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Meopta MeoPro HD 8x42 vs Vortex Viper HD 8x42 (2018) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter kesi
- Start date
Quality control of the Vortex Chinese binos has gone downhill since moving production from Japan to China. A sad reality, but proven to me by the last samples of Viper HD's and Razor HD's I looked through at my buddy's gun gun shop. Poor eyecups that wouldn't stay put, flimsy hinges, overall poor effort in spite of the very good Razor glass, and good Viper HD glass.
I'd take a Meopta any day of the week over anything Vortex makes. My only dislike of the Meopro HD is the super fast focus, but many birders like that feature.
I'd take a Meopta any day of the week over anything Vortex makes. My only dislike of the Meopro HD is the super fast focus, but many birders like that feature.
I was afraid of that :-(
Meopro
- distinct coma
- weak sharpness on the edge of the field of view
Edit: please suggest better design 8x42, maybe Meopta B1 8x42 non HD. Unfortunately, enough money has a color defect in the middle of the field and significant on the edge. I don't want to spend more than $ 1000
I had excellent Meopta HD 10x42, unfortunately I need 8x
Sorry, I used Google translators
Meopro
- distinct coma
- weak sharpness on the edge of the field of view
Edit: please suggest better design 8x42, maybe Meopta B1 8x42 non HD. Unfortunately, enough money has a color defect in the middle of the field and significant on the edge. I don't want to spend more than $ 1000
I had excellent Meopta HD 10x42, unfortunately I need 8x
Sorry, I used Google translators
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I had them both at one time and I thought the edges on the Meopro HD were quite a bit softer than the Vortex HD and I don't like soft edges. I thought the Vortex was the better binocular IMO but try them both if you can. The Vortex HD in a 10x42 is ranked quite a bit higher than the Meopro HD in 10x42 on Allbinos.
https://www.allbinos.com/allbinos_ranking-binoculars_ranking-10x42.html
https://www.allbinos.com/allbinos_ranking-binoculars_ranking-10x42.html
IMO this is a no-brainer. The Meopta Meopro HD 8X42 is IMO a much better binocular optically and mechanically. I really like the Meopro HD. In back to back use of both binoculars it's actually pretty easy to tell which has a better image. Focus adjustment is much lighter and smoother on the Meopro HD as well. The overall perception of quality is much more apparent with the Meopro HD too.
Attachments
This review is NOT of the current Vortex Viper HD. That review was from November 2011 when this binocular was made in Japan. Current models are MIC.
I had some MIC Vortex's and some Japanese built ones as well. I didn't notice a huge difference in quality. Before Vortex ships any binoculars out they check them over. Also, with their Unconditional Lifetime Warranty if you get a lemon they will send you a new one no questions asked. Hunter's love Vortex's. They can drop them off the Grand Canyon and Vortex will send you a new one.
I haven't handled the Vipers. I see you already have experience with the MeoproHD 10x. The MeoproHD 8x I used for a short time had good smooth and quick focus, which I really like! Similar to a ConquestHD in that regard. Resolution wise, about the same as a MonarchHG in my checks, although I did hear from more experienced people it can be better than that. CA control wise, I found it to be stunning. I only noticed glare when the eye placement wasn't right. You will have to decide on the color profile, ergonomics, edge characteristics and the FoV as those can be pretty subjective. Your past experience with the 10x might help here. I personally was never bothered by the edge characteristics, but the colors, eye placement ergo and FoV were so-so/ok for me.
It is best always to try and decide in an optics fair; if that isn't possible, we might have to just cut our losses in purchasing a decently rated one first, understand what we like and don't like and move on from there before spending a lot of money. Given that you already have had a 10x Meopro HD, just wondering here -- to add some variety, why not try a *used* Vortex Viper HD / a used Monarch 7 8x42? Just a thought. Cheers, and good luck with your search!
It is best always to try and decide in an optics fair; if that isn't possible, we might have to just cut our losses in purchasing a decently rated one first, understand what we like and don't like and move on from there before spending a lot of money. Given that you already have had a 10x Meopro HD, just wondering here -- to add some variety, why not try a *used* Vortex Viper HD / a used Monarch 7 8x42? Just a thought. Cheers, and good luck with your search!
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marcsantacurz
Well-known member
For $1000 USD you can do the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42 (about $880 new). I also liked the view in the Minox 8x44 BL HD v.2 (I've used it in the 8x33, not the x44) and it's about $525. Or maybe some used Kowa Genesis 8.5x44.
Someone over in the classifieds has the older Swaro 8.5x42 for 700 Euro.
Marc
I used a buddies MeoPro 10x42's last fall and it wasn't until I looked up the price that I was amazed. A lot of quality for a great price. I don't think you will be disappointed in your purchase. My friend lives in Maine and his bino's are on his boat or at his camp with him. They have definitely been subjected to awful weather conditions and still impressive. I think I will be owning a pair in the very near future.
justabirdwatcher
Well-known member
I wish I could recommend the MeoPro, but they just have WAY too much distortion for me.
I bought two pairs (8x42 and 10x42) last year and had them both in hand side-by-side against my wife's Bushnell Legend M's and my Zeiss Conquest HD's.
The Meopro's went back in the box and were returned (1 pair) or sold (the other pair) the same day.
The form factor is superb. Great size and balance and function. But the optics just stunk for my eyes.
I'd take a Viper HD over a MeoPro any day. And I like the Meostars.
I bought two pairs (8x42 and 10x42) last year and had them both in hand side-by-side against my wife's Bushnell Legend M's and my Zeiss Conquest HD's.
The Meopro's went back in the box and were returned (1 pair) or sold (the other pair) the same day.
The form factor is superb. Great size and balance and function. But the optics just stunk for my eyes.
I'd take a Viper HD over a MeoPro any day. And I like the Meostars.
justabirdwatcher
Well-known member
It's so funny how each person's eyes are different. I would have said the exact opposite with regard to optical quality.
Yes, Meopro has more distortion. Thank you for all the reactions and recommendations. I really appreciate it! 
Finally I ordered Maven C1 8x42
- have a small field of view
+ brightness and sharpness almost at Razor ...
Unfortunately, I have to add tax in Europe to the price. Crazy World.
I want to buy B1 or B2 next year))
Edit: i'm sorry, I used Google translators.
Finally I ordered Maven C1 8x42
- have a small field of view
+ brightness and sharpness almost at Razor ...
Unfortunately, I have to add tax in Europe to the price. Crazy World.
I want to buy B1 or B2 next year
)) Edit: i'm sorry, I used Google translators.
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NDhunter
Experienced observer
With that budget I would go with the Zeiss Conquest HD or the Nikon Monarch HG.
I have both in 10x42, and I really like them both.
If thinking Meopta, you could go with the Meostar HD 8x42, this series is well regarded.
I agree with the others, don't go for the Vortex as there are many better choices.
Jerry
I have both in 10x42, and I really like them both.
If thinking Meopta, you could go with the Meostar HD 8x42, this series is well regarded.
I agree with the others, don't go for the Vortex as there are many better choices.
Jerry
Thanks, Meostar 8x42 HD it's a new series that I can't buy in Europe. They're not B1. I'd like to see them side by side but I don't have possibility. I decided to save money and later I buy a better binocular, maybe just from Maven. I like their design and I read praise.
My first better binocular was Nikon HG L DCF 8x32 - Very good in almost every direction. Then I bought an Excellent Meopta B1 10x42 HD. I found that I couldn't keep calm image and got more such as mirage.
I look forward to C1 8x42, I like new things, now I own only Tento 7x50 Soviet binoculars Made in USSR :-D
My first better binocular was Nikon HG L DCF 8x32 - Very good in almost every direction. Then I bought an Excellent Meopta B1 10x42 HD. I found that I couldn't keep calm image and got more such as mirage.
I look forward to C1 8x42, I like new things, now I own only Tento 7x50 Soviet binoculars Made in USSR :-D
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justabirdwatcher
Well-known member
This
Mini review on Amazon,
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review...4?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=four_star&pageNumber=1
kesi
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review...4?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=four_star&pageNumber=1
kesi
justabirdwatcher
Well-known member
Maven C1 8x42 - eyecups hold in place. Focusing goes smoothly, just a little stiff. Narrow FOV, but very very nice glass
Sorry, I used Google translators
Interesting. I returned a pair of C1's specifically because the eyecups wouldn't hold their position and the narrow FOV. I agree the image was quite good though.
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