Meopta MeoPro binoculars

[JLDavid]

I am researching a new set of binoculars for this upcoming hunting season. I have read some good reviews on the glass but would like some real-world hunting experiences. Do they have any weaknesses in the field? Do they meet your standards for long glassing sessions? Thaks for the info.

David

 

[SS427]

I have a 8x32 pair of Cabelas branded Meopta binos. Best glass for the price point that I could find. The only thing I found that equaled or beat them were twice the price. I use them to glass mule deer in open country in Eastern Oregon and highly recommend them for hunting. I like the compact size of the 8-32 but they are pretty heavy for the size because they are very well built.

 

[JLDavid]

Thanks. I have been researching the Cabelas branded Meopta built Euros as a good alternative if I couldnt find 10x42s.

 

[boltfluter]

Meopta is some of the finest glass out there. A great value for the money.

Paul

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Hey guys. Not to steal the show, but you all know I am an avid fan of Meopta Meostar HD glass. Well I think it's reign as best glass for the money has come to an end with the new Nikon Monarch HG (Made in Japan). Check out the review thread I just posted.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/possibly-the-new-king-of-sub-alpha-binoculars.3958981/


As for answering the question on weakness in the field with Meopta. Dont know about the MeoPro line, but the Meostar HD optical performance and integrity has no weakness in the field during the extreme Montana weather I hunt in. But those damn objective covers....I've litterally lost mine about 5 or 6 times and somehow I always find them. The bells on the objectives are so short it's a PIA to keep the covers on when trudging through brush. Gotta check all the time to make sure.

 

[Flouncer]

Years ago there was a blog, a site where an individual reviewed rifle scopes and maybe binos, IIRC. He was very thorough and professional. He had a way to validate, to test and produce results of "optical clarity", the ability to see and distinguish at distance. Lost the bookmark when my last iMac software upgrade cleaned my hard drive and data. Is there any such source extant that objectively tests optics ? All I get out of reading the web is noise, unsubstantiated noise. Thanks !

Edit: the review above is excellent and helpful but it is not a factual COMPARISON side by side testing of optics. Didn't want to give the wrong impression about the helpfulness of that post.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

There are resolution charts. That's about the only 'official' tool for use in comparing optics. Of course there's the error of the human eye using them so how relevant are they? Thing is there's so many different "flavors" if you will. Any difference in resolution of the high end optics is almost indistignguishable with the human eye. It would take very expensive high end laboratory equipment to see any difference there. But different company coatings will provide the eye with slightly different color wavelengths. Leica for instance will make reds and blacks stand out to my eyes more than any other optical device. Swarovski is slightly warm and very neutral (neutral meaning true to color). Meopta glass is a nice mixture of the two. Not too warm, but good true color contrast. I like good color contrast for hunting as it makes slightly different colors stand out from the background. But resolution is very important as well. Can't see what you can't make out.

The biggest difference in reviews is the human eye. Every one is slightly different. Bird watchers prefer very neutral and true colors, where as a hunter, I prefer vivid color contrast.

Depth of field in the view is something I look for the most. It becomes very annoying using an optic with no depth where you're always having to adjust the focus wheel to take a quick look at different objects.

My review of the Nikon Monarch HG is nothing to be considered as written law. I even clearly highlight that it's my "opinion" in the last paragraph. And that's all I can provide after many years of using some of the best optics money can buy. I personally do not prefer Swarovski SV binoculars over some of the others, but I absolutely love my Swarovski ATX spotting scope. What's the difference? I don't know, its just what I prefer. The glass in their binoculars and STX/ATX spotters is the same with the same coatings and is phenomenal in all of their optics, my eyes just prefer it more in the spotting scope format over their binocular format. This is why I also encourage everyone to try before you buy. Readings reviews can only give a person an 'idea' of where to start. It's ultimately up to each person to decide what their eyes prefer within the budget they have set aside for an optic.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Years ago there was a blog, a site where an individual reviewed rifle scopes and maybe binos, IIRC. He was very thorough and professional. He had a way to validate, to test and produce results of "optical clarity", the ability to see and distinguish at distance. Lost the bookmark when my last iMac software upgrade cleaned my hard drive and data. Is there any such source extant that objectively tests optics ? All I get out of reading the web is noise, unsubstantiated noise. Thanks !

Edit: the review above is excellent and helpful but it is not a factual COMPARISON side by side testing of optics. Didn't want to give the wrong impression about the helpfulness of that post.

To add some justification to my review, take a look at the 2017 Field and Stream 10 Best Binoculars review and the 2017 Outdoor Life Best Binoculars review. It would appear they all came to the same conclusion that I did regarding the Nikon Monarch HG

The 2017 Field and Stream optics test ranked the Nikon Monarch HG at #1 and named it "Best of the Test".
You'll see it received a higher score than the Leica Noctivid. They state the Leica was perfect optically and edged out the Nikon in that area, but lost the competition due to failure in the weather resistance test where the right barrel on the Noctivid fogged up with condensation. The Nikon passed the torture test with flying colors.

https://www.fieldandstream.com/top-10-binoculars-2017


The 2017 Outdoor Life Best Binoculars review ranked the Nikon Monarch HG at #2 overall behind the Leica Noctivid. Though I don't believe Outdoor Life conducts weather torture tests in their reviews. Still the Nikon truly is an amazing optic and delivers an image far beyond its price point.

https://www.outdoorlife.com/best-binoculars-2017

 

[Flouncer]

Thanks Ledd !! You understand what I am talking about which is difficult !?! I will read those reviews. FWIW I purchased old school Poro-Prizim Japanese glass - Fujinon. HEAVY BULKY But I can see little birds far away !! I have no way to compare them to newer design less efficient way more expensive roof prisim glass . . . . . .

Edit: So my glass is more like the Steiner's in the Field And Stream review . .. In fact I considered them but picked a year close out end run Fujinon that was marked down several hundred $$$$ Really no change in my particular model in at least 15 years.

" made to perform a very specific task: to help you methodically pick apart the landscape and find distant critters at the very edges of daylight. And it does a heck of a job of it. This was the only binocular to notch a perfect score for low-light performance, and it also finished near the top in resolution."

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I'm not saying the Nikon HG is the best glass I've ever looked through, but for under $1K, it's damn close to optics sporting the best glass in the world. Very closely on the heels of Swarovski EL Swarovision. I don't think I would be able to tell a difference in resolution between the Swaro and Nikon, but the Swaro would probably edge it out in low light performance.

Then you add in the Nikon's massive flattened 362ft FOV, weight of only 24oz., a handy 5.7" length, and a lifetime no-fault warranty....I firmly believe the Monarch HG is the best glass on the market for the money and then some

 

[Flouncer]

No Zeiss in either review. In the end, the possibilities are endless. . . . ..

 

[Ledd Slinger]

At a comparable price, the Zeiss Conquest HD has very nice glass as well. But I found the eyebox to be more fussy and they had less eye relief than the Monarch HG. Even the Victory HT eyebox was fussy. Would lose full FOV with both Zeiss if my eyes strayed a little off center of the ocular lenses.

This evening I will be going to a sporting goods store that has the Leica Noctivid, Leuca HD Plus, Swarovski EL SV, Zeiss Victory SF, and Monarch HG in stock. I've seen that the Nikon can handle itself extremely well in its price range (actually better than anything else at $1K imo), now I want to get a good idea of where it stands with the big boys.

 

[muleystalker]

I have used the Meopta I believe 12x50 that cabelas had and they were very nice but very heavy, I ended up with the Vortex Razor 12x50 and love then, optically they were everything the meopta's were and I think a little better. They were 10.oz lighter than the meopta and ergonomically fit my face/eyes better. They were made in Japan but they are now assembled in their plant in China now. I have looked through the the new ones and they seem the same as the ones madden Japan. I have spent many long days glassing hillsides with them and they are great. I have used Swaro's and Leica's and when and looking at them all side by side the Razors won out for me. On a side note I own and have used several KOWA prominar spotting scopes and love them and have been looking at their prominar binoculars. I like their spotting scopes so much I am just intrigued and want to try them even though I don't need them. They have the Genesis series which is their top and then their Prominar, The 12x56 is what I would like to try and I believe they can be had for 699.00, a little heavier than the Razors but 400.00 or so less also. I have read great reviews about them.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

So i looked through them all yesterday.

The Zeiss Victory SF had nice glass and the balance in hand was amazing, but it had a slightly fussy eyebox like the other Zeiss binos. Definitely and area where Zeiss could improve a bit. The resolution dropped off on the edge of FOV as well. The Nikon HG and Noctivid were very clearly sharper edge to edge. Didn't like the Zeiss SF for that reason.

For the Noctivid, I compared an 8x42 to a Nikon HG 8x42 because there was no Nikon 10x42 in stock. I found the Noctivid a little fussy in the eyebox as well. Dont know why...the specs state it has 2mm more eye relief than the Nikon. Almost seemed like I couldn't get the 2 barrels to focus in perfect harmony unless I had my eyes set just right. The Nikon just goes up and boom, perfect view. Almost as good as Swarovski for comfort of finding and maintaining full FOV. Both the Nikon and Noctivid colors and resolution were absolutely amazing. Doesn't get any better. I honestly couldn't tell a difference. It would definitely take some different lighting conditions and serious scrutiny to see any differences. Unfortunately I didn't have time for that. I also did not like the ergonomics of the Leica Noctivid very much. The open hinge design is a great idea, but they screwed up. The barrels are way too close together which makes releasing the diopter a nuisance when set to my eye width and the focus knob is in a location that makes you have to stretch your finger akwardly upward to use it. No excuse for either of those deign errors at that price point. I also quickly started noticing the weight difference of the Noctivid while comparing them side by side. The Nikon is just so light and comfortable to hold. I don't think I'd buy the Noctivid over the Nikon even if they were the same price. The ergonomics just aren't there for me in the Noctivid. I like binoculars that make me forget they are in my hands when glassing. The Nikon 8x42 HG does just that.

I liked the 8x42 Nikon HG so much, I'm actually going to trade my son's 10x42 set in for the 8x42 set. Then I'm going to get a pair of the same 8x42's for myself

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have used the Meopta I believe 12x50 that cabelas had and they were very nice but very heavy, I ended up with the Vortex Razor 12x50 and love then, optically they were everything the meopta's were and I think a little better. They were 10.oz lighter than the meopta and ergonomically fit my face/eyes better. They were made in Japan but they are now assembled in their plant in China now. I have looked through the the new ones and they seem the same as the ones madden Japan. I have spent many long days glassing hillsides with them and they are great. I have used Swaro's and Leica's and when and looking at them all side by side the Razors won out for me. On a side note I own and have used several KOWA prominar spotting scopes and love them and have been looking at their prominar binoculars. I like their spotting scopes so much I am just intrigued and want to try them even though I don't need them. They have the Genesis series which is their top and then their Prominar, The 12x56 is what I would like to try and I believe they can be had for 699.00, a little heavier than the Razors but 400.00 or so less also. I have read great reviews about them.

I had the 10x42 and 10x50 Razors (made in Japan at the time) before I got my Meopta Meostar HD 10x32. The Razor glass was great, but to my eyes, they definitely fell off with resolution and depth of field compared to the Meopta HD.

I feel the new Nikon Monarch HG easily beats both the Razor and Meopta in every aspect.

I still love the view through Meopta Meostar HD glass. If they could build a binocular where they cut the weight, provide better eye relief, and go to a field flattener lens system while keeping the price down, I think that would be a game changer.

 

[Shrek]

The Meopta Meostar HD’s are excellent binoculars but the Meopros are just mediocre binoculars. I haven’t used the new Monarch HD’s so I can’t comment other than I’ve had to use Nikon’s warranty too many times for too many reasons across their line. I’m a Swarovski EL fan but if I was on a tighter budget the Meostar 10x42 HD’s would be my choice. I’d lose very little from the EL’s I currently use. Zeiss warranty service was terrible and I’ll never buy anything Zeiss again. Swarovski coatings make animals stand out better for me than anything else I’ve used.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

A little off target here, but in regards to the newly designed line of high end ED glass Nikon Monarch optics with field flattener lenses introduced in 2017, it seems the spotting scope is getting the same type of reviews as the Monarch HG ("High Grade") binoculars. People also saying the new spotter is the best glass in its price point $1500-$1600).

Don't think I'll be trading in my Swarovski ATX spotting scope on the Nikon spotter anytime soon, but it would be interesting to look through one if I ever get the chance.

 

[eternium66]

The threads have gone silent. I still would like to share my information that is quite handy to know. Plus, there’s no harm in sharing, right? So I see the original poster here is interested in the glass to find some game, eh? It’s a good idea to ask some people with experience before actually choosing a product by yourself (something I wish I did). I did once have a pair of Meopta MeoPro binoculars. I thought that nothing was better than that pair. My Uncle told me that there is always something better – I just have to search. So I did and just like you, I was asking around on the net. I'm also getting ready to head into the new hunting season, that's why I am in a search for some top binoculars. Thankfully I came across a helpful place that I can also recommend to anyone in search of some binoculars: http://huntingfishingplus.com/best-hunting-binocular/. Trust me on this – you can find better binoculars that are perfect for glass. Thanks to the site, I was able to pick a pair that suited me as a hunter well enough. Reviews on any top binoculars with excellent comparisons were also helpful for pros and cons. You won't regret it. Using the information they provided, I purchased myself a Carson 3D Series High Definition Waterproof Binoculars with ED Glass. If you are also interested in what I got for myself, I can share a video link with you. It’s detailed and you can see it more clearly

. The video may be better for some people so that you can better understand what I'm talking about.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

First of all, the Meopta "MeoPro" line of optics doesnt hold a candle to their top of the line "MeoStar HD" glass. Be careful not.to co fuse the two lines. It's like night and day between the two levels of Meopta glass.

Optics that feel the need to mention their glass is "fully multi-coated" just screams Chinese quality! LOL. A $250 Carson 3D ED binocular will not compete anywhere close to true alpha glass.

I purchased the Leica Noctivid 10x42 binoculars from a member on here this winter. I think your if your uncle had a look thru them, he would finally admit that there's nothing better