Meopta Meostar B1.1 vs. B1 Plus? 15x56

[prm]

Anyone compared them directly? Only $100 difference, just interested if the difference is noticeable.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The plus has a watershed coating, however, there is no optical difference
Please call us for special sale pricing 516-217-1000

 

[prm]

Thanks Doug. So the “enhanced optical tolerances to provide even sharper images and greater optical performance” doesn’t amount to much?

Will call on Monday.

 

[prm]

The B1 Plus is odd. Doesn’t seem like enough change to warrant a new designation. In an interview a Meopta product manager stated the Plus would have the MeoLux coating for better low light performance. None of Meopta’s documentation supports that. Makes me think there was more to the story with this model.

 

[prm]

Thanks to Doug and Neil at Cameralandny. Excellent deal on some Meopta B1 Plus 15x56 binos. Look forward to some tracking info and then getting them.

Pretty good special on them right now.

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

 

[Sako300]

You can’t beat those guys! Especially during holidays!

 

[Bkdc]

Meolux coatings instead of Meobright. It should result in 2 to 3% better light transmission. That’s like the difference between a Leica Ultravid HD and Ultravid HD Plus. You may a lot more for incremental gains. They are not optically the same. Coatings have changed.

 

[Sako300]

That is new news to me on the Meopta’s! I wonder how they would now compare to the alphas?

 

[Bkdc]

Very little has changed except the transmission. I’m eagerly awaiting the Meopta B2 which I hope will release in 2021

 

[FSB12B]

Very little has changed except the transmission. I’m eagerly awaiting the Meopta B2 which I hope will release in 2021

I’ve spoken directly with my Meopta Mil rep last week. B2’s won’t be here until 2022 unfortunately.

 

[FSB12B]

The B1 Plus is odd. Doesn’t seem like enough change to warrant a new designation. In an interview a Meopta product manager stated the Plus would have the MeoLux coating for better low light performance. None of Meopta’s documentation supports that. Makes me think there was more to the story with this model.

After speaking with them directly I’ll relay a quote from our last conversation.

“The major differences are the rubber armor which was improved for better grip and a slightly slimmer profile, the addition of a hydrophobic coating on exterior lens surfaces for improved water repellency, and some of the mechanical tolerances inside the binocular were tightened up to increase durability. Weight and glass composition are the same otherwise. The Air is supposed to drop in January, but with all the delays we have experienced with covid I am cautious to guarantee that timeframe.”

 

[prm]

After speaking with them directly I’ll relay a quote from our last conversation.

“The major differences are the rubber armor which was improved for better grip and a slightly slimmer profile, the addition of a hydrophobic coating on exterior lens surfaces for improved water repellency, and some of the mechanical tolerances inside the binocular were tightened up to increase durability. Weight and glass composition are the same otherwise. The Air is supposed to drop in January, but with all the delays we have experienced with covid I am cautious to guarantee that timeframe.”

That is what I heard as well. Just doesn’t seem enough to warrant a new model. But, it’s what they did, and I have the B1 Plus. Very happy with them.

 

[Benjblt]

That is what I heard as well. Just doesn’t seem enough to warrant a new model. But, it’s what they did, and I have the B1 Plus. Very happy with them.

Did you ever compare these to the Swaro SLC's? I've only looked throught he Swaro's but everyone says they are similar. I've never looked through anything that was as nice as the SLC's.