KilleenMachine
FNG
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2022
- Messages
- 5
As I was looking for a pair of high magnification binoculars, my research eventually led me to two choices; the Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56 and the Maven C4 18x56. I naturally started googling and checking this forum to see if anyone had done a comparison of these optics, but came up with fairly empty results.
I ended up buying the Vortex, and my uncle bought the Maven’s. So, to try and help anyone else here who has found themselves in a similar situation as I was, we put them up head to head to see which held the better value.
These optics have near identical specs on paper. Both have an eye relief of 16.4 mm, FoV of 194’ at 1000 yards, similar dimensions and weigh within 1.3 oz of each other, with the slightly heavier weight being the Maven’s.
We set them up on tripods and started moving back and forth between the two. Honestly, these optics are so close to each other that I would have a tough time telling you which bino I was looking through if you didn’t tell me. Edge to edge clarity is right about the same, at least it was so close that I’m not even comfortable saying one is better then the other in this category.
Clarity we all agreed goes to the Maven C4. Lettering at distance was just a touch crisper, but it wasn’t so obvious that looking from one to the other had a major jump in quality. It took a few rounds of looking between them to come to this conclusion, and honestly if it takes that long to determine which optic is clearer, then the difference is fairly negligible.
Brightness went to the Vortex Kaibab. While is was bright out, as with most optics, there was no discernible difference. They looked identical in terms of light transmission. Once we started getting into twilight hours, the Vortex really started to shine, pun fully intended. The Maven C4’s weren’t dark by any means, but the Kaibab’s certainly win the brightness test.
I will say the Maven’s definitely have the cool factor. The matte grey body and bright orange diopter just look good. We all know rule number 1 is to look good, and the Maven’s certainly take the cake in this category.
The Maven’s come in at $725, compared to the Vortex at $1000. Is it worth an extra $275 for a slightly duller, albeit brighter view? Tough to say. I lean towards no, save the money. However, that little edge during sunrise/sunset may be more important to you. It’s your money, and no one’s gonna rat you out to your wife regardless.
Overall, these optics are so similar it’s really comparing apples and apples quality wise and whichever you choose will be just fine.
Also full disclosure, I’m returning my Vortex Kaibab’s since I found a used pair of Razor UHD 18x56’s, which to be frank, blow the Kaibab and C4’s out of the water.
I ended up buying the Vortex, and my uncle bought the Maven’s. So, to try and help anyone else here who has found themselves in a similar situation as I was, we put them up head to head to see which held the better value.
These optics have near identical specs on paper. Both have an eye relief of 16.4 mm, FoV of 194’ at 1000 yards, similar dimensions and weigh within 1.3 oz of each other, with the slightly heavier weight being the Maven’s.
We set them up on tripods and started moving back and forth between the two. Honestly, these optics are so close to each other that I would have a tough time telling you which bino I was looking through if you didn’t tell me. Edge to edge clarity is right about the same, at least it was so close that I’m not even comfortable saying one is better then the other in this category.
Clarity we all agreed goes to the Maven C4. Lettering at distance was just a touch crisper, but it wasn’t so obvious that looking from one to the other had a major jump in quality. It took a few rounds of looking between them to come to this conclusion, and honestly if it takes that long to determine which optic is clearer, then the difference is fairly negligible.
Brightness went to the Vortex Kaibab. While is was bright out, as with most optics, there was no discernible difference. They looked identical in terms of light transmission. Once we started getting into twilight hours, the Vortex really started to shine, pun fully intended. The Maven C4’s weren’t dark by any means, but the Kaibab’s certainly win the brightness test.
I will say the Maven’s definitely have the cool factor. The matte grey body and bright orange diopter just look good. We all know rule number 1 is to look good, and the Maven’s certainly take the cake in this category.
The Maven’s come in at $725, compared to the Vortex at $1000. Is it worth an extra $275 for a slightly duller, albeit brighter view? Tough to say. I lean towards no, save the money. However, that little edge during sunrise/sunset may be more important to you. It’s your money, and no one’s gonna rat you out to your wife regardless.
Overall, these optics are so similar it’s really comparing apples and apples quality wise and whichever you choose will be just fine.
Also full disclosure, I’m returning my Vortex Kaibab’s since I found a used pair of Razor UHD 18x56’s, which to be frank, blow the Kaibab and C4’s out of the water.
