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# Mid-Range Binos

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ranburr View Drop Down
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    Posted: September/15/2004 at 22:26

I did a little experiment with 3 mid-range binos this evening.  I was able to compare examples from Minox, Kahles, and Docter.  All three were 10x42s.  My test was to watch two does feeding in a field at ranges from 150-1,000 yards (estimates).  I watched both deer from around 7:45PM CST till about 8:50PM when they stepped into the tree line.  Going into this, I felt that the Kahles would probably perform the best since they were fully-multi-coated and the other two were only multi-coated.  I have to say, I could tell no difference in the quality of view from any of these binos.  I could clearly see all the deer well after the sun went down with all the binos, this was long after I could no longer see them with the naked eye.  I liked the center-focus adjustments of the Docter and I thought the Kahles was the most rugged feeling and the Minox did everything just as well at a slightly cheaper price.  My questions are; just how big of a deal are the fully-multi-coatings at this price level; has anyone else had a similar experience; or is this just some quirk that is unique to my vision.  All three binos performed admirably (much better then expected)and I would tell you that you would not go wrong with any of the three.

 

ranburr      

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tbone1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbone1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/17/2004 at 17:57
Great info ranburr.  This is the kind of post that I love to read.  Real world comparisons.  We all hear different specs from different manufacturers and form opinions based on the specs.  But is doesn't always make a noticable or significant difference in the field.  The only way to tell if one is better than the other is to test them under real world conditions.  After doing some tests of my own I found , just like you, that sometimes what I assumed would happen based on specs is not what actually happened.  Other times the test would confirm what I already thought.  Either way, to me this is the greatest info that we can share.  Thanks again. 
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ranburr View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/17/2004 at 21:33

Update on this post.  I have been told by some fairly knowledgeable people that the Minox and Docter binos are both fully-multi-coated.  Their specs claim that they have "multi-coated optics throughout".  I have told that this is more or less a direct translation of German and that it really means fully-multi-coated.  This would explain why they both performed as well as the Kahles, (if it is accurate).  I have called the U.S. reps of both companies, as of yet I have not gotten a response.  Does anyone here know for sure? 

 

ranburr

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Chris Farris View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/21/2004 at 18:20

Yes they are all fully multi coated.

 

Types of coatings include;
Coated - A single layer on at least one lens surface.
Fully Coated - A single layer on all air to glass surfaces.
Multi-Coated - Multiple layers on at least one lens surface.
Fully Multi-Coated - Multiple layers on all air to glass surfaces.

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Rusty View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rusty Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2004 at 09:02

Kahles Glass? 

 

What type of glass is used in the Kahles line of binoculars?  Is it ED glass?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2004 at 11:37

They do not use ED glass.

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