High Grade – low weight and truly compact in top of the range binoculars
The HG 8x33 aspherics complete the family of the new top of the range binoculars by MINOX. Despite its small measurements of only 125 x 127 x 50 mm it has all the innovative features of the ‘High Grade’ series. Being a lightweight of just 605 grams the HG 8x33 is perfect for those who want to travel light but have all the advantages of a high quality binocular. Demanding quality in optics, overall build, design and mechanical precision are setting new standards.
If hiking, hunting, tracking, birdwatching or observing wildlife and nature of any kind is your interest, the HG 8x33 offers the ideal compact, lightweight entry into the top of the range MINOX binoculars. 8x magnification, a lens diameter of 33 millimeters, a field of view of 7,5 degrees (394,62 ft / 1000 yds) as well as a close focussing distance of less than 2 metres are the main features of the latest addition to the High Grade series.
An essential mark of quality in binoculars is the overall quality of light transmission. MINOX engineers have developed an innovative M*-coating of the lenses which consists of up to 21 different layers on the glass surface to modify the various wave lengths of the visible light. This increases the light transmission up to a very impressive 92 percent while at the same time it improves brightness, contrast, details and colour rendering significantly. Another major benefit is an improved optical formula. Aspheric lenses enhance the contrast and sharpness of the image from the centre to the edges. At the same time all of this has enabled the number of lenses in the optical system to be reduced. To ensure a very reliable and durable protection against internal corrosion and fogging, the new HG’s are filled with state-of-the-art Argon gas.
Another key milestone is mirroring the roof prisms with MinoBright technology. This silver-baring coating guarantees up to a 99,9 percent improved efficiency of the reflection at the mirror surface. This is yet another improvement of the light transmission within the overall optical system of the HG-binoculars. The high-tech optical glass is “Made in Germany” by the Mainz based SCHOTT AG, a company of the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, which was founded by Ernst Abbe.
The Fast-Close-Focus (FCF), developed and patented by MINOX needs just one full turn of the focusing knob to adjust the HG-binoculars from close focus to infinite. This one turn allows fast close focusing and more precise focusing for longer distances. Like the other binoculars in the series, the HG 8x33 can be used as a reliable rangefinder for medium distances. This feature is clearly marked as a scale on the central focusing wheel.
The sleek body with its fully protective rubber armouring was designed by Volkswagen-Design specifically with feel and absolute comfort in use in mind. By using magnesium, which is increasingly used in aircraft construction, the weight of this full-featured top quality binocular has been considerably reduced.
There are four click-stops of the rubber eyecups to different eye-relief settings which for people who are wearing spectacles is an advantage. The design of the large metal focusing wheel is both attractive and functional. Designed and equipped with a cross-knurl, like the lockable dioptre-adjustment, it provides a very good grip.
The new MINOX HG 8x33 comes complete with an exclusive case, neoprene strap and rainguard.
Bird Watcher's Digest, November 2007: Midpriced Bincocular Round Up
by Michael and Diane Porter
Minox HG are among the binoculars of note
from the 2007 Midpriced Bincocular Round Up
[...] The new Minox HG series includes outstanding binoculars, a few of which fit (barely) into our mid-priced array. We looked at the Minox HG 8x33 and the 8.5x43, each of which can be found for under $800. Other sizes are available at somewhat higher prices.
In our optical quality tests, the Minox HGs were excellent. They also have some of the nicest-feeling engineering and smoothest-turning focus knobs we've found in any binocular. The addition of a distance scale on the focus knob (made possible because the wheel turns less than one full rotation in going from closest to most distant) gives the HG binocular the unique function of acting as a range meter.
The central focus wheel also serves as the easy-to-turn, locking diopter adjustment wheel. The eyecups, with gentle detents, twist out with unusual smoothness and precision. Eye relief for glasses wearers is excellent, as is the optical quality.
Several of our testers remarked that the HG gave a nice feeling in the hand. We judged it to be a great buy for someone looking at the upper end of the mid-priced field, for quality comparable to the high-end binoculars.
