Maven CS.1 15-45x 65 vs S2 12-27x56

[Southfork]

I am considering these two spotters. My budget is around $1000 so these both qualify. I’m hoping that someone has experience with both. My specific question would be if the better quality glass in the S model is worth giving up the extra magnification of the C model. Thanks for any input.

 

[Firehawk]

I have had both. The S2 has better glass, is smaller and touch lighter. It is a "niche" type of product for sure.

The CS1 is a nice scope, trim on size for a 65mm and has decent glass that I believed outperformed my Gen 1 Razor 65mm that I compared it to. Overall, the CS1 is probably a more well rounded scope for most uses.

I kept my S2 and also my S1.2S 80mm spotter. Figured if I really needed a bigger scope, I needed a bigger scope.

I prefer 15x binoculars to my S2 so I am likely going to sell it sometime this year. When I was using the larger Meopta 15x56 binos, the weight penalty was enough that I would sometimes take the S2 instead. But now with my 15x50 GPO Passion HD bino, I will likely use it more often than the S2 spotter.

If you are interested in an S2, let me know and I will sell you mine for a good price.

Good luck deciding. Lots of good options out there.

FH

 

[doverpack12]

I haven’t used both mentioned.

I have had the small vortex spotter and various others between 45x and 60x. We took the small vortex on a mountain goat hunt and it just wasn’t enough power to do its job.

Currently Maven S1A original model and a Swaro STC.

In my opinion 27x top end isn’t enough if you need to see further better than 8-10x binos will.

I also agree on 15x binos they are fantastic. I have the mavens.

 

[Southfork]

I haven’t used both mentioned.

I have had the small vortex spotter and various others between 45x and 60x. We took the small vortex on a mountain goat hunt and it just wasn’t enough power to do its job.

Currently Maven S1A original model and a Swaro STC.

In my opinion 27x top end isn’t enough if you need to see further better than 8-10x binos will.

I also agree on 15x binos they are fantastic. I have the mavens.

Doverpack 12,

Thanks for the insight. Can you elaborate a little more on your comment about the 27X not being considerably better than 10X binos? I currently have the Leupold BX-5 Santium 10X binos, and while they are great for most of what I do, the whole point of getting a spotter would be to see things in more detail. I do believe that I would want a bit more magnification, but I am intrigued by the reviews that I have read that suggest the S2 would be a top contender as far as quality of glass at that price point.

Appreciate any additional advice.

 

[Southfork]

I have had both. The S2 has better glass, is smaller and touch lighter. It is a "niche" type of product for sure.

The CS1 is a nice scope, trim on size for a 65mm and has decent glass that I believed outperformed my Gen 1 Razor 65mm that I compared it to. Overall, the CS1 is probably a more well rounded scope for most uses.

I kept my S2 and also my S1.2S 80mm spotter. Figured if I really needed a bigger scope, I needed a bigger scope.

I prefer 15x binoculars to my S2 so I am likely going to sell it sometime this year. When I was using the larger Meopta 15x56 binos, the weight penalty was enough that I would sometimes take the S2 instead. But now with my 15x50 GPO Passion HD bino, I will likely use it more often than the S2 spotter.

If you are interested in an S2, let me know and I will sell you mine for a good price.

Good luck deciding. Lots of good options out there.

FH

Thanks Firehawk, I will PM you.

 

[Mtndawger]

I am currently in the same decision making process. One question I have is regarding the eye relief on the S2 vs a CS1 type spotter. I just purchased a Leupold SX4 pro guide 65mm spotter ( going with greater magnification) and as I am looking through it the main thing that jumps out is eye relief is problematic, particularly @ 45x. Not quite so difficult @ 35x. These are the nuances that I keep trying to ferret out of the various reviews I have watched and which most don’t actually cover. Does the S2 have a smaller diameter eyepiece than a 65mm?

 

[doverpack12]

Doverpack 12,

Thanks for the insight. Can you elaborate a little more on your comment about the 27X not being considerably better than 10X binos? I currently have the Leupold BX-5 Santium 10X binos, and while they are great for most of what I do, the whole point of getting a spotter would be to see things in more detail. I do believe that I would want a bit more magnification, but I am intrigued by the reviews that I have read that suggest the S2 would be a top contender as far as quality of glass at that price point.

Appreciate any additional advice.

I guess I’ll try. You are correct 27x is substantial more power than 10x binos. You are looking with one eye instead of 2 though which has a big affect also but I can’t quantify other than it’s meaningful. So when I want to see something 27-30 power hasn’t been enough of a difference maker and still leaves you trying to figure out or see exactly what you were hoping to see by going to the spitter over binos.

Said another way, I don’t see enough more at 27x to be worthwhile, more power is needed. Once you get into 40-45x range that has been where I can actually see what I want or need to see.

Glass quality is important but can only overcome some decrease in magnification.

You could think about the Maven extender but I don’t think the objective will be large enough on the S2 for it to be very useful. I have the extender and use it occasionally on my S1A, image darkens significantly and FOV shrinks. You can see much more with the power increase though.

 

[Feisty]

You will never regret the additional magnification

 

[nobody]

Doverpack 12,

Thanks for the insight. Can you elaborate a little more on your comment about the 27X not being considerably better than 10X binos? I currently have the Leupold BX-5 Santium 10X binos, and while they are great for most of what I do, the whole point of getting a spotter would be to see things in more detail. I do believe that I would want a bit more magnification, but I am intrigued by the reviews that I have read that suggest the S2 would be a top contender as far as quality of glass at that price point.

Appreciate any additional advice.

The US Airforce did a a bunch of research years back and came to an interesting conclusions. Human vision is “designed” to be “binocular,” meaning we are designed to use both eyes at once. Because of that, when we are only using one eye (spotting scope) your brain processes the same amount of info as if you were using both eyes at half the amount of magnification.

In other words, a spotting scope on 20 power allows your brain to garner the same information as 10 power binos.

Said another way, a pair of 15x binos give you MORE information than using that baby spotter on 27x (15 power x 2 = 30x single eye equivalent). Thats not to say the baby spotter doesn’t have its place, but it won’t do as much MORE as you think, and it’ll have overlap with your 10x binos up through about 20 power magnification, meaning you only “gain” informational gather capabilities from 21-27x, and you can only use one eye, and you’ll do so at a serious detriment to light gathering capabilities.

FWIW, I’ve looked through both, and I feel the baby maven S2 just doesn’t do what marketing material says it should. It’s not bad, but almost every other baby spotter on the market in the same price range is superior. Contrasted, that little CS1 is a killer little optic that gains you appreciably more magnification, for less money, at a nominal size increase. That’s what I would buy and use the savings towards another tag.