Hawke Vantage HD 8x26 specs and field of view
At 10.1 oz the Vantage HD 8x26 is the pocket size of its series, with a 356 ft field at 1,000 yd and a maker list price band of $100 to $200.
- Field of view
- 356 ftat 1,000 yd
- Eye relief
- 16 mm
- Close focus
- 11.5 ft
- Weight
- 10.1 oz
- Exit pupil
- 3.3 mmcalculated
Why pick it
- Lightest of the 4: 10.1 oz
- 16 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
- Waterproof
Who the Vantage HD 8x26 suits
The 10.1 oz weight and 16 mm eye relief suit a light carry, and the 3.3 mm calculated exit pupil points to daylight use.
The 11.5 ft close focus rules out nearby subjects, and the 3.3 mm calculated exit pupil is small for dusk.
Vantage HD 8x26 is one choice among many, and the top binoculars compared covers the most popular ones. Hawke lists it in the $100 to $200 price band, alongside the models in best binoculars under $200.
Vantage HD 8x26 specifications
Vantage HD 8x26 figures as Hawke prints them; rows marked * are calculated from the 8x26 size.
| Magnification | 8x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 26 mm |
| Prism type | Roof |
| Field of view | 356 ft at 1,000 yd (119 m at 1,000 m) |
| Angular field of view | 6.8° |
| Apparent field of view | 54° |
| Eye relief | 16 mm |
| Close focus | 11.5 ft (3.5 m) |
| Eye spacing range | 56 to 72 mm |
| Weight | 10.1 oz (285 g) |
| Length | 4.6 in (117 mm) |
| Waterproofing | Waterproof. |
| Fog-proofing gas | Nitrogen |
| Tripod adaptable | Yes |
| Maker list price | $100 to $200 |
| Exit pupil | 3.3 mm * |
| Twilight factor | 14.4 * |
| Relative brightness | 10.6 * |
* Calculated from the size, not printed by the maker.
Vantage HD 8x26 against other 8x26 binoculars
Vantage HD 8x26 shows 356 ft at 1,000 yd, below the 357 ft median of the 4 8x26 models in the chart. At 10.1 oz it is at or under the 10.6 oz median weight for the size.
Vantage HD 8x26 and its nearest rivals
Vantage HD 8x26 next to the 8x26 models closest to it in maker list price, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil | Maker list price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawke Vantage HD 8x26 | 356 ft | 16 mm | 11.5 ft | 10.1 oz | 3.3 mm | $100 to $200 |
| Vortex Vanquish 8x26 | 352 ft | 15 mm | 7.6 ft | 12.7 oz | 3.3 mm | $100 to $200 |
| Minox X-lite 8x26 | 357 ft | 9.8 ft | 10.2 oz | 3.3 mm | ||
| Minox X-TOUR 8x26 | 357 ft | 16 mm | 9.8 ft | 10.9 oz | 3.3 mm |
Other sizes of the Vantage HD
Hawke makes the Vantage HD in 6 sizes; a larger front lens adds brightness and weight, and more magnification narrows the view.
| Model | Size | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawke Vantage HD 8x26 | 8x26 | 356 ft | 16 mm | 11.5 ft | 10.1 oz | 3.3 mm |
| Hawke Vantage HD 10x26 | 10x26 | 293 ft | 14 mm | 11.5 ft | 9.5 oz | 2.6 mm |
| Hawke Vantage HD 8x34 | 8x34 | 372 ft | 17 mm | 9.8 ft | 15.2 oz | 4.3 mm |
| Hawke Vantage HD 10x34 | 10x34 | 314 ft | 16 mm | 9.8 ft | 14.6 oz | 3.4 mm |
| Hawke Vantage HD 8x42 | 8x42 | 372 ft | 17 mm | 6.6 ft | 21 oz | 5.3 mm |
| Hawke Vantage HD 10x42 | 10x42 | 319 ft | 16 mm | 6.6 ft | 20.1 oz | 4.2 mm |
Hawke binoculars
Vantage HD 8x26 questions
Vantage HD 8x26: does it work with glasses?
Vantage HD 8x26 has 16 mm of eye relief, which meets the 16 mm the RSPB advises for people who wear glasses.
Vantage HD 8x26: what does 8x26 mean?
Vantage HD 8x26 magnifies 8 times through 26 mm front lenses, which works out to an exit pupil of 3.3 mm, the width of the beam of light that reaches each eye.
Vantage HD 8x26: can it go on a tripod?
Vantage HD 8x26 is tripod adaptable according to Hawke, so it accepts a binocular tripod adapter.