Considering Upgrading to Maven B1.2 8x42

[Captains1911]

My primary hunting bino for the past 5 years or so has been a pair of Vortex Viper HD 8x42. I know these aren't considered high end by any means, but they are decent and get the job done, for the most part. However, I am interested in the Maven B1.2 8x42 just based on what I hear, but I have not had a chance to look through them. So is it worth the upgrade?

 

[rentalrunner22]

The maven's are excellent. Way better than Vortex. Super light and clear.

 

[Captains1911]

Also considering Zeiss Conquest HDX 8x42 in the same price range.

 

[jjschuh]

I have a pair of 10x42's. Love them, for the price the glass is very good, even better if you can find a used pair in the classified or ebay or something. Build quality is nice, doesn't feel cheap at all, and their warranty is a nice bonus.

 

[35WhelenAI]

The maven's are excellent. Way better than Vortex. Super light and clear.

Sounds like you have experience with Vortex that allowed you to compare them to the Mavens.

Looking at the specs, Vortex Vipers are lighter than the Mavens by about 3 oz. Despite that, that's about a wash for weight difference.

With respect to how clear the Mavens appear compared to the Vortex, how much better is way better when talking $500 versus $1,100? I'm interested in upgrading as well and Maven's could fill the bill.

 

[Agross]

Yes it’s worth the upgrade. There is a pair in the classifieds now.

 

[Megastink]

I have been using a pair of Leupold BX-4’s, which I find are excellent glass. I was able to look through the Maven 8x42, 8x32, and 10x42’s at the GAOS. The Mavens are excellent, and should I decide to buy a pair of 8x’s, it’ll be a pair of Mavens.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

My friend went from viper 12’s to maven B 12’s and the difference is astounding. I have NL Pure and can tell you that while definitely better, it’s marginal. If I didn’t have these, I would never feel under gunned with the Maven.

 

[sndmn11]

We sold our SLCs to use Maven B1.2; they are really nice.

 

[Captains1911]

I snagged that pair off of the classifieds, thanks for the encouragement...

 

[Firehawk]

Been a Maven fan since my first pair in 2016. My Maven B2 bested the Leica Duovids I had by a sizable margin. I had considered moving to the Maven B1.2 8x42 when I was looking to switch things up a few years ago. If I hadn't come across a deal on a Swaro EL 8.5x42 I couldn't pass on, here in the classifieds, I would have bought them. Buddy had them in a 10x42 and they were excellent. He compared them to an SLC and preferred the Maven B1.2 as well. He did eventually move to the same ELs I have as well, but he gave them a good run.

We both have had Vortex Viper HDs and they were a good bino, but the Maven B1.2 is a much better bino. The Viper is actually just a hair behind the Maven C1 8x42 I have for my daughter to use.

Glad you bought those on the classifieds. That was a good buy. And Maven is a good company who communicates well and handles their warranty stuff like a champ. And they don't care if you are the original owner or the 10th owner. Doesn't matter to them, their warranty is with the bino.

 

[daniel5243]

Yes it’s worth the upgrade. There is a pair in the classifieds now.

Hi Agross, sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm interested in your Maven's for sale, but don't have access to the classified yet, and $50 seems steep for instant access. Are they still for sale?

 

[Captains1911]

Hi Agross, sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm interested in your Maven's for sale, but don't have access to the classified yet, and $50 seems steep for instant access. Are they still for sale?

It was another member selling them, Agross was only making me aware that there was a pair for sale, which I ended up buying. Just keep an eye out, it's likely more will pop up at some point, there are some really good deals to be had in the optics classified here.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

Hi Agross, sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm interested in your Maven's for sale, but don't have access to the classified yet, and $50 seems steep for instant access. Are they still for sale?

Just get engaged in some threads that interest you and you'll have access in no time.

 

[sndmn11]

The 8x is the sleeper in that model due to the wide field of view. I never considered selling the pair I had until I played with NLs, and then bought some 8X in those. I keep trying to get @KickinNDishin to make the switch also, but she refuses.

From what I've seen the budget hierarchy goes Leupold Bx4, Maven b1.2, NL

 

[Captains1911]

The 8x is the sleeper in that model due to the wide field of view. I never considered selling the pair I had until I played with NLs, and then bought some 8X in those. I keep trying to get @KickinNDishin to make the switch also, but she refuses.

From what I've seen the budget hierarchy goes Leupold Bx4, Maven b1.2, NL

I noticed that the 10x model seems to bee much more popular and has many more reviews here and elsewhere, which also surprised me. It's probably just different people's uses and style of hunting. I primarily hunt east coast Appalachian timber and the occasional open fields where i might be able to see 300 yards max. I don't want or need anything more than 8x as it only becomes a hindrance. When I first started hunting about 15 years ago, I used 10x and when I made the switch to 8x the difference was very noticeable.

I'm really looking forard to getting my hands on and using these Mavens.