Choosing Lens Index

[dumbstruck]

Here is an interesting chart comparing some different lens index properties. It is not a simple case where you up the index for thinner yet more expensive lenses. Sometimes only the lower index ("thicker") lenses are available for a thinner aspheric type cut. The index values are simply shorthand for different materials, some of which are brittle or strong, able to tint or not, light or not, more or less scratchable for instance. Not all on the chart, but gives an idea of tradeoffs. Do you know a better one?

http://images200.com/media/media//wysiwyg/images-articles/stock/original/lens-information-table.jpg