Steve C
Well-known member
I came across one of these in the Cabela's in Post Falls, Idaho yesterday. The price tag was $799. They also had Swarovski 8x32 EL, 8x30 SLC, Zeiss 8x32 FL and Leica 8x32 Ultravid HD. While I prefer the open bridge EL in pure ergonomics terms, the image differences are pretty slim, if in fact they exist in a practical sense. The Meopta 8x32 had a more or less Leica like image, for lack of a better term. Didn't appear as bright as the Zeiss, and maybe a touch more neutral than the Swarovski, particularly the SLC. The image appeared more neutral in color bias than did the 8x42 Meopta. This gave the appearance of the x32 being a tad brighter and maybe a tad sharper than its x42 big brother. I actually prefer the feel of the x32 over the x42 Meopta. I'm a little ambivalent over the design of the diopter, but for the price, for a top end compact glass the little Meopta is where I'd go.
As far as the ergonomics are concerned, I could live with any of them, but find I least prefer the front location of the focus wheel on the SLC. But were I to win one in a raffle, I'd be content with any. It does seem to me the Zeiss especially, and to a smaller extent the Leica, could do a better job of a less "slick" exterior. The Meopta was nicely tactile and pleasantly "grippy" in texture and feel. Looks and feels about like a smaller version of the x42 Meostar or Cabelas Euro (as if that should be a surprise from looking at the photos).
As far as the ergonomics are concerned, I could live with any of them, but find I least prefer the front location of the focus wheel on the SLC. But were I to win one in a raffle, I'd be content with any. It does seem to me the Zeiss especially, and to a smaller extent the Leica, could do a better job of a less "slick" exterior. The Meopta was nicely tactile and pleasantly "grippy" in texture and feel. Looks and feels about like a smaller version of the x42 Meostar or Cabelas Euro (as if that should be a surprise from looking at the photos).
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