Who has Maven B Series binos?

[sndmn11]

That's quite the lineup!

I read lots of great reviews on the B2, but haven't found as much on the B1. Can you comment on how the B1 compares to the rest of the $1kish market (Razor, Conquest, Trinovid, etc)?

Also, how do the B1 and B2 compare optically? Is the B2 superior enough optically to overcome being a larger size than the B1?

I'm considering upgrading from a set of Razor 10x42's and I'm curious if the B1's would be a noticeable enough step up, or if I would be better off going with the B2 9x despite the bulkier size, having to buy a larger bino harness, etc.

I have spent a little bit of time with the Razors as my co-worker had a pair, and I don't think much of them. My opinion is that you hear guys talk about the Vortex warranty a lot because that truly is the best part about owning a pair. I think the Mavens are noticeably better than the Zeis Conquest. For me, the Mavens (B1 particularly) offer a really easy view, there isn't something about them that is remarkable, it just relaxed. Kind of like when you are in a new smooth vehicle and you look down and you're going 90 when you it felt like 65.

The B2 has a flattened field of view and the B1 does not. I have found that I do best without flattening, and my SLCs and B1s are relaxing to look through. I would buy them both through the demo program and keep whichever your eyes favored.

 

[PNWflier]

I demo'ed the B.1 10x and the B.2 9x about a year ago and ended up keeping the 9x's. In ideal conditions I couldn't tell much of a difference from free-hand holding. The noticeable difference was in low-light conditions. The 9x45's seemed to be much better in the last 30 minutes of light. I've since compared against SCL's and very similar performance in low-light conditions.

I also run the outdoorsman stud on my b.2's and b.4 15x's with the tall adaptor from outdoorsman. The 15x's are great on a tripod but too heavy/magnified to handhold. I compared the 15x's Kaibab and the Maven's were better in all conditions.

 

[Stwrt9]

I run the B.1 10x's and love them. They just seemed to fit my eye better than the B.2's.

 

[bowhunter307]

I have 9x and 11x b2s as well as 8x and 10x b1s, I also have SLC 10x42s. I have spent time with many of the common $1k-ish binoculars, I have not seen meopta or GPO, and I obviously think the Mavens are the ticket. There is a difference to my eyes between any and my swarovskis.

Debating the 9x B.2 or the 10x B.1. which is your favorite and why? Might demo them both. The B.1 is tempting due to the smaller size and weight, but I don't want a step down in light transmission and clarity.

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

 

[sndmn11]

Debating the 9x B.2 or the 10x B.1. which is your favorite and why? Might demo them both. The B.1 is tempting due to the smaller size and weight, but I don't want a step down in light transmission and clarity.

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

B1 is an easy view for my eyeballs.

 

[pc3]

I have the Leica Noctivids as well. 10x42’s. Out of all 4 bins, I would put them in this order
Swaro ELs
Maven B2
Leica Noctivids
Zeiss SF

The Mavens ARE that good. Comparing for months the resolution, chromatic Aberration, contrast, edge clarity and so on. They are that good.

Interesting. I have some Meopta Meo 10x42 HD's....looking to add a pair of 15's or 18's, many here suggest that if you running 10's then 18's are probably the answer for your tripod mounted binocular.

If I went 15's I'd likely go for the Swaro's or Meopta's, if 18's I am tempted by the Mavens over the Vortex UHD. I would get to look at neither before purchasing but the Maven is cosmetically appealing.

I bet the Maven's are Durable as well.....those 18x look like they are built like tanks.

Would you miss spotting any game with a Maven 18x over a Swaro 15x?....my guess is probably not.

Resale is a positive of the Swaro.........but you pay more initially as well.

 

[HighUintas]

I picked up a used set of "custom" (kuiu camo) b2 9x binos last September. I was considering getting the B1s, but did a little research because I noticed on Maven's web site they tell you which type of prism is in each bino. The B1 and B3 both use schmidt-pechan, where the B2, B4, B5 are all abbe-koenig. The advantage with the latter is light transmission: https://blog.optics-trade.eu/abbe-koenig-roof-prisms-vs-schmidt-pechan-roof-prisms/.

So, after finding the pair for sale that I have now for $700 (and they are flawless), I jumped on that and couldn't be any happier. I went from diamondback 10x42, which of course they are no comparison at all. I spent almost all last fall using them and they really do have incredible clarity and light transmission. Using my Razor spotting scope at last light, I always just went to my B2s because the light transmission was so much better, as well as clarity. Of course the b2s are a bit heaftier than some binos, but I honestly couldn't be happier and I'll be keeping them FOREVER.

 

[SD Hunter]

I run a pair and love them. I scratched the lens this fall and just sent them it for repair. They communicate very well with you on every step.