Maven B5 15 vs 18

[flyfisher117]

Has anyone spent any appreciable time behind BOTH the 15x and 18x Maven B5s?

Just curious if the image quality was the same between the 2? Does the 15s brighter image offset the 3x magnification?

I see a lot of 18s in the classifieds, not so many 15s so I wanted to ask. I am hunting mostly southern Idaho everything from the flats to the mountains. These would be working alongside a pair of 10x42s.

 

[willfrye027]

I had them both for awhile..my buddies all have the 18s. The 18s can replace a spotting scope in a lot of situations and the extra 3x is noticable..however for closer stuff less than 1000 yards or so the depth of field is not as good with the 18s and you end up needing to use the focus knob more. I didn’t like that and kept the 15s (for a while and then moved on).

They are both excellent glass, you cannot go wrong with either. I’d say if you’re considering leaving the spotter behind, or want just a little more reach than the 18s are great. If you are using big binos to pick apart closer hillsides a lot (coues deer)..I preferred the FOV and depth of field of the 15s.

 

[flyfisher117]

I had them both for awhile..my buddies all have the 18s. The 18s can replace a spotting scope in a lot of situations and the extra 3x is noticable..however for closer stuff less than 1000 yards or so the depth of field is not as good with the 18s and you end up needing to use the focus knob more. I didn’t like that and kept the 15s (for a while and then moved on).

They are both excellent glass, you cannot go wrong with either. I’d say if you’re considering leaving the spotter behind, or want just a little more reach than the 18s are great. If you are using big binos to pick apart closer hillsides a lot (coues deer)..I preferred the FOV and depth of field of the 15s.

I don't actually own a spotter, may get one some day but not in the near future. For this reason I lean 18s. Just for that extra magnification.
I also don't want to kill the ability to pick apart closer hills sides etc. The 10s do a decent enough job of that though.

How would you compare them in low or less than ideal lighting?

 

[willfrye027]

I don't actually own a spotter, may get one some day but not in the near future. For this reason I lean 18s. Just for that extra magnification.
I also don't want to kill the ability to pick apart closer hills sides etc. The 10s do a decent enough job of that though.

How would you compare them in low or less than ideal lighting?

Both are good in low light. The 15s are slightly brighter..the 18s have a better twilight factor from the extra magnification so you can see a little more detail in low light. Not a huge difference IMO.

 

[flyfisher117]

Both are good in low light. The 15s are slightly brighter..the 18s have a better twilight factor from the extra magnification so you can see a little more detail in low light. Not a huge difference IMO.

Good to hear thank you!

 

[sololearn9]

I think 18 is better because of its magnification.my thoughts

 

[flyfisher117]

I think 18 is better because of its magnification.my thoughts

Glass quality wise did one stand out over the other?

 

[lefthandedasian]

Interested in this topic as well. I have a set of 18s and I've toyed with the idea of trading down for the extra FOV, but I haven't been able to put my eyes through any 15s to see if it's worth the trade off. My original intent for purchasing the 18x was for the extra mag because I also do not run a spotter.

I pair them with 10x on the chest but recently also been looking to down size those to 8x for an 8x & 18x combo or 8x & 15x combo. To me a 10x & 15x combo seems too close in mag to make the benefits worth it but would love to hear other people's opinions!

 

[flyfisher117]

Interested in this topic as well. I have a set of 18s and I've toyed with the idea of trading down for the extra FOV, but I haven't been able to put my eyes through any 15s to see if it's worth the trade off. My original intent for purchasing the 18x was for the extra mag because I also do not run a spotter.

I pair them with 10x on the chest but recently also been looking to down size those to 8x for an 8x & 18x combo or 8x & 15x combo. To me a 10x & 15x combo seems too close in mag to make the benefits worth it but would love to hear other people's opinions!

I think the 10 to 15 jump is still a good enough jump to justify both. Even grabbing a pair of 12s and throwing them next to me 10s was a good bit of additional detail.

Do you run the 18s in Maven?

 

[lefthandedasian]

I think the 10 to 15 jump is still a good enough jump to justify both. Even grabbing a pair of 12s and throwing them next to me 10s was a good bit of additional detail.

Do you run the 18s in Maven?

Yes both my 10x and 18x are from Maven. B3 and B5 respectfully. They're my first experiences with Alpha glass so I can't say much other than they look really good to me haha. I can only imagine what Swarovski look like if these are already really good.

 

[flyfisher117]

Yes both my 10x and 18x are from Maven. B3 and B5 respectfully. They're my first experiences with Alpha glass so I can't say much other than they look really good to me haha. I can only imagine what Swarovski look like if these are already really good.

I got to taste an 85 or 95mm swaro spotter this year. I'll never own one but it was impressive.

I am leaning 15x B5s. The FOV sounds nice and they seem like they would be better suited for me both hunting and precision rifle shooting. I'm just a bit nervous the 18s will be more than I need. Then when I'm ready for more magnification maybe the wife will let me get that Swaro 95mm. Ha!

 

[willfrye027]

I got to taste an 85 or 95mm swaro spotter this year. I'll never own one but it was impressive.

I am leaning 15x B5s. The FOV sounds nice and they seem like they would be better suited for me both hunting and precision rifle shooting. I'm just a bit nervous the 18s will be more than I need. Then when I'm ready for more magnification maybe the wife will let me get that Swaro 95mm. Ha!

I don’t know if they still do the demo program but you could potentially try both at the same time? I think a lot will depend on what terrain you like to hunt, both are great options

 

[flyfisher117]

I don’t know if they still do the demo program but you could potentially try both at the same time? I think a lot will depend on what terrain you like to hunt, both are great options

They do the demo still. I'm still planning on picking up a pair used off here if I can. They are fairly inexpensive when they popup here. And maybe a pair of SLC 15s will popup for cheap too.

Since I hunt a mixture of everything the 15s are likely the safe bet.