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Even several years ago the top-of-the-range Minox series, marked by HG symbol, was produced in Japan. In 2009 Minox decided that the series would be manufactured again in Germany. Currently it consists of binoculars with the following parameters: 8x33, 10x33, 8x43, 10x43, 8.5x52, 10x52 and 8x56.

I have dealt with photographic and astronomic optics for over 20 years, I’ve seen a fair share of different equipment, I looked through various instruments, I own many interesting pairs of binoculars and spotting scopes as well. From time to time I am asked for help with a purchase of binoculars.

The 7x50 device, tested here, is a classic porro prism model with typically „night” and marine parameters. According to the producer it is supposed to provide a splendid image quality at affordable price mainly because of a simple and efficient Porro construction, good BaK-4 prisms and also high quality of coatings.

In 2009 ten years passed since the launch of the most expensive Swarovski series of binoculars, marked by the EL symbol. The series included four roof prismatic models with the following parameters: 8x32, 10x32, 8.5x42 and 10x42.

In June 2010 the German Analytik Jena company presented two new roof-prism sets of binoculars with an objective diameter of 42 mm. These are constructions of the more and more fashionable “open hinge” type, additionally equipped with not less fashionable ED low-dispersion glass.

The Ultra View range from the Japanese Kenko complany includes six roof prism models with the following parameters: 8x32, 10x32, 8x42, 10x42, 10x50 and 12x50. It is hardly a homogeneous series, though, because the smallest models, unlike the rest of the range, are produced in the “open hinge” design.

In the new EDG series we have five models of binoculars at our disposal with the following parameters: 8x32, 10x32, 7x42, 8x42 and 10x42. They boast low-dispersion ED glass in objectives and high quality eyepieces with a flat field – because of these features the image is supposed to be very sharp in the whole field of view. Read more >>>

The Delta Optical Titanium 8x56 ED is a classic Porro-prism device with typical night parameters. According to the producers it will give us an excellent image quality for an affordable price. A simple but efficient Porro construction, BaK-4 glass prisms of good quality, high-end coatings

At the beginning of 2008 the Zeiss company launched their first rangefinder binoculars: Victory 8x45 T* RF and 10x45 T* RF. In August 2009 that series was enlarged by two night models: Carl Zeiss Victory 8x56 T* RF and Carl Zeiss Victory 10x56 T* RF.

The Ultra View series, produced by Kenko, a Japanese company, consists of six roof-prism models with the following parameters: 8x32, 10x32, 8x42, 10x42, 10x50 and 12x50. It is not a homogeneous line-up, though, because the smallest devices are of the “open hinge” design, so fashionable lately, and the rest are not.

The SE series of the Japanese Nikon company consists of three porro prismatic pairs of binoculars with the following parameters: 8x32, 10x42 and 12x50. They are supposed to be classic and efficient construction of the highest quality, offering top-of-the-range optics for price which can be still called affordable.

The Victory T* is the top-end range of Carl Zeiss binoculars. It consists of two compact models (8x20 and 10x25) but also including bigger instruments with the following parameters: 8x32, 10x32, 8x42, 10x42, 8x56 and 10x56.

Minox HG 8x56 BR MIG binoculars feature roof prisms set in the Schmidt-Pechan system which are phase correction coated and additionally covered by a special silver-based reflection Mino-Bright coating. The optics is made of glass produced by the SCHOTT AG company.

The Kaibab HD series of Vortex binoculars consists of only one pair of binoculars with the parameters of 15x56. It features low-dispersion glass objectives and BaK-4 glass roof prisms, set in the Schmidt-Pechan system and phase-correction coated.

Swarovski company has just unveiled two new roof prism binoculars with parameters 8x30 and 10x30. Their compact design and light weight should provide an exceptional portability and ease of use.