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Message: <blockquote data-quote="brocknroller" data-source="post: 1498757" data-attributes="member: 665">A FOV of 6* is fairly typical for 10x42 roof prism binoculars. You will find a 6* FOV on premium 10x42 models such as the 10x42 SE and 10x42 LX and also on low-priced 10x42 models such as the 10x42 Monarch. You have to go down to the bargain priced $200 Leupold Wind River Cascade roofs to get a lower FOV in a 10x42 (5.1*), which is more typical of mid-priced 10x50 roofs.So the 10x42 HG with a 6.1* FOV is just a smidgen wider compared to other 10x42 roofs at the same price point, but sufficiently wide since it results in a 61* AFOV. To get a wider FOV in a good quality roof, you have to step up in price to the Nikon 10x42 EDG (6.5*), Canon 10x42 IS L (6.5*), Swaro 10x42 SLC (6.3*), and Zeiss 10x42 FL (6.3*). The 8x33 HG has a 7.5* FOV, which is also typical for that configuration. OTOH, the 8.5x43, which has a bit more power but was designed to compete with good quality 8x42s, has only 6.1* FOV, which is comparatively low for that configuration. Even with the extra power, the AFOV still only amounts to 51.8*. What other 8.5x40ish (45mm) has a 6* FOV? The $379 Bushnell 8.5x45 Infinity:<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=Bushnell+8.5x45+Infinity+Binocular&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2Fproduct.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=20&Go.y=12&Go=submit" target="_blank">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=Bushnell+8.5x45+Infinity+Binocular&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2Fproduct.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=20&Go.y=12&Go=submit</a>My 8.5x44 Audubon has 8.2* TFOV/69.7* AFOV. My guess is that the reason Minox designed the 8.5x model with only 6.1* FOV was to save money in design and production costs since they can use the same EP in the 8.5x43 and the 10x43 models. If Minox redesigned the 8.5x43 to provide a 7-8* FOV, it would need to add more lens elements and perhaps a field flattener to get the same level of edge sharpness. That would make the 8.5x model more expensive, but since that would not be good marketing, Minox would need to spread the increased cost over both models, and the co. probably wouldn't do that since if they went any higher in price, it would put them too close in price to alpha roofs (though if you blink your eyes, this could change since alpha prices are quickly creeping past the $2K mark). So if you can hold 10x steady, you would be better off with the "comparatively wider" 10x43 HG or APO-HG. However, since they are not available in green, remember to hold your breath so you don't breath in those "polycyclic aromatics". <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />Brock</blockquote>

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