Maven B1 Binocular Article by Matt Cashell

[mtswampfox]

thanks so much for the education and insight. guess the only thing missing is the cs rating and how they do with warranty issues......time and ratings will tell that.seems vortex will be a benchmark for that from what I've read, a big factor in my purchase as have been a leupold fan for past thirty plus years partly because of the cs.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Agreed MTSF,

Only time will tell on CS, but the simplicity of their written warranty indicates a step in the right direction:

http://mavenbuilt.com/warranty-registration/

 

[Brock A]

Great review matt. I'm finding similar qualities with the B3s. Your knowledge and ability to convey information on optics far exceeds mine. With that being said, hopefully my notes are helpful!

 

[307]

Very interesting read. I'm just learning about optics but I know I really like my maven B1's. Happy to see that my choice was in fact a good one from someone with far more expertise.

 

[307]

Would a fair price comparison be $900 for standard Maven B1's and $1,200 for the Meopta Meostar HD?

 

[Matt Cashell]

Would a fair price comparison be $900 for standard Maven B1's and $1,200 for the Meopta Meostar HD?

That is about right generally, although the Meostar HD can often be found closer to $1000 on occasion.

The Maven B1 is an outstanding value.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Great review matt. I'm finding similar qualities with the B3s. Your knowledge and ability to convey information on optics far exceeds mine. With that being said, hopefully my notes are helpful!

Thanks Brock. You are too kind.

I can't wait to hear what you have to say on the B3!

 

[Josh Wright]

Matt, can you expand on what gets you excited with the B2 prisms?

 

[Matt Cashell]

Matt, can you expand on what gets you excited with the B2 prisms?

Sure Josh.

Abbe-Koenig (AK) prisms have less reflective light loss than Schmidt-Pechan (SP) prisms, and so should allow for a brighter image. The cost is that AK prisms are longer/bulkier than SP prisms.

Ak systems often also have longer focal lengths, and so can theoretically provide for better aberration correction.

 

[Josh Wright]

Thanks for the reviews. I will get a pair for $900. Just seems too reasonable. My Viper HD's will be for sale shortly.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Be sure to post up what you think, Josh!

 

[69ChrisCraft]

Hb. 6

 

[GrantMan]

Matt,

Great article! I have never heard of Maven prior to reading your article. Do you know more about the origin of this company? I assume by the positive review of the product and by looking at their website they are engineers from another optical company who branched off to start their own company and are also avid hunters. Do you know where and who manufactures these binos?

 

[Matt Cashell]

Matt,

Great article! I have never heard of Maven prior to reading your article. Do you know more about the origin of this company? I assume by the positive review of the product and by looking at their website they are engineers from another optical company who branched off to start their own company and are also avid hunters. Do you know where and who manufactures these binos?

I haven't talked to anyone at Maven directly yet, although I plan to. Here is what I have put together though:

1. The people behind Maven were formally associated with Brunton.
2. They use at least one Japanese OEM to build the binocular to their requested specs.

The performance is what what matters to me. Who manufacturers the binoculars is really not all that important to me. Even companies like the "Big 3" utilize OEMs for parts or all of some models.

Others have reported Maven's offerings are built by Kamakura in Japan. It is widely known that Kamakura is capable of making products that perform at any level, and they work with some of the biggest names in the industry. I don't know for sure if Kamakura is the Maven manufacturer, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Maven goes on to customize the binocular stateside and reportedly fully quality checks each model on their own diagnostic equipment before shipping.

Companies often don't like to discuss these issues and often their are legal non-disclosure agreements that prevent such discussions.

Again, what is really important to me is the performance, and the ability of the importer to maintain good quality control, warranty, and customer service.

 

[GrantMan]

I agree performance trumps over who the manufacture is. I was curious though and appreciate the answer. I am glad to see a new company offering some new features at a good price point.

 

[Rucker61]

I have the 11x45 and have looked through all three. IMO I would put them ahead of the Razors and Conquests. To me they compare best with the Meopta HDs which is a VERY fine set of binos.

Ryan, how would you compare the B3 to say, ZenRay ED3 10x43?

 

[Ryan Avery]

I have never looked through ZenRays.

 

[troutdreamer]

Any idea when the B3 review will go up?

 

[Ryan Avery]

Sometime next week

 

[Brock A]

Sometime next week

Hurry up