Still trying to decide....binoculars

[Bigfeet]

I've posed questions, on this forum, quite some time ago about which binos to consider. I'm still trying to make up my mind!

I've narrowed it down to the Maven B1 10x42, Maven B2 9x45 and the Meopta B1 10x42 HD. Problem is, where I am in Canada, I can't lay my hands on any of these. I really like the 9x option, but very concerned over the size. Don't really want a heavy, bulky set for my style of hunting (lots of walking). Have the same concern about the Meopta as they are quite heavy. The 10X Maven might be OK, but I'd prefer a 9X over that or an 8X (I have older sets of all 3 mags).

So, my question is, to those who have held or have the Maven 9X or Meopta 10X, do you find the size a concern? Want to make the right choice to last me for many years. Appreciate any opinions.

 

[generalist]

I just sent my Maven B2 9x demos back on Monday. The glass is great, I'd say maybe slightly better than my Razor 10s, but I just couldn't get over how big they are. They hold well, but they're just too big (for me at least) to carry on my chest.

Viper 8x, Razor 10x, Maven 9x. (notice this is with the Maven's eye cups all the way in)

 

[Mannsbuick]

Anyone tried Leupold?? Isn't the 10x magnification he best all around..idk

 

[wannakillabigbull]

I've messed around with all three the OP is considering, but only for a short while.

Meopta B1: I strongly disliked the ergonomics of the Meoptas, paired with the size I never could even get a fair shake of their optics. I just didn't like holding them. Some people swear by these and love them so take that with a grain of salt. They just weren't for ne.

Maven B.2: The B.2s are large but have very nicely thought out ergonomics in my opinion. They point very naturally and are comfy for me. As far as optics they are quite nice, but my hangup was that they have a small DOF. I compared the 9x B.2s directly to the 10x B.1s and even at a lower magnification I had to constantly refocus the B.2s far more often. For archery hunting and covering a lot of ground, which I tend to do, I find myself constantly glassing things close and far so a binocular that needs to be refocused often was not my favorite.

Maven B.1: The B.1s are the lightest of the group. Though slightly longer than the Meoptas they're not as wide or as thick. In 10x they're not quite as bright as the 9x B.2s nor do they have as big of an optical sweet spot, but in the time I spent with them I enjoyed the optics. Good resolution and also had the aforementioned solid DOF which I prefer in a pair of hunting binoculars. Of the three I preferred the Maven B.1 but that is simply my opinion and based on my own criteria.

Not an in depth or terribly technical review, but hopefully that helps. To summarize the answer to your specific question regarding size: The size and ergonomics combination of the Meopta B1s were a no go for me, the size was large for the Maven B.2s but the ergonomics were such that I wouldn't mind carrying them, and the Maven B.1s didn't pose a size concern for me, though I've certainly owned lighter and smaller binoculars.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Zeiss conquest 8x42

 

[Bigfeet]

Thanks for responses. Very well thought out, reasoned and helpful. Still considering though...

I noticed, in the thread about top tier binoculars, Doug from Cameraland put up a list of top tier binos. Ryan added the Maven B2's, but not the B1's. Are the B1's a step down optically?

 

[dreamingWest]

In my opinion, yes the B1s were a step down from the B2s optically. I think the B2s play above the rim at their price range. I think there are several better options than the B1 at its price point.

 

[Rodéo]

Thanks for responses. Very well thought out, reasoned and helpful. Still considering though...

I noticed, in the thread about top tier binoculars, Doug from Cameraland put up a list of top tier binos. Ryan added the Maven B2's, but not the B1's. Are the B1's a step down optically?

I've only had experience with maven's b series binos in a show room setting so take that for what it's worth but I found the B.2's to be much sharper and brighter optically than the B.1's. B.1's still had a sharp and bright picture, they compared reasonably to the vortex razor 10x42's I spent some time with. The B.2's really 'popped' to me, but that may be a subjective thing, kind of like the first time I put a pair of El's to my eyes though obviously not as great of a picture through the B.2's. I did find the ergonomics of the B.2's to be too much for me though, they really feel large in my hands and I couldn't get a solid picture by hand holding them (I use 8x normally to cut down on this issue). Like @wannakillabigbull mentioned, depth of field is a very important factor for me in picking binos so I take his word for it that the B.1 had a better DOF than the B.2's, but I can't speak to that since I wasn't doing much glassing at long distances with these binos. Hope this helps.

 

[TreyPound]

i hav the meostar HD 10x42. they r awesome. built like a tank and crystal clear. i would pick them hands down over the monarch 7

 

[RoseAllen]

I just sent my Maven B2 9x demos back on Monday. The glass is great, I'd say maybe slightly better than my Razor 10s, but I just couldn't get over how big they are. They hold well, but they're just too big (for me at least) to carry on my chest.

Viper 8x, Razor 10x, Maven 9x. (notice this is with the Maven's eye cups all the way in)

View attachment 106847

B2s do have 45mm objectives, something to keep in mind.