B2 Maven or Razor UHD

[bowhiker88]

If someone could end the internal debate Ive been dealing with for weeks and just post a link to a quality review and comparison of B2s and UHDs I would really appreciate it. Also any experience that members may have and would be kind enough to share their opinion would be appreciated

 

[schweinstein]

I wont share a review but I will say this. I was in your shoes last fall 2022. Maybe on paper or even in reality the B2s are SLIGHTLY better than the UHD. But who resells Mavens? How long has the company been around? How many people have actually submitted warranty claims? I haven't heard of many but I've only heard of good things about vortex warranty process. That was the deal for me. Yes they are more expensive by a couple hundred bucks. To me it was piece of mind. Besides, if there are accessories or other things like that down the road, more likely to get compatibility with Vortex. Maven is still up and coming. In 5 years will I consider Maven again? Absolutely - I just want them to be around for a little longer. I got the 10x50 UHD and have been very happy. especially in low light conditions.

 

[Reed104R]

I have never tried Mavens, but reviews suggest the two optics are comparable. Whether the UHD is worth the extra bucks is a personal decision. I own, use, test, buy, and sell alot of binoculars. Zeiss, Vortex, and Swarovski binoculars pass through my hands on a regular basis, along with numerous other brands. In my opinion, the Vortex UHD ranks optically among the finest binoculars in the world. The build quality does not rank with the big three alphas. The Vortex warranty is probably the best in the business.

 

[Spiral Horn]

Since you mentioned the B2s I can only assume you are referring to either the 42/50mm UHDs. They are both fine binoculars in their own right. But having sampled both (owned the B2s and own a 18x56 UHD), IMO the UHDs are a smidge nicer, both optically and in terms of build quality. However, as @Reed104R points out - ”whether they are worth extra bucks is a personal decision.”

 

[bowhiker88]

I am referring to the the UHDs in 42 and 50mm.
Really though I am just interested in 9x45 vs. 10x50 for maven and vortex

 

[elkguide]

I am a Swarovski fan boy! There now that I have that out there, I use a Maven S1a spotting scope and it had served me well. I messed up big time and damaged the spotter and Maven replaced it immediately.

I have worked in and been in numerous hunting camps and have seen most every brand of optics, including the alphas fail. Without any competition, the number one brand that I have seen fail repeatedly have been Vortex products. Yes, they have a great warranty but I don't want to have products that have a reputation of having to rely on a great warranty.

 

[Reed104R]

I am a Swarovski fan boy! There now that I have that out there, I use a Maven S1a spotting scope and it had served me well. I messed up big time and damaged the spotter and Maven replaced it immediately.

I have worked in and been in numerous hunting camps and have seen most every brand of optics, including the alphas fail. Without any competition, the number one brand that I have seen fail repeatedly have been Vortex products. Yes, they have a great warranty but I don't want to have products that have a reputation of having to rely on a great warranty.

I think you get what you pay for in this business. I had no idea optics failures were so prevalent until joining this forum. The primary failure I have experienced is intermittent fogging in the old steel tube Weavers I used for many years. An inexpensive optic is more likely to fail, regardless of brand. If I were using binos professionally or in the field with a high degree of frequency, I would use one of the big three alphas, most likely Swarovski. I try to handle optics carefully to ensure their longevity. I still use scopes my dad bought in the 1960's.

 

[mxgust]

Maven does a demo program, you could try them first. I have b1 10x42 and love them. Doing it again I would get the 10x50s but they weren’t out when I bought mine. I’ve never tried the b2 but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. The UHDs and b2 use the same type of prism, are both made in Japan and both have good warranty. My guess is that it will be hard to tell the difference between the two. The 9x45 and the 10x50 will even have the same size exit pupil, so brightness and low light performances will be almost exact. The lens coatings each company uses could affect this but it’s going to be close. Pick a magnification flavor you like and run with it

 

[Reed104R]

The Japan made Maven and Vortex models are apparently both made by Kamakura, which would support the advice of mxgust.

 

[Spiral Horn]

Agree with @mxgust that the B6 10x50 is the cherry of the current Maven lineup. However, folks should really avoid concluding that because both Maven B series and Vortex Razors are fabricated by Kamakura that they are essentially the same binocular under different labels - simply not true. KK builds to the unique design, specifications, and tolerances agreed to with individual business partners. In addition to the internals for a 45mm vs 50mm objective design, there are many grades of glass from Schott and Ohara, large variations in coatings (some proprietary), very different external structure, armor, very different focus mechanisms, very different eyecups (Mavens are a bit notorious for collapsing). Upon picking up and looking through both the B2 and UHD few would conclude they are the same (but that‘s not to say they don’t have similarities and are comparable in many ways).

To me, Vortex took a huge risk in developing the UHD as they certainly didn’t start out as a premium optics company. To the best of my knowledge they still make at least 6-7 different lines of binoculars and some are very low end. To say that some are less than impressive is being very kind. However, a lot of what is written on forums about the UHDs is from folks who’ve never actually experienced them and are just commenting on Vortex in general. The UHDs are a very well made binocular that are as good or better than anything below the top offerings from the Big 3.

Not a Vortex fanboy, but the UHDs deserve some respect. Would I buy the UHDs over a Maven??? If comparing the B2 to the UHD and I could get them for close to the same price = yes. However, at the UHD price-point I think most hunters would be better served with a lightly used Swarovski EL or Zeiss Victory SF.

 

[Reed104R]

Spiral Horn wrote:

"The UHDs are a very well made binocular that are as good or better than anything below the top offerings from the Big 3."

I am in absolute agreement. I don't think my SLC's from 2005 are any better optically than my UHD's, but neither would likely be up to par with the top guns as mentioned.

 

[mikkel318]

I've had the 9x45 B2s for 7 or 8 years now. I wouldn't trade them for anything and Maven has an amazing warranty and turn around.

 

[Firehawk]

I used a Maven B2 9x45 for 6 years. AWESOME bino! I would still own them if I didn't have an opportunity to get a good deal on a Swarovski EL. Even then, the Maven's were right there with the Swaro.

I damaged my Maven by making a stupid mistake. I arranged the warranty and within a couple of weeks they were returned, fixed perfectly, cleaned and ready to roll for another 10-15 years. The communication was awesome and they even lent me a different bino to use so I could keep hunting til mine were fixed. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Maven and still own a C1 8x42 and the CS1 spotter. Excellent products and good value.

Many Maven fans amongst the group of hunters I hang with. We have (3) 11x45 B2s, (1) 10x42 B1.2 still being used with no "buyers remorse". Maven isn't going anywhere. They have a good model and provide a great product.

 

[idcuda]

In case you haven't seen it: https://backwoodspursuit.com/26-best-binoculars-for-hunting/

 

[Shō[t]gun]

I used the UHD 10x42's for one hunt and was underwhelmed. They are absolutely tack sharp and surprisingly clear edge-to-edge. The main downside for me was the complete lack of contrast. While crisp, the image looked dull and somewhat washed out in dry conditions (some people have called it a gray hue I guess). If that's no concern then its not a big deal, but if I spend that much money on binos I want to enjoy looking through them. I ended up spending the exact same money on Ultravid HD+ and they are an absolute pleasure to get behind. Another concern is the possibility of Vortex switching the manufacturing of the UHD over to China like they did with the HD's after years of making them in Japan.

 

[Venom One]

In case you haven't seen it: https://backwoodspursuit.com/26-best-binoculars-for-hunting/

This review is excellent. Lots of eyeballs reviewing lots of binos with great write-ups.

 

[TyBuck28]

In case you haven't seen it: https://backwoodspursuit.com/26-best-binoculars-for-hunting/

This an awesome in depth review, thanks for sharing.