Minox HG 8.5X52 BR ? (1 Viewer)

I've been researching the Minox HG 8.5x52 BR. Seeing how there's three models over the last decade it's most confusing when attempting to dig up facts. I contacted Minox USA, they know nada. "We've only been in charge six months".

EO gave a very short partial description of the two models, 62184/62191, following the last MIJ version 62159, but still I note peculiarities in weight/fov within the same 62191 model. Realizing not every vendor displays correct specs.

I'm still waiting on Minox info e-mail though I'm not holdin' me breath on that reply. Minox claims 5.8*/306', BH claims actual 5.5*/289' und EO no degrees/317'. That's quite a spread. Then there's 27.03/28/28.04 oz//775g/794.93g.

The most interesting nugget I've dug online is a Pacific Rim wholesaler that also lists 317' along w/four EO models. What's the odds, eh?

There's little in the form of reviews on Minox much less the HG 8.5x52 BR. Granted, it is the redheaded stepchild due to narrow fov w/CA on the side.

I'm all ears if anyone has anything to add.

ETA: Possibly part of the confusion could be from listing meters at 1000 meters along w/yds at 1000 yds. 1000 meters being 1094 yds. Maybe.

http://dl.jehandleiding.nl/new/exte...15&n1=1730&n2=3990&res=6606&modeSC=M&direct=1

OM 99444 06/06 lists no model #, but specs show 5.5*(289.4ft) 28oz/795g 5.5*(96 meters at 1K mtr)
I speculate this is 2006 Japanese build as ASPH is part of the title.

http://www.minox.com/index.php?id=hg_technical_data&L=2
A 62184. Note lack of APO models that were written up in 2009.

http://www.minox.com/index.php?id=hg_test_reviews&L=2&tx_ttnews[pointer]=1&cHash=4806ba6aca
2009-05-18 Field & Stream Best of the Best Minox HG 8.5x52

Google translation:
High Grade from MINOX also convinces the experts: As a top product with the rating "Best Of The Best", the international outdoor magazine "Field & Stream" awarded the MINOX HG 8.5x52 binoculars. On January 11, 2007, Brian Peterson, the representative of the magazine during the "Shot Show" in Orlando, Florida, visited the booth of MINOX and presented CEO Thorsten Kortemeier (middle) and US Sales Manager Arnd Abraham the coveted trophy. [Not sure why 2009 was posted for a trophy issued in 2007]

An eleven-member specialist jury of the US magazine regularly tests and evaluates outdoor equipment from off-road vehicles to fishing rods and then selects the best products. The MINOX HG 8.5x52 convinced in the category optics. The testers were particularly impressed by the optical quality of the MINOX binoculars and their technical features, because in terms of price and performance, the HG 8.5x52 is ahead of the pack. Thanks to its magnesium housing, it is the lightest binocular in its class and features, among other things, aspherical lenses and special lenses from Schott AG. With its optical design, it provides the user with 17 percent more contrast and, thanks to the innovative M * coating®, an increased light transmission of 92 percent.
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http://www.minox.com/fileadmin/downloads/produktinfos/sportoptik/Mnx_Pi_HGs_MiG_0912_en_web.pdf
62191 Product information order number: 99798 10/09/BX/B

Nixterdemus said:

I've been researching the Minox HG 8.5x52 BR. Seeing how there's three models over the last decade it's most confusing when attempting to dig up facts. I contacted Minox USA, they know nada. "We've only been in charge six months".

EO gave a very short partial description of the two models, 62184/62191, following the last MIJ version 62159, but still I note peculiarities in weight/fov within the same 62191 model. Realizing not every vendor displays correct specs.

I'm still waiting on Minox info e-mail though I'm not holdin' me breath on that reply. Minox claims 5.8*/306', BH claims actual 5.5*/289' und EO no degrees/317'. That's quite a spread. Then there's 27.03/28/28.04 oz//775g/794.93g.

The most interesting nugget I've dug online is a Pacific Rim wholesaler that also lists 317' along w/four EO models. What's the odds, eh?

There's little in the form of reviews on Minox much less the HG 8.5x52 BR. Granted, it is the redheaded step child due to narrow fov w/CA on the side.

I'm all ears if anyone has anything to add.

Click to expand...

Minox is not a manufacturer but leans mainly on OEM's like WeiHong Optical in China (produces also the Terra line for Zeiss). Their top line is not made in Germany but assembled in germany.

Jan

Thanks Jan!

That would explain the Pacific rim wholesaler that still has the 62192 in stock. I suppose the Mod 62192 fov listed as 306' [see above 62191 Product information order number: 99798 10/09/BX/B] was an earlier model that I speculate was from 2009. Howevah, that's the latest I can find from the Minox site.

Vendors now claiming 289' or 317' depending on whatevah/whomever EO, BH, OP etc.

Were there three model changes after MIJ? Did it go MIJ/MIG I, MIG II/assembled IG then MIwherever/assembled IG or is MIG II/assembled IG the same as MI wherever/assembled IG one & the same?

I seem to recall mention of some prefering the earlier model though I'm not sure if they were discussing the MIJ or the first MIG version.

As well I haven't the foggiest when the first MIG stopped production/No clue when the second 62192 started. Which I presume is the current version MIC/assembled IG. Howevah, it appears a mite queer that Made in China would then be shipped to Germany for assembly und then shipped back to the Pacific Rim Wholesaler. Though maybe that wholesaler is drop shipping orders from another location.

I can appreciate manufacturers upgrading coatings within the same model. FOV changing within the same numerical model as 62192 would seem odd. If indeed the last offering is 317' fov than I'm curious why that isn't listed on the Minox site.

I have always been a fan of Minox....they have always seemed to give a step above in optics quality at each price point....yea there model/numbering system was/is a confusing mish mosh .....having models that look/perform almost like other models from totally different price points.... hope the new boys straighten that out....and I know some folks don't care for manufactures having some parts/sub assemblies farmed out to out of country factories....while still having the "made in" labeling listed as the home country....it bugs me also.....but it is what it is....and some folk wouldn't be happy if the base ore used in the product wasn't mined in the listed country.....its all politics and follow the money anyhow....and the consumer has to beware and do his research for sure......

I expect narrow fov w/CA towards the edge. I considered the lightweight w/large objectives as a trade-off, Yet, when/if they change the formula then how is one to know what they are buying? I can go to allbinos for a review, 2011, though I do not know how close the current version is to the older reviewed.

I'm not so much concerned w/made in as much as following the formula/instructions/QA.

Isn't the info you want on Allbinos ? https://www.allbinos.com/index.html...pryzmat=0&szukaj=Search&szukaj=Wyszukaj&sort=

Perhaps, as I've saved the specs of that review along w/others. I even wrote a 'review' comparing it to the Conquest 10x40 & Conquest HD 10x42 based solely on Allbino reviews. I only had the 10x40 at the time.

My issue as such is that review was 2011. As I understand somewhere past 2009 the made in Deutschland changed models at least once. Up to 2009 it was MIJ 62159. The next model was 62184 then somewhere down the road it became the 62191 which is current.

Mine is the later. The former had Made in Germany on the box/all advertisements and packaging. I do not know what changed, but enough to warrant a new model number on the HG 8.5X52 BR.

Allbinos doesn't offer the model number reviewed, but possibly that was the 62184 as they make no note of a previous model other than the MIJ the 62159. It could be a simple change as yards instead of meters. My box has a label on the bottom stating yards as does numbered focus wheel. I'm not sure why as meters/yards are close enough for me in the use of bins. I'm apt to wager that the numbers & spacing are the same on focus wheels marked yards as the ones marked meters.

The OM, marked on the back '99466 08/09' does not list model numbers. However, it does include the two APO models. In the allbinos review of the MIJ HG 8x33 asph 3/2011 they note:
9 March 2011
"The top-of-the-range quality and price HG series of the German company Minox has been recently enlarged by low-dispersion glass models and received an APO-HG symbol. Still you can find the whole line-up of HG binoculars without such a glass in objective lenses on offer and it consists of models with the following parameters: 8x33, 8x43, 10x43, 8.5x52, 10x52 and 8x56 ...

It’s worth remembering that our test concerns the older HG model, produced in Japan. The HG (MIG) series, currently on the shelves, was launched just recently; its production has been moved to Germany and the fields of view have been enlarged by even 15%".

Apparently it seems the MIJ 62159 was 5.5*/289' the current 62191 5.8*/306'. The MIJ focus wheel had 'ASPHERIC LENS TECHNOLOGY' on the focus wheel. The current 62191 has 'MADE IN GERMANY'.

The previous MIG 62184 could have been the same as the MIJ save moving from Japan. Then the redesign, that would've been the one in the Allbinos July 2011 review, comes out within a year or two of relocating back to das vaterland. I see auld 62184 specs that list 5.5* 289'. That would seem to correspond w/newer version 62191 being a mite wider & probably the same as MIJ model.

I'll try Blaser/Minox USA this week w/SN to see when this bin was manufactured. Thanks for the reply.

jan van daalen said:

Their top line is not made in Germany but assembled in germany.Jan

Click to expand...

To wit begs the question of preference. Would one rather be made in Germany, yet assembled elsewhere? The assembly, depending at what stage, could involve inspection of parts as well as finished product.

I'm no origin of manufacturing snob. Turkey turns out lightweight AL receiver over/unders w/walnut stocks for 400 USD in the states. Twenty bore w/ventilated rib at 2.47 Kg sporting 65.5 CM chrome lined barrels is a wand though 76mm loads can be somewhat brutal.