MOM 8x40 (Magyar Optikai Müvek) Hungarian Army Binoculars | Fernglas | бинокль

Описание: Manufacturer: Magyar Optikai Müvek (MOM), Budapest (Hungary)
Application: Military
Era: Cold War
Magnification: 8x
Objective Lens Size: 40mm
Field of View: ca. 6,9° - 120m at 1000m (probably less)
Specifics: The "Magyar Optikai Művek" (Hungarian Optical Works) was a Hungarian manufacturer of optical equipment founded in 1876 and became a leading manufacturer in Eastern Europe in the 1930s. The company produced a wide range of products, from eyeglasses, cameras, and binoculars to military equipment and computer technology. Following privatization in the 1990s, the company was dissolved in 1998.

It was probably even after World War II that military binoculars from MOM were marked with the manufacturer code "41". Military binoculars from the Hungarian company GAMMA bore the code "42".

It is currently not possible to determine the time period in which the MOM 8x40 binoculars were produced. However, these binoculars are unique in every respect. Although the unusual external shape suggests a Porro prism system, the interior houses a roof prism system with a flat mirror for image inversion. This system is reminiscent of the Leitz Amplivid 6x24 and results in a very compact design. Unfortunately, the field of view of the MOM 8x40 is nowhere near comparable to that of the Amplivid. Quite the opposite: the angle of view is just over 50°, which corresponds to a field of view of approximately 120 meters at 1,000 meters (probably even less).

Another special feature of the MOM 8x40 is the built-in reticle illumination. This is powered by a standard AA battery. In my opinion, this indicates a rather late production date — more likely in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Unfortunately, the reticle illumination on the model shown in the video is defective. The cause, which I can only speculate on, is likely a broken lightbulb. This is the biggest weakness of a built-in illumination system in binoculars and probably the reason why many of these devices no longer work today.

The MOM 8x40 is a very rare collector's item and rarely found on online auction platforms. Perhaps it's easier to acquire such binoculars in Hungary than elsewhere in the world.

Here is a link to the binocular museum, which shows the MOM 8x40 with all accessories:
https://www.fernglasmuseum.at/museum/...