Maven B.5 15x56 the best 15 powered binos?

[Hollywood_139]

Just curious what your thoughts are on the maven B.5 15x56 binos are. I have seen reviews that show they are even comparable to the SLC 15x56. Some say they like them more and that there isn't enough justification for twice as much money for what you are giving up with the SLC's. Just curious what people's experiences are and what might be the best pair of 15x binocular.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Only played with the B.5's. Very fond of them.

They also come up for sale used often enough for around $1k, that I doubt I would ever pay full price for them..

Hell theres a pair on here right now for under a grand.

 

[WyOwen]

Demo them, see how you like them.

then drag them to a store that has swaro 15’s and compare for yourself.



Everyone’s eyes are different, but to me maven overall is 80% at 40-50% price

 

[survivalistd]

I love all my Mavens. Glass is alpha for sure.

 

[Hollywood_139]

Only played with the B.5's. Very fond of them.

They also come up for sale used often enough for around $1k, that I doubt I would ever pay full price for them..

Hell theres a pair on here right now for under a grand.

When do they usually go on sale?

 

[Hollywood_139]

Demo them, see how you like them.

then drag them to a store that has swaro 15’s and compare for yourself.



Everyone’s eyes are different, but to me maven overall is 80% at 40-50% price

What would you say is the other 20% that maven lacks?

 

[LightFoot]

Just curious what your thoughts are on the maven B.5 15x56 binos are. I have seen reviews that show they are even comparable to the SLC 15x56. Some say they like them more and that there isn't enough justification for twice as much money for what you are giving up with the SLC's. Just curious what people's experiences are and what might be the best pair of 15x binocular.

Thanks in advance.

The Maven and Swaro are great binos, but the absolute best value in that category of binos is the Sig Zulu6 HDX.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Steve300xcw]

absolute best value in that category of binos is the Sig Zulu6 HDX.

why is that?

 

[Hollywood_139]

The Maven and Swaro are great binos, but the absolute best value in that category of binos is the Sig Zulu6 HDX.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have the Zulu 6 10x30 and I love them but I found anything above the 10 power had a very narrow field of view that was too tunnel vision for my liking.

 

[Lando]

I have the Maven B5 18s and they are very good. I don't think the Sigs are comparable unless they are the image stabilized binos. In addition to the Mavens and Swaros, I'd take a look at the Meopta Meostar 15s too.

 

[Beendare]

It sounds weird but the "Best" 15's....are 18x. No kidding. That extra 3x is a difference maker.

I liked the Meopta 15x over the others inc Swaro....but I really like the 18x UHD Vortex. The 18x Mavens are close.

 

[Lando]

My brother bought the Vortex 18 UHD's and the Maven 18s, compared them side-by-side, and ended up returning the Vortex, as he slightly preferred the Mavens. But it was very slight.

 

[dtrkyman]

Don't sleep on the Meopta! In open country I would agree with the 18s may be the ticket?

 

[DAOutfitters208]

I am not sure I could find a reason to buy anything more expensive than the Maven B series. I have been very satisfied with their optics and the price. It’s like I found a cheat code.

 

[GavinAtkins]

“Best” is a tough thing to determine unless you can put them all side by side all the way until it’s too dark to see out of any of them. And even then, in today’s market, with today’s economy, you need every penny to afford hunts (or at least I do), thus moving the goal posts yet again.

I’d be willing to bet they won’t beat Swarovski or Leica in a head to head. It’s just so damn hard to beat those 2.

That being said, my next 15x binos will likely be Maven Built C series. I’m not worried about seeing until the last possible minute because I’m using 15xs to pick through hillsides and find critters in a time frame I can make a move. My 10s do the heavy lifting when the light gets dim. And the price difference between Swarovski and Maven Built B series, much less C series binos will get you plane tickets for you and your gear to get to Alaska and back again.

There’s a difference. But enough that I’d give up a trip to the land of OTC over it? I don’t think so.

 

[24valve]

Zerotech's 15x56 are a good value at $1k MSRP, and a really good value if you can find them used. I've looked through them side by side with 15x swaros and 15x maven c series, and they're better than the maven C but the swaros have better edge to edge clarity.

 

[Beendare]

When do they usually go on sale?

Maven is a good bino....they have a trial program where if you buy the demo version they give you a discount.

They also give you 10% off at the shows like Salt Lake sportsman's show. You might be able to wrangle them into giving you that show discount.

 

[flyfisher117]

I ended up going with the Maven 15s. I am happy with them other than I don't like the eyecups. Though I complain about almost every eyecup I use lol.

After buying them I went and compared them side by side to a newer pair of 15 SLCs.

I like the fit and finish of the Swaro. Just a nice feeling bino in the hand. Optically I could not find enough of a difference for me to say one was better than other. Each had little nuanced details I liked more. As the light was fading I just couldn't see anything that made me say that one is better.

If I were buying new I would buy the Maven again in a heartbeat. Just for the money saved. If I was buying used I would buy the Swaro because of the housing design alone but optically I would have no drama with either.

 

[P.Bearda]

My brother bought the Vortex 18 UHD's and the Maven 18s, compared them side-by-side, and ended up returning the Vortex, as he slightly preferred the Mavens. But it was very slight.

Same. Maven 18s are amazing.

 

[jlewis.sc]

How does the Zeiss Conquest HDX stack up with all of these previously mentioned? I’m on the hunt for 15x binos and am still unsure. I had the bushnell match pro ED but the glass just didn’t do it for me.