Meopta Meostar B1 Plus 8x32 mishaps (2 Viewers)

[HenRun]

Andy: I have no idea as I don't follow the Covid situation that closely any more, I just keep up with the latest here. I know Czechia eventually got hit bad.
Meopta factory seemed to have a strict protocol according to their global web site but once the spread outside the factory is a fact people don't show up for work.

I think the materials are not the problem in a production line when it comes to quality: for these components they are either available or they are not.
If they are not, production halts.

For the workforce they can probably reassign staff to other tasks temporarily - or try to have less people do more - but I think Meostar binocular build is not on top of their priorities if they have to scale down. They have bigger fish to fry! But that is speculation on my part.

From own experience going by the local agent they are behind schedule and ship out less binoculars.

I do have the latest Meopta catalogue (came with the 10x42HD) and in the (German) catalogue they state that the "Scharfeeinstellung" is improved on the B1 Plus in the bullet point list. Scharfeeinstellung means Focusing/setting focus and they probably mean the Focuser itself.

I don't know if I will pin up an argument based on the sales literature but it does imply they have done something with the focuser.

Interestingly the 12x50HD is separated from the B1 Plus group on that double spread page with the wording: Das Beste Binokular von Meopta - which translates to "the Best Binocular from Meopta". It is written in an encircled five star logo with "Top 2020" over the wording.

 

[dries1]

If the serial #s on the B1s were from earlier than say November 2019 Covid would not be involved. Any from 2020, perhaps. I have three B1s from 2012 and from 2018, and no problems, (2) 8X42s and a 7X42. I hope something works out for you.

Andy W.

 

[HenRun]

Hey Andy:

I have three B1 Plus binos with no problems, all made within the last year and a half. All focusing wheels are slightly different but stable in action.

Despite my trantrum I am still open to, preferrably, a B1.1 8x32 since I liked the grip and format better than the B1 Plus.
Also, it would be a perfect addition to the existing kit in the lower magnification range.

I just have to hope to find one eventually and be really patient. I just can't bear to order one more, I feel stupid enough as it is.
But a used one might pop up, who knows? Hope is the last thing I will lose, my sanity is the first.

 

[HenRun]

As for candidates:

I have the Zeiss 8x32FL which apart from ocular reflections is "the best" for my eyes and glasses.

I have today tried the 8x32 Ultravid HD+ which surfaced second hand at a good price. It was certainly optically good enough - but it too gave me ocular reflections, very much the same as the Zeiss does. At the same store I tried the Leica Retrovid/Trinovid 7x35 and 8x40. Standing in exactly the same spot the Retrovids give me no reflections at all despite similar size oculars. Also they have a very, very nice imaging.

The 8x40 Retrovid works really well with glasses, but has a very poor 4m min focus. I want a minimum of 3m, preferrably 2m, like most of the better ones are capable of. The 7x35 works well with glasses too, close range focus is 3m, which I could live with but the view is not as immersive as the 8x40 and none of the two are weather/water proof.