Dear Chris and David,
We have investigated the Lynx 8x30 and 10x30. From the 8x30 we found that 95% of 151m/1000m FOV was sharp. This amounts to 144 m/1000m, measured with a Möller FOV meter was sharp and there was not much distortion. We did not observe a difference in shape between the sweet spot of the two binocular tubes. The actual magnification of the 8x was 7,8x (measured) and exactly 10x for the 10x30. We learned that Kite Optics wanted good quality eyecups for the Lynxes and that wish came true, the Japanese company, which makes the Lynxes as well as the Conquests and the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 did a good job.
Light transmission was pleasant high : for the Lynx 8x30: 85% at 500 nm, and 88,3% at 550 nm. The Zeiss Conquest scored 89% at 500 nm and 91,5% at 550 nm. Eyerelief for the Lynx and the Conquest was almost the same: 15 mm for the Lynxes and 16 mm for the Conquest. As could be expected from the shape of the transmission spectra: the Lynxes had a slight red bias: a warm image impression, which is liked by some and disliked by others. The small red bias can also be observed by looking at a bright white surface.
As far as weight is concerned: the 8x30 Lynx weigs 463 grams, the 10x30 468 gramss. The Conquest 8x32 is heavier with a weight of 643 grams.
Close focus: 1.3 m for the 8x30 and the 10x30 Lynx and 1,6 m for the 8x32 Conquest.
Color dispersion is small for all binoculars and they all had good handling comfort.
Focussing speed: 1,1 revolution from close focus to infinity for the Lynxes and 1,4 revolutions for the Conquest 8x32.
The turning resistance of the Lynxes was somwhat high, which is a disadvantage for fast focussing, but an advantage for accurate focussing, since one does not slip out of focus so easily. We did not observe a low resistance for the hinges of the Lynxes , they worked fine.
The eyecups of the Conquest felt poor and we thought that this might be a weak point of these binoculars.
That is it for now,
Gijs