A2GG
Beth
Just purchased this bino last week and want to post some initial impressions.
I have a shoulder injury and could not use the bin as much as I want to right now, but I got up to a nature reserve (Swamp lands) with it yesterday and had about 45 min. with it at an Overlook. Also, today I looked outside the back of my apartment for a bit and compared a little with my Ultravid 7x42 Plus. I only compared apparent sharpness and colors.
Troubsey did a review quite a while back of the Meostar 8x32 and he suggested, knowing my preferences, I would really like this bino due to its small size , ergonomics and optics. He was right.
I always thought the Meostar looked weird and awkward and had it my head that it would be awkward to hold and not for me. I also thought it looked big and bulky. Also, I don't like the little bumps on the Meostar and totally dismissed this bino for years. Once I saw the Cabela's branded HD, without those bumps and upgraded lense(s) to boot, I began to consider it especially after Lee dispelled my previous impression of it by telling me how small it is.
So, I ordered one from Cabela's online, but the focus was SO stiff and just completely unacceptable - back to the store it went. I gave up on it until I saw one for 699 ' brand new' on eBay. I asked the seller to check the focus for me which he said was fine. He was right. The focus is very nice and much better.
I don't quite think this is a new unit as described (maybe a demo), but it's in fine and like new condition.
Ergonomics/handling: Fits my hand like a glove. I am very pleased with the fit and feel - excellent. I love the small size and rather slim barrels.
Build quality feels excellent and durable. It has an Aluminum frame and has some weight to it. I would rather it be a little lighter, but it's not too big a deal.
Focus is pretty precise as others have reported and is nice and smooth with no bad spots or uneven tension. It sort of feels a bit like a porro; a bit tighter tension compared to other roofs, but still smooth and nice.
Diopter is easy to use and set and I found it quite quick to get it set right - no hassle.
ER is just a tad short for me and A bit of FOV is cut out with glasses, but it's not too much and is acceptable. Eye placement is not bad for 8x32, but of course not nearly as easy as my 7x42.
The view is nice...very good detail, but my UV+ 7x42 is a bit sharper with just a prettier overall image due to nice colors and deeper contrast.
The Meopta in its own right shows good detail and has decent contrast.
CA is corrected very well and is absent on axis, but some shows towards the edges a bit - nothing too bad and is comparable to the 7x UVid+.
The bottoms line for me: really nice fit/ergonomics, small size, high quality durable construction, precision focus and image quality as expected at its price point.
I like it ... and I spotted a lifer yesterday with it: 2 Bobolinks
hooray !
~ Beth
I have a shoulder injury and could not use the bin as much as I want to right now, but I got up to a nature reserve (Swamp lands) with it yesterday and had about 45 min. with it at an Overlook. Also, today I looked outside the back of my apartment for a bit and compared a little with my Ultravid 7x42 Plus. I only compared apparent sharpness and colors.
Troubsey did a review quite a while back of the Meostar 8x32 and he suggested, knowing my preferences, I would really like this bino due to its small size , ergonomics and optics. He was right.
I always thought the Meostar looked weird and awkward and had it my head that it would be awkward to hold and not for me. I also thought it looked big and bulky. Also, I don't like the little bumps on the Meostar and totally dismissed this bino for years. Once I saw the Cabela's branded HD, without those bumps and upgraded lense(s) to boot, I began to consider it especially after Lee dispelled my previous impression of it by telling me how small it is.
So, I ordered one from Cabela's online, but the focus was SO stiff and just completely unacceptable - back to the store it went. I gave up on it until I saw one for 699 ' brand new' on eBay. I asked the seller to check the focus for me which he said was fine. He was right. The focus is very nice and much better.
I don't quite think this is a new unit as described (maybe a demo), but it's in fine and like new condition.
Ergonomics/handling: Fits my hand like a glove. I am very pleased with the fit and feel - excellent. I love the small size and rather slim barrels.
Build quality feels excellent and durable. It has an Aluminum frame and has some weight to it. I would rather it be a little lighter, but it's not too big a deal.
Focus is pretty precise as others have reported and is nice and smooth with no bad spots or uneven tension. It sort of feels a bit like a porro; a bit tighter tension compared to other roofs, but still smooth and nice.
Diopter is easy to use and set and I found it quite quick to get it set right - no hassle.
ER is just a tad short for me and A bit of FOV is cut out with glasses, but it's not too much and is acceptable. Eye placement is not bad for 8x32, but of course not nearly as easy as my 7x42.
The view is nice...very good detail, but my UV+ 7x42 is a bit sharper with just a prettier overall image due to nice colors and deeper contrast.
The Meopta in its own right shows good detail and has decent contrast.
CA is corrected very well and is absent on axis, but some shows towards the edges a bit - nothing too bad and is comparable to the 7x UVid+.
The bottoms line for me: really nice fit/ergonomics, small size, high quality durable construction, precision focus and image quality as expected at its price point.
I like it ... and I spotted a lifer yesterday with it: 2 Bobolinks
hooray !
~ Beth
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