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6.5x32 Information (1 Viewer)

MJ CHALUPSKY

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I am looking for a general purpose carry binocular and have read some of the posts pertaining to this model. Just how good are the optics in this glass? Will the IF give pin point sharpness at the various ranges within the proper setting for the distance viewed? Is the depth of view really good enough to look into brush and trees without constantly fine tuning the diopters? Would they compliment a set of 8 power Pentax SP's or are the good enough to replace it. All comments would be welcome and appreciated.
 
I am not familiar with the 6.5x32 Minox, however, I own a 6x32 in another model from a different manufacturer (Leupold Katmai 6x32). Therefore, I will comment on the size. You describe Minox 6.5x32 as "IF"--which I take to mean individual focusing of the eyecups. In my opinion, this feature runs against the grain of benefits offered by this size--chiefly the convenience and quickness of the size. The size is a wonderful size for nature walks and roadside views. I take mine just about everywhere I go. However, I think that IF would slow up the quick and convenient views I have come to enjoy. I like the size, but I suggest you look for a model with center focusing.
 
I think perhaps 90% of the Minox 6.5x32 that have ever been sold have been purchased by members of the 24 Hour Campfire Hunting Optics Forum. There is at least a novel's volume of information there on this glass. Evidently the optics are very good.

Now be aware they are individual focus (IF) binoculars. From all indications if focused at 100 yards or so, the depth of field seems to be 40 yds to infinity. Lots of binocular use happens closer than that, so then you must adjust the focus, first one eye, then the other. That is a terrible combination for close in birding. IF does have some usefuleness for a set and forget it binocular, but a good Center Focus binocular has that exact same capability. Also IF is pretty good when you are on a moving platform such as a boat or an airplane.

Most (or at least a lot) of the draw to the Minox from 24 HR. was the fact they are not Chinese. That should be read as a political statement vis a vis communism, and not a racial commentary, as some are wont to say.

I have a Vortex Fury 6.5x32, and as far as I am concerned it is a far better binocular for all around field use than the Minox, simply because the Fury is CF. The optics are quite similar as is the size of the two binoculars. The Minox are currently available for less than $200.00 at CameralnadNY. The Fury is about $300.00.

If you have no curiosity about what is closer than 40-50 yards or use them from a moving platform, the Minox are probably OK. I am one who uses the focus back and forth through the layers technique, so I don't like IF. I might point out I have two IF binoculars, so I am not unfamiliar with their use. Users at the 24Hr seem to think the quality of focus within the depth of field is good enough. So this is going to come down to personal preference to a large degree. I, for one, have no intention of sacrificing the options offered by a CF design.

The Fury is a stout well built binocular that has every tendency to stay where you put it as regards to focus wheel and IPD settings, so it is every bit as good a set-it-and-forget-it glass as any IF. The IF also does not have any design feature that gives it a greater depth of focus. The Mionox has fold down rubber eye cups.

The Katmi Bob in Ky mentioned are a little smaller if compactness is a concern. Their image is also about the same. So is the 6x Yosemite from Leupold.
 
Steve is spot on with his observations on the 6.5X32 Minox. They are simply not a birding binocular and this is coming from a fan of the little Minox. I have the Minox and keep it in my vehicle for those occasions when you want to simply see something better. Carefully focused at 200 yards, it is good for my eyes from about 50 yards and further. I just pick them up and look at stuff. The Minox is also fantastic for me from a boat. But, being IF, they aren't much good for passing aroung to others. They are set for me and if that's OK and you aren't observing birds close in, this is a fantastic binocular. They are set and forget but not very adaptable to close in or multiple usere.
 
As others have said IF bins work best for military, marine and hunting use. In each of these cases the targets of interest are big (> 1m in size) and distant (> 50m). If the target is less than 50m away you can see it with the naked eye well enough.

IFs also rely on the accommodation in your eyes to focus over their closer range too. This makes them a little hard to use for older people to (a twenty something soldier or sailor has a lot of accommodation).

IFs are used because they're set and forget (so when you need one quickly they're not off focus as a CF can get knocked) and they're very easy to completely seal to make the waterproof and fogproof (and stay sealed over their lifetime).

They're not for birders who spend a lot (most) of their looking at small birds (0.1m in size) at 50m or less.

Perhaps the one role that could work for IF bins would be for either hawk watching or waterfowl watching with a x10 IF bin from a fixed location. But CF are so generally useful I can't see anyone wanting to carry IF bins just for that purpose.

On the other hand center focus 6ish x 32 is a very useful bin!
 
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Concur with 95% of the above from Steve. This too coming from a owner of the little Minox. Many on the other forum have compared them in favorable terms to their Alpha bins. Certainly they're not in that class but by the same token they perform very well indeed. And at the $180 they have been offered for on and off for two years now, they are not only a steal, but perhaps the biggest bang for the buck in bino optics today. Minox Deal URL I have absolutely zero regrets in getting mine. And at 61 I have zip issues with accommodation, etc. et all. These have a very deep field of view plus although rated the same 420' FOV as my Swaros, they actually "view" wider :) They see a LOT of use too!
 
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BTW the OP is not asking about using these for birding either. He specifically says "general purpose."

Which would include birding and focusing rapidly on closer or further objects?

IF bins are specialized bins for specialized uses (see above!) not "general purpose" bins, IMHO. YMMV ;)
 
Kevin,

That's a mighty wide brush you're painting with. As said above by others, this particular Minox exhibits a particularly deep field of view. So your implication that it is crippled as a general use instrument because of the lack of quick center focusing I view as biased and flawed. I also don't view birding as part of general use any more than I would deem night sky viewing or boating as general use. They all benefit from designs catering to those needs (e.g. my Orions for night skies). Sorry, my mileage does vary here.
 
Bob,

You are correct in that mileage does vary. But sorry, Kevin is painting with a no less wide brush than you are. I would expect you to never find much acceptance of an IF binocular, no matter how good the optics, or how much you ejnoy it for your purposes, among a group of people whose interest is primarily in birding. Nor would I expect a person who poses the IF question in a birding forum to get much other response than what is here in this thread.

I'm glad you like your Minox and would do nothing to detract from your enjoyment of it. But realize that CF exists for a reason and that there is a reason why 95% or so of available binoculars have CF and not IF. IF fulfills specific needs for specific uses and is (in my humble opinion) not a proper general use binocular. To put a fine point on th OP's original question, no IF is good enough to use without having to adjust focus for varying distance close in.

As you properly point out, mileage does vary. This is an area where there will never be much agreement other than for most uses a CF glass is better than an IF. Acceptance in the 24 Hr forum is because the primary use there is close in viewing, or some specific use parameter. But I'm a hunter as well and IF would drive me nuts in that application. Been there, done that, don't have any reason to go back and try it again. You feel differently and I can accept that.
 
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Acceptance in the 24 Hr forum is because the primary use there is close in viewing, or some specific use parameter. But I'm a hunter as well and IF would drive me nuts in that application. Been there, done that, don't have any reason to go back and try it again. You feel differently and I can accept that.

Steve,

I am not advocating these bins for birding. Not here in this thread nor in my PM responses to those I received from the OP. I also think you've also got it wrong about the "whys" for acceptance among hunters over at the 24hourcampfire. True some have found favor with it for close dense underbrush but most have found its performance, set per manufacturers directions, to provide excellent surveillance scanning that could be augmented with big eyes for distant detail verification. This is the "mode" for which it also becomes suitable as a grab 'n go general purpose bin. Many carry them in their cars as an example.

You're right in that I have and use both CF and IF designs. My vintage Leupold 9x35s are IF but are not suitable for general purpose. The Minox don't require the adjustments the Leupold does except if one wants to employ the closest focus of the 6.5x32s. So they perform unlike the standard IFs that you have had experience with and drove you nuts. (As an aside, since you read the other forum, even Emericus who had nothing but distain for IF bins, has now become a convert after trying and keeping a pair.) I think the low power of the Minox combined with their very wide depth of field does exactly what their literature states as a set and forget bino:

"Optics experts and outdoor specialists choose binoculars with six times magnification as their clear favorite for keeping details in view from a medium and long distance, when in woodlands and out in the field. The MINOX BD 6.5x32 IF is the ideal partner for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, which has been specially designed to meet the specific needs of this target group."
 
Bob,

I think I have it figured out why the Minox are popular at 24 HR. In every instance where somebody praises them it is for some sort of specific use, for which the IF does in fact have some utility. Even E will maybe sing a different tune after he actually uses them hunting for a season.

Now I can say that I have had the Minox side by side with the Swift I have, and the Minox is not as good as the Swift. It is not as sharp, has no better depth of field. It is not as good as set it and forget it as the Minox. Why anybody would choose the 6.5 Minox IF over a 6.5 Fury (which is almost too close to the Swift to call) with CF will always remain a mystery to me. The Fury is every bit as good as a set it and forget it glass as is the Minox. It stays where you put it after you set it up, and if you need a grab and look, you've got it. It gives up nothing optically to the Minox. Also you sacrifice no all around use options with the CF, you do with the IF.

I repeat; as good as optics on an IF glass may be, and as useful as they may be for some uses, IF is not for all around use.

So I guess if the OP wanted some different opinions he got 'em. Bob and Steve will forever see this one differently.B :)
 
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