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Minox 8.5x42 ASPH or Celestron Regal LX? (1 Viewer)

loonsong

Member
I am considering a slightly more expensive binocular than in my intial $300 budget to get into something with an aspheric lens. I am considering two models: Minox BD 8.5x42 BR ASPH or Celestron Regal LX 8x42. I can get a good price on both, but the Celestron is $100+ less than the Minox, and closer to my original budget amount. I was going to buy a Nikon Monarch 8x42 but is it worth spending more money ($100-200 more) to get the aspheric lens? Does anyone have either of these binoculars and can tell me what you think of the quality? The Regal and Minox are both 4 oz heavier than the Nikon as well, so that may make a difference in my wanting to carry them around all day. I also wear glasses, so eye relief is important. My other option is to get the lighter Minox 8x32 BR ASPH - less money, less weight, but shorter eye relief.

In the $315-360 range I can get the Minox 8x32 BR ASPH or the Celestron Regal LX 8x42. Does anyone like either of these and wear glasses?
 
Just as a warning, you are getting into the 25 oz weight here with Regals
http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-regal-ls-8x42-binocular.html
http://www.opticsplanet.net/celestron-regal-ls-10x42-binocular.html

I would be OK with it, but the Monarchs, with probably cheaper body, are 22 oz. I thought you wanted even less weight.

Here is a 22 oz Minox
http://www.opticsplanet.net/minox-bd-8x32-br-alt-binoculars.html
looks like a fine piece, have never seen it. But Atomic Chicken, Bawko, said:
Of all my binoculars, the pair that has surprised me the most in terms of ruggedness is my Minox 8x32 that I keep in my day pack - I just can't seem to kill them no matter how careless I get! I wouldn't have suspected it... they seem to be built rather average, but they have taken quite a bit of abuse so far, with no signs of wear.
 
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Tero said:
Just as a warning, you are getting into the 25 oz weight here with Regals I would be OK with it, but the Monarchs, with probably cheaper body, are 22 oz. I thought you wanted even less weight.

Yes, I know, but I am being drawn in by the promise of better quality vewing. ;-) Just how much better will I get with an aspheric lens? The Minox 8x32 ASPH was one of the models I considered, but the eye relief is only 15 and of course it will not be as bright as a 42, correct?

I guess for 25-26 oz then I should consider a better quality porro??
 
On paper, a 42 mm. objective will deliver 72% more light than a 32 mm. objective, an increase which most people would not appreciate. Put a 100 watt bulb in a lamp for a room, than turn on an additional 75 mm lamp, and see how much brighter it seems. Our perception of brightness seems to be on a log scale rather than a linear scale.

In daylight, when our pupils narrow to a couple of mm., the bigger objectives do not actually deliver more light to the retina.

Finally, a binocular with premium quality coatings and 32 mm. objectives may deliver almost as much light, and more contrast, than a mediocre 42 mm objective.

It may not be obvious but it is not a mystery.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood :egghead:
 
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