Does anyone know if the diopter locks? I read on another site that it doesn’t which would be strange since it’s on the focus wheel. Also noticed an error on the site. Says fov is 110m at 1000 m and 360 ft at 1000 yards. That’s why I wondered if it was an error on the 8x42 not having flouride glass.
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New for 2020 Meopta Meopro Air Binoculars (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Ontario
- Start date
eitanaltman
Well-known member
I wouldn’t worry about the diopter lock if it’s a similar mechanism as the B1 Meostar, it’s one of those things that looks like a potential issue in photos but in practice it’s not. The B1 diopter knob has good resistance and requires a deliberate intent to move, and I trust Meopta to have engineered this new one thoughtfully.
“the FOV on the 8's is 419 ft at 1000 yards = 127.7 meters. The 10's are 329 feet at 1000 yards which = 100.2 meters. This info is according to Meopta USA.”
That’s not how the math on FOV works, you don’t just convert feet to meters. It’s quoted as either “feet at 1000 yards” vs “meters at 1000 m” so the both sides convert, and you just use the feet-to-yards figure.
So 330ft @ 1000yds = 110m @ at 1000m (not 100).
Looks like Meopta messed up the feet conversion on the website, not uncommon for EU brands (Leica has done this several times). The metric specs of 110m for the 10x and 140m for the 8x should be correct and align with the earlier info.
I also tend to believe the 83% transmission in daytime is erroneous. That’s lower than the Meopro HD (86%) and Meostar (88%) specs. And independent tests (Allbinos and Gijs) mostly validate these figures. In fact the measurements make those figures look a bit conservative.
It feels unlikely that Meopta’s new premium $1k optic has worse transmission than the mid tier product, especially when the optics are supposed to be as good as the B1.
“the FOV on the 8's is 419 ft at 1000 yards = 127.7 meters. The 10's are 329 feet at 1000 yards which = 100.2 meters. This info is according to Meopta USA.”
That’s not how the math on FOV works, you don’t just convert feet to meters. It’s quoted as either “feet at 1000 yards” vs “meters at 1000 m” so the both sides convert, and you just use the feet-to-yards figure.
So 330ft @ 1000yds = 110m @ at 1000m (not 100).
Looks like Meopta messed up the feet conversion on the website, not uncommon for EU brands (Leica has done this several times). The metric specs of 110m for the 10x and 140m for the 8x should be correct and align with the earlier info.
I also tend to believe the 83% transmission in daytime is erroneous. That’s lower than the Meopro HD (86%) and Meostar (88%) specs. And independent tests (Allbinos and Gijs) mostly validate these figures. In fact the measurements make those figures look a bit conservative.
It feels unlikely that Meopta’s new premium $1k optic has worse transmission than the mid tier product, especially when the optics are supposed to be as good as the B1.
This is what Meopta USA has on their website for fov. Should say 330 ft instead of 360. Clearly a mistake. Over the years I’ve found Meopta to have mistakes on their website. That’s why I thought perhaps they had a mistake on the 8x MeoStar Plus not having ED glass. Not sure why they wouldn’t though as the primary advantage would be CA control not brightness. Take your word they don’t have ED glass and the website is correct thoug.
https://www.meoptasportsoptics.com/us/produkt/meopro-air-10x42-hd-16595/#
10x42 HD
Compare products
Magnification
10 x
Objective Lens
42 mm
Field of view (m/1000m // ft/1000yds)
110 // 360
https://www.meoptasportsoptics.com/us/produkt/meopro-air-10x42-hd-16595/#
10x42 HD
Compare products
Magnification
10 x
Objective Lens
42 mm
Field of view (m/1000m // ft/1000yds)
110 // 360
Last edited:
eitanaltman
Well-known member
... except, again, that’s exactly how it was on the Meostar B1 lineup for over a decade — non locking diopter on the end of the focus knob — and didn’t hear a lot of complaints.
It’s really a non issue, having experienced this arrangement with the Meostar 8x32 you don’t turn the focus knob with the small sliver at the end closest to your face, your finger falls on the middle or far (objective) end of the knob. And the tension is fairly stiff. I was worried about this before I used one and trust me it’s quite difficult to accidentally knock it out of position in normal use.
As already mentioned, the original Meostar HD's had the same setup......on the focuser, with click stop detents for diopter on top of focus mechanism. I've had one for 10 years or so and it's never moved unless I moved it. I isn't a big deal unless a guy makes it one.
NDhunter
Experienced observer
Steve:
I think you have made a good point on how Swarovski is going to move forward. The NL at the top, and then the EL and large SLC,
and then the CL models. The do need several price points in order to compete in the optics market.
I am looking forward to seeing the new CL 42mm models, which I expect sometime this year.
Jerry
kestrel1
Well-known member
Very favorable pricing spotted on Meopta CZ eshop
https://eshop.meopta.cz/meopro-air/
https://eshop.meopta.cz/meopro-air/
Ontario
Well-known member
Meopta MeoPro Air 8x42 HDED+ | Ontdek hem hier.
Lees bij ons alles over de Meopta MeoPro Air 8x42 HDED+ ✓ Meer dan 15 jaar dé verrekijker specialist van het Noorden ✓ Fysieke winkel te Beilen - Aan de A28.
Ontario
Well-known member
Review
In the past two weeks I've sold three binoculars and bought a new pair of binoculars.
The new binoculars are Meopta Meopro Air 8x42. Official: Meopta Meopro Air HDED + 8x42.
Waterproof 8x42 binoculars were “missing” in my small collection. I already have two Swift Audubons 8.5x44 but they are not waterproof and I won't take them with me in bad weather.
The Meopta Meopro Air 8x42; Where do I begin?
Appearance and workmanship:
The Air looks like a mixture of the first Swarovski EL 42 (model from 1999) and the Swarovski Swarovision 42.
The Air has smooth black parts on the inside of the binoculars, like the first EL 42, but the tubes are without curvature, as with the Swarovision.
Because of the double bridge and the colors green / black, one is also strongly reminded of Swarovski.
I think the workmanship is very good. With the Meopro Air, Meopta doesn't have to hide behind Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss. Everything is really right there. The materials look very good and feel very good. Everything fits perfectly into one another.
The kink bridge has good resistance. I really like the eyepiece sleeves. They are made of metal and covered with rubber on the top. You can unscrew the eyepiece sleeves if cleaning is necessary. The eyepiece sleeves have four stages: on, off and two intermediate stages. If you unscrew an eyepiece sleeve, you can see three small copper-colored balls on the inside, which - I assume - are responsible for locking the steps. It works very well and you “feel the quality”.
The focus: the focus knob turns counterclockwise from near to far. The rotary knob for the diopter adjustment is located on the top of the focusing knob. As you turn this knob, you hear and feel a gentle “click” at every small intermediate step. The rotary knob for the diopter is not locked.
The focus turns on my copy quite stiffly, but smoothly and with the same resistance in both directions.
Sometimes I have the impression that there is a little play in the focus. But it is not always present and because the focus is rather stiff, any game that may be present is more or less hidden or attenuated. Sometimes I feel a little play, often not.
The focus translates pretty slowly. I can't yet describe how exactly. The overstroke towards infinity is relatively large. I can't tell how big, but after infinity you still have quite a bit of rotation left. I watch without glasses.
The optics:
Meopta calls a field of view of 140m / 1000m and I find the field of view to be pleasantly large.
The image sharpness / resolution is excellent. And ... the picture is really sharp to the edge. The contrast rendition is very good. The color rendering too. Chromatic aberration is almost completely absent in the center of the image. There is some chromatic aberration at the edge of the image, but the overall chromatic aberration suppression is excellent.
I can't write anything consistent about the backlight behavior.
The distortion in the Meopro Air 8x42 is slightly pillow-shaped. I see very little globe effect; too little to bother me.
Although Meopta states a daylight transmission of (only) 83%, I find the picture very bright.
Overall, I find the picture in the Meopta Air 8x42 very good and very pleasant. Meostar level.
Meopta calls an eye-length distance of 22mm. The eye-to-eye distance must actually be relatively large, because I place the binoculars with the eyepiece sleeves completely twisted out quite high on my eyebrows. If I push the binoculars a little deeper (like other binoculars I have) into my eye sockets, I see shadowing.
I got used to putting the Air a little different to my eyes very quickly. Then everything is fine with me.
Accessories:
The bag is the same Cordura bag that Meopta supplies with the Meostar binoculars. Great bag, but the binoculars won't fit comfortably in the bag with the eyepiece sleeves turned out and protective caps on.
The shoulder strap: Meopta can do that much better. The shoulder strap of the Meostar 10x42 HD is very well padded and wide; the shoulder strap of the Air is thin, relatively narrow and unpadded.
I didn't connect the shoulder strap to the Air at all and attached a wide Op-Tech shoulder strap from the start.
Because with 900 g. including eyepiece and lens protection, the Meopro Air 8x42 is definitely not a lightweight.
I think the eyepiece protection is great. Fits well and is easy to put on and off.
The protective lens caps are magnetically connected to the binoculars on the underside of the binocular tubes. Because I don't trust this solution and suspected that I would quickly lose the protective lens caps, I helped with two thin strips of bicycle tube. (Photo)
When Hans will read my post, he will probably already say: “The magnetic connection; A solution to a non-existent problem. " I agree.
Conclusion: I think the Meopta Meopro Air 8x42 are very good and very beautiful binoculars. The processing is at the top level. Overall, the picture is very beautiful. Meostar HD level, in my opinion. Because of the large eye-to-eye distance for some observers (without glasses) it may take some getting used to.
What I noticed: In the Netherlands, the official list price is almost 300 euros lower than the lowest price I could find in Germany. Hmm
In my opinion, with the Meopta Meopro Air HDED + 8x42 you get high quality binoculars for a very competitive price.
Especially "with us" ;-)
| From a member of the Julich optics forum Germany April 12, 2021 10:11 PM |
The new binoculars are Meopta Meopro Air 8x42. Official: Meopta Meopro Air HDED + 8x42.
Waterproof 8x42 binoculars were “missing” in my small collection. I already have two Swift Audubons 8.5x44 but they are not waterproof and I won't take them with me in bad weather.
The Meopta Meopro Air 8x42; Where do I begin?
Appearance and workmanship:
The Air looks like a mixture of the first Swarovski EL 42 (model from 1999) and the Swarovski Swarovision 42.
The Air has smooth black parts on the inside of the binoculars, like the first EL 42, but the tubes are without curvature, as with the Swarovision.
Because of the double bridge and the colors green / black, one is also strongly reminded of Swarovski.
I think the workmanship is very good. With the Meopro Air, Meopta doesn't have to hide behind Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss. Everything is really right there. The materials look very good and feel very good. Everything fits perfectly into one another.
The kink bridge has good resistance. I really like the eyepiece sleeves. They are made of metal and covered with rubber on the top. You can unscrew the eyepiece sleeves if cleaning is necessary. The eyepiece sleeves have four stages: on, off and two intermediate stages. If you unscrew an eyepiece sleeve, you can see three small copper-colored balls on the inside, which - I assume - are responsible for locking the steps. It works very well and you “feel the quality”.
The focus: the focus knob turns counterclockwise from near to far. The rotary knob for the diopter adjustment is located on the top of the focusing knob. As you turn this knob, you hear and feel a gentle “click” at every small intermediate step. The rotary knob for the diopter is not locked.
The focus turns on my copy quite stiffly, but smoothly and with the same resistance in both directions.
Sometimes I have the impression that there is a little play in the focus. But it is not always present and because the focus is rather stiff, any game that may be present is more or less hidden or attenuated. Sometimes I feel a little play, often not.
The focus translates pretty slowly. I can't yet describe how exactly. The overstroke towards infinity is relatively large. I can't tell how big, but after infinity you still have quite a bit of rotation left. I watch without glasses.
The optics:
Meopta calls a field of view of 140m / 1000m and I find the field of view to be pleasantly large.
The image sharpness / resolution is excellent. And ... the picture is really sharp to the edge. The contrast rendition is very good. The color rendering too. Chromatic aberration is almost completely absent in the center of the image. There is some chromatic aberration at the edge of the image, but the overall chromatic aberration suppression is excellent.
I can't write anything consistent about the backlight behavior.
The distortion in the Meopro Air 8x42 is slightly pillow-shaped. I see very little globe effect; too little to bother me.
Although Meopta states a daylight transmission of (only) 83%, I find the picture very bright.
Overall, I find the picture in the Meopta Air 8x42 very good and very pleasant. Meostar level.
Meopta calls an eye-length distance of 22mm. The eye-to-eye distance must actually be relatively large, because I place the binoculars with the eyepiece sleeves completely twisted out quite high on my eyebrows. If I push the binoculars a little deeper (like other binoculars I have) into my eye sockets, I see shadowing.
I got used to putting the Air a little different to my eyes very quickly. Then everything is fine with me.
Accessories:
The bag is the same Cordura bag that Meopta supplies with the Meostar binoculars. Great bag, but the binoculars won't fit comfortably in the bag with the eyepiece sleeves turned out and protective caps on.
The shoulder strap: Meopta can do that much better. The shoulder strap of the Meostar 10x42 HD is very well padded and wide; the shoulder strap of the Air is thin, relatively narrow and unpadded.
I didn't connect the shoulder strap to the Air at all and attached a wide Op-Tech shoulder strap from the start.
Because with 900 g. including eyepiece and lens protection, the Meopro Air 8x42 is definitely not a lightweight.
I think the eyepiece protection is great. Fits well and is easy to put on and off.
The protective lens caps are magnetically connected to the binoculars on the underside of the binocular tubes. Because I don't trust this solution and suspected that I would quickly lose the protective lens caps, I helped with two thin strips of bicycle tube. (Photo)
When Hans will read my post, he will probably already say: “The magnetic connection; A solution to a non-existent problem. " I agree.
Conclusion: I think the Meopta Meopro Air 8x42 are very good and very beautiful binoculars. The processing is at the top level. Overall, the picture is very beautiful. Meostar HD level, in my opinion. Because of the large eye-to-eye distance for some observers (without glasses) it may take some getting used to.
What I noticed: In the Netherlands, the official list price is almost 300 euros lower than the lowest price I could find in Germany. Hmm
In my opinion, with the Meopta Meopro Air HDED + 8x42 you get high quality binoculars for a very competitive price.
Especially "with us" ;-)
Last edited by a moderator:
binomania
Well-known member
Hi ! i am using a specimen of Meopta MeoPro Air from some days. I will publish my review with a video, this Friday. Thanks for your comments, very similar to mine impressions.Revisione
Da un membro del Julich Optics Forum Germania
12 aprile 2021 22:11
Secondo me, con il Meopta Meopro Air HDED + 8x42 ottieni un binocolo di alta qualità a un prezzo molto competitivo.
Soprattutto "con noi" ;-)
peterginsburg
Well-known member
I'd like to note that I dealt directly with the personnel at Meopta and they were great and very communicative, highly recommended. I also own the S2 82 and had the Meostar 8X32 HD (both Cabela's equivalents) and both are terrific instruments.
As to the Meopro Air 10X42 HD, I found they did not work for me. Why? I had no problems with the optics and any comments would be very nitpicking. I have not had great problems with heavier binoculars but these seem like they could have been named Lead vice Air. Despite apparently having magnesium bodies they feel extremely heavy. I compared them with my Ultravid 12X50 and despite the actual weights the latter felt lighter. The part of the eyecup that actually touches the face was very comfortable however the intermediate stops in their extension are soft and easily misplaced. I tried to remove the eyecups and in contrast to ZZZZZZ's report I was unable to do so (but was unwilling to apply great pressure in fear of damaging something). The focus knob turns VERY stiffly which is a definite turn-off for me. Ballpark travel of focus knob from close to infinity is around 400 degrees. I found no concern about inadvertently moving the diopter when focusing. If one uses objective covers (I do not) the unique magnetic attachment poses a real threat to their eventual loss. I will be returning this binocular.
As to the Meopro Air 10X42 HD, I found they did not work for me. Why? I had no problems with the optics and any comments would be very nitpicking. I have not had great problems with heavier binoculars but these seem like they could have been named Lead vice Air. Despite apparently having magnesium bodies they feel extremely heavy. I compared them with my Ultravid 12X50 and despite the actual weights the latter felt lighter. The part of the eyecup that actually touches the face was very comfortable however the intermediate stops in their extension are soft and easily misplaced. I tried to remove the eyecups and in contrast to ZZZZZZ's report I was unable to do so (but was unwilling to apply great pressure in fear of damaging something). The focus knob turns VERY stiffly which is a definite turn-off for me. Ballpark travel of focus knob from close to infinity is around 400 degrees. I found no concern about inadvertently moving the diopter when focusing. If one uses objective covers (I do not) the unique magnetic attachment poses a real threat to their eventual loss. I will be returning this binocular.
I also felt that the Air's focus is more stiff than is necessary. At least it is smooth, and without any hint of backlash. I didn't mind the weight however, as I am used to using the slightly heavier (about an ounce) 8.5x42 EL. Since the Air is shorter but almost the same weight as the EL, it seems to feel heavier. At least the Air has a great feeling in the hand of excellent build quality. The interesting thing is that my Air's eyecups turn quite easily. Perhaps Meopta could use a bit of quality control in this area.
I also feel that anyone who uses the Air with the object. covers attached will loose them in short order. Since I prefer to not have covers dangling in the wind when using a binocular, I usually remove objective covers when glassing. Therefore, I really like the Air's magnetic attachment. But I also know that a lot of people are going to really dislike them.
I thought about returning my example as the ER is too short for me to use while wearing sunglasses (I suspect that actual ER is less than published ER) and the slight dislike of the focus wheel, but in the end I kept it as I really do like its physical appearance, excellent build quality, and excellent view. And for me at least, its ergonomics fit my hand extremely well. Out of all my 42mm binos that are not named "NL", I prefer the grip of the Air the most.
