Initial Impression - Cabelas Instinct 8x32 HD (Meopta Meostar)

[AGPank]

Before Christmas Cabelas had a great deal on these binoculars, $200 off and another $25 off of orders over $250 or something like that. These will primarily be for my wife, but I will borrow as needed. I was confident in buying the cabelas version as I have a pair of the meostar 10x42 hD too. I've always shied away from 32mm binoculars because I thought I would sacrifice low light performance. After a little use, I don't think I would be missing much for 95% of my glassing needs.

First some pictures, the 32's and 42's for comparison.
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What's included: cordura case, with magnetic closure, neck strap, lens covers, lens cloth.

Lens cover detail.

 

[AGPank]

The case is better than the one that comes with the Meostar, but still not something I would use much. The rain covers are similar to the Meostar and mine broke on the first hunting trip with limited use. A weak point in my opinion, but I corrected this on the 42s with an upgrade to SLC rain covers. The neck strap is thin and has plenty of length, but I haven't put it to much use. It has the similar design to its big brother. The lens covers have a thin cable that attaches to the screw that covers the tripod mount. I would like to see someone design a better lens protection, but this isn't limited to a meopta critique. I experimented with butler creek scope caps on my slc HDs, but they weren't as durable as I hoped. It wouldn't work on these because there isn't much room on the end.

 

[AGPank]

These have the heavy armor coating as the larger unit, but in a much lighter package. I think they are 12 ounces lighter! The armor is more blue green then the Meostar version. The brass emblems are a nice touch. Eye relief worked well for me (I'm not an eyeglass wearer). The field of view is great, 420'! Focus is smooth, but I prefer to have the diopter adjustment on the eyepiece than on the main focus wheel.

Very good optical performance, on par with the 10x42 hd pair I have. Great sweet spot, excellent image, and slightly better edge to edge clarity than the larger pair. Very good CA control, just like the Meostar hD, I'm surprised Meopta expanded the hd lineup to cabelas before themselves.

My concern was low light performance, but after spending some time with them that concern is gone. I had a little with my 8x42 slc hd and I didn't feel that there was something I was seeing with the 42 that the 32 was missing. Now I haven't spent some real field conditions on animals to put this through a thorough test, but I am impressed so far. These would probably be a great binocular when bow hunting, especially with one hand viewing.

 

[AGPank]

I still prefer a 42mm body as they just fit my hands better and the added weight helps stabilize the image. I have med/lg hands and my thumbs touch when viewing through this pair. Maybe smaller hands or wider set eyes would change my opinion. I will keep you posted after more use.

 

[jpolson]

I have to admit...I looked through some of these side by side with some Zeiss Conquests at cabelas a little while back. I didn't expect it...but the Cabelas actually held up very well against the Zeiss. That being said...the inside of a Cabelas store is a far cry from 8000' in September at last light.

Also, it would take me a while to get used to the diopter adjustment being on the focus wheel.

 

[JJHACK]

My only issue with them and I'm nit picking is the eye relief is measured or stated incorrectly. Other binoculars with identical ratings are perfect, however the few sets I've looked through of meoptas or cabelas they tended to have the blackout around the edges even with eyecups all the way out

I found unscrewing the eyecups out an additional 1/16-1/8" and they are perfect. How to manage this without them screwed down tight?

Well I put a 15/16" rubber o ring on the threaded section and then screwed down the eye cups again. Nice and tight with that 1/8" rubber spacer. So if you don't have that really great open bright view then add the o ring

With this little modification, which can be pulled off without effort, they have the brilliant eye relief of my Leica and zeiss glasses now.