Minox HG 8.5x52 BR
I am the happy owner of a pair of Minox HG 8.5x52 BR binoculars. They produce a very sharp, bright, clear image. The quick center focus (QCF) feature is better in practice than it sounds, the nurlized, (sharply, square-pattern-checkered) alloy, center focus knob turns easily with a gloved or mittened hand, with just the right amount of friction. I have used the binoculars on two, all-day, winter bird outtings here in Montana in the last month. The focus knob has a range finder that is scaled as follows: 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50, 100 (infinitey symbol) "yard" -- yes, YARD, the literature says meters, but the knob has the word "yard". In any case, you will not be able to use it as a range finder beyond 100 meters, but the scale is handy to dial in an approximate focus before viewing.
The diopter ring is very difficult to turn, but once it is adjusted it locks upon pushing it down. The diopter scale is only visible when the ring is in the raised (unlocked) position, it has a marked center point but does not have +/- indicators, you are on your own to figure that part out.
On the down side, the one-peice, eyepeice cover is soft rubber with a strap-like bridge connecting the cups -- removing it in a hurry takes some practice because it acts like two eyecups attached by a rubber band, each cap needs to be individually removed.
There are no objective lense covers -- period! The case is padded vinyl with an awkward plastic buckle that must by squeezed from both sides and pulled at the same time to unlatch it.
Regarding the lense covers and case, Minox could take a lesson from Pentax, with their one-peice, semi-rigid eyepeice cover and their padded ballistic cloth, velcro closure case, to say nothing of the non-existent objective covers.
I wear my binoculars around my neck, with the strap adjusted very short, all day long. I have become very fond of the entegral objective lense covers on Penatx DCF 8x43 SP binoculars, they hang from the front center pivot screw, out of they way, and are available for use instantly, I have used them a number of times when hiking in heavy brush or jeeping in dusty conditions, otherise they hang there out of the way but available.
There is no question in my mind that there are more Minox optics in my future. I got mine from gr8tfuldoug at
http://www.cameralandny.com/ -- he has proven to be very competitative, honest, ethicle and easy to do business with, service after the sale counts.
Good Birding! jeepnut