Hi Barry. Your thread inspired me to dig out my Meostar 42's for their serial numbers. Here's what I found...
7x42 B1: 805xxx (bought on Amazon about 3 or 4 years ago)
8x42 B1: 122xxx (bought from Eurooptic about 3 years ago)
10x42HD: 145xxx (bought from Cameraland about 2 years ago)
I'm not sure how the 7x42's anomalous serial number jibes with what Meopta told Lee. It certainly does not seem like a 1980 binocular. If it is, then Meopta beat everyone else to the market with phase coatings, because this unit is phase coated! Or maybe it's from the future?
Let's talk about accessories. Pic 1 below shows all three binoculars. 7x42 on the left, 10x42HD in the middle, and 8x42 on the right. The 7x42 and 8x42 share the same rainguard, with angled sides. In my experience this rainguard tends to fall off easily. The 10x42 HD, the newest of the three, has a rainguard with straight sides. It pushes on, and stays put. I like this design better.
Pic 2 below shows the objective caps for the 7x42 (left) and the 10x42HD (right). The 10x42HD has the oft-discussed caps tethered to the tripod socket via wire. I don't like this style because the caps tend to fall off, often aided by the stiff wires that would rather be straight. The 7x42's caps are individually tethered to each tube. This style works quite well, with the caps staying put until I want them off. I'd suggest that Meopta return to this style. In fact my 8x32 B1 has caps similar to this.
Pic 3 below shows the stock cases provided with the binoculars. The one on the left came with the 7x42. It is green cordura with minimal padding on the interior. The one on the right came with both the 8x42 and the 10x42HD. It is green wool with similar minimal padding on the interior. I prefer the cordura case. The wool case is already starting to show a bit of scruffiness and "pilling" just from ordinary use. The cordura case, by contrast, is basically in like-new condition even though it is older.