Meostars or Nikon MHG Pros and Cons

[holzgene]

I am pretty sure these are the two I have narrowed it down too (10x42), lets hear some feedback. Also have kinda been looking at Maven B2's, but from what I've read on here, Meostars and MHG's are more popular in that 1000 dollar range.

 

[holzgene]

I know this is beating a dead horse with this question but I'm just wondering if you take out the ergonomics/weight/feel and are just looking at optical quality, which one comes out on top?

 

[AkMtnRunner]

Just glass quality, meostar. But it’s not a big difference and less so than the FOV difference to me.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The MeoStar is as close to a Swaro SLC as you can get

 

[slowelk]

I've been incredibly happy with the Nikon HGs. When stepping up from vortex viper hds it was like going from standard def TV to high def. Part of the way through my second season with them, I am still happy looking through them and enjoy their clarity and the contrast they achieve from peak daylight to end of light.

The depth of field is also a great attribute. I rarely have to make an adjustment.

The ergonomics and feel are also top-notch. The knobs are smooth to adjust, and the texture on the barrels is just right. They are also lighter than the meoptas and most other 10x42 options.

I don't think you would be disappointed if you chose the Nikon HG.

 

[holzgene]

Looks like im going to be waiting for a demo/open box deal on some Meostars

 

[RaggedHunter]

I've been having the same dilemma deciding which ones to buy.

I finally went to cabelas yesterday evening and had them drag a whole bunch of binos outside so I could look at them side by side. I looked though meoptas, HG's, SLCs, Trinovids, EL's, and SF's. The EL's and SF's were just for fun as they are out of my price range, but man are they impressive. I'd have to say the SF's are probably the most amazing pair of binos that I've personally ever looked through.

I highly recommend doing this if you have the chance.

Prior to doing this I was all but set to buy the HG's based off of reviews I've read, weight and FOV.

However after looking through them and the Meoptas (cabelas euros) side by side, I found myself favoring the meoptas.

The meopta and the SLC are very close.. Optically I couldn't see much of a difference, they were both very very good. Only noticeable differences to me were the meoptas slightly heavier weight, ergonomics, and price tags.

The HG's are very good and I don't think I would have ever regretted buying them had I not compared them, But side by side it was clear which ones my eyes favored. If you get a chance to look through them side by side do it. Heck you might decide on something completely different. I was actually surprised that my least favorite out of all the ones I looked through were the trinovids.

I'm picking up a set of meoptas today after work. I'm buying the actual meoptas rather that the cabelas branded euros as I don't like the new cabelas rubber coatings as much. Now I just have to decide between 10x42s and 8x42s before the end of the day. Decisions decisions HA!

Good luck, post back with your thoughts if you get a chance to compare them. Curious to see which ones you like better.

 

[Newtosavage]

There is a lot more to binoculars than just pure image quality. Having said that, I agree with Doug that the new HD Meostars are as close to an SLC as you will get in that price range. Strangely enough, for my eyeballs, the Conquest HD's actually out-resolved the last pair of SLC (also HD's) I owned in a side-by-side real field comparison. Heresy on this forum, I know, but it is what it is.

I would give the edge to the HG's in egronomics, by far. The Meostars are heavy and chunky by comparison. HG's will have a warmer color balance (like most Nikon glass) that can be very pleasing to the eyes, especially in really bright conditions. Sometimes my Meostars and (when I had them) the SLC's were almost too bright in well-lit conditions, with their cooler color balance making it a little annoying on long glassing sessions. The warmer Nikon color balance improves contrast IMO.

Those are my observations for what it's worth. You might want to look through a pair of Conquest HD's in that price range too.

I've noticed that Cabelas can't seem to keep the Conquest HD's in stock. That tells me there is not as much of a profit margin on them as the re-branded Meoptas and the Nikon HG's. They don't want customers looking through Conquest HD's if they can make more money on the others. I know how that sounds but that's how Cabelas works nowdays unfortunately.

 

[RaggedHunter]

also there is a set of meopta meostars in the optics classifieds right now for $800.

 

[holzgene]

I've been eyeing those Meostars in the classifieds....I just need to take a look through them before I commit. I do have a Cabelas about an hour away from me and may be driving by there tomorrow. I'll add the conquests to my list, I don't even want to look through Swaro Els...I'm afraid ill impulse buy

 

[RaggedHunter]

I've been eyeing those Meostars in the classifieds....I just need to take a look through them before I commit. I do have a Cabelas about an hour away from me and may be driving by there tomorrow. I'll add the conquests to my list, I don't even want to look through Swaro Els...I'm afraid ill impulse buy

I'd say it's worth the trip. The cabelas I was at was sold out of conquests yesterday, I would have loved to check those out too. I also looked through the new Razor UHD's, they were nice but they were big and bulky for 10x42s and I did not think that their glass was better than either the meoptas or the HG's.
Whatever you do, don't look through the Zeiss SF's

 

[Newtosavage]

I've been eyeing those Meostars in the classifieds....I just need to take a look through them before I commit. I do have a Cabelas about an hour away from me and may be driving by there tomorrow. I'll add the conquests to my list, I don't even want to look through Swaro Els...I'm afraid ill impulse buy

Just an hour away? That's a no-brainer. Especially when you'll spend an hour with those binoculars just getting from the trailhead to your first hunt with them.

I wish our nearest Cabelas was only an hour away. I've been known to drive 250 miles to look at a rifle in the gun library or check out new optics. Don't tell my wife. LOL

 

[bmanb940]

I have bino's costing over $2K and I assure you the MeoStar 10x42 binos will not disappoint. I have been using mine for 6 months now and the Swar/Nik haven't come out of the safe. For a sub-$1000 bino Meopta gives you a lot of quality and a great warranty, not just 7 years like the Nik. I started doing some freelance work with Meopta 8 months ago and I couldn't be happier working with a quality optic's company.

 

[Newtosavage]

You certainly can't fault the build quality on the Meostars. I could pound tent stakes in with mine. LOL

 

[Cant hit em]

The glass between the two in my eyes were very similar. I bought the HG’s because they felt better in my hands and were lite , very happy with them. if you glass from a tripod mainly its a toss up , For wearing them and holding them by hand the HG’s are the way to go IMO

 

[Kindigs]

Can’t speak for Meopta binocs but I have one of their scopes and the glass is great.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I have the Meoptas. Love the glass, ergonomics are a little clunky but not a deal breaker for me. I haven't looked through the HG but there are lots of good reviews out there on them.

If you aren't in any hurry, get whichever one you can find a better deal on. Classifieds, Black Friday Sales, CameraLandNY specials, etc.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

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[holzgene]

Today I went to Cabela’s and was able to try the Meostars, Nikons, Razor HD’s and I also looked through some Swaro Els. Now this was freehand and looking under fluorescent lights so take what I say with a grain of salt. My “test” was looking at a sign across the store, the razors were the least clear to my eyes. Meostars and Nikons were close. I actually felt the Nikons were a tad clearer to me, and i just didn’t like the ergonomics of the Meostars. The Nikons felt super good in hand and were comfortable to hold. Then I looked through the ELs....they were beautiful. Didn’t get a chance to look through Conquests....they sold the pair they had yesterday.

 

[Cant hit em]

Then I looked through the ELs....they were beautiful. .

I spit The Bang out that i was drinking laughing at this