Good intro-summary of the Meopta binocular models. Thus far I am favorably impressed with the image quality of the Meostar B1 8x32. Late yesterday afternoon I purchased the Cabela's Instinct Euro HD 8x32 [which as far as I've been able to determine is a Meostar B1 but made with HD objective lens for Cabela's, but I don't think Meopta, ever marketed an HD version of the Meostar B1 in 8x32 or 10x32. Only in the larger objective lens sizes, x42 and above]. My only hesitation in purchasing the Cabela's version is apparently it doesn't have the same warranty as when purchasing directly a Meopta branded binocular, lifetime warranty but not transferable warranty. Despite them being labeled Meopta, and made in Czech. No serial number discovered yet. But they were marked clearance item, at reduced price, so I took that small risk to obtain them for what I think was a good price. Doing some viewing about 7 ~ 8 p.m. images were sharp and bright. Pretty clear to the edge. The view didn't leave the impression I was looking down a tube. It was more like just being 8x closer to a high definition image. Some CA off center of viewing circle looking at a dark sign pole against blue sky, but none looking at a bare metal flag pole against a blue sky. Only some slight curvature if viewed off center of view. And some CA off center looking at distant mountain ridges. A different color, depending if I was looking a bit high or low off center. [every binocular I own does that to some degree. Vortex Diamondback 8x32 HD, & Razor 10x42 HD, plus Kowa BD II HD 6.5x32 (the least amount) & 10x42 ] But I saw no CA, color fringing, looking at natural objects, such as looking though tree limbs backlit by bright sky. Weighting about 21 oz, they are a bit heavy, but that may provide a little inertia to assist holding them steadier. After sundown, and even after complete darkness the brightness of the 8x32 was as good as the brightest of any the those binoculars. Plus it was less effected by stray light from street lights than any of them when looking at objects near the street light, but with the street light just out of viewing circle. Practically no light spikes or halo circles were seen, which the other binocular suffered from either mildly or quite a lot. First impression is the Meostar B1 8x32 handles stray light very well. I like the diopter adjustment. It also has a short close focus, for those who like that feature. The end of the barrels are pretty short, so I am a little concerned I could easily loose the objective lens covers. The band that holds them on is of necessity very narrow, not a lot of friction or tension to hold them on more securely. It would be nice if the cover caps had a small edge tab to help pull them off, that would make it easier to not also pull off the band that holds them onto the barrels - when pulling off the lens caps. (maybe a short string round each band, and routed under the tripod would prevent accidental loss) Its a small ergonomic detail Meopta could fix at low cost. The ocular cover fits nicely. The small eye cups take a bit of getting used to. The eye relief is a bit short for glasses wearers. While I wear glasses, I usually remove them for viewing. I lose a little bit of the fov with them on, with the eye cups screwed down. It would be great to find a website where a person could order the Meopta shoulder strap, which looks much nicer than the Cabela's neck strap. Plus some extra short straps that attach to the binocular. I really like the short straps with snap connectors that are attached to the binoculars that permit the shoulder strap to be quickly disconnected from the binocular and the shoulder strap moved to the storage bag. If I had extras I'd buy them and put them on my other binoculars. Its a nice feature only a few brands provide. Bottom line _ I think more people in the USA should become aware of, and look at the Meopta binoculars. If they give them a try they would be, I think, impressed with the high quality of the optics of the Meopta binoculars. I think, from my initial impression, I am going to like this Euro HD/Meostar B1 8x32 binocular a lot. I think the optics quality is very good, and farther viewing of other subjects, under different lighting conditions, will continue to confirm my initial favorable first impression.
Meostar hd 10x42 has been my go to hunting bino for 6-7 years. Recently sold them as for my needs an 8x32 works a little better for me. Was able to grab the Euro HD at a steal. Built like a tank
I can tell you one thing, the Meostar B1 15x56 is MUCH better built than the Zeiss Conquest HD 15x56 and definitely on par with the Swarovski SLC 15x56. Optically it blows the Zeiss out of the water during the day, especially when it’s very bright and sunny. In those circumstances the Zeiss shows too much chromatic aberration. In low light the Zeiss is excellent, even a fair bit better than the Swaro, but the Meopta is right up there with the Zeiss, very impressive. During the day the Swarovski is simply impressive, much better than the Zeiss, because the chromatic aberration is way better controlled in the Swaro and the picture is a bit sharper. But the colours of the Zeiss are very rich and full of contrast while the Swaro is much “brighter” but the colours are considerably lighter and less rich, not washed out but also not perfect. The Meopta is considerably better during the day than the Zeiss, MUCH less chromatic aberration but still a very warm and full-contrast picture but with the shame sharpness as the Swaro. Really the perfect compromise for me. In low light the Meopta is simply better than the Swaro and on par with the Zeiss. And the built quality of the Zeiss is infuriating for the price (1700€) with eyecups that feel shabby, a diopter adjuster that somehow seems to go out of place just a fraction when using the focus-wheel (which drives you NUTS)....unforgivable for the price. And the inside of the binoculars is so rough and poorly finished, with compound all over the place and clearly applied rather carelessly. The Swaro is built like a tank, perfect fit and finish. The diopter adjustment is brilliant, the focus-speed is perfect (the Zeiss has a ludicrously fast focus which is a ball ache) and the whole thing feels a million bucks. But it should be for 2150€. The Meopta is every bit as well built as the Swaro, no doubt, but it comes for 1150€ !!!! And you can screw a Meopta 2X magnifier into the right eyepiece of the bino’s and make yourself a very little, very lightweight spotting scope with 30x magnification in ten seconds, without having to carry a full-scale spotting-scope in your hunting-backpack. I sold my Zeiss Conquest HD, considered the Swaro for months and then I bought a rifle-scope from Meopta, the Meopta ZD 4-16x44, was VERY impressed with it (very close tho the Zeiss Victory, considerably better than Conquest) and took my chances on the Meopta Meostar Binoculars 15x56. Wish I didn’t have to go the long route (and dump tons of cash in overpriced brands or buying something cheaper, with the promise it’s“just as good as Tier One brands) and found Meopta from day one. Ooh well...got there in the end.
Hi Randy, great video. I've been looking at purchasing a pair of Meopta binos and was wanting to know the country of manufacture and origins of components used in each product line. Is this info available on Meopta's website?
![เปิดบ้านสุดหรู "เเจ็ค the ghost" ลั่นถ้าป๋องกพลลำบากผมเลี้ยงเอง!! l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1xbW4vULqGc/mqdefault.jpg)
Glad you guys are finally starting to get the word out there about these great optics, and the differences in the model tiers.
Great vid. Meopta is by far my favorite optics company. Love what you guys do. A big thanks from all us Meopta fans!!
Good intro-summary of the Meopta binocular models. Thus far I am favorably impressed with the image quality of the Meostar B1 8x32. Late yesterday afternoon I purchased the Cabela's Instinct Euro HD 8x32 [which as far as I've been able to determine is a Meostar B1 but made with HD objective lens for Cabela's, but I don't think Meopta, ever marketed an HD version of the Meostar B1 in 8x32 or 10x32. Only in the larger objective lens sizes, x42 and above]. My only hesitation in purchasing the Cabela's version is apparently it doesn't have the same warranty as when purchasing directly a Meopta branded binocular, lifetime warranty but not transferable warranty. Despite them being labeled Meopta, and made in Czech. No serial number discovered yet. But they were marked clearance item, at reduced price, so I took that small risk to obtain them for what I think was a good price.
Doing some viewing about 7 ~ 8 p.m. images were sharp and bright. Pretty clear to the edge. The view didn't leave the impression I was looking down a tube. It was more like just being 8x closer to a high definition image. Some CA off center of viewing circle looking at a dark sign pole against blue sky, but none looking at a bare metal flag pole against a blue sky. Only some slight curvature if viewed off center of view. And some CA off center looking at distant mountain ridges. A different color, depending if I was looking a bit high or low off center. [every binocular I own does that to some degree. Vortex Diamondback 8x32 HD, & Razor 10x42 HD, plus Kowa BD II HD 6.5x32 (the least amount) & 10x42 ] But I saw no CA, color fringing, looking at natural objects, such as looking though tree limbs backlit by bright sky. Weighting about 21 oz, they are a bit heavy, but that may provide a little inertia to assist holding them steadier.
After sundown, and even after complete darkness the brightness of the 8x32 was as good as the brightest of any the those binoculars. Plus it was less effected by stray light from street lights than any of them when looking at objects near the street light, but with the street light just out of viewing circle. Practically no light spikes or halo circles were seen, which the other binocular suffered from either mildly or quite a lot. First impression is the Meostar B1 8x32 handles stray light very well.
I like the diopter adjustment. It also has a short close focus, for those who like that feature. The end of the barrels are pretty short, so I am a little concerned I could easily loose the objective lens covers. The band that holds them on is of necessity very narrow, not a lot of friction or tension to hold them on more securely. It would be nice if the cover caps had a small edge tab to help pull them off, that would make it easier to not also pull off the band that holds them onto the barrels - when pulling off the lens caps. (maybe a short string round each band, and routed under the tripod would prevent accidental loss) Its a small ergonomic detail Meopta could fix at low cost. The ocular cover fits nicely. The small eye cups take a bit of getting used to. The eye relief is a bit short for glasses wearers. While I wear glasses, I usually remove them for viewing. I lose a little bit of the fov with them on, with the eye cups screwed down.
It would be great to find a website where a person could order the Meopta shoulder strap, which looks much nicer than the Cabela's neck strap. Plus some extra short straps that attach to the binocular. I really like the short straps with snap connectors that are attached to the binoculars that permit the shoulder strap to be quickly disconnected from the binocular and the shoulder strap moved to the storage bag. If I had extras I'd buy them and put them on my other binoculars. Its a nice feature only a few brands provide.
Bottom line _ I think more people in the USA should become aware of, and look at the Meopta binoculars. If they give them a try they would be, I think, impressed with the high quality of the optics of the Meopta binoculars. I think, from my initial impression, I am going to like this Euro HD/Meostar B1 8x32 binocular a lot. I think the optics quality is very good, and farther viewing of other subjects, under different lighting conditions, will continue to confirm my initial favorable first impression.
Just ordered the Meopta Meostar B1.1 15x56 and can't wait to get them and do a review!
The 3GunGuy Awesone! We hope you love them as much as everyone else!
You’ll love them I’m sure of it. The best bang for the buck hands down
Meostar hd 10x42 has been my go to hunting bino for 6-7 years. Recently sold them as for my needs an 8x32 works a little better for me. Was able to grab the Euro HD at a steal. Built like a tank
I love meopta binocular!!
I can tell you one thing, the Meostar B1 15x56 is MUCH better built than the Zeiss Conquest HD 15x56 and definitely on par with the Swarovski SLC 15x56.
Optically it blows the Zeiss out of the water during the day, especially when it’s very bright and sunny. In those circumstances the Zeiss shows too much chromatic aberration. In low light the Zeiss is excellent, even a fair bit better than the Swaro, but the Meopta is right up there with the Zeiss, very impressive.
During the day the Swarovski is simply impressive, much better than the Zeiss, because the chromatic aberration is way better controlled in the Swaro and the picture is a bit sharper. But the colours of the Zeiss are very rich and full of contrast while the Swaro is much “brighter” but the colours are considerably lighter and less rich, not washed out but also not perfect.
The Meopta is considerably better during the day than the Zeiss, MUCH less chromatic aberration but still a very warm and full-contrast picture but with the shame sharpness as the Swaro. Really the perfect compromise for me.
In low light the Meopta is simply better than the Swaro and on par with the Zeiss.
And the built quality of the Zeiss is infuriating for the price (1700€) with eyecups that feel shabby, a diopter adjuster that somehow seems to go out of place just a fraction when using the focus-wheel (which drives you NUTS)....unforgivable for the price. And the inside of the binoculars is so rough and poorly finished, with compound all over the place and clearly applied rather carelessly.
The Swaro is built like a tank, perfect fit and finish. The diopter adjustment is brilliant, the focus-speed is perfect (the Zeiss has a ludicrously fast focus which is a ball ache) and the whole thing feels a million bucks. But it should be for 2150€.
The Meopta is every bit as well built as the Swaro, no doubt, but it comes for 1150€ !!!! And you can screw a Meopta 2X magnifier into the right eyepiece of the bino’s and make yourself a very little, very lightweight spotting scope with 30x magnification in ten seconds, without having to carry a full-scale spotting-scope in your hunting-backpack.
I sold my Zeiss Conquest HD, considered the Swaro for months and then I bought a rifle-scope from Meopta, the Meopta ZD 4-16x44, was VERY impressed with it (very close tho the Zeiss Victory, considerably better than Conquest) and took my chances on the Meopta Meostar Binoculars 15x56. Wish I didn’t have to go the long route (and dump tons of cash in overpriced brands or buying something cheaper, with the promise it’s“just as good as Tier One brands) and found Meopta from day one.
Ooh well...got there in the end.
I wish I could afford the Meostar. Just going to settle with the Optika.
Hi there!
What are the differences between the new MEOPRO AIR HDED+ and the older MEOSTAR B1 PLUS HD?
Thanks!
Where can we find the Meostar 10x42 for 999? I only can find upwards of 1300
Hi Randy, great video. I've been looking at purchasing a pair of Meopta binos and was wanting to know the country of manufacture and origins of components used in each product line. Is this info available on Meopta's website?
They make all their glass in house. Not sure about the rest of the components.
Flouride glass on the meostar?
are they all phase coated?
Anyone experienced the meopro in 10x42's? Mine gets delivered today, Im hoping i made a good value purchase due to the ED glass
'HD' glass means nothing, it is a sales gimic. Please be specific if you mean ED glass. Do all these models have ED glass ?
Do the
meopro Eyecups unscrew like the optika?
The Optika, MeoStar and MeoPro Air unscrew, the MeoPro do not.
Is the "Meopta MeoStar B1 Plus 8x42" HD? Or not HD?
They are HD
A view through them to compare maybe?
Is he saying Bin Oc U Rar