I know much of this is subjective but looking to get thoughts and experiences of anyone whos messed with them side by side for a comparison. Is the extra $ worth it?
I would also consider the Maven B5 as an in between model. I suspect being made by Kamakura it's extremely similar to the UHD for about $400 less. Same Abbe Koenig prism, same lifetime no-fault guarantee.
Folks Doesn’t seem like too many have had hands on the UHD and Maven 18xs together yet. Had the chance to demo so will give it my best shot at comparing. That said I will draft a couple initial posts and then encourage folks that have specific questions to reply and I will do my best to get...
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I had the old 15x56 Kaibab a few years ago and briefly tried the B5 15x56. I think the Kaibab had a noticeably larger sweet spot. The Maven was definitely brighter (important for a 15x56 with a small exit pupil), and the fluorite glass made the center image just beautiful. Chromatic aberration was probably comparable between the two, little to none in the center and a medium amount towards the edges.
The 18x56 UHD is a step-up from the Kaibab. I have a set and truly enjoy them. With the proliferation of OEM manufacture and parts/components globally sourced, place of manufacture is no longer the significant indicator of quality that it was 20 years ago. The Schott HD Flourite glass in those binoculars (with the exact same specifications) could have just as easily come from Indonesia as from Europe.