The Binocular Site
Vanguard Binoculars
Overview
Guardforce Corporation specialized in photo-video accessories when they were first founded in 1986. Quality is one of their highest goals, as they are certified for ISO 9001, ISO 9002, and ISO 14001, and their binoculars reflect this commitment. Innovation and service set them apart from the crowd as well, and they continue to meet the needs of their customers.
The entire Guardforce/Vanguard product family spans many uses and needs, from observation through transporting. Spotting scopes and monoculars join binoculars in their optical device lines, however they are perhaps most well-known for their other products. Vanguard's lines include positioning equipment such as tripods, monopods, gun pods, TV mounts, and chairs to be used while observing as well. Many cases have also been designed, including photo-video bags, tool cases, hunting cases, computer cases, and universal cases for any use you can imagine.
Ranges:
Vanguard offers several ranges of binoculars, scopes, and monoculars. Their Ocean series are specially designed for water sports, while the Mariner line are excellent for use on boats as well. Their DA Series is ultra lightweight and slim, while their DR Series is excellent for viewing operas or in the theater. Many sets are sleek and sharply designed, where others are offered in bright yellow or camo print. Several lines run the gamut of price points and features, including the following series lines: LDT, KDT, SDT, Triumph, Sereno, Spirit, Endeavor, FR, ZF.
A nice array of spotting scopes is also available, with most being sized for table-top use, yet one series small enough to most easily mount in the car. Tripods often come with the scope. Two monocular series' are also available, both providing hand-held options for use indoors.
Magnification:
Almost all of Vanguard's binocular lines are available in 8x and 10x magnifications, with some including 7x magnifications as well. Monoculars offer lower magnification ranges, and one zooming mdoel is included, with magnifications spanning from 6x up to 24x. Finally, their spotting scopes have interchangeable eyepieces with an even wider range of magnification, whether you need 15x, 80x, or anything in between.
Objective Lens:
Objective lenses also vary quite a bit between various models and optical devices, with monoculars using 25mm lenses, and a great range through the binoculars and scopes including 32x, 42x, 50x, 65x, and up to 80x.
Field of View (F.O.V.):
Some FOVs include 199-105 and 209-126 on the zooming MZ series monoculars, to 110-63 on the zooming VSR spotting scopes. Binoculars run the gamut; for example Sereno series may include a field of view of 131/393.
Product Offering:
Most of Vanguard's lines are waterproof, fog-proof, and offer many coatings. Emerald coatings are particularly popular with this company, and various armor colors and grips are available across lines, with most bodies being made of engineering plastic or aluminum alloy. Most offer BAK-4 prisms, and Roof prisms are clearly the favored choice for Vanguard.
Price Range:
Prices range and Vanguard does not sell directly, but through resellers and wholesalers. Scope kits are typically $100 and up, and their binoculars can range from compact sets as low as $25. Since Vanguards can also be listed as Guardforce, you'll need to look for them under either name. They can be harder to find in the United States than other brands.
Warranty:
Warranties vary, with 1 year manufacturer warranties typical.
Popular Vanguard Binoculars:
Vanguard's most popular lines are the Ocean series and the Mariner series, which are excellent marine options. Mariners at 7x50 come with a built-in illuminator and scale, and come with a waterproof neck strap. Rubber eyecups are attached as well, and internal focusing gives these binoculars a very well waterproofed, hermetically sealed, and precise focusing experience. The ocean series is similar and popular in 7x50 and 10x50, with a slightly different look, and a slimmer barrel that doesn't allow for a built-in compass. Both are excellent quality, though the Mariner series has a longer eye relief.
- Available Vanguard Binoculars Series:
- Mariner Series Binoculars
- Ocean Series Binoculars
