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Meopta Meostar B2? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Arvind
- Start date
iseegeorgesstar
Well-known member
True. Also I noticed their spotting scope TGA 75 is back in stock after being unavailable so that's always promising.
They advertise the B1 plus as having a magnesium body. I was under the impression all B1 models had aluminum bodies (hence the chunky weight).
Yes, 15x16 has gone up by $170 on B&H Foto. 😳
iseegeorgesstar
Well-known member
Funny enough, I just logged in to comment on this. The meopta store website has increased prices by at least $200-300
The maven b.1 hd 15x60 used to be around $1650 in the store (and I think that may have included a small price increase/premium on the store outlet itself while being cheaper elsewhere) but now they are around $2100 in the store.
meopta.store
The funny thing for this past new year's 2023 the store actually had a 10% discount on all items. I feel like the meopta store has always had a slight premium compared to other 3rd party dealers selling their glass.
They're potentially sending customers to the mavens which supposedly also have the special glass and are still only $1,550 surprisingly.
mavenbuilt.com
The maven b.1 hd 15x60 used to be around $1650 in the store (and I think that may have included a small price increase/premium on the store outlet itself while being cheaper elsewhere) but now they are around $2100 in the store.
MeoStar B1 Plus 15x56 HD
Looking for binoculars that fit perfectly in the hand and have higher optical performance? Look no further. The MeoStar B1 Plus lets you enjoy the wonders of nature even in the worst terrain. Observe every detail even at long distances. The MeoStar B1 Plus Binocular represents the pinnacle of...
meopta.store
The funny thing for this past new year's 2023 the store actually had a 10% discount on all items. I feel like the meopta store has always had a slight premium compared to other 3rd party dealers selling their glass.
They're potentially sending customers to the mavens which supposedly also have the special glass and are still only $1,550 surprisingly.
B.5 - 10x56 / 12x56 / 15x56 / 18x56
Buy Maven Outdoor Equipment Company B.5 Binoculars. Our B Series Binoculars stack up with the most celebrated and expensive binoculars in the world…bar none.
mavenbuilt.com
dries1
Member
What do you think of the15x56 so far?
brocknroller
porromaniac
As the Godfather said: Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
dries1
Member
That sounds just about right.Meostar B2 is in same category as Noctivid 8x32…… just not happening anytime soon
brocknroller
porromaniac
I would imagine Zeiss and Swarovski would relish having those new innovations to make an Überfernglas for themselves and then charge buyers $4k for a new line of Zeiss/Swaro B2 (alpha) Bombers.
Leica took 30 years to reinvent the wheel with the Noctivid, so I can't seem them clamoring for innovations.
As much as I would love to see Meopta bought by a Japanse company, to give the Teutonics less monoply on the high end market and reduce prices for those who like fine optics but who are not lawyers, bankers or real estate moguls, Nikon is digging itself out of the DSLR money pit, so it won't be in the bidding. Does Kamakura have the yen to make a mark?
Would Fujinon want to get serious about making roofs? I wrote earlier I suspected the B2 patents might be like auto protoypes for future designs, but now I'm thinking they may be Meopta trying to up the ante on the company's sale (assuming the rumors are true).
Brock
So, an update from me. Apparently the deal is almost finished, for now it's just off the record. Meopta is sold for 700 millions of Euros to (American I believe) private equity fund Carlyle Group. They already have in portfolio Tescan Orsay (apparently, they are Microscope manufacturer). Carl Zeiss lost exclusivity on the deal sometime towards the end of last year, they were just unable to close the deal together.
Once the deal is sealed and all things settled, fingers crossed Meopta will keep the bino division up and running and will come up with B2 eventually. Ironically, Meopta binos is non-existent in brick-and-mortar shops in Czechia (their country of origin). I was able to try and compare Leica and Swaro, I went for the Swarovski (NL Pure), amazing binoculars.
I personally would not mind Nikon going for Meopta as I am a Nikon shooter. But I think Nikon was never mentioned as interested party.
Once the deal is sealed and all things settled, fingers crossed Meopta will keep the bino division up and running and will come up with B2 eventually. Ironically, Meopta binos is non-existent in brick-and-mortar shops in Czechia (their country of origin). I was able to try and compare Leica and Swaro, I went for the Swarovski (NL Pure), amazing binoculars.
I personally would not mind Nikon going for Meopta as I am a Nikon shooter. But I think Nikon was never mentioned as interested party.
Well now that the 'sale' is done and over with; that is part one. Now, part two....what are they going to do with this company? Kind of like Olympus cameras being sold and 'now what?'...same with Meopta. I am hoping for a new B2 as well in 8x32 or 8x30. Not cheapened out either...
John A Roberts
Well-known member
Meopta has recently posted a number of news items on it’s site, though as yet none concerning the sale, see at: News | Meopta :: Better view of the world
One dated the 18th May, is about successfully tendering to provide the UTAAS (Universal Tank and Anti-Aircraft Fire Control System) targeting technology,
for the Mk IV version of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, to be produced by the Swedish division of BAE Systems *
So Meopta will necessarily remain an ongoing concern, at least in some form. Though as gabik notes, the binocular (sports optics) division is a small part of the overall operations.
As the news item states:
'Meopta is one of the strategic companies in the Czech Republic and this year marks its 90th anniversary since its founding, when it began developing telescopes, observation devices, and scopes for civilian and military use.
Today, Meopta is a global technology company with partners worldwide and advanced manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic and the United States.
It employs 1,700 people, with 99% of its production exported to over 70 countries around the world.
Meopta now develops and manufactures advanced optical and optoelectronic systems, ranging from military and sports optics to semiconductors, digital cinema projection, medical, and industrial applications. A significant competitive advantage is its own development center and industrial quality control.'
John
* For more details, see the BAE press release of the 24th May at: https://www.baesystems.com/en/artic...rds-bae-systems-contract-to-acquire-246-cv90s
One dated the 18th May, is about successfully tendering to provide the UTAAS (Universal Tank and Anti-Aircraft Fire Control System) targeting technology,
for the Mk IV version of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, to be produced by the Swedish division of BAE Systems *
So Meopta will necessarily remain an ongoing concern, at least in some form. Though as gabik notes, the binocular (sports optics) division is a small part of the overall operations.
As the news item states:
'Meopta is one of the strategic companies in the Czech Republic and this year marks its 90th anniversary since its founding, when it began developing telescopes, observation devices, and scopes for civilian and military use.
Today, Meopta is a global technology company with partners worldwide and advanced manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic and the United States.
It employs 1,700 people, with 99% of its production exported to over 70 countries around the world.
Meopta now develops and manufactures advanced optical and optoelectronic systems, ranging from military and sports optics to semiconductors, digital cinema projection, medical, and industrial applications. A significant competitive advantage is its own development center and industrial quality control.'
John
* For more details, see the BAE press release of the 24th May at: https://www.baesystems.com/en/artic...rds-bae-systems-contract-to-acquire-246-cv90s
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