Meopta B2 Possibilities? (3 Viewers)

[John A Roberts]

This morning I had a look at Google Patents, and there are 3 recent Meopta patents that may give an idea as to what a new B2 could include . . .

a) USD904480S
Shows a new external design for a binocular:


(there are more images in the patent)



b) US11474338B2
Features a focus mechanism where the user can alter the amount of focuser resistance:





c) US11372193B2
More unusually, features a focus mechanism where the user can electronically record preferred default focus distance(s) [by pressing the button 4],
to allow rapid refocusing between objects at different distances [a set distance being indicated by the LED 6]:




John

 

[tenex]

b) US11474338B2
Features a focus mechanism where the user can alter the amount of focuser resistance:

The perfect manufacturer's response to too many complaints about focusers.

c) US11372193B2
More unusually, features a focus mechanism where the user can electronically record preferred default focus distance(s) [by pressing the button 4],
to allow rapid refocusing between objects at different distances [a set distance being indicated by the LED 6]:

But this patent has entirely generic descriptions of its components, with no occurrence of words like "electronic" or "LED", only vague terms like "indicator". Personally I can't imagine this feature being worth the addition of batteries etc (and there are other ways of measuring focus position in such a case, why be so specific about a magnetometer?) so I'd envision a completely analog mechanism with a little flag in a window, which sounds quite ingenious.

Still I don't think I'd find it useful, not only because refocusing isn't terribly difficult anyway, but because you'd have to move the bin away from your eyes to see the indicator. Well I suppose it could be made visible in the tube, but still this feature makes more sense in an AF camera lens that can do it all for you with a button press. If I had thought of this I'd want to patent it too, but I won't hold my breath until it appears on the market.

 

[dries1]

More moving parts, what could go wrong?

 

[lmans66]

I like the first suggestion / patent as that applies to individual comfort.

I am not fond of the 'look' as it appears Meostar (if this is an image of their new B2) is just following the way of others in appearance. I enjoy the rather chubby style of the B1 x32 etc....

For the last patent.... I wouldn't use it either.

 

[John A Roberts]

The open body design could be considered as a variation/ refinement of the Zeiss SF
(dispensing with the middle 'mini-bridge', while maintaining the finger placement vs that of the Swarovski EL series):


Cropped and adjusted image from Tobias, at:
greatestbinoculars: the magnificent five - 8x42 premium binoculars review Leica Ultravid Swarovski SLC and Swarovision Zeiss HT and SF

And while the images don’t show a diopter control, most likely similar to that of the SF and HT?


John

 

[brocknroller]

Great find, John! Got to search Google patents now that I know about it.

I used to attend auto shows in NYC, and the protoypes for new models in many cases were way sexier and had advanced featurers not found in the actual production models. So, I'm wondering if this is what we're seeing here, because these features are more advanced than anything the alphas have, and if the optics were up to par, would blow them away! I would love an adjustible focuser tension that suits my personal preferences. We were recently discussing this on another thread.

I'm not a fan of the "chubby" Meopta design any more than I was a fan of the chubby Nikon 8x42 EDG design (though I loved the optics), I need barrels to wrap my fingers around to get a steady grip. So, an open bridge design would work better for me.

It's funny now that Swarovski has moved away from the double bridge design with the NL, three top competitors are making wannabe ELs.

Brock