Minox HG Black Edition

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Headquartered in the German town of Wetzlar, the MINOX Optische & Feinmechanische Werke GmbH company − one of the world's best and most highly regarded providers of cameras, photographic equipment, observation and aiming optical instruments − has always been engaged in the engineering and production of high-grade products that would satisfy even the most highly demanding user in all conditions. One of the latest peaks in Minox production consists in the highly successful HG and APO HG lines of binoculars.

Resting on its laurels after launching a successful product is however not in the stile of MINOX, particularly since everything can be improved German-way. That's why the company recently announced the launch of a new limited-edition line of 8x43, 10x43 and 8x56 binoculars − dubbed the MINOX HG Black Edition due to its distinctively black control elements that depart from the silver color of the control elements found in the earlier HG and APO HG binoculars − that fully integrate the latest "visible innovation" in technology that makes the MINOX brand popular worldwide.

The MINOX HG "Black Edition" binoculars sport the same optical system design found on the HG and APO HG binoculars, offering certain, extremely high light transmission, image brightness and contrast.

Minox HG Black Edition
The Minox HG Black Edition binoculars are based upon the company's previous, well known HG and APO HG lines
Minox HG Black Edition
The Minox HG Black Edition binoculars are based upon the company's previous, well known HG and APO HG lines
Minox HG Black Edition
The Minox HG and APO HG binoculars offer an exceptional image quality, and an innovative quick close-focusing capability
Minox HG Black Edition
The Minox HG and APO HG binoculars offer an exceptional image quality, and an innovative quick close-focusing capability

Even more, the innovative QCF ("Quick Close-Focusing") ensures perfect operation and for the first time makes it possible to take exact distance readings from a scale on the focusing wheel: with just one turn of the wheel, the MINOX HG "Black Edition" binoculars can be adjusted from close-up to infinity, and by using the scale, the user can accurately determine the distance to the object in view, which makes the MINOX HG "Black Edition" binoculars dub as reliable distance rangefinders.

The light transmission level ensured by the high-quality Schott glasses is further boosted by MINOX' own M* treatment: a 21-layers coating on the outer surface of the front lenses will quickly adapt to the various wavelengths of the visible lightspectrum, increasing the overall light transmission to an impressive 92 percent and significantly improving brightness, contrast, detail and color rendition.

Another milestone benefit is the MinoBright silver-based, reflective coating on the roof prisms, guaranteeing an improved, up to 99.8 percent efficiency of the light reflected at the mirror surface, as a further development towards enhanced light transmission within the optical system of the HG binoculars.

As stated above, the MINOX HG "Black Edition" line of binoculars includes three variants.

The 8x43 model (8x magnification, 43mm-diameter front lens) is 153mm long overall and sports a 5.4mm exit pupil and a 19.4mm eye relief. Weighing 650 grams overall, the MINOX HG "Black Edition" 8x43 model also offers a 18.5 twilight number, a 28,9 geometric twilight number, and a 7.2° field of view (126 metres at 1 Km.).

The 10x43 model (10x magnification, 43mm-diameter front lens) retains the same overall lenght and weight as the 8x43 model, and is the most powerful variant of the line when it comes to magnification; it sports a 4.3mm exit pupil, a 16.5mm eye relief, a 20.7 twilight number and a 18.5 geometric twilight rate, ensuring a 6.5° field of view − meaning, 114 metres at 1 Km. Much like the 8x43 model, the minimum operating distance for the MINOX HG "Black Edition" 10x43 binocular is 2.5 metres.

Just slightly heavier and longer − 197mm long overall, around 1080 grams of weight − the MINOX HG "Black Edition" 8x56 (8x magnification, 56mm-diameter front lens) offers a 7mm exit pupil and a 20.8 eye relief, with a 21.2 twilight number, a 49.0 geometric twilight factor, and a 6.2° field of view (108 metres at 1Km.).

Minox HG Black Edition
Weighing approximately 650 grams, the Minox HG "Black Edition" 8x43 binocular is an excellent companion for hunters, sportsmen and outdoorsmen, shooters, sailors, and many, many others
Minox HG Black Edition
The 10x43 model -- the most powerful in the Minox HG "Black Edition" line -- sports a 6.5° FOV (114 m / 1Km.)
Minox HG Black Edition
Although generally heavier and bigger than the other models of the Minox HG "Black Edition" line, the 8x56 model remains handy and highly performing
Minox HG Black Edition
Although generally heavier and bigger than the other models of the Minox HG "Black Edition" line, the 8x56 model remains handy and highly performing

Standing at top of the range in their high-end segment, the MINOX HG "Black Edition" binoculars are built around a streamlined body with a protective rubber armoring, designed in harmony with the lens system to suit the natural position of the hand. It has been possible to reduce the weight significantly by using a magnesium alloy that is also increasingly used in aircraft construction.

Boasting a much lower density than aluminum and extremely high ruggedness magnesium is a revolutionary material used in binocular body manufacturing.

The rubber twist-up eyecups have four click-stop positions for enhanced eye relief adjustment. The attractive and functional large metal focusing wheel is fitted with a cross-knurl, like the diopter adjusting ring, to provide an excellent, non-slip grip.

The MINOX HG "Black Edition" binoculars come with an exclusive case as well as a neoprene strap and are already available from the MINOX international distribution network.

Prices may − and will − vary from Country to Country, so that prospective international buyers may want to contact directly their closest retailer or national MINOX importer and stockist concerning local availability and pricing: the company website sports a useful, easy-to-consult, comprehensive list of official international distributors for all your needs.

Minox HG Black Edition
The distribution of the Minox HG "Black Edition" binoculars is due to start globally very soon -- at a "sensational price-performance ratio"