Which 10x42’s?

Tahoe1305

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Jun 9, 2019
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I’ve handled and did a comparison of all those considered.

I ended up with Nikon HGs in the 10x42 form.

They are just the best bang for the buck and weight IMO.

I actually thought the UHDs were solid. But too big.

GPO isn’t that new, they’ve been around close 8 years if I recall. But I didn’t like the ones I had, they felt cheap. Glass was good though.

I did like the Conquests fwiw but the Nikons were close to the same and smaller. The German class does have a different pop.

I ended up buying some Meoptas. Really liked them. But just because they came in 12x50. The 10x42 were good but also large in size and about as impressive as the HGs.

Maven B2 were identical IMO to the UHDs. Suspect made in same factory to close to same spec (I had 2 different models of both).

B1s were decent as well but I preferred the HGs again (just a bit cleaner package).

I never messed with the kowas but am super impressed with their spotters.

I ended up upgrading the 12x50 meoptas to swaro EL 12x50. I did buy some B3 8x30 mavens as well which are awesome for the price. Still have the HGs as well.

My review from ~2018 is on here somewhere. It was as objective as I could make it. Compared about 8-10 pairs if I recall.
 

kthomas

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 1, 2022
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167
I've been nothing but impressed with my Kowa's.

They don't seem to give up much compared to the Swaro's I've looked through. Perhaps edge to edge clarity is a bit better on the Swaro's.

Honestly the differences once you get to this tier in optics is small nuances. For some those small nuances are appreciable, for others not as much. That's subjective to individual eyes and preferences.

The Kowa's are a tremendous deal if you can snag an open box special from CameralandNY. Can't say I've looked through the other binos you are considering, so nothing to offer up from a comparison point of view.

Meopta's are always a fan favorite - 99% the performance of Swaro's but at a bit of a savings, though Meopta's prices have recently increased. I need to get a pair of 15x56's, and the Meopta's are high on the list.

Good luck! Lots of great options to sort through, hard to make a bad choice.
 

Tahoe1305

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Some sweet conquests for sale on LRH for $550. That May be tough to pass up. Seller makes lots of sales so I would trust (do your due diligence obviously).


 

Buffalo0922

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Oct 22, 2018
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Omaha, NE
+1 for Conquest.

Side note : I dropped mine off the top of my truck onto a big rock. Damaged the focus knob. Sent them into Zeiss and they shipped me out a brand new pair within a week. So the warranty is legit.
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2024
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Reviving and older thread….im looking at the conquest or perhaps the new SLF which I was pretty impressed with in the store. But wondering how these compare to the maven B1.2 for an eyeglass wearer? B2 are too big for me as I want something light(er)
 

HornPorn

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Oct 7, 2020
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320
Reviving and older thread….im looking at the conquest or perhaps the new SLF which I was pretty impressed with in the store. But wondering how these compare to the maven B1.2 for an eyeglass wearer? B2 are too big for me as I want something light(er)
This is the best deal I have seen on here in a long time:
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2024
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I’ve tried those but they were fussy with my glasses - maybe the eye relief. I do think they are one of the best looking bins though for whatever that’s worth! And that is an awesome deal. Thanks for sharing.
 

Reed104R

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 13, 2022
Messages
215
Used Trinovid HD's and Conquest HD's in this price range can't be beat!!!! The Zeiss have better eye relief.
 
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Oct 19, 2019
Messages
890
Reviving and older thread….im looking at the conquest or perhaps the new SLF which I was pretty impressed with in the store. But wondering how these compare to the maven B1.2 for an eyeglass wearer? B2 are too big for me as I want something light(er)
Bought the Maven 1.2 8x42 as a possible replacement tor my Monarch HG. Ended up preferring the HGs - the color saturation is deeper in the HGs and while the handling/haptics were very close I slightly preferred the HG, but the build quality edge would go to the Maven.

Then I bought the 8x40 SFL and prefer it over either. Deeply saturated and very natural colors, and an easier, more natural overall view. I also find it a bit less susceptible to glare. The SFL handling is superb and the focuser is only bested by the SF.

BTW - my 8x32 Conquest HDs are a gem that I like at least as well the Maven 8x42 or Monarch HG.
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2024
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Thanks! I appreciate the feedback on those. I really liked the SFL over all the $1K category (did not try Maven) for those reasons. They also just felt so comfortable in my hands. Obviously it’s a different price point. Def going used on whatever I decide. I don’t see mavens too much on the classifieds but some great conquest and trin deals.
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2024
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I will also add that you really can’t go wrong with anything in that category. They are all very good and it comes to preference. I found dealing with my glasses to be a bigger differentiator than the optics and with an astigmatism there’s no avoiding them.
 
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