New binos

Joined
Jul 9, 2018
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37
Hi all, looking for some input. I’m looking at the following binos in no particular order:
1) Kowa genesis 10.5-44
2) Zeiss conquest 10-42
3) Meopta meostar 10x42
4) maven b2 9-45
Mavens are the only ones I could demo if you will. I live in the middle of nowhere & won’t be able to demo others. I’ve read review after review after review to get to this list. I’ve been told the Kowa is absolute max of my price range(VERY clearly told). Can anyone offer first hand input on these binos only. Thanks much
 

gr8fuldoug

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The Kowa Genesis are outstanding. 2nd choice would be the MeoStars.

We are running our Labor Day Sale through Tuesday, as we are closed today. Give us a call tomorrow, 516-217-1000, and we will hook you up.
 

WestNE

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Aug 10, 2014
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I hate when people recommend items not on my list but... You should do some research on the Monarch HG's. Lighter and leaner than the others you have listed and to my eyes better optically than the Conquests and Meostars, I've never laid my hands on the Kowa offering.

Nick

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hiway_99

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Mar 22, 2016
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I have a pair of cabela euro 10x42 I would part with if your intrested. Their rebranded meopta meostars.

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timberbuck

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Overall combination of optics and durability I would go with the Meostar B1 HD. The Kowa has nothing on it IMO and I prefer it over the Conquest HD and every other $1000 binocular I have experience with.

It is yet to be seen how durable and problem free the Nikon Monarch HG will be. Based on previous models the track record has not been good.
 

RussGS

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I would have no problem buying used Meostars as long as the glass was in good condition. You can find used ones for 6-$700. Optically they were better than the Conquest HD. I have never looked through the Nikon's, but the Meostars are great glass, and pretty comparable to Swaros.

Matt Cashell wrote up a comparison between Kowas and Cabelas Euros that you might want to check out. He points out that the Kowas don't have threads for bino adaptor.

Kowa Binoculars - Rokslide
 
Last edited:
Joined
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I have ran the kowa genesis, look at other bino's. Kowa needs to improve the bino line.

Problem I had was everything dead center of the view was great, but the view through them that was good was maybe 50% of the whole field of view that on most any other bino would be good. Was like looking through a rifle scope when you are to close it to far and you have all that blacked out blurry ring going on.

Love my spotter, but not their binos
 
Joined
Dec 27, 2015
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I tend to like Nikon binos and rifle scopes.
I have the previous generation Nikon HG binos and they are excellent. The FOV is better than anything I've used.
No experience with the new ones.
Every Meopta product I've tried had great glass but HEAVY.
I really like Conquest HD binos.
 
Joined
Sep 9, 2018
Messages
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Kowa Genesis 10.5 X 44 are absolutely money. I have been running them for a couple seasons and absolutely love them. I have a brand new set in box that has never been used. Still has all original packaging, case, straps and registration for paperwork (they have never been registered). I will let go of them for a very good price. And even throw in the phone scope system for them.
 

bmanb940

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Doing some freelance work with Nikon lets me try out most of their products so that I can pass along the information to you guys. I don't have any filed time with the MONARCH HG's but from the first time I picked one up and looked through it I was amazed. The field flattener gives you an incredible bright picture edge to edge. They feel great in the hands and knowing they are backed by Nikon's No Fault Warranty is a huge plus. As Doug stated, getting a $100 them right now just makes them more of a great deal. They are definitely worth adding to your short list.
 
Joined
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Kowa Genesis 10.5 X 44 are absolutely money. I have been running them for a couple seasons and absolutely love them. I have a brand new set in box that has never been used. Still has all original packaging, case, straps and registration for paperwork (they have never been registered). I will let go of them for a very good price. And even throw in the phone scope system for them.

Not gonna knock you if you are trying to sell, cause I would be to. Unless the kowa marketing sent me a broken/garbage set of genesis then I would not be looking at them as an option.

Kowa has great spotters, but there bino line does not match their spotter reputation at all
 

Shrek

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The Meopta Meostar 10x42 hd are some great glass. I’ve got EL’s now but if I didn’t and didn’t have EL money available I’d have the Meostars. I’ve looked through several of them in the field hunting and they compare with the Swarovski SLCs. The Meostars have some nice rubber armor that seems durable. Coatings are like Swarovski in that they make animals stand out. Nikon has a generous warranty but past experience tells me you’ll need it.
 
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I will retract my above post on the 10x genesis as I talked to my contact there and the pair I was given for demo was messed up, they just looked at them while on the phone with me and they are going back to Japan to be fixed and I am going to have another look at the 10
 
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