Ingraham's reviews were the reason I purchased my Nikon 8x30 EII sometime around 1990. I still have it but the papers that came with it are long gone.
Bob
I think you meant 1999. They came out after the 8x32 SE, which was introduced in 1998.
FWIW when I was talking to Maven about this video, they did say in no uncertain terms that If I tried to replicate the torture test their warranty would fix or replace the binocular. I asked for confirmation of that at least twice.Steve,
If Maven can duplicate the test results of the Conquest HD, that would be the best marketing they could do, better than their "mountain town" mumbo jumbo. I was really impressed with that video. It's comforting to know that if I'm out birding on gamelands and a hunter shoots at pheasants or turkeys and misses, the Conquest will absorb the buckshot. :eat:
Brock
I think you meant 1999. They came out after the 8x32 SE, which was introduced in 1998.
Steve
I've come late to this and haven't read all the posts.
But congratulations on a terrific review.
Really well done.
Lee
Brock, just a reminder. The Nikon history page has the introduction year for the 8x32 SE wrong. I bought my pair in Oct. 1997 from the first shipment received by Eagle Optics. I still have the receipt.
Henry
There has been some curiosity about the case for the Maven. It is a heavy drawstring bag. It is actually big enough for the binocular, and will fit in a pocket of jacket or vest, or rear jeans pocket.
! I am a die hard Leica glass lover as I have an older M6 rangefinder (film at that) so I know Leica glass....
I would second that. Now that I have the Maven B.2 9x45 I see no reason to spend $2500.00 on a Leica, Zeiss or Swarovski. I can say the same for the Tract Toric 8x42 I own. Both excellent binoculars.My first camera was a Leica IIIg with an f2.8 Elmar lens (yep, I'm old) and I, too, have long regarded Leitz/Leica optics and cameras as a very high standard, indeed. My reason for pointing this out is the same as yours: to lend credibility to my views on the Maven 9 x 45 B2. Put simply, this is the finest binocular I have ever used or owned (including some really great binoculars from Leica, Swaro and Zeiss) for the totality of the user experience, namely ease of use, ergonomics and balance, and optical excellence. I have owned mine for about a year, used it extensively, and am surprised and delighted every time by how good it really is. Perfect -nope, but darn close. Steve deserves real thanks from me and others for his thoughtful review and recommendation.