Maven convert

[Josh Wright]

I've looked at these for close to a year now and have been waiting on reviews on here by people who know more than me. Thanks Matt and Scott.

So, I was getting rid of some gear that I don't use very much to fund the purchase of the Maven B1 8X42's. Today, I woke up and my birthday present was gift wrapped with the Maven's inside. Wife hit a homerun, obviously.

Initial thoughts:

Constructed very well.
Love the way the objective lens covers work.
Easy to get focused for your eyes.

It was daylight when I started using them, so have not checked when it matters most, but will this evening.

I had a pair of Vortex Viper HD's, but sold them to muleyhunter on this site. He is getting an excellent deal.

The Vipers are not supposed to compete with these and they dont. I would have been royally mad if it was other way around. The Vipers have done everything I ever needed, but I wanted to get best bino's I could.

I am also glad I stepped down from the 10's to the 8's. You really don't lose a lot of magnification but gain in FOV for me is worth it. I do a ton of shed hunting and I always thought the 10's were too much.

I will give them an evening test tonight, but Maven seems to have found a market.

 

[brettpsu]

I really didn't need another pair of binos but I couldn't resist trying out the Maven B3's. Glad I did because they are a fantastic unit! FOV, build quality, weight, clarity and the color is so vivid(better than my SLC's and Prime HD). Big thumbs up to Maven but now I want to try the B1's!

 

[Brock A]

Still liking my b3s

 

[PathFinder]

My B3s converted me as well. I was planning on a pair of Swaro Cls but the Mavens were too good a deal not to try them. Side by side with Vortex Razor HDs, I was hard pressed to find a difference. I've been nothing but impressed with mine.

 

[husky390]

If I can swing it, I'd like to pick up a pair of 8x30 B3's to sling around my neck before season starts. They look pretty nice.

 

[Steve C]

The B2 is the most impressive optical performer of the Maven line. I agree with the B3 comments here. I am truly impressed with my B3. The B2 and B3 in tandem present a true do-it-all binocular combination.

 

[troutdreamer]

Love my B.3's. Went to a Mariner's game recently with a few friends.
They tried them out and raved about how exceptional the bins performed.

I find myself bringing them almost everywhere I might get a chance to use them to check out the view. Visited Lava Lake near Bend, OR this past weekend and was fun checking out the birds and people fishing across the lake.

 

[brettpsu]

I just received a nice handwritten letter, signed by Mike, Cade and Brendon at Maven, thanking me for being an early adopter to Maven optics. They also sent a nice bino case saying to add it to my Maven gear collection. Not sure if everyone got the same letter and case or not but it was a very nice gesture from the guys. Not that I wasn't before but I am defiantly a Maven fan for life. Just like to point out when I get good product and/or good service.

 

[Graindrain]

I ordered the B2 last week and got them Friday. They will be in the mountains next weekend. I had to order to hat to show my support yesterday. Maybe the package will contain more than just a hat!?

Next year I might have to order the B3, this year I am not too worried about weight, but if the B3 is anything likes its big big brother I will own a pair of them as well.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Ive had a chance to look through them all. The B2 are exceptional at that price! Remember Mavens are direct to market. If you bought the B2 in a store they would cost 1600.00 of more.

 

[Whisky]

So they compete with Swaro SLC?

 

[Whisky]

And the Meopta. ...

 

[Ryan Avery]

IMO after using them side by side I would say the B2s are better than the Meopta's overall. I give a slight edge to the SLC HD.

 

[brettpsu]

I'm comparing my Swaro 10x42 SLC and Zen Ray 8x42 Prime HD to Maven 8x30 B3's. Its really not a fair comparison at all but I am so impressed with the B3's that I would think the B1's and B2's hang with the alpha glass no problem.

 

[eagle#eyes]

What are the pros and cons of the 8x30 vs the 8x42? Is it mostly just weight savings vs light gathering?

 

[brettpsu]

Yes the pros would be lightweight and price. Cons would be light gathering and some 42's will use a better quality glass or coatings vs 30's

 

[Steve C]

I have to agree with the Maven convert philosophy here. I have the B2 9x45 (looks just like Ryan's too...how did that happen?) and the B3 8x30. If there is a better two binocular combination it will be hard to find, impossible to find when you add in price for quality.

In the review I did of the B2, I was able to get my hands on a new Swarovski EL SV 10x42. I fully expected that being a product of that house of binocular nirvana, that the SV would prove the ultimate winner. That did not happen. You can't slide a greased surgical laser beam between the image differences. About the only way to separate the image you are looking at is that the SV has a sharper edge. That comparison really got me to wondering so I have been working my way through the Swarovski binoculars. I traded off a bunch of excess review binoculars and have been working my way through a large part of the Swarovski offering. My purpose is to see for once and for certain whether or not my eyes were deceiving me. Was that B2 really that good? So far after going through the SLC-HD, the SV 10x42. the SV 8.5x42, no the Maven has NOT been unhorsed. I now have a Swarovski SV EL 10x50 on the way. We'll see. I'm NOT saying the Maven is better, but I'm not quite prepared (aside from the effect of human perceptions) to say that the Swarovski is, in a practical field worthy manner, superior either. They are two different superior, compelling, but somewhat different designs. Not all will prefer one or the other universally. If you want (for all practical field use purposes) an alpha level glass, and have to stretch for a $1,000 price, then the B2 is your choice.

EDIT: The B3 is the brightest 8x30 glass I have experience with. I have to admit I was initially skeptical about their near to 95% light transmission figure, but now I have little doubt it has to be very close to the mark. No, it won't go into the twilight as far as a comparable optical quality 8x42, but it will go a lot further than almost all of any other 8x30-32 mm glass.

 

[PMcGee]

My B1's will be here next week. I'm upgrading from an old pair of monarchs. Can't wait to try them out.