Internal-focusing Porros (Leuopold, Minox) - anyone still using them? (1 Viewer)

[MiguelATF]

I'm posting this simply out of curiosity. More than a decade ago, a number of smart and opinionated binoholics wrote very positively about their experiences with several porro binoculars with internal focusing - most notably the Leupold Cascades (in both 10x42 and 8x42) - and the (visually similar) Minox HD BD's (in two configurations, 10x44 and 8x44). They were all discontinued, doubtless in part because of the declining sales & profitability of porros (as opposed to roofs). I'm curious if anyone still has them and/or is still using them? And if so, your subjective impressions of how or why you like or dislike them (and use or don't use them, today).

Confession: I'm not just motivated by curiosity... I'm also looking for a 10x pair of binoculars... and am a fan (for a number of reasons) of the viewing experience I've gotten from the older porros I own, smallish but pristine Nikon 7x35's.

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi Miguel,

To give others an idea . . .

The same binoculars were marketed under various brands, including Leupold (North America), Minox (Germany), Bynolt (Holland)
and Opticron (UK).

An image of the Bynolt (from Allbinos):



Details from Opticron's 2018 catalogue (when they last listed them):


And reviews of some can be found at Allbinos, see the links in post #14 at: Nikon EDG 8x42 Schmidt-Pechan prisms


John

 

[MiguelATF]

Hi Miguel,

To give others an idea . . .

The same binoculars were marketed under various brands, including Leupold (North America), Minox (Germany), Bynolt (Holland)
and Opticron (UK).

An image of the Bynolt (from Allbinos):
View attachment 1576987


Details from Opticron's 2018 catalogue (when they last listed them):
View attachment 1576985

And reviews of some can be found at Allbinos, see the links in post #14 at: Nikon EDG 8x42 Schmidt-Pechan prisms


John

Thanks, John... this is helpful.
Also, to confess my ignorance: I'd never heard of Bynolt. I don't think they are (or have ever been) available on this side of the Atlantic.

 

[Boogieshrew]

Years ago I briefly had a pair of the opticron 8x42s. Great view but such a narrow fov meant I didn't keep them. If they had 7.5* or more fov, I probably would have kept them.