Maven's new S.2 Compact Spotter--I'm trying!!!

[robby denning]

S-Series Spotting Scopes | Maven Outdoor Equipment Company

Whether you’re on the high plains of Wyoming watching lekking Sage Grouse, checking out the cheek patches on a buck antelope or high in the mountains gauging the horns on a once in a lifetime bighorn sheep, the Maven S.1 spotting scope brings the image to you. Crisp. Clear. Perfect.

mavenbuilt.com

32 ozs not too bad.

I hope to have one to compare to the other compacts I've used. I'll let you know..... Here's Maven's descript:

The S.2 features a powerful 12-27x magnification range, a 56mm objective lens, an Abbe-Koenig prism, and well thought out ergonomics – all housed in an 11 inch compact, 32 oz. package that helps you get where you need to be, and not impede you from getting there. The 56mm objective lens provides more light gathering capabilities than a traditional 50mm spotter, yet the magnesium/polymer frame doesn’t compromise on weight, quality, or performance. And just like the S.1, we build the S.2 with a premium crystal clear fluorite objective lens – the best glass available for crisp, clear images with no aberration or distortion.

Like all Maven optics, they’re fully customizable. Choose from a variety of camo armoring in addition to a full range of anodized colors and optional engraving – just in case your buddies like your spotting scope a little more than they should.

 

[Rodéo]

Watching...

 

[sneaky]

Can you get it done up in pirate colors? Curious....

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[prm]

Very interested. I’d be interested in how it performs for mid-range glassing vs. some 15x binos. i.e. Looking for Mulies on a ridge out to about a mile.

 

[doverpack12]

Robby I'm really curious to hear your thoughts on the 27 max power and what distance that power is actually effective at 1) finding animals, 2) actually counting tines/points or getting a good idea what size animal you are looking at. For me trying to run a 10x42 binocular for finding animals and then using a 5-20 power rifle scope for judging (tried going lightweight for a late cold 12-15 mile in elk hunt) just wasn't enough power. So with only 7 more power I'm not seeing the benefit of carrying this spotter especially for the weight opposed to a little more weight for something 40 plus power.

 

[tdhanses]

Robby you need to get Ryan’s Kowa 55mm and compare the two.

 

[amp713]

Super intrigued by it for sure!!! I second comparing it to a kowa 553

 

[MuleyFever]

Robby you need to get Ryan’s Kowa 55mm and compare the two.

He had the Kowa up for sale.

I am hoping for an honest review of what this scope is actually good for and where it lacks. Considering it is not that light for the objective and power range and low on power and objective size in general, I just don’t see how this scope really competes on a get what you pay for scale.

 

[tdhanses]

He had the Kowa up for sale.

I am hoping for an honest review of what this scope is actually good for and where it lacks. Considering it is not that light for the objective and power range and low on power and objective size in general, I just don’t see how this scope really competes on a get what you pay for scale.

Yeah even if it’s crystal clear at 27x so is the Kowa and it goes up to 45x. To me that extra usable zoom is worth it.

 

[prm]

The Maven is half the price of a Kowa. >$1000 less for the preorder. Not sure it’s an entirely fair comparison. If you need the extra zoom to find an animal or make a decision then it may be money well spent. Where I hunt limits me to views of large areas out to about 1mi. 27x might be enough for me. Having choices is a good thing.

 

[robby denning]

Robby I'm really curious to hear your thoughts on the 27 max power and what distance that power is actually effective at 1) finding animals, 2) actually counting tines/points or getting a good idea what size animal you are looking at. For me trying to run a 10x42 binocular for finding animals and then using a 5-20 power rifle scope for judging (tried going lightweight for a late cold 12-15 mile in elk hunt) just wasn't enough power. So with only 7 more power I'm not seeing the benefit of carrying this spotter especially for the weight opposed to a little more weight for something 40 plus power.

good questions. to me it's all about the application. I've used that 30x Swaro for 15 seasons now. There are times when 30x is not enough, but in the backcountry, that's a good trade off for the weight/size savings over the big spotters. Now if I'm not carrying it on my back, then go big!

I have a 20X leupold. I use it when I'm hunting an area I'm very familiar with and when I have a target buck(s). While it's pretty bad glass (25 years old) it serves it's purpose well in the application I need it for.

Also remember that light optics also mean lighter tripods/heads, so there is weight savings there too.

But to answer your question, if you're running 10X, then only having a 27X spotter might leave you lacking in a few situations.

It's all about trade-offs.

 

[robby denning]

He had the Kowa up for sale.

I am hoping for an honest review of what this scope is actually good for and where it lacks. Considering it is not that light for the objective and power range and low on power and objective size in general, I just don’t see how this scope really competes on a get what you pay for scale.

I hope to find out!

 

[robby denning]

Robby you need to get Ryan’s Kowa 55mm and compare the two.

I'd love to if he still has it.

 

[TCUHunter34]

@robby denning, is this an extension of the Helium series from Maven?...

 

[Bones]

Yeah even if it’s crystal clear at 27x so is the Kowa and it goes up to 45x. To me that extra usable zoom is worth it.

Agreed 100%. My hope for Maven is that it is a lot better than the vortex 33x. Even if it is, it comes at a weight penalty to it.

 

[robby denning]

@robby denning, is this an extension of the Helium series from Maven?...

no, that line flopped. Too many hunters lost their glass when they set it down and it floated away.

 

[sneaky]

The Maven is half the price of a Kowa. >$1000 less for the preorder. Not sure it’s an entirely fair comparison. If you need the extra zoom to find an animal or make a decision then it may be money well spent. Where I hunt limits me to views of large areas out to about 1mi. 27x might be enough for me. Having choices is a good thing.

By the time you build a maven outside of preorder status you are less than $400 real world price between it and the Kowa. Kowa is lighter, more zoom range, and fluorite all the way through, not just the objective lens. It's a pretty fair comparison I think between the two.

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[tdhanses]

Great thing about rokslide sponsors, they give us amazing deals.

 

[zeroforhire]

Robby you need to get Ryan’s Kowa 55mm and compare the two.

Yes please.

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[WyoBowhunter21]

Following. Can’t wait to here the outcome