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Message: <blockquote data-quote="brocknroller" data-source="post: 1498294" data-attributes="member: 665">Danke! Herr ThoLa.Mein Deutsch ist sehr rusty, aber mein broken Englisch ist just fein. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />In their Optics Test 2009, the reviewers of "Outdoor Life" in the latest issue rated the Minox 10x43 APO-HG in 6th place out of the 14 binoculars they reviewed. The binoculars that beat the Minox for the #5 spot was the Pentax 10x36 DCF NV, which costs only $229! Ugh. Here's the entire list and ratings: <a href="http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/gear/hunting/2009/05/optics-test-2009?photo=26" target="_blank">http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/gear/hunting/2009/05/optics-test-2009?photo=26</a>Here's the mini-review of the Minox 10x43 HG:<a href="http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/gear/hunting/2009/05/optics-test-2009?photo=7" target="_blank">http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/gear/hunting/2009/05/optics-test-2009?photo=7</a>They faulted the Minox for only having an "average resolution" score. Looking at the specs, the APO-HGs seem to be identical to the HG, with an added ED element. I don't know about the materials, but if they had changed them, you would think they would have announced that, just as Nikon did when they changed the materials in the armoring of the LX L. From the photo in the Outdoor Life review, the HG's armoring seems to scuff like the Nikon LX L's. The original LX's armoring is tougher and doesn't show scuff marks easily like the LX L's, which has smooth brownish rubber on the top of the bin. One obvious change from the HG is the anodized black metal in the focuser and diopter ring. This may have been the result of criticism from the hunting community, which claimed that the shiny metal would catch the attention of prey. I'm not a hunter, but I do like the anodized black metal better myself. As far as The Kerreran's comment about the Minox's "wide field," I assume he must be referring to the 8x33 model. The 8.5x43 model has the same FOV as the 10x43 model - 6.1*. Good for the 10x model, but under par for an 8xish model, particularly at this price point. If Minox really wants to compete with alpha roofs or even "second tier" roofs like the 8x42 "Premier LX," they will need to expand the FOV in the 8.5X EPs to at least 7*.Even the under $500 Zen Ray/Frontier Hawke/Promaster Infinity ED roofs, which some owners claim give 90% of the performance of alpha roofs, have a FOV btwn 7.5*-8*, which is more suitable for birding, IMO. If they detoxed the armoring, I might go for the 10x42 APO-HG used or as a "demo" if it sold at a decent price (one BF member said he bought an 8.5x43 HG on eBay for $500), but I would not buy the 8.5x model even for $500 because of its narrow FOV. Brock</blockquote>

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