Tripod Bino - Maven Vortex Meopta or Swaro’s

[Brix8984]

Looking for some real world comparison on these. I like the 18x of the maven and razor uhd but is it worth it over the better glass of the European units? I would assume the swaros have the best glass but a lot of people rave about the meostars for the price. I am military so discounts can be found on some units but really just want the best for using on a tripod for spotting. Thanks for your help.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

I looked through the maven 18s last week on a coues deer hunt. The sweet spot is good but really small. Probably half the field of view was actually usable which means a lot of panning. They weren’t very great in low light. For the price maven is selling them my preference would be either meopta or Swarovski 15s.

 

[Brix8984]

Thank you for the reply. Low light isn’t a super big concern for me as I will have a pair of zeiss victory 10x with me at all times. However your useable field of view observation is a big concern. The goal is to not have to carry my big spotter with me and I don’t enjoy glassing with one eye either. Does the 18x have any advantage over the 15x at simply finding animals or does the limited field of view negate the extra power in your opinion?

I looked through the maven 18s last week on a coues deer hunt. The sweet spot is good but really small. Probably half the field of view was actually usable which means a lot of panning. They weren’t very great in low light. For the price maven is selling them my preference would be either meopta or Swarovski 15s.

 

[Beendare]

I've only seen the Mavens indoors at shows...so no experience with them.

I have compared my Meopta Meostars on a tripod side by side with Swaro, Vortex. Some good comparison reviews here on Rokslide.

My comparison; The guys that owned the other units agree- that Meopta is optically better than Vortex...and equal to Swaro...for 1/2 the price...[worth a phone call to Doug at Cameraland]

The ergos on the other units is a little better than the Meoptas.

.....

 

[Brix8984]

I've only seen the Mavens indoors at shows...so no experience with them.

I have compared my Meopta Meostars on a tripod side by side with Swaro, Vortex. Some good comparison reviews here on Rokslide.

My comparison; The guys that owned the other units agree- that Meopta is optically better than Vortex...and equal to Swaro...for 1/2 the price...[worth a phone call to Doug at Cameraland]

The ergos on the other units is a little better than the Meoptas.

.....

Thank you! I’m def leaning towards the Meopta’s if I get 15x’s. Were the vortex’s you compared to the new uhd model or the old razor HD’s?
Thanks again for the help!

 

[Tahoe1305]

I have the UHD 18s and mavens being shipped now to compare. I’ll let you know what I find.

I was very impressed with the 12x50 UHDs.

 

[Brix8984]

I have the UHD 18s and mavens being shipped now to compare. I’ll let you know what I find.

I was very impressed with the 12x50 UHDs.

Awesome thank you! Have you ever had high end 15 to compare as well?

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Thank you for the reply. Low light isn’t a super big concern for me as I will have a pair of zeiss victory 10x with me at all times. However your useable field of view observation is a big concern. The goal is to not have to carry my big spotter with me and I don’t enjoy glassing with one eye either. Does the 18x have any advantage over the 15x at simply finding animals or does the limited field of view negate the extra power in your opinion?

For purely finding critters I’d lean toward going with the 15s, the mavens were hard for me to get a real good picture. It seemed like I had to work rather than just falling into the view like you can with Swarovski or meoptas I’ve owned. It may just be a matter of using them more, I only was behind them for maybe a total of 20 min but it was real hunting conditions. I would strongly recommend getting a demo set and seeing what you think. I use 12x EL and I was hoping the 18x could be an option to carry for long range glassing but I just didn’t feel the glass was good enough to give me much more detail over the ELs. And they weren’t nearly as enjoyable to look through. But my brother seemed to like them and he used them for 5+ days so I think it’s worth giving them a shot with their demo program. Good luck!

 

[Brix8984]

For purely finding critters I’d lean toward going with the 15s, the mavens were hard for me to get a real good picture. It seemed like I had to work rather than just falling into the view like you can with Swarovski or meoptas I’ve owned. It may just be a matter of using them more, I only was behind them for maybe a total of 20 min but it was real hunting conditions. I would strongly recommend getting a demo set and seeing what you think. I use 12x EL and I was hoping the 18x could be an option to carry for long range glassing but I just didn’t feel the glass was good enough to give me much more detail over the ELs. And they weren’t nearly as enjoyable to look through. But my brother seemed to like them and he used them for 5+ days so I think it’s worth giving them a shot with their demo program. Good luck!

I didn’t think about the demo program that’s a great idea! Thank you for your help I really appreciate it!

 

[Tahoe1305]

Awesome thank you! Have you ever had high end 15 to compare as well?

I haven’t looked through the swaro or Meopta 15s.

 

[OSU Fisher]

Thank you! I’m def leaning towards the Meopta’s if I get 15x’s. Were the vortex’s you compared to the new uhd model or the old razor HD’s?
Thanks again for the help!

Ive had the meoptas for a couple years. I dont leave without them. One of my best purchases. Picked them up from Doug at cameraland for a great price. Ive only been behind big swaro's a couple times. Yes they are amazing but for the price meopta are hard to beat.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Brix
Just to close the loop on your maven/uhd comparison request. Link below. BL they are close IMO. Didn’t compare SLC or Meostar. I do have some Meostar enroute though and if they get here I’ll try and compare “glass” to the two but they are 12x not 15x.

Hope that helps.

Vortex UHD / Maven B5 18x56 Novice Comparison.

Folks Doesn’t seem like too many have had hands on the UHD and Maven 18xs together yet. Had the chance to demo so will give it my best shot at comparing. That said I will draft a couple initial posts and then encourage folks that have specific questions to reply and I will do my best to get...

www.rokslide.com

 

[Don Qui Puncher]

I’ve compared the meostars and the Slc’s both in 10x on tripods and I couldn’t tell which was superior. In my eyes they are equal. The meoptas are the best deal in the industry with the discount