New Binoculars have arrived

[12th Man]

After my hill country hunt, my old eyes said they needed a bit more magnification. As with my scope search I decided to upgrade my binoculars. For the past twenty five plus years, I've hunted with a pair of Zeiss Dialyt 8X30B binoculars. These are zero focus binoculars. Adjust the eye pieces and you're focused from five yards to infinity. They've been outstanding. Still in excellent condition after all these years.

I've been spending time at Bass Pro and a couple other area sporting good places checking out new 10X42ish & 12X binoculars. I decided against the 12X and focused on the 10X. To be honest, I couldn't tell the difference between the Zeiss, Vortex and Leupold HD bino's in the $400 to $600 range. Not to mention viewing in the store isn't the greatest place to view them and make a decision.

After viewing the MeOpta 3-18X50 mm scope, I was overly impressed with the glass. I spoke to someone at MeOpta about their bino's. Same Schott glass, just differences in coatings & housings as you move up in price range. He was very honest with me, he said their number selling binocular was the 10X42mm MeoPro Optika HD which listed for $449.99. They get very few returns and flat out just excellent feedback. He gave me a code to get 15% off, bring my price to $382.50. He said if I didn't like them to return them. Fit my budget perfectly, actually came in a bit under!

They arrived this morning. Wow, was all I could say. They are bright, the contrast, clarity and colors are excellent. Also, edge to edge viewing is clear and sharp. Side by side next to my Zeiss, other than the power difference, I actually found them a bit brighter over my Zeiss. I'm taking them out this evening on a pig/deer hunt to see how they really do out in the field. I'll also bring my Zeiss and my Minox binos for comparison. I don't think I'm going to be disappointed.

Here's the link if you want to check them out
https://meopta.store/products/meopro-optika-hd-8x42

I'll post my overall thoughts & results after I use them this week

[Wambli Ska]

Nice review and timely!!! Thanks

[shotgunshooter3]

Good write up. I am a huge fan of Meopta binos.

[12th Man]

They performed outstandingly last evening. I really wasn't so much hunting than I was using and viewing the new binoculars and comparing them to my Zeiss. I put wife's Minox down after the first look through. They are just not in the same league as the other two pairs. The new MeOpta's gave me an addition two minutes and 15 seconds more viewing at dusk over my Zeiss. To be honest, I think a lot of that has to do with the 42mm objective on the MeOpta vs the 30mm objective on my Zeiss.

They are definitely brighter than my Zeiss, possibly the objective differences. The color and contrast were outstanding. Mind you, I have older eyes. I just started wearing glasses last year, readers at a +2. For my age I see really well.

I'm not sure if I could see a difference in the next level of up which would be the MeoPro HD for $599.99 or MeoPro Plus HD for $799.99. They both have high-quality fluoride optical elements. Not sure what those would give me or if my eyes could see a difference. There top of the line is $1899.99. To much for this cowboy near retirement. I can see why mine are there top sellers. For $382.00 these are a fantastic deal.

[jbp-ohio]

Old eyes can get you in other ways. I have a pair of 10x Vortex. I have my bird feeder out and yesterday I was glassing birds. I closed each eye and adjusted them so both were sharp. Picked them up today and had to adjust them for my eyes TODAY! Each day they can be different.

The fluid in my retinas doesn't stay the same. I have a pair of prescription glasses I got this summer. Some days I can see better with them. Some days without....

[Justsomedude]

Maybe a little Mcfly bird watching is in order..
Points for anyone that gets the reference.

[CPJ 2.0]

Old eyes can get you in other ways. I have a pair of 10x Vortex. I have my bird feeder out and yesterday I was glassing birds. I closed each eye and adjusted them so both were sharp. Picked them up today and had to adjust them for my eyes TODAY! Each day they can be different.

The fluid in my retinas doesn't stay the same. I have a pair of prescription glasses I got this summer. Some days I can see better with them. Some days without....

Ever think 25 years ago you’d be talking about being blind AF and it was messing with your bird watching?

[Diver43]

Maybe a little Mcfly bird watching is in order..
Points for anyone that gets the reference.

He's a peeping Tom.............

[12th Man]

Peeping George!

[jbp-ohio]

Old eyes can get you in other ways. I have a pair of 10x Vortex. I have my bird feeder out and yesterday I was glassing birds. I closed each eye and adjusted them so both were sharp. Picked them up today and had to adjust them for my eyes TODAY! Each day they can be different.

The fluid in my retinas doesn't stay the same. I have a pair of prescription glasses I got this summer. Some days I can see better with them. Some days without....

Ever think 25 years ago you’d be talking about being blind AF and it was messing with your bird watching?

Actually..... yes

[shotgunshooter3]

It depends on your needs (real or perceived), but I splurged on the MeoStar B1 Plus HD 12x50's and they were worth every penny. I think I got them for about $1150 on sale and even at their current normal price they're still outstanding. Absolutely phenomenal glassing off a tripod.

If I were to do it again I might get 8x or 10x for easier handheld use, but these aren't going anywhere. The only problem is they've ruined me for lesser glass. I find myself eyeing the higher end Kowa and Swarovski.

[12th Man]

It depends on your needs (real or perceived), but I splurged on the MeoStar B1 Plus HD 12x50's and they were worth every penny. I think I got them for about $1150 on sale and even at their current normal price they're still outstanding. Absolutely phenomenal glassing off a tripod.

If I were to do it again I might get 8x or 10x for easier handheld use, but these aren't going anywhere. The only problem is they've ruined me for lesser glass. I find myself eyeing the higher end Kowa and Swarovski.

Nice review. As much as I wanted to go up in glass I couldn't. I'd be curious if you viewed the top of the lines side by side would you see a perceivable difference. I paid $1100 plus for my Zeiss over twenty five years ago. I splurged and made a long term investment. It's paid off in many dividends. With retirement around the corner in a couple few years, I couldn't justify another splurge. The glass on MeOpta's is better than my Zeiss. I call that new lens technology, polishes and new lens coatings. My buddy and I have been having this discussion for a while. I know there's a lens/glass grading system, though no one dares to use it. I wish they would, it would make for better informed decisions. With all the new technologies, polishes and what have, what are the real differences in glass from Germany (Schott), Japan and the Philippines?

[jbp-ohio]

I have wanted to try a pair of image stabilizing binoculars. I have almost pulled the trigger a couple times, but $400-$500 for something I haven't seen?