Meopta meopro 10x42 hd vs. maven c1 10x42 ed - Meopta MeoPro HD 10x42mm Roof Prism Binocular

MEOPTA MeoPro Positives:
1. Clear and brighter glass. It is hard to quantify these parameter without comparing them to another binocular of similar class and price range, so I chose the MAVEN C1 10x42 ED to compare the MEOPTA with and I can say that the MEOPTA has a slight edge on the Maven.

2. Field of view is a bit wider than the MAVEN.

3. Body hinge is tight enough to hold its position, same tightness as the Maven.

4. Focusing knob is tight enough and make focusing fast. It is a bit less tight in comparison with the MAVEN. Both are good and acceptable, it is just a question of personal preference.

5. The MEOPTA Meopro 10x42 HD I received is marked ‘Assembled in Czech’. The MAVEN C1 10x42 ED is marked ‘Japan’. Other Maven C1 I have seen are marked ‘Philippines.

MEOPTA MeoPro Cons:
1. Eye placement with the MEOPTA is very critical, one needs to position the eyes right at the center of the ocular lens, otherwise, it is easy to lose the image. It is like looking through a small long tube (say a straw), you can only see through when the tube is perfectly aligned with your eyes. It can be improved by adjusting the rubber eyecups by at least one position away from the ocular lens but this narrows down the field of view.. The MAVEN C1 10x42 is more forgiving with eye placement, I never have to tilt and move the binocular to hunt for the image.

2. There appears to be a lack of focus at about 5 o’clock position and about 2/3rd from center to edge of the glass. It seems to be right where the two circles of the left and right lens intersect. It is noticeable when looking through the center but when you shift your eyes to the blur area, it becomes clear. I have not seen any complaints of similar nature so I am not sure if it is inherent to the MEOPTA or if it is my eyes. I have not noticed this problem with the Maven.

3. The rubber armor of the MEOPTA has a more sticky feel than the MAVEN.

4. MEOPTA's tube diameter is smaller than the MAVEN's and it is less comfortable holding it for viewing. This will be especially true if the viewer has large hands. However, without direct comparison with the MAVEN, I guess the size and comfort level of the MEOPTA is good enough – it is a matter of personal preference.

5. The MEOPTA rubber eyecups have only 3 positions whereas the MAVEN has 4.

6. Most vendor websites including OpticsPlanet and Amazon state that the MEOPTA's body is made of Magnesium Alloy. However, the brochure that came with the binocular states that the body is made of Aircraft Grade Aluminum Alloy.