The name Minox brings to mind the tiny miniature cameras with which the company's history began in the 1930s. Since then, the optics specialists from Wetzlar have mainly focussed on riflescopes and hunting optics. The step towards water sports was therefore an obvious one.
The top model in the new series is the BN 7x50 DC. The waterproof glass is available in white or black and has a robust rubber coating, rotating eyecups and individual eyepiece adjustment. The inner values also sound promising. Behind the coated Porro prisms, dioptre adjustment from minus four to plus six can be made, the close focusing distance ends at seven metres and the weight is 1250 grams. The real highlight, however, is the digital compass. Like an overhead display in a fighter plane, the bearing can be displayed in various ways (reticle, centre marker) in the field of vision if required.
Another exciting feature is the digital tilt function, which can be used to determine the height of distant objects. In addition, the tilt sensors automatically detect the inclination of the glass and correct the compass display accordingly. This eliminates the heeling problem that is common with digital compasses.
The barograph and temperature function is more of a gimmick than a useful accessory, as is the built-in stopwatch. Who always wants to look into binoculars for this kind of information? If you can do without these digital gimmicks, you should go for the BN 7x50 C. Optically and mechanically equivalent, but equipped with a mechanical compass, at 249 euros it is only half the price of the flagship model. This changes hands for 499 euros.
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
