I applaud them for being 'unique'.... I know Maven has done much the same and kudos to them as well. While not a huge market, it is a market and both companies are testing the waters.
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Meostar B1.1 plus (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter lmans66
- Start date
I applaud them for being 'unique'.... I know Maven has done much the same and kudos to them as well. While not a huge market, it is a market and both companies are testing the waters.
Gijs van Ginkel
Well-known member
Meopta also has made an 8x32 Meostar B1 with beautiful dark blue body covering. As far as I know it was in a limited edition.
Gijs van Ginkel
Gijs van Ginkel
John A Roberts
Well-known member
Hi Gijs,
I’ve not seen the blue version of the 8x32, and nor could I find one doing some quick googling. Was it Meopta's corporate blue colour?
See an example from a brochure, it would seem to make an attractive choice
Some will be aware that Meopta also made B1 models for Cabelas, with a green covering distinct from the regular Meopta one - also an attractive version
See an example from AG Pank at: https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=336344
It shows the 8x32 version next to a Leupold Gold Ring HD 8x32 in dark brown and a Swarovski EL SV 8x32 in Sand Brown
John
I’ve not seen the blue version of the 8x32, and nor could I find one doing some quick googling. Was it Meopta's corporate blue colour?
See an example from a brochure, it would seem to make an attractive choice
Some will be aware that Meopta also made B1 models for Cabelas, with a green covering distinct from the regular Meopta one - also an attractive version
See an example from AG Pank at: https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=336344
It shows the 8x32 version next to a Leupold Gold Ring HD 8x32 in dark brown and a Swarovski EL SV 8x32 in Sand Brown
John
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Gijs van Ginkel
Well-known member
John, post 23,
It is a tiny bit darker blue than the color on the flyer, but it is really a beatiful blue. It is probably made for a special occasion.
Gijs van Ginkel
It is a tiny bit darker blue than the color on the flyer, but it is really a beatiful blue. It is probably made for a special occasion.
Gijs van Ginkel
John A Roberts
Well-known member
And 2 images of the B1 Plus 8x42 in the traditional green RA, from Meopta’s Facebook page
at: https://www.facebook.com/Meopta/posts/10157578640400887?__tn__=-R
(as per the original images, there is a different colour balance to the RA in the 2 photographs)
John
at: https://www.facebook.com/Meopta/posts/10157578640400887?__tn__=-R
(as per the original images, there is a different colour balance to the RA in the 2 photographs)
John
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NDhunter
Experienced observer
Thanks John, I see the pimples in the armor are now gone, that is a good thing. Not sure how those ever made the final cut from the design committee.
I suppose it was a decision of one person. But I am not sure I like this design either, it looks like a piece of
very rough grade #20-40 sandpaper was used on the front.
Jerry
I suppose it was a decision of one person. But I am not sure I like this design either, it looks like a piece of
very rough grade #20-40 sandpaper was used on the front.
Jerry
John A Roberts
Well-known member
Hi Jerry,
Most of the the available photos don’t show the bridge area detail clearly. The best seems to be the one in post #7
The texturing seems to mimic a leatherette style finish. It’s presumedly there to provide visual contrast with the rest of the RA covering,
and add to the updated look compared to the earlier B1’s
. . . but as we all know, the old saying about beauty and the eye of the beholder
John
Most of the the available photos don’t show the bridge area detail clearly. The best seems to be the one in post #7
The texturing seems to mimic a leatherette style finish. It’s presumedly there to provide visual contrast with the rest of the RA covering,
and add to the updated look compared to the earlier B1’s
. . . but as we all know, the old saying about beauty and the eye of the beholder
John
Attachments
MeoStar B1 Plus
I have the new MeoStar B1 Plus binos and feel that they are easier to grip for extended periods of time than the B1.1 10x42 binos. I let a buddy try them out who also has a pair of B1.1's and he also liked the new body style. We both felt the hinged system was a bit stiff but probably related to not having much use. I heard Meopta is also coming out with 4 Limited Edition colors for this model too.
MeoStar Plus on the left
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/dd363/bman940/IMG_7886_2.jpeg
I have the new MeoStar B1 Plus binos and feel that they are easier to grip for extended periods of time than the B1.1 10x42 binos. I let a buddy try them out who also has a pair of B1.1's and he also liked the new body style. We both felt the hinged system was a bit stiff but probably related to not having much use. I heard Meopta is also coming out with 4 Limited Edition colors for this model too.
MeoStar Plus on the left
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/dd363/bman940/IMG_7886_2.jpeg
kestrel1
Well-known member
Not sure what it is, likely the suspect of the b2 prototype??!
https://www.facebook.com/teammeopta/photos/a.389041521671497/804426706799641/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/teammeopta/photos/a.389041521671497/804426706799641/?type=3&theater
Attachments
John A Roberts
Well-known member
Hi Kestrel,
The caption in Finnish is no help:
‘Ola and Kristoffer hunted deer this weekend in spectacular terrain. Several deer snuck into the Meopta binoculars, but unfortunately only the wrong variety’
Enlarging the image and opening the shadows, it appears to have a module under the barrel(s)
If so, it’s likely to be a rangefinder with the electronics located under the barrels, as is the case with the Swarovski EL Range and the Kahles Helia
Meopta already has two RF models, the MeoRange and the MeoPro Optika, neither of which use this approach
Gijs has tested various rangefinders, and for a quick summary see post #19 at: https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=3883587
What’s most notable optically, is that only the Swarovski has the high and even transmission across the visible spectrum, from both barrels,
that we expect from conventional binoculars
In contrast, others such as the 1st generation Zeiss, the 2nd and 3rd gen Leica’s and the MeoRange, all have weirdly shaped transmission curves that differ between barrels
Presumedly this is an unavoidable consequence of the implementation of the RF function in the various models
So it would seem that Meopta is exploring how to achieve better transmission
And you’d hope that the large high-contrast logo is not got going to be a feature of future Meopta models!
John
The caption in Finnish is no help:
‘Ola and Kristoffer hunted deer this weekend in spectacular terrain. Several deer snuck into the Meopta binoculars, but unfortunately only the wrong variety’
Enlarging the image and opening the shadows, it appears to have a module under the barrel(s)
If so, it’s likely to be a rangefinder with the electronics located under the barrels, as is the case with the Swarovski EL Range and the Kahles Helia
Meopta already has two RF models, the MeoRange and the MeoPro Optika, neither of which use this approach
Gijs has tested various rangefinders, and for a quick summary see post #19 at: https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=3883587
What’s most notable optically, is that only the Swarovski has the high and even transmission across the visible spectrum, from both barrels,
that we expect from conventional binoculars
In contrast, others such as the 1st generation Zeiss, the 2nd and 3rd gen Leica’s and the MeoRange, all have weirdly shaped transmission curves that differ between barrels
Presumedly this is an unavoidable consequence of the implementation of the RF function in the various models
So it would seem that Meopta is exploring how to achieve better transmission
And you’d hope that the large high-contrast logo is not got going to be a feature of future Meopta models!
John
Attachments
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John A Roberts
Well-known member
Hi Jerry,
While Meopta’s advertising may try to give the impression ‘By Hunters, For Hunters’, their products
- including the rangefinders and sights - are not markedly different to those of Zeiss, Leica or Swarovski
Since Meopta’s ‘inside knowledge’ clearly doesn’t result in products that dominate the hunting market, it raises the questions:
- Are the folks at Meopta just really bad at hunting?
- Or is it that hunters just don’t understand what they need?
Hopefully Humorously
John
While Meopta’s advertising may try to give the impression ‘By Hunters, For Hunters’, their products
- including the rangefinders and sights - are not markedly different to those of Zeiss, Leica or Swarovski
Since Meopta’s ‘inside knowledge’ clearly doesn’t result in products that dominate the hunting market, it raises the questions:
- Are the folks at Meopta just really bad at hunting?
- Or is it that hunters just don’t understand what they need?
Hopefully Humorously
John
John A Roberts
Well-known member
UPDATE
Yesterday I received an email from someone who said that he was a senior executive at Meopta, and that I was a complete idiot!
I know - as if I haven’t heard that before?
He said that some of the new coloured binoculars are clearly designed for hunting, especially in faraway places
like the Citric Republic of Orangia and Pinkistan
Well there are a lot of countries in the world, and those sound like ones that I’ve heard of before. So it just goes to show |8.|
John
p.s. Looking back at the email, I’m beginning to think the guy may not really be from Meopta
But he seems to know what he’s talking about, so who can say?
Yesterday I received an email from someone who said that he was a senior executive at Meopta, and that I was a complete idiot!
I know - as if I haven’t heard that before?
He said that some of the new coloured binoculars are clearly designed for hunting, especially in faraway places
like the Citric Republic of Orangia and Pinkistan
Well there are a lot of countries in the world, and those sound like ones that I’ve heard of before. So it just goes to show |8.|
John
p.s. Looking back at the email, I’m beginning to think the guy may not really be from Meopta
But he seems to know what he’s talking about, so who can say?
NDhunter
Experienced observer
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There is good reason for hunters to carry pink or orange binoculars, that way they are harder to lose and they may help a little to prevent getting shot by other hunters.
Deer are color blind afaik, so they don't care if you wear puce, but other hunters can be a real hazard.
Deer are color blind afaik, so they don't care if you wear puce, but other hunters can be a real hazard.
I’m disappointed the 8x32 isn’t HD. They offer hd in the Cabelas version. A few minor tweaks and I think they could have a best-in-class 32 bino.
With the last several years of alpha innovations Meopta appears to be satisfied with “good buy” status and staying relatively unknown.
I see what they did with the S2 spotter, a true alpha spotter, but their binocular line could be so much better. I like the locking diopter being introduced, but coatings hardly are a discernible upgrade for consumers. Why not a magnesium chassis and shave that 42mm series under 30oz like competition?
I wish they would snag a body designer from Leica to dress these things up a bit.
With the last several years of alpha innovations Meopta appears to be satisfied with “good buy” status and staying relatively unknown.
I see what they did with the S2 spotter, a true alpha spotter, but their binocular line could be so much better. I like the locking diopter being introduced, but coatings hardly are a discernible upgrade for consumers. Why not a magnesium chassis and shave that 42mm series under 30oz like competition?
I wish they would snag a body designer from Leica to dress these things up a bit.
I have the Meopta B1.1 8x32. I previously owned Cabelas version HD 8x32. I like the view of the the B1.1 better. I also think the diopter upgrade along with its coatings tweak is also a plus with having the Meopta Brand over Cabelas rebranding. Now with Meopta’s price increases with their New line up of Binoculars, the price of $756 I recently paid at SportsOptics Shipped for my B1.1 8x32 is looking like a steal.
I like the Brown. I wonder if the colors other than the standard off green will add additional cost. I just upgraded to the Plus 8x32 Meostar with regular off green now I am thinking I am going to have to get that cool looking Brown also.