on the market). Whereas the change from magnesium alloy to a polycarbonate (primarily a plastic polymer) physique appears like a downgrade the optics, the focusing and every part else concerning the VEO HD2 is great.

Whenever you weigh all of it up, the Vanguard VEO HD2 gives loads of binocular for the cash. If you happen to’re out there for a high-performance mid-range birding and wildlife binocular, it’s actually one I’d advocate including to your shortlist.

Take a look at the Veo HD 2 8×42 on Vanguard’s web site.

Purchase the Vanguard Veo HD2 on Amazon:

Technical Specs

Taken from the Vanguard UK web site:

Acknowledgements

I’d wish to thank Vanguard UK for offering the VEO HD2 8×42 for evaluation on Eire’s Wildlife.

NB. Eire’s Wildlife has no particular affiliation to any optics or gear producer, and all critiques on the location are utterly unbiased and goal. If you happen to’re an optics or gear producer and wish to submit your product for evaluation on the location, please drop us a line utilizing the contact type and we are able to take issues from there.