Minox Porro's

[SimonK]

Hiya all,
I finally got my minox porros last week (my birthday!), and I took them out for a spin at the weekend, so I thought I'd let you know my impressions.

Firstly, They're a little on the heavy side, but not somethings that actually bothered me unless I was trying to use the bins single handed for a length of time. The construction is great.. high quality and you could probably knock nails in with them; solid as a rock. The rubber coating feels very nice and the bins handled great, even with my small hands everything was within reach. The twist up eye pieces had two intermediate stops (and full up/down) and never moved once set. The neoprene strap was really nice and felt comfy at all times.
The picture is outstanding.. really sharp and crisp with very nice neutral colours that seemed well saturated to me. The sharpness fell off a little towards the edge, but in the field it wasn't something I noticed to be honest. The one outstanding feature of these bins is just the HUGE depth of field.. incredible! I just set the focus about halfway out at Rutland water and I could focus birds from the waterline infront of the hide right across to the visitor center on the other side of the lagoon. When walking around I just set a middleish distance and thats it.. done. I hardly had to use the focus wheel at all apart from when I really needed the sharpest image for a bird!
Anyway.. I love them so much, I had to go back on Sunday too! :)
I love them, what a great beginners pair of bins (which is what I am, so people may disagree with me, but hey.. they're mega for me)!

-Si

[Pinewood]

Dear Si,

What are the specs of this glass? I have not seen them on this side of the Pond.
Enjoy your new binocular!
Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

[streatham]

Arthur - B&H Photo Carry them in NY as does Adorama http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=MI10X44PSB&is=USA&Q=&O=productlist&sku=404637

[Pinewood]

Arthur - B&H Photo Carry them in NY as does Adorama http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=MI10X44PSB&is=USA&Q=&O=productlist&sku=404637
Ta!
Arthur Pinewood

[SimonK]

Dear Si,

What are the specs of this glass? I have not seen them on this side of the Pond.
Enjoy your new binocular!
Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

oh, also mine are the 8x44's.

From Minox's web site:

Magnification: 8 x
Front lens diameter: 1.73 in / 44 mm
Exit pupil: 0.22 in / 5.5 mm
Field of view: 336.74 ft / 1000 yds 6.4°
111.7 m / 1000 m 6.4°
Eye relief: 0.72 in / 18.5 mm
Close distance: 13.12 ft / 4 m
Over run: ± 4 dpt
Diopter adjustment: ± 2 dpt
Twilight number: 18,8
Geom. twilight number: 30.3
Operating temperature: 14° to 122° F /
-10° to +50° C
Waterproof: yes, down to 16.4 ft / 5 m
Height x Width x Depth: 4.96 x 7.20 x 2.04 in / 126 x 183 x 52 mm
Weight: approx. 800g

-Si

[Pinewood]

Si,

Ta! Streatham had directed me to a 10x44 Model. I do not know if Minox distributes your model, over here.
Have fun, using it.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

[mooreorless]

Si,

Ta! Streatham had directed me to a 10x44 Model. I do not know if Minox distributes your model, over here.
Have fun, using it.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

Hi Arthur,The information says these Minox porro's have internal focusing,no moving parts outside.Easier to make waterproof.
Steve

[SimonK]

Hi Arthur,The information says these Minox porro's have internal focusing,no moving parts outside.Easier to make waterproof.
Steve

Correct.. and the close focus is more like 3m rather than the stated 4m.

-Si

[Pinewood]

Hi Arthur,The information says these Minox porro's have internal focusing,no moving parts outside.Easier to make waterproof.
Steve
Very nice, indeed, as is the close focussing. The FOV is a little shy of my preference.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

[Swissboy]

...I just set the focus about halfway out at Rutland water and I could focus birds from the waterline infront of the hide right across to the visitor center on the other side of the lagoon. When walking around I just set a middleish distance and thats it.. done. I hardly had to use the focus wheel at all apart from when I really needed the sharpest image for a bird!
-Si

You're benefitting from the fact that your OWN lenses can still focus. Once you get older you'll need to focus much more. So enjoy while you can. But as the loss of one's own adjustment is a gradual process, you'll get used to that too. It only struck me some time ago when I tried to use my old but at the time very trusted 7x50s. I used to love them precisely for the fact that I hardly ever had to focus. Now, I need to all the time, so that convenience is (long) gone.

[macforst]

Hello!
A week ago I got my new 8x44 from Minox (a good deal: 302 Euro via ebay from a foto shop). Here is my first review:
It seems to be more brilliant than a Pentax DCF SP 8X43 owned by a friend of mine. It felt as if somebody switched on the light when you changed the binos from Pentax to Minox. The picture is sharp. The close focus is indeed more 3 than 4 meters. The quality of the construction is really - as Simon said - good: solid and a fat focus wheel. I´m not realy shure, but I think I can see a little little tiny tiny bit of chromatic aberration. I have to check it again, but I haven´t got time at the moment. But this slight mistake wouldn´t bother me.
Matthias

[SimonK]

Hello!
A week ago I got my new 8x44 from Minox (a good deal: 302 Euro via ebay from a foto shop). Here is my first review:
It seems to be more brilliant than a Pentax DCF SP 8X43 owned by a friend of mine. It felt as if somebody switched on the light when you changed the binos from Pentax to Minox. The picture is sharp. The close focus is indeed more 3 than 4 meters. The quality of the construction is really - as Simon said - good: solid and a fat focus wheel. I´m not realy shure, but I think I can see a little little tiny tiny bit of chromatic aberration. I have to check it again, but I haven´t got time at the moment. But this slight mistake wouldn´t bother me.
Matthias

I hope you enjoy your bins as much as I am enjoying mine. For £250 notes, I dont think you can go wrong with these. :)

-Si

[Marko_]

The new Opticron HR WP Porro looks very much like this Minox, has anyone noticed ? They come in 8x42 and 10x42.

[Otto McDiesel]

The new Opticron HR WP Porro looks very much like this Minox, has anyone noticed ? They come in 8x42 and 10x42.

they are probably the same product made in the same factory and sold under two different brands. Regardless of how good they are, the field of view is inexcusably narrow.

[SimonK]

they are probably the same product made in the same factory and sold under two different brands. Regardless of how good they are, the field of view is inexcusably narrow.

Having looked around at other bins in this price range (Under £250), the FOV seemed average for x42's to me. Still, each to his own; I went for the best image quality I could get for my budget to my eyes, over FOV. I looked at the opticron verano's and some others but the image just didn't do it for me I'm afraid. The HR's did look really fab; I was torn between the HR's and the BP's. I went for the BP's in the end only because the design was nicer. :cool:

-Si

[lucznik]

The 336 ft. FOV for the Minox is toward the low end of what's possible. Certainly not the very worst, but nothing to be happy about either. Especially with the available alternatives.

Bushnell Legends = 330
Pentax PCF WP II = 330
Cabela's Pine Ridge = 341
Leupold WindRiver Mesa = 341
Swift Ultra Light = 341
Steiners = too many to list, but typically right around 390
B&L Discoverer = 410
Nikon Action Series = 429
Pentax XCF = 429
Swift Audubon (both regular and ED versions) = 430

I personally like to have as wide of a (usable) FOV as I can possibly get. But, as the Minox is a first binocular and is a tool for getting started in a new hobby and as they seem to meet all of your other needs, you should not let anyone cause you to worry too much about any percieved loss. Minox makes good, high quality stuff and you should get many years of satisfying viewing out of your new toy.

[wolfbirder]

Simon, you chose these minox over opticron at the last minute, according to another thread. Why did you change at last minute? What was the diffrence in quality?

[SimonK]

Simon, you chose these minox over opticron at the last minute, according to another thread. Why did you change at last minute? What was the diffrence in quality?

Quality and the Minox handled better for me. The Opticron's "shoulder bulges" made it a little difficult for my small hands. The Minox was nicer to look at too. :)


-Si

[Nickolas]

Hi Simom,

I've read your post where you posted the specs (weight 800g/1.76lbs) for the 8x44 porro, but on below miinox website it states the weight is approx 690g/24.34 oz

http://www.minox-web.de/minox2002/index.phtml?&&speechchange=e&sprache=e

(you have to go to the left at go to sports optics and click 8x44)

I see you say they are a bit heavy, did you scale yours?

BTW - What do you think of them now? I'm thinking of getting a pair.

Thanks,
Nick

[Otto McDiesel]

Beware of the narrow field of view of those Minox porros. They are good optically and are a great concept, but looking through them is like looking through a pipe. I would like to see those with 8* FOV eyepieces.

[Nickolas]

Beware of the narrow field of view of those Minox porros. They are good optically and are a great concept, but looking through them is like looking through a pipe. I would like to see those with 8* FOV eyepieces.

Thanks for the caution Luca, but 337 fov is in the lower limits of the bins lucznik posted and for kayak use where they may quite easily be lost, I'm not considering an expensive bin yet. Any ideas???

Thanks
Nick

[Otto McDiesel]

Any ideas???

Thanks
Nick

Minox BL 8x32, 393 ft or so of field of view.
Regardless of opinions, try to see any binoculars before buying.

[Nickolas]

Minox BL 8x32, 393 ft or so of field of view.
Regardless of opinions, try to see any binoculars before buying.

The 8x32 only have 15mm ER, I wear glasses and from experience I need at least 17mm. Without that I lose the FOV anyway.

What do you think about the Pentax SP 8x32 (17 mm ER)?

Nick

[mayoayo]

The 8x32 only have 15mm ER, I wear glasses and from experience I need at least 17mm. Without that I lose the FOV anyway.

What do you think about the Pentax SP 8x32 (17 mm ER)?

Nick
Hi Nick..if you are interested in the Pentax SP 8x32,there is a pair for sale in WWW.ASTROMART.com for sale,350$ is a good price for these....they are in the binoculars/classifieds .......i thought you may be interested..........

[Otto McDiesel]

What do you think about the Pentax SP 8x32 (17 mm ER)?

Nick


Sounds good to me, if you need long ER.
In a boat or a canoe you need low power and wide angle. Maybe the Leupold 6x30 is the best choice, long ER, and it costs $100.

[SimonK]

Hi Simom,

I've read your post where you posted the specs (weight 800g/1.76lbs) for the 8x44 porro, but on below miinox website it states the weight is approx 690g/24.34 oz

http://www.minox-web.de/minox2002/index.phtml?&&speechchange=e&sprache=e

(you have to go to the left at go to sports optics and click 8x44)

I see you say they are a bit heavy, did you scale yours?

BTW - What do you think of them now? I'm thinking of getting a pair.

Thanks,
Nick


Hi Nick,
Yeah, the weight is definately 800g. After several months use, I still love 'em as much as when I got them. The narrowish field of view doesn't bother me at all. They're definately the best in my price range for my eyes. The eye pieces have never accidentally moved once extended (I dont wear specs), DOF is excellent making the need to focus an occasional event once I've set it at a mid distance (or whatever the habitat dictates).
I'd suggest trying them out.. maybe at BirdFair? :)

-Si

[FIELDBIRD]

I did try a nice bin- the New Minox porro 8x44 very very nice for about $370 dollars. The negative things about the Minox- FOV is terrible and they are very heavy. The Minox put ridges around the eyecups that hurts the bridge of your nose after a while. But they have a beautiful view- sharp, 3D and very bright. The porro system is best but the design needs more work. Also compared the Minox eye relief to the Legend. Minox is not being very honest about eye relief it is more like 16mm not 18.5 mm like their website says. Minox are made in Japan. Wow!

[John Traynor]

Does anyone have the minimum IPD specs for the 8X44 model? Minox doesn't respond to my emails or publish the information.

TIA
John

[davem]

Does anyone have the minimum IPD specs for the 8X44 model? Minox doesn't respond to my emails or publish the information.

TIA
John


Gimme an hour or so and I'll get them for you.

If you need any Minox info, email us here at Minox UK - it's usually quicker than going via Minox Germany.

ATB,

Dave.

[John Traynor]

Gimme an hour or so and I'll get them for you.

If you need any Minox info, email us here at Minox UK - it's usually quicker than going via Minox Germany.

ATB,

Dave.
Dave,
TIA
John

[davem]

Dave,
TIA
John

Without a doubt, the longest hour I've ever experienced.... ;)

However, the IPD on both pairs of Porros 8x44 & 10x44 are as follows...

Minimum: 56mm

Maximum: 73mm.

HTH,

Dave