Maven C2 7x28. Pretty sweet compacts. (1 Viewer)

[rdnzl]

These came this morning, and to say that I am delighted, would be an understatement. They are Maven C2 7x28's.



Optically, they are a total surprise. Perfect colors, brighter that I thought they would be, and quite sharp images with nice contrast. Absolutely no color fringing that I can see, and the focus stays true until the last maybe 10% of the viewing circle. Impressive. Especially for the price. Super clean inside. Not a single spot of dust under a bright light.



I wanted a compact binocular for hiking and walkabouts. I was going to get the Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28. In fact, I did order them, but Amazon "lost" the package, so after waiting an extra day, I canceled them. But while I was waiting for them to find my package, I decided to spend a little bit more money on what the reviews I found said would be a superior instrument. They were not kidding. I'm sure the Diamondback HD would have been ok, but I bet they are nowhere as good as these are. Really nice optics. They are mechanically solid, but nice and light but not featherweight. The focus wheel is super smooth, with the perfect amount of resistance, from stop to stop. I like that with the eye cups all the way out, I can bury my eye sockets onto them, and block out all outside light. Very easy to hold them still.



Kind of a bummer they chose to not include front caps and a case. But I bought the Maven case for $20. I will probably get some 34mm rubber objective covers. No tripod adapter. But seriously.....$225 for these seems like I stole them. Says "Made in the Phillippines" on the underside of the bridge. I also understand that the warranty is first class, no questions asked kind of a thing. I like that a lot.



Thanks for messing up, Amazon.

 

[Cest]

Totally agree.

 

[rdnzl]

While having my morning coffee on the back deck, I used them to observe two Hummingbirds scrapping over the feeder that hangs from the corner of the roof. Excellent color accuracy. I detect no change from what I see with my eyes. And the view was very sharp and contrasty. I had a nice backlight from the morning sun. I also spotted a Stellar's Jay about 30 yards away in my neighbor's tree. I could see his face real well, and his eyes showed good detail. A couple squirrels were foraging in the grass that I also spent some time following. Their fur coats looked very 3d. I could see the individual hairs very well. They were probably no more than 50 feet away.

Of course I have many larger binoculars that show more detail, are brighter, etc. But they are also a lot larger, and not pocketable like these Mavens are.
As the saying goes, these Mavens box above their weight. At least I think so. And for the price, I'm doubting I could find anything with such satisfying views coupled with this kind of portability.

 

[dae33]

Try Pentax VD 4x20, i was really impressed by them.

 

[yarrellii]

I had not seen this lovely review. Thanks @dae33 for retrieving it. I must say my interest in the 7x28 Maven is ever growing.

 

[Bentley03]

Do these binoculars focus clockwise or anticlockwise to infinity? I decided to part company with my Vortex Diamondback 8x28's because the anticlockwise focus to infinity irritated me, but they were a very decent little pair of binoculars.

 

[Sky2goflying]

My Maven 7x28 have anticlockwise focus to infinity, I use them as my car binos, I love them, they are really clear.

 

[Bentley03]

My Maven 7x28 have anticlockwise focus to infinity, I use them as my car binos, I love them, they are really clear.

Terrific, thank you very much for your reply, it's much appreciated. Sadly, that rules them out for me.

 

[stevenberk]

Terrific, thank you very much for your reply, it's much appreciated. Sadly, that rules them out for me.

Minimal IPD is 58. Rules them out for me. Evan at current price 20% off.

 

[stevenberk]

Minimal IPD is 58mm. Rules them out for me even at current price of 20% off.