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.
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.