When it comes to why I use a scope, I’m really a jack of all trades (and while my wife would disagree, I’d also say the master of most of those trades). I hunt with my buddies, I shoot at the range with my son, I bird watch with my wife on weekends, and I’ve been a hobby photographer since my college days. Having a spotting scope that is high quality and worth every penny is important to me, and the Vanguard Endeavor HD Angled Eyepiece Spotting Scope fits that description to a T, which is why I am taking the time to write this review.
From the onset, the Vanguard Endeavor HD is a must buy. Its set up is simple, and it is one of the most comfortable scopes I have used in my life. The rubber eye cup. The angle positioning, and the built in shield for the sun are luxuries I couldn’t live without having been spoiled by this scope. My eyes strain less, and my wife doesn’t complain about that redness that often arises as a result of using a scope with a rubber eye cup that is neither durable nor suitable for sensitive skin such as my own. My wife actually uses this scope as well when she goes bird watching without me, so for anyone who is smaller in stature, the angled scope makes it so you don’t have to keep it at the sight’s eye level in order to have a clear view.
One of my favorite aspects of this scope is the fact that the internal air is no longer a component. Instead, dry gas prevents the internal glass from getting misty or foggy when the temperature drops or rises suddenly. I’ve had this scope for a while, so I can also say, with confidence, that the fog proof design also prevents corrosion, which makes this scope an even better investment than I had originally thought it was upon purchasing it originally.
The optics are really the most amazing aspect of this scope – as they should be. For starters, this scope is fully multi-coated, meaning it really takes quality optics to a new level. All of the glass surfaces inside and outside of this scope are coated multiple times with multiple layers of anti-reflection properties that improve the transmittance on this scope I would say by nearly fifty percent compared to other scopes I’ve used that were described as just “fully coated.” There’s a difference, and that difference matters as far as I’m concerned.
The only downside to this scope is its weight. Granted, the is uses magnesium chassis rather than plastic, so it is definitely more durable and reliable, but with that reliable durability comes a 63oz weight, which makes it about ten ounces heavier than I’m used to with most of the scopes I’ve used in the past. It’s a small pitfall, but its weight is definitely worth mentioning.
Overall, this is one of the best scopes I’ve ever used for its price point. Obviously, as with most products, higher end equates with a higher price tag, but Vanguard is a reputable brand for a reason. Its field of view and high spectrum magnification serve their purposes well, as I use this scope for hunting and following birds. The zoom alone on this scope makes it worthwhile. Overall, though, the Vanguard Endeavor HD’s durability and ease of accessibility, combined with its impressive optics, make it quite a bang for your buck.