Maven B1 Binocular Article by Matt Cashell

[troutdreamer]

Thanks. There is one up on that bird site but it's scrap. The guy seems to have an agenda.

 

[Steve C]

OK, this is my first post and I see some things here I can answer, maybe. For a bit of an introduction, I have something over 5,000 posts on bird forum, 24 Hour Campfire, and Optics Talk, where I got to know Matt Cashell. I'm a farmer with a MS degree in Biology and have hunted Mule Deer all my life. I've posted dozens of reviews. The one on "that bird site that's scrap" is I hope not mine . There is a scrap comparison of the Maven B3 from the champion internet optics troll, which I hope is the one that is meant. I do have a review there on the B2, which I've had for a few weeks. I just registered and I'm not sure about posting links, so Google is your friend if you want to read the whole thing. I actually found the link to Matt's B1 review on BF, from a guy in Sweden of all places.

I don't know how many have seen the torture test video of the Zeiss Conquest HD. Among other things it is dragged down the road on a rope tied to a bumper, and is blasted off a stump with a 12 ga, not once but twice. When talking to Maven about their warranty, and discussing that video, they told me flat out that if I were to replicate that test, video the results, post it on You Tube and then sent in the damaged binocular, they would fix or replace under their warranty. So, for what it's worth that's what they said.

They also inspect every binocular they sell. Every one goes on a collimation table, and various things are gone through in a check list fashion. If it passes they ship it, if not it goes back to Kamakura. They realize they are up against it with a new name, and figure the best way to start is to be sure what they sell is up to snuff.

To paraphrase from my review little, I think we all get a little too much of a competition mentality in shootout type comparisons. In binocular evaluations this day and age, differences are diminishing. There is no "My binocular is better than your Binocular" winner take all trophy for any make over the B2. I directly compared to a Swarovski SV EL 10x42. I was prepared to see the Swarovski pull ahead of the Maven at the end. Did not happen. It surprised me somewhat I must admit. I had a similar encounter with the B2 and a Zeiss Victory FL. Now, am I saying the B2 is the equal of a EL SV? Not really, but they are two superior binoculars that really while alike in many ways are also different. Some will like one, some the other. Just don't worry about not being able to see anything out there that can be seen with the Maven. If it's there and you are up to the task, so is the B2.

I'm likely too long winded for a first post already, but there it is.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Welcome to Rokslide, Steve!

Stick around and join the conversation.

 

[stephen b]

Welcome Steve!

And I am Sure your review was not the one that was referred to as "scrap" over on BF. Those of us that go on BF know very well ( unfortunately) the poster that did the review that is probably the one referred to as scrap. Because you did a very good job with your review.

 

[Steve C]

Thanks Matt,

I intend to stick around. Looks like a good forum...for more than optics.

 

[troutdreamer]

I loved your review Steve and I am looking forward to Frank's review of the B3. I do not know Frank but from what I have read he will actually be impartial to the process and really review it for his readers. Everyone seems real sensitive about a brand being sold directly to consumers that reaches a very high quality without having the name recognition. I do realize that part of what you pay for when you buy any top brand, they earned their reputation. I am looking to upgrade my binoculars this year and because I want to stay within a certain budget, I am hoping to get the most value for my $. Maven seems like a great value for me.

One big thing from that review was accessories (fancy case) and not realizing that the case also has an overall cost. As a hunter (seems to be Maven's target consumer) I don't need a great case to go with my binoculars because they will be on a Kuiu chest harness & case most of the time.

 

[Steve C]

Welcome Steve!

And I am Sure your review was not the one that was referred to as "scrap" over on BF. Those of us that go on BF know very well ( unfortunately) the poster that did the review that is probably the one referred to as scrap. Because you did a very good job with your review.

I wonder how many familiar posters I'll find here. So far I know the first two!

 

[Steve C]

I loved your review Steve and I am looking forward to Frank's review of the B3. I do not know Frank but from what I have read he will actually be impartial to the process and really review it for his readers. Everyone seems real sensitive about a brand being sold directly to consumers that reaches a very high quality without having the name recognition. I do realize that part of what you pay for when you buy any top brand, they earned their reputation. I am looking to upgrade my binoculars this year and because I want to stay within a certain budget, I am hoping to get the most value for my $. Maven seems like a great value for me.

One big thing from that review was accessories (fancy case) and not realizing that the case also has an overall cost. As a hunter (seems to be M

I'll work on Frank to get him over here. We are both getting really tired of the moderators on BF letting the troll rant.

The Maven B2 (can't speak for the B1 or B3 yet) has sort of changed the game at the $1k binocular level. I'd rather have the heavy drawstring pouch with the Maven. I usually prefer most of the value to go to the binocular and the warranty. Everything does cost.

Maven is getting the binocular from Kamakura. The interior is from them, all the exterior, armor, eye cups, focus knobs, final selection of the housing was settled on by Maven. Kamakura is a big deal in the optics world. They can make any optic at any level. They are likely as proud of their heritage, history, and ability as Swarovski, Zeiss or Leica is of theirs. Maven had the good sense to go t Kamakura and tell them they wanted good optics and didn't try to micromanage the engineers.

 

[Josh Wright]

Welcome Steve and thank for your review.

 

[Brock A]

B3 review is up!

http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-0...tics-b3-review

 

[troutdreamer]

Matt, in the CA test, I was curious about why right image looks more magnified or closer than the left image?

 

[Trial153]

Good write up! Thank you!

 

[troutdreamer]

The more I thought of why, it's probably just the obvious that one has slightly more magnification than the other.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Matt, in the CA test, I was curious about why right image looks more magnified or closer than the left image?

You are right, the Maven is a little more magnified. My best guess is the Meopta is slightly under 10x while the Maven is slightly over.