hi again looking to buy a view thinks next year just cant tell the difference between these and the viking kestrel .only weight would be the 8 x 42 either merlin or kestrel could you tell me the difference please .
Honest answer. There is virtually no difference in optics. But the Merlin has better build quality, which is reflected in the price. If you are UK based, and you think our channel helps with your choice, you are welcome to visit our website or our open days / optics weekends to try some.
Thanks. Due to start again on 8th Jan, where I will have a selection on display. Though regards items in stock, recently replaced the Kestrel with the Hilkinson nature line EDs (from the same importer as Viking)
Thank you for the positive feedback. Try to be as unbiased as possible. Both are Mag alloy and both are extremely good bins...Handling shows nothing to choose between them, with the Merlin requiring less focus travel movement from a few metres to infinity....Visual FOV seems about the same, but the Merlin giving a slightly wider AFOV....But in the Hawkes favour they give a little sharper view looking into dark shadows and has impressive weather proofing stats + has a little better eye relief for spectacle wearers....As for cases, its down to the end user if you like soft or hard cases.....Merlin has a 10 year warranty, while the Hawke is lifetime....Nothing to chose with regards levels of chromatic aberration (hardly any), but the Hawkes show less barrel distortion........If you think this, and our videos of help, you are welcome to support our channel by purchasing from one of the links shown in video descriptions..I will price match
hi again looking to buy a view thinks next year just cant tell the difference between these and the viking kestrel .only weight would be the 8 x 42 either merlin or kestrel could you tell me the difference please .
Honest answer. There is virtually no difference in optics. But the Merlin has better build quality, which is reflected in the price. If you are UK based, and you think our channel helps with your choice, you are welcome to visit our website or our open days / optics weekends to try some.
@@44messier Thanks I'm from west Yorkshire so I'll come along to one of your open days.
Cheers
Thanks. Due to start again on 8th Jan, where I will have a selection on display. Though regards items in stock, recently replaced the Kestrel with the Hilkinson nature line EDs (from the same importer as Viking)
Hi, would you recommend these or the Hawke Frontier ED 8x32? Also, what material is the binocular housing made from? Thanks for the great reviews!
Thank you for the positive feedback. Try to be as unbiased as possible. Both are Mag alloy and both are extremely good bins...Handling shows nothing to choose between them, with the Merlin requiring less focus travel movement from a few metres to infinity....Visual FOV seems about the same, but the Merlin giving a slightly wider AFOV....But in the Hawkes favour they give a little sharper view looking into dark shadows and has impressive weather proofing stats + has a little better eye relief for spectacle wearers....As for cases, its down to the end user if you like soft or hard cases.....Merlin has a 10 year warranty, while the Hawke is lifetime....Nothing to chose with regards levels of chromatic aberration (hardly any), but the Hawkes show less barrel distortion........If you think this, and our videos of help, you are welcome to support our channel by purchasing from one of the links shown in video descriptions..I will price match