The Nighthunter XP 10x50 binoculars (510) are a ultimate combination of brightness and power, giving you the double-digit power you need in open country, with the low-light performance you'd expect from larger, heavier binoculars. They're built to tough and waterproof US military specifications.

The NANO-Protected exterior lens coating on both the front and rear lenses readily repels any water and moisture condensation. Also, when used with running water as a flushing agent, dirt, dust and debris are also easily cleaned from the Nano-Coated lens surfaces when the binocular is then hand-shaken dry. The XP Night Hunters also features new NBR Long-Life Armoring that will last over two times longer than conventional rubber coverings yet it retains a comfortable grip and slip-proof feel for the user.

Three different pairs of eyecups are included. These eyecups will aid users who customarily view with prescription glasses or who prefer the sidelight protection of profiled or "winged" eyecups or just require an extended eye relief.

The binoculars come with a Clic-Loc Neck Strap. A Clic-Loc cross-back shoulder harness is also available.

The Commander V 7x50 binoculars w/compass (392) feature Steiner’s proprietary HD-Optics for unparalleled brightness and contrast – an essential security feature on board you don’t want to miss when traveling in low light or low-contrast conditions.

The sensational, HD high-definition optics from Steiner will give you a completely new, uniquely clear view. Even under the most difficult lighting conditions, Steiner's special BaK-4 prisms and unique coating technology ensure high light transmission and therefore clear, high-contrast three-dimensional vision.

Internally, these binoculars feature a stray light prevention system; a series of baffles that help add to the 95% plus peak brightness. At the same time they offer you a wide field of view for excellent vision in every situation. Night or day.

The ruggedness of Steiner Binoculars has always been legendary. In order to combine sensitive technology and extreme environmental conditions, a high-quality Makrolon housing protects the inner workings of these marine binoculars. Guaranteed shock-resistant and absolutely mil spec waterproof (tested to a submersion depth of 5 meters).

The rubber armoring offers a good grip, protects the binocular and prevents slipping on wet surfaces. The optional flotation strap will keep the binoculars safely afloat. The nitrogen pressure system completely eliminates inner fogging from - 40 °C to + 80 °C. And the intelligent prism suspension with a carriage made of special silicon will keep your vision completely alligned. Most importantly, the compass integration has been changed altogether by building the entire compass assembly into the binocular. The compass is no longer in danger of being damaged at the connection point or being sheared off. Further, the entire compass is now rubber armored!

The binoculars set a new benchmark in operating convenience with all the features of top performance marine binoculars plus a number of new innovations: New intelligent sports-auto-focus with memory eye-pieces so you can recover your personal setting at any time, naturally also in darkness. Ergonomically shaped wrap-around eye cups with ventilated oculars for protection from side light.

Reliable, extra-large high performance compass with new reticle that covers considerably less of the viewing area than prior models. The compass-illumination button is easy to operate even with gloves on thanks to a clearly marked action point. In addition, the angling of the binoculars no longer needs to be changed when putting on or taking off the rain protection cover, and with the patent ClicLoc quick-change system changing from carrying to flotation strap takes just seconds.

MINOX ultimate aim was to ensure performance at the highest level when they developed and designed their new High Grade 8.5x52 binoculars (62159). The German engineers in Wetzlar, Germany have created High-Grade-Sport optics with the best possible performance in every area that defines a quality binocular. By using special optical glass from German glass specialist SCHOTT AG, a newly developed optical system provides a fascinating high level of light transmission which is bound to be highly rated for brightness and contrast.

With their sleek body design and magnesium housing, the HG binoculars are real lightweights at the top end of the range and along with their beautiful cosmetics and ergonomics they ensure the end user will enjoy a satisfying new experience when using the all new Minox HG binoculars. Apart from optics, Minox have also installed a 'first' as the innovative QCF focusing now makes it possible to take exact distance readings from a scale on the focusing wheel, an often looked for feature on binoculars.

Top quality light transmission is an essential mark of quality in binoculars. MINOX engineers developed the innovative M*-coating of the lenses which consists of up to 21 different layers on the glass surfaces, adapting the various wavelengths of the visible light. This increases the overall light transmission to an impressive 92 percent, while improving brightness, contrast, detail and colour rendering significantly.

Another benefit is a completely new optical system designed by Minox in-house experts with internal anti-reflection and anti-glare coatings to help improve contrast. This model feature aspherical lenses to enhance the contrast and sharpness of the image from centre to edge. To provide a reliable and durable protection against internal corrosion and fogging, the binoculars are filled with state-of-the-art Argon gas.

Another milestone is the mirroring of the roof prisms through the MinoBright technology. This silver-based coating guarantees an improvement of up to 99.8 percent efficiency of the light reflected at the mirror surface. This is yet another improvement towards better light transmission within the 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. High technology originating from German glass pioneers used for innovative optical products by the Wetzlar based optic specialists of MINOX. All of the expertise from MINOX, a trusted industry pioneer, is combined in this high quality product.

Better and more advanced handling is achieved through the Quick-Close-Focus (QCF), developed and patented by MINOX. With just one turn of the focusing wheel the HG-binoculars can be adjusted from close-up to infinity. This one turn allows fast focusing close-up, and a more precise focusing for longer distances. With the aid of a scale on the central focusing wheel, the distance to the object in focus is indicated to the user. This additional feature makes these HG-binoculars a reliable distance rangefinder.

Despite all their features the new MINOX HG-binoculars weigh just 650 grams. This puts them amongst the very best lightweights at the top end of the range. The sleek body design with its protective rubber armouring was designed and fitted around the natural position of the hand.

The weight was reduced considerably by using a magnesium alloy, which is increasingly used in aircraft construction. With its much lower density compared with aluminium and its extreme durability, magnesium is a revolutionary material for modern, tough housings of binoculars. The eyepieces are fitted with twist-up eyecups with four click-stop positions. This gives more freedom for an individual’s own eye-relief settings. The design of the large metal focusing wheel is both attractive and functional. Equipped with a cross-knurl, like the diopter-adjustment, providing a very good grip.

MINOX ultimate aim was to ensure performance at the highest level when they developed and designed their new High Grade 10x52 binoculars (62161). The German engineers in Wetzlar, Germany have created High-Grade-Sport optics with the best possible performance in every area that defines a quality binocular. By using special optical glass from German glass specialist SCHOTT AG, a newly developed optical system provides a fascinating high level of light transmission which is bound to be highly rated for brightness and contrast.

With their sleek body design and magnesium housing, the HG binoculars are real lightweights at the top end of the range and along with their beautiful cosmetics and ergonomics they ensure the end user will enjoy a satisfying new experience when using the all new Minox HG binoculars. Apart from optics, Minox have also installed a 'first' as the innovative QCF focusing now makes it possible to take exact distance readings from a scale on the focusing wheel, an often looked for feature on binoculars.

Top quality light transmission is an essential mark of quality in binoculars. MINOX engineers developed the innovative M*-coating of the lenses which consists of up to 21 different layers on the glass surfaces, adapting the various wavelengths of the visible light. This increases the overall light transmission to an impressive 92 percent, while improving brightness, contrast, detail and colour rendering significantly.

Another benefit is a completely new optical system designed by Minox in-house experts with internal anti-reflection and anti-glare coatings to help improve contrast. This model feature aspherical lenses to enhance the contrast and sharpness of the image from centre to edge. To provide a reliable and durable protection against internal corrosion and fogging, the binoculars are filled with state-of-the-art Argon gas.

Another milestone is the mirroring of the roof prisms through the MinoBright technology. This silver-based coating guarantees an improvement of up to 99.8 percent efficiency of the light reflected at the mirror surface. This is yet another improvement towards better light transmission within the 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. High technology originating from German glass pioneers used for innovative optical products by the Wetzlar based optic specialists of MINOX. All of the expertise from MINOX, a trusted industry pioneer, is combined in this high quality product.

Better and more advanced handling is achieved through the Quick-Close-Focus (QCF), developed and patented by MINOX. With just one turn of the focusing wheel the HG-binoculars can be adjusted from close-up to infinity. This one turn allows fast focusing close-up, and a more precise focusing for longer distances. With the aid of a scale on the central focusing wheel, the distance to the object in focus is indicated to the user. This additional feature makes these HG-binoculars a reliable distance rangefinder.

Despite all their features the new MINOX HG-binoculars weigh just 650 grams. This puts them amongst the very best lightweights at the top end of the range. The sleek body design with its protective rubber armouring was designed and fitted around the natural position of the hand.

The weight was reduced considerably by using a magnesium alloy, which is increasingly used in aircraft construction. With its much lower density compared with aluminium and its extreme durability, magnesium is a revolutionary material for modern, tough housings of binoculars. The eyepieces are fitted with twist-up eyecups with four click-stop positions. This gives more freedom for an individual’s own eye-relief settings. The design of the large metal focusing wheel is both attractive and functional. Equipped with a cross-knurl, like the diopter-adjustment, providing a very good grip.

This ZEISS 8x40 T* Conquest Full-Size Binocular, Black (52 45 08) is a best-in-class solution for those who need brilliant daylight performance, the sharpest, clearest, brightest view, and the best possible twilight performance in a full-sized glass!

Conquest binoculars are light and easy to focus and hold. They feature twist-up, twist-down, lockable eyecups for use with or without eyeglasses. Designed to fit comfortably in your hand for prolonged use and extended field scanning.

Glass fiber reinforced body with rubber armor is resilient to all types of harsh elements and will stand up to the task in all environments. Conquest 8x40 T* binoculars are waterproof, dustproof, and nitrogen filled to prevent internal fogging.

Trophy bucks pop from shady cover thanks to Zeiss T* multi-coating on all air-to-glass surfaces, which offers optimal light transmission and contrast. Even at twilight, the optics produce bright, sharp and vivid images.

Zeiss' Lifetime Transferrable Warranty protects the value of your investment like no other company. As long as the binoculars were sold by an authorized USA Zeiss dealer they are under warranty for whoever owns them, and this makes the unfortunate prospect of parting with your Zeiss optics a less painful experience.

The VORTEX Kaibab 15x56 HD Binoculars (VT-K15) are named in honor of the famed Kaibab Plateau in northern Arizona, one of the top trophy mule deer areas in the country, the Vortex Kaibab is the sort of premium, high-powered binoculars preferred by expert local guides.

During the best late season rut hunts on the Kaibab when giant trophy bucks suddenly become more active and visible, specialized, top-tier long distance optics such as the Vortex Kaibab 15x56 binoculars will allow the knowledgeable hunter to succeed where others with inferior optics fail.

The Kaibab offers the optical features needed to overtly peruse the landscape in search of wild game targets. Superior images. Stunning resolution and, of course, incredible power.

Imagine taking all the technology of high-definition video broadcasting systems and incorporating that level of performance into an optical system for binoculars that is truly remarkable. That's what you'll find in the Kaibab.

ArmorTek is a unique, protective coating that hardens and strengthens lenses-actually repelling the oil and corrosive salts of fingerprints. ArmorTek features a proprietary fluorine compound that makes lenses:

• Harder and stronger
• Scratch-resistant
• Stain-proof
• Easier to clean - dust, dirt, and smudges

XD (Xtra-low Dispersion) glass objective lens elements of extra-low dispersion glass enhance image resolution carefully selected and precision-crafted to exacting standards for true-to-life images of startling clarity and color accuracy.

XR coatings deliver incredible image detail with extremely high resolution and light transmission. Fully multi-coated, scratch-resistant coatings eliminate annoying, image-degrading reflections, and offer extraordinary brightness for a lifetime of trouble-free lens protection.

XD Optical Design is an advanced optical element configuration that virtually eliminates aberrations and provides distortion-free, flat field images with unmatched edge-to-edge accuracy and detail.

Argon gas purging protects your Kaibab binoculars in the following ways:

• Argon gas does not absorb or react chemically with water
• Argon gas eliminates internal fogging
• Argon gas maintains its protective properties over a wider temperature range
• Argon gas does not diffuse as quickly as other elements, extending the service life of the optics longer

Vortex pledges this Very Important Promise to you, a Very Important Person, and that's why we call it the VIP warranty. In the event that your Vortex product requires service, no matter the cause, Vortex Optics will repair or replace the product at no charge to you.

Nikon has announced the world's first dual mode, digitally stabilized marine binocular designed specifically to give boaters, outdoor enthusiasts and law enforcement personnel an ultra steady view, no matter what the conditions.

NIKON StabilEyes 14x40 VR Binoculars (8211) are professional grade roof prism marine binoculars that not only offer vibration reduction both for shake and roll, but that are also fully waterproof and fogproof. By simply using the LAND mode, a user can have marine binoculars that are optimized for hand held use in fairly stable conditions, such as on dry land. Switch to ON BOARD mode for binoculars that are stabilized for use from a boat, airplane, helicopter, train or automobile.

The heart of Nikon's StabilEyes is a battery powered system of gimbaled digital servos that are actuated when the mode, (ON BOARD or LAND) is selected. This system is the only one currently in existence with the capability to dampen both common types of binocular destabilization and provide a Pan & Tilt feature that enables a full range of motion while viewing.

Unlike many other stabilized products, StabilEyes is optimized as quality binocular. It is a roof prism design that incorporates precisely cut and polished lenses and prisms. All optical glass elements are treated with multiple layers of anti-reflective compounds for true color rendition, superior detail resolution, and maximum light transmission. Additionally, prisms are phase-correction coated and high reflection mirror coated for the utmost in sharpness and clarity.

The Nikon StabilEyes is a central focus design with an adjustable diopter. It has an exit pupil of 2.9mm, a 56-degree apparent angle of view, and a field of view of 209 feet at 1,000 yards. Eye relief is 13mm, relatively long in consideration of its 14-power magnification.

This model is ergonomically designed with a hand strap and integral finger grooves to reduce user fatigue and aid in operation. StabilEyes Binoculars are powered by four AA batteries and have a battery power display that blinks when battery power is getting low.

The Commander 7x50 binoculars with a compass (395) feature the XP Optics; new high definition, broad band optical formula that features record setting light transmission for times in the dark and clear, sharp, high contrast and comfortable images in daylight.

In addition to the XP Optics, is a new high-tech optical coating on both the objective and eyepieces called “NANO-Coat”. This new coating repels water and moisture off the lenses leaving them clear of water or moisture. Like windshield wipers for your binoculars, you won’t ever have to wipe them clean of moisture. The secret lies in a unique permanent molecular bonding substance; that makes the lenses so smooth, that absolutely nothing adheres to them.

Steiner also introduces a choice of eyecups with the new Commander XP: a winged, profiled set (to block sidelight); a flat set for users with glasses; and an extended set for users that want the full eye-relief without the side flaps. All three are included with these binoculars and interchange in seconds.

The exterior of the binoculars also got a make-over: the XP features new NBR Long-life armoring designed to extend the service life of the rubber casing two times or more over previous models, yet the grip is smooth and firm.

The binoculars get a Clic-Loc attached wide neck strap and a Yellow float strap. Through the Clic-Loc system, users can interchange between the straps in seconds and an optional body harness is also available. A protective case is included.

The Senator 20x80 Military binoculars (420) put you at an effective distance of less than 100 yards from one mile-distant targets or other objects. Many spotters and observers are discovering these high power binoculars are easy to use, give them a better view and offer a lot more comfort during extended use than spotting scopes.

The 80-mm objective lenses, combined with Steiner’s legendary optics, deliver far superior low-light performance. Don’t let their light weight — they’re 30% lighter than look-alike competitors — fool you. These binoculars were developed for military and border patrol applications and are mil. spec. tough: totally waterproof, shock resistant, and rubber armored. Tripod mount is included, but these models are light enough to be hand held. Depth of field is about 80 yards out to infinity once focused for your eyes.

DigitalHunter™ by ELCAN Optical Technologies: The world's first Digital Riflescope brings the power of modern electronics and software to the shooting sports.
Elcan DigitalHunter DayNight is a unique product: a Day / Night Digital Riflescope.

The DAYLIGHT mode provides the same excellent imagery for targeting during the day as Elcan DigitalHunter Digital Riflescope (Model #DH1). The LOW LIGHT mode provides stunning low light level performance. When used with a commonly available near-infrared illuminator (not included), Elcan DigitalHunter Day / Night Digital Riflescope displays black and white imagery of objects at night up to 65 yds away. Near-infrared illuminators - also called IR Flashlights - emit light that is invisible to humans and most animals.
Elcan DigitalHunter Day / Night Digital Rifle Scope is a lower-cost, good-resolution alternative to image intensifier or infrared rifles copes. And since Elcan DigitalHunter DayNight is a digital riflescope, it provides electronic ballistic compensation, automatic video and still image capture and replay, field selectable reticles, and customizable reticles.

Electronic ballistic compensation enables the shooter to "hold where you want to hit™"! Elcan DigitalHunter Digital Rifle Scope is a range compensating riflescope, removing one contributor (holdover estimate) from the shooting equation.

Additionally, Elcan digital riflescopes are not plagued with common telescope issues such as parallax, magnification change-induced boresight shifts and exit pupil diameter reduction, and limited eye relief.

The four field selectable reticles, when coupled with the four ballistic data tables, enable the scope to function as four different rifle scopes. The Elcan DigitalHunter Digital Riflescope can be setup for a centerfire rifle, a shotgun (great for turkey), a crossbow and a muzzleloader. Since the reticles are graphic images they can be any color, shape or size that can be drawn by the user via bitmap generating software...circles, lines, squares. Parallax is avoided since they aren't physical features of an image plane.

DigitalHunter DayNight joins DigitalHunter (Model #DH1) in ELCAN's digital riflescope product line.

Ray Sasser - About Elcan Digital Hunter Rifle Scope

There's a new rifle scope technology on the horizon, a spin-off from military developments made by the Raytheon Company. Traditional hunters and target shooters will not like the Elcan Digital Hunter rifle scope, a Star Wars-looking contraption that one shooting editor described as "butt ugly."

Techno-phobes will run the other way when they see a shooter on the firing line plug a USB cable into a laptop computer and load ballistics information into his rifle scope. Others will embrace the technology as they've done with each progressive step in an evolutionary chain that began with the Chinese invention of gunpowder.

I spent a chilly October morning on a firing line near Mabank being indoctrinated into the digital marksmanship era. My instructors were Jim Florence, chief engineer for Elcan, Rusty Mauldin, the company's sporting optics product manager, and manufacturer's representative Dave Brownfield. Elcan is a Raytheon subsidiary.

To make the demonstration complete, they brought two rifles. The rifles had scope-mounting rails already attached but the scopes were brand new – still in the box.

It took Florence about three minutes to mount a scope on a 30-06. He connected the digital scope to his laptop computer, called up a ballistic software package and entered the muzzle velocity and the ballistic coefficient of the Winchester ammo he was using.

The software calculated bullet drop at any range we might consider taking a shot, and the information was stored in a computer chip inside the scope. To remove as much human error as possible, Florence set the rifle on a shooting cradle called a Lead Sled. He bore-sighted by looking through the bore at a target 50 yards away.

It took me about four shots and corresponding adjustments to place a bullet in the center of that target. After that, all I had to do was tell the scope how far I was shooting, and it automatically adjusted the reticle to deliver a bullet dead-on at the desired range.

Adjustments are made, easily and quickly, through an LCD screen on top of the scope. It's similar to the screen on a digital camera, and it also serves as a playback screen for the video that's automatically triggered whenever a shot is fired.

Mauldin set up three-liter bottles of colored water at 100, 200, 300 and 400 yards and we shot the plastic bottles, replaying the dramatic explosion of water when the bullet struck.

"The video feature was designed as a means for a hunter to record his shot at a game animal and be able to instantly review where the bullet hit or whether the shot was a clean miss," Mauldin said. "The video has become a valuable instructional tool that has made digital scope shooters into better shots."

When I fired at the 400-yard bottle, we all saw something fly up on impact, but the bottle appeared intact. A review of the video indicated that the bullet knocked off the white bottle cap and left the bottle standing.

The Digital Hunter rifle scope comes with four different reticles (crosshair configurations) already programmed into the scope. A white reticle can be selected to stand out against dark backgrounds. If none of the standard reticles suits you, you can design your own.

Unlike other rifle scopes, the Digital Hunter is not a telescope. Zooming is done electronically, from 2.5X to 16.5X magnification. The electronic magnification is parallax free and the exit pupil remains constant, allowing easy target acquisition, even at high power.

The only two drawbacks I could find were price and weight. The digital scope weighs 26 ounces, nearly seven ounces heavier than Leupold's LPS 3.5x to 14x, my personal favorite traditional scope.

Mauldin said physically challenged hunters are particularly excited about the Digital Hunter. It can be used with a video monitoring screen so the rifle can be sighted without your eye to the scope. That's a huge advantage for a quadriplegic, one-armed or no-armed shooter.

To make certain its electronics will not interfere with nearby cellphones, cameras, computers or other electronics, the Digital Hunter is also the only rifle scope approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

The Genesis 8.5x44 binoculars (GN44-8) feature two Prominar XD Lens elements which eliminate chromatic aberration for a clear view.

The prism has phase correction coating and a highly reflective aluminum coating to ensure sharp images and accurate color reproduction. Through the use of a Bak4 prism these binoculars are able to give you bright, clear images all the way to the edge of the objective lens.

All lenses and prisms are manufactured with multilayered coating, ensuring a bright and clear visual range. The housing is waterproof and filled with dry nitrogen gas to prevent the lens from fogging. The binoculars can be used in the rain and other harsh weather conditions. (Not intended for underwater use)

All of the Genesis Series binoculars have twist-up eyecups suitable for both eyeglass wearers and non-eyeglass wearers.

C3 Coating allows for a much higher reflectivity than with coatings of silver or optically-enhanced aluminum, offering a reflectance of 99% or higher across the entire visible spectrum (400 to 700mm). Not only does this provide bright and sharp images, but accurate color reproduction is also achieved. Furthermore, the roof surface of the prism is phase coated (phase correction coated) to prevent the loss of contrast and image resolution.

The MINOX APO-HG 8.5x43 BR Binoculars (62175) are the world class flagship binoculars, a combination of German glass technology and premium Japanese manufacturing. Pin-sharp optics with natural color rendition puts the new APO-HG binoculars in a class of their own and first in the top league.

The APO-HG 8.5x43 BR model impressively represents the latest technologies in binocular design. Featuring SCHOTT fluoride ED-glass lens elements these apochromatically-corrected binoculars deliver a brilliant color-fringe-free image. The new type of MINOTEC multicoating, which is a nanotechnology application, helps to repel dust, water and soiling from the external glass surfaces.

In cooperation with Minox the glass engineers of SCHOTT AG, which is based in the city of Mainz, designed the required glass composition for the APO technology. The high quality ED glass (N-PK 52 A) awards the new HG binoculars apochromatic properties that deliver an exceptional optical performance. The APO HG optical system boasts natural color rendition, high contrast and also minimizes glare. Aspherical lenses inside the eyepieces guarantee consistent sharpness from the center right into the edges.

Outdoor use is greatly enhanced with the MINOTEC multicoating. Based on a modified objective-lens surface structure any adhering dust particles and other soiling components can be simply wiped off. Even water droplets pearl off with ease.

The APO binoculars also feature all the proven features of the HG line and deliver top class performance in every discipline. This includes among other things the Minox multicoating of 21 layers and the silver-bearing Minobright reflection of the phase-corrected roof prisms.

The handling of the binoculars has been optimized further with the Quick-Close-Focus (QCF) feature developed by Minox. Just a single turn of the focus knob is all that is needed to adjust the APO-HG binoculars from close-up to infinity, the user can also carry out a very fast adjustment in the near-focus range and precision focusing at greater distances. The distance scale on the central focusing wheel informs the user on the distance from the subject in view.

The body, with its waisted design, is made of extremely robust and exceptionally light magnesium, and together with the protective rubber armoring weighs in at an unbeatable 660 grams. The binocular body is watertight down to a depth of five meters. To ensure reliable, lasting protection against corrosion and fogging it is filled with argon gas.

The large focusing wheel is made of metal and boasts both an attractive and a functional design. It also features a cross knurl making it and the diopter-compensation ring extremely good to hold. To avoid light reflections both of these parts have an anodized gun-metal grey finish.

The APO-HG 8.5x43 BR Binoculars come in an exclusive wooden box together with an elegant leather case as well as a neoprene strap and lens cleaning set.

The MINOX APO-HG 10x43 BR Binoculars (62177) are the world class flagship binoculars, a combination of German glass technology and premium Japanese manufacturing. Borrowing from the family traits, Minox APO-HG has a svelte housing that's both durable and lightweight.

The prisms are small but bright, silver-backed units with phase correction and exceptionally exhaustive 21-layer multicoatings. This model is injected with argon gas, which is a larger and more inert molecule than the more common nitrogen that's so often used when internally filling a binocular or spotting scope housing.

The metal focusing wheel is a speedster that's also precise, and you can easily use it in any conditions and expect identical performance. Just like the other premium Minox units, the housing is a real lightweight pleasure-not a scrap of mass is wasted, so you carry only what you need.

But what sets the APO-HG apart from the rest of the very fine Minox roof prism binocular family is the German SCHOTT apochromatic ED glass elements; designated as "N-PK 52 A", these elements of expensive-to-manufacture extra-low dispersion glass give the APO-HG line that subtle difference from even the exceptional performance of the HG & BD lineups.

The APO-HG has that extra contrast and resolution that you'll notice on fine feather structures in a bird, or trying to make out a distant marking on a boat that you're observing far away from shore. Apochromatic performance is most noticed when you have a darker subject cast against a bleached-out "white" sky-in those instances, many top class units show some purple fringing where subjects meet backgrounds, but the APO-HG will hold detail in the subject all the way to a crisp edge.

This 10x43 model will offer higher magnification to perform better when observing smaller, more distant subjects, and also has higher perceived brightness in twilight conditions than the 8.5x43 APO-HG unit.

The Minox HG Binoculars come in an exclusive wooden box together with an elegant leather case as well as a neoprene strap and lens cleaning set.

DigitalHunter™ by ELCAN Optical Technologies: The world's first Digital Rifle Scope brings the power of modern electronics and software to the shooting sports.
The Elcan DigitalHunter DayNight KIT includes Day / Night Digital Rifle Scope, 2 Yukon IR flashlights, 1 Tri-Rail mount.

The DAYLIGHT mode provides the same excellent imagery for targeting during the day as Elcan DigitalHunter Digital Rifle Scope (Model #DH1). The LOW LIGHT mode provides stunning low light level performance. When used with a commonly available near-infrared illuminator, Elcan DigitalHunter Day / Night Digital Rifle Scope displays black and white imagery of objects at night up to 65 yds away. Near-infrared illuminators - also called IR Flashlights - emit light that is invisible to humans and most animals.

Take night vision to a whole new level by enhancing the active nighttime performance of the ELCAN Digital-Hunter Day / Night Digital Rifle Scope with the addition of Yukon Infrared Flashlight. The IR Flashlight provides a burst of infrared light (that is virtually invisible to humans and most mammals) in dark environments that creates optimal viewing ability through your Elcan digital rifle scope. Yukon’s IR Flashlight comes fitted with a Weaver and Picatinny mount for secure attachment to your rifle. The included honeycomb filter helps prevent detection while providing illumination.

Elcan DigitalHunter Day / Night Digital Rifle Scope is a lower-cost, good-resolution alternative to image intensifier or infrared rifles copes. And since Elcan DigitalHunter DayNight is a digital riflescope, it provides electronic ballistic compensation, automatic video and still image capture and replay, field selectable reticles, and customizable reticles.

Electronic ballistic compensation enables the shooter to "hold where you want to hit™"! Elcan DigitalHunter Digital Rifle Scope is a range compensating riflescope, removing one contributor (holdover estimate) from the shooting equation.

Additionally, Elcan digital riflescopes are not plagued with common telescope issues such as parallax, magnification change-induced boresight shifts and exit pupil diameter reduction, and limited eye relief.

The four field selectable reticles, when coupled with the four ballistic data tables, enable the scope to function as four different rifle scopes. The Elcan DigitalHunter Digital Rifle Scope can be setup for a centerfire rifle, a shotgun (great for turkey), a crossbow and a muzzleloader. Since the reticles are graphic images they can be any color, shape or size that can be drawn by the user via bitmap generating software...circles, lines, squares. Parallax is avoided since they aren't physical features of an image plane.

Ray Sasser - About Elcan Digital Hunter Rifle Scope

There's a new rifle scope technology on the horizon, a spin-off from military developments made by the Raytheon Company. Traditional hunters and target shooters will not like the Elcan Digital Hunter rifle scope, a Star Wars-looking contraption that one shooting editor described as "butt ugly."

Techno-phobes will run the other way when they see a shooter on the firing line plug a USB cable into a laptop computer and load ballistics information into his rifle scope. Others will embrace the technology as they've done with each progressive step in an evolutionary chain that began with the Chinese invention of gunpowder.

I spent a chilly October morning on a firing line near Mabank being indoctrinated into the digital marksmanship era. My instructors were Jim Florence, chief engineer for Elcan, Rusty Mauldin, the company's sporting optics product manager, and manufacturer's representative Dave Brownfield. Elcan is a Raytheon subsidiary.

To make the demonstration complete, they brought two rifles. The rifles had scope-mounting rails already attached but the scopes were brand new – still in the box.

It took Florence about three minutes to mount a scope on a 30-06. He connected the digital scope to his laptop computer, called up a ballistic software package and entered the muzzle velocity and the ballistic coefficient of the Winchester ammo he was using.

The software calculated bullet drop at any range we might consider taking a shot, and the information was stored in a computer chip inside the scope. To remove as much human error as possible, Florence set the rifle on a shooting cradle called a Lead Sled. He bore-sighted by looking through the bore at a target 50 yards away.

It took me about four shots and corresponding adjustments to place a bullet in the center of that target. After that, all I had to do was tell the scope how far I was shooting, and it automatically adjusted the reticle to deliver a bullet dead-on at the desired range.

Adjustments are made, easily and quickly, through an LCD screen on top of the scope. It's similar to the screen on a digital camera, and it also serves as a playback screen for the video that's automatically triggered whenever a shot is fired.

Mauldin set up three-liter bottles of colored water at 100, 200, 300 and 400 yards and we shot the plastic bottles, replaying the dramatic explosion of water when the bullet struck.

"The video feature was designed as a means for a hunter to record his shot at a game animal and be able to instantly review where the bullet hit or whether the shot was a clean miss," Mauldin said. "The video has become a valuable instructional tool that has made digital scope shooters into better shots."

When I fired at the 400-yard bottle, we all saw something fly up on impact, but the bottle appeared intact. A review of the video indicated that the bullet knocked off the white bottle cap and left the bottle standing.

The Digital Hunter rifle scope comes with four different reticles (crosshair configurations) already programmed into the scope. A white reticle can be selected to stand out against dark backgrounds. If none of the standard reticles suits you, you can design your own.

Unlike other rifle scopes, the Digital Hunter is not a telescope. Zooming is done electronically, from 2.5X to 16.5X magnification. The electronic magnification is parallax free and the exit pupil remains constant, allowing easy target acquisition, even at high power.

The only two drawbacks I could find were price and weight. The digital scope weighs 26 ounces, nearly seven ounces heavier than Leupold's LPS 3.5x to 14x, my personal favorite traditional scope.

Mauldin said physically challenged hunters are particularly excited about the Digital Hunter. It can be used with a video monitoring screen so the rifle can be sighted without your eye to the scope. That's a huge advantage for a quadriplegic, one-armed or no-armed shooter.

To make certain its electronics will not interfere with nearby cellphones, cameras, computers or other electronics, the Digital Hunter is also the only rifle scope approved by the Federal Communications Commission.