Maven vs meopta vs ?

[GraveyardNRSE]

Hello everyone! I’m on the search for new bino’s. I have been doing extensive research and listening to podcasts regarding this. I can get vortex optics for 30% off but the more I research the more I’m catching on that people are bailing on them. Swaro’s are out of my budget but meopta, maven and vortex are in it. Maven seems to be the overwhelming winner in most cases but the bulkiness of them is what gets me. Also, who’s to say maven won’t go away with their current direct selling model? I’m also a bit leery of online reviews. Are these people paid for such reviews? Basically I’m asking what would you all go with? Maven vs meopta vs keep saving. Thank you all.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

Can you give us an idea of what you're using these for? Elk hunting? Whitetail hunting? Open country mule deer hunting? An understanding of how you're going to utilize them will help in giving you prudent advice.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Keep in mind its not just a "brand" discussion its a specific "model" that should be discussed since the different price point models are going to vary on perceived quality and also where they might stack up in the competition field. The meostar HD binoculars are well reviewed with some accounts of being a tad heavy, most personal experience I have with them is playing with them at Cabelas but they seem nice. Assuming we're in that cost realm for Maven you're talking the B lines which I don't have any personal experience BUT have been reading reviews myself and talking with some folks. Feedback I've gathered is the B2 are quite nice and not hype. B1 are a different prism and some say they aren't anything special (among the similar competition). If talking big eyes some say the eyecups on the B4 are big for some faces. There is a new B5 coming out in the 15x and 18x size that reportedly is quite nice and corrected the eyecup issue. Again this is just stuff I've gathered in my personal research so take it for what its worth. Personally I am planning to pick up some B5s when they come out so that'll be my first hands on with the B line.

 

[GraveyardNRSE]

Can you give us an idea of what you're using these for? Elk hunting? Whitetail hunting? Open country mule deer hunting? An understanding of how you're going to utilize them will help in giving you prudent advice.

Sorry I left that out. I do a variety but mainly bow hunting whitetail, rifle mule deer and antelope. When I can I want to elk hunt but it’s been hard with young kids.

 

[GraveyardNRSE]

Keep in mind its not just a "brand" discussion its a specific "model" that should be discussed since the different price point models are going to vary on perceived quality and also where they might stack up in the competition field. The meostar HD binoculars are well reviewed with some accounts of being a tad heavy, most personal experience I have with them is playing with them at Cabelas but they seem nice. Assuming we're in that cost realm for Maven you're talking the B lines which I don't have any personal experience BUT have been reading reviews myself and talking with some folks. Feedback I've gathered is the B2 are quite nice and not hype. B1 are a different prism and some say they aren't anything special (among the similar competition). If talking big eyes some say the eyecups on the B4 are big for some faces. There is a new B5 coming out in the 15x and 18x size that reportedly is quite nice and corrected the eyecup issue. Again this is just stuff I've gathered in my personal research so take it for what its worth. Personally I am planning to pick up some B5s when they come out so that'll be my first hands on with the B line.

Most of my reading have been on the B2 maven 9x45. Some have said that they’re not quite in the swaro convo but they’re close. That’s hard to believe but incredible if true.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Most of my reading have been on the B2 maven 9x45. Some have said that they’re not quite in the swaro convo but they’re close. That’s hard to believe but incredible if true.

Why is it hard to believe? You're starting to split hairs at the upper end optics and also some of these split hairs don't stand out as much at the lower magnifications in my novice opinion.

I personally have zeiss conquest HD 8x42 and 15x56, I got to spend a little time with the SLC 10x42 and 15x56 recently, not a ton but a little. While the SLC was better in both cases the image quality in my 8x42 did not give up much in the opinion of myself and the SLC owner and considering the cost difference thats a lot of bang for the buck. I hear low light is where the difference may shine on the SLC more. BUT up in 15x56 there was more of a noticable difference, its not like the zeiss suck but the SLC are better and it shows up moreso.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

mainly bow hunting whitetail, rifle mule deer and antelope.

Most of my reading have been on the B2 maven 9x45

From what you're describing I wouldn't necessarily consider the B2s. They're quite nice but a bit bulky, especially for bowhunting whitetails. I think the B1s are underhyped personally. They have your standard Schmidt-Pechan prism just like almost every bino on the market. Comfortable set of binos with good clarity. I would personally go B1s over B2s and Meopta Meostar HDs for what you're describing.

There's many other options out there too that are worth considering apart from those two brands.

 

[realunlucky]

Meostars- I've never read anywhere that the user found the glass to under preform thier expectations. Have a great warranty and company has been around. Ergonomics and wieght is where some fall out of love with them.
Maven- plenty of reviewers here on Rokslide love the Maven. You can do the demo program and experience then yourself it'll cost you shipping both ways so account for that.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[idahohikker]

Mavens are excellent, both b and c series that I've used.

I know Meopta makes a good bino as well so that's not a bad choice at all.

I'd buy the Maven C1s in 10x42 and call it done. Look around some more and you'll find rave reviews nearly everywhere.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I'd buy the Maven C1s in 10x42 and call it done. Look around some more and you'll find rave reviews nearly everywhere.

I grabbed my buddies once quickly went back to my Zeiss conquest HD but they cost 2-3x so not necessarily a surprise. He's pleased compared to the diamond back's he was previously using. BUT I don't think they run with the $1k class binos nor should you expect them to.

 

[GraveyardNRSE]

Most of the reviews I’ve read people love the B2 9x45 mavens. I may do the demo program. I went into a cabelas and tried the 12x50 swaro EL’s and I think that, of course, set the bar super high. However, I can’t afford that glass and I don’t feel I would use them to there full potential.

 

[Bones]

I am currently running a pair of 8X32 meostars for bowhunting whitetail and turkey hunting here in IN. I am similar to you in that I was looking for the same price-range optic. I was looking for something with a bit more magnification for open country glassing to compliment my 8x. I actually picked up both a pair of 11X45 B2 and the 12x Meostars last winter used to compare them. I spent quite a bit of time glassing behind my house in various conditions to compare the two optics.

After a bunch of time behind both of them, I felt that the Meostar was definitely better glass. They controlled CA better and were a bit better overall. That being said, i felt like I struggled to get behind the meostars. I felt they were a lot more picky on positioning for some reason. I never felt that way about my 8x and still love them, but the Mavens seemed to be much more forgiving and were quick for me to get behind and focused. Maybe it was just the pair of 12x that I had. I kept adjusting the diopter and distance between the objectives, but it was just finicky to me. I really tried to choose them because the glass was better, but I now have the 8x Meoptas and the 11x B2's.

 

[Mosby]

I just went through a similar process and ordered a pair of Nikon Monarch HG in 10x42. Something else to look at in the same price range fwiw. One thing I liked about the Nikon was the eye relief and the weight. Really isn't a bad choice in the $1000 price range.

 

[toasty]

IMO, the meopta meostars have incredible glass. I have several pairs including the 15x56. For what you're going, look at the 12x50.