What's the latest on Meopta? (3 Viewers)

[iseegeorgesstar]

Thinking about it, the new investors are probably not very well aware of the history of Meopta other than "brochure deep".
They might not have been looking closely at how Meopta have been advertising (or NOT) the different segments over time.
Surely they look at the numbers - but not what has been done to achieve those numbers through creating and sustaining brand recognition. Meopta could have been a bigger brand on the consumer side.

I am not sure of how Meopta execs and staff are involved in the take over turmoil. Meopta are large enough that there must be a lot of aspects that get overlooked and the new "strategy" might not be in line with Meoptas previous engagement in the respective market segments, consumer or industry. What I am afraid of is that they will axe the consumer part of the company and focus on the industrial relations.

That is one of the reasons I recently repurchased the Meopta B1.1 8x32 - if the binocular part ceases to exist completely I will at least own two fine binoculars from them.

And if I am wrong, which I hope I am, then we can eventually look forward to a B2 binocular series from them. And that could be exciting, but I ain't holding my breath...

That's interesting. The uncertainty of the future initially pushed me off getting the binoculars because I didn't know at what time support would cease. But I like your logic better of acquiring a fine binocular with distinct characteristics such as a "big eyes" fov (from what I've read).

If I had the cash I really wanted to get the 32mm that were on sale at Cameraland a few months for $1000.

 

[dries1]

That's interesting. The uncertainty of the future initially pushed me off getting the binoculars because I didn't know at what time support would cease. But I like your logic better of acquiring a fine binocular with distinct characteristics such as a "big eyes" fov (from what I've read).

If I had the cash I really wanted to get the 32mm that were on sale at Cameraland a few months for $1000.

Keep your eyes out, they do pop up once in a while, just have to be ready.

 

[Yarkho]

I have been looking at the optical layout of the Meostar B1. Interestingly, according to the 2024 catalog the B1+ version has 5-element (2-2-1) eyepieces. This is unlike the B1 optical schema, which had 4-element eyepieces (1-2-1).

2024 catalogs (including EN versions):

Ke stažení | Meopta :: Lepší pohled na svět

www.meopta.com

Original B1 optical layout (which I found on binomania.it):

Binomania il primo portale dedicato agli amanti del binocolo a cura di Piergiovanni Salimbeni

Binomania: Binocular, Sport Optics and Accessories Reviews, Recensioni di binocoli, ottiche sportive ed accessori

www.binomania.it

I realize the old B1 layout is for 7x42, which is no longer produced.

Also, looking at the catalog, Meopta has new/2024 riflescope, so some development in sports optics seems to be ongoing.

 

[tenex]

Here is the 10x42 B1.1 with 5 elements, from the 2020 catalog. Yet I'm not aware of changes from B1 to 1.1 in specifications like FOV, and no one seems to have noticed any difference in use. Perhaps only the 7x42 had 4 elements?

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi Yarkho (post #63),

As far as I know, Meopta has never listed the details of the optical construction of the B1 series,
though over the years they have shown cutaway views of two of the x42 models.

Meopta appears to use the same objective construction on the x42's, and vary magnification by altering the eyepiece construction.
The 7x42 has a simpler eyepiece (4 lenses in a 1, 2, 1 configuration), compared to the 10x42 (5 lenses in a 2, 2, 1 configuration).
And the 8x42 is likely to be somewhere in between in terms of the arrangement of the lenses.

On the x42 series at least, Meopta uses a 4 lens objective of a somewhat unusual pattern. As tenex’s image clearly shows,
there’s a doublet at the front, followed by a single focusing lens, and then a fixed lens immediately in front of the prisms.

The rear lens presumedly enables the short length of the Meopta x42’s. See an image from Piergiovanni:
Binomania il primo portale dedicato agli amanti del binocolo a cura di Piergiovanni Salimbeni


Four 8x42's, from left to right: Swarovski EL SV, Zeiss Victory FL, Swarovski SLC HD and Meopta B1.


John

 

[Yarkho]

Yes. Judging by the catalogs over the years the König 1-2-1 eyepiece may pertain only to the 7x42 model.

The 8x42 and 10x42 have similar eyepieces, judging by the looks of them, with 10x42 having smaller eye lens and smaller ER.

 

[Sancho]

Hi Tenex et al, quick question, is Meopta Optika still producing any optics for nature observation? I just checked their website and under Hunting, Nature and Tactical there is only one item each. Also the site says 'Meopta1993-2023'. I'm not concerned, I love my Meopta S2 82 HD scope and I'm sure Meopta will service it if such is ever needed. But it's sad if they've given up nature observation products, I really liked them as a company, and the only time I ever had to contact them (I'd lost a dust cap) they were super-helpful

 

[Pinewood]

@Sancho

It looks like USA vendors are clearing their stock of Meopta nature observation optics.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur

 

[Sancho]

Thanks Arthur. And does that also apply to Cabela's stock? Not sure if they were a separate company, but I think Meopta binos could be bought in the US badged as Cabela's.

 

[dries1]

Merger of the companies Meopta – optika, s.r.o. and Meopta s.r.o. | Meopta :: Better view of the world

www.meopta.com

 

[Pinewood]

Thanks Arthur. And does that also apply to Cabela's stock? Not sure if they were a separate company, but I think Meopta binos could be bought in the US badged as Cabela's.

I was thinking of CameraLandny.com
Arthur

 

[tenex]

Hi Sancho and Arthur,
The Cabelas rebranding of Meopta models seems to have ended quite some time ago, possibly when they were bought out by Bass Pro. A version of the S2 scope is apparently still marketed by Nightforce.
I don't think Cameraland is selling out of Meopta, just having a July 4th sale (ending today). Many dealers are having optics sales. Meopta's own online store doesn't always have everything in stock, nor does Cameraland, but ordering may still be possible, you'd have to ask.
The "1933-2023" notation is part of a 90th anniversary symbol.
Rumors of the death of Meopta sports optics have been exaggerated before. The company's statement says nothing about that, just corporate structure.

 

[dries1]

I would not buy anything Cabelas/Meopta, one may have trouble getting service, or maybe not. Cabelas is Bass Pro now any way.

 

[jgraider]

I would not buy anything Cabelas/Meopta, one may have trouble getting service, or maybe not. Cabelas is Bass Pro now any way.

Agree 100%. I 've always loved the Meopta's I have, but they've become a bit of an enigma lately IMO. I heard they closed their Florida USA location, and all service, etc is handled out of Czech. Is this true? If so, I hate to see that happen.

 

[dries1]

Agree 100%. I 've always loved the Meopta's I have, but they've become a bit of an enigma lately IMO. I heard they closed their Florida USA location, and all service, etc is handled out of Czech. Is this true? If so, I hate to see that happen.

I had my Meostar 8X32 Focus serviced by shipping the glass to them in FL. not too long ago, whether they shipped to the Czech Republic is another matter. It took about 7 weeks for their return.

 

[ArchStanton]

Agree 100%. I 've always loved the Meopta's I have, but they've become a bit of an enigma lately IMO. I heard they closed their Florida USA location, and all service, etc is handled out of Czech. Is this true? If so, I hate to see that happen.

I hope that’s not the case because I own two Meopta Meopro scopes that are still under warranty. Their customer service from NY and most recently from Florida was excellent

 

[adhoc]

Meopta MeoGuard is a new military line of binos. See website.

There are 4 models, DF 8x32, DF 10x42HD, DF 12x50HD, DFx 10x42LRF. As I can see yet, in each, compared with MeoStar: the basic chassis frame is the same, and optics nearly so, except in the rangefinder DFx; the weight is a little more, the armor is thicker (as shown by overall dimensions and by min. IPD).

Each is stated to be "shock resistant" except the rangefinder, and all "exceptionally resistant to moisture, dust, temperature fluctuation and shocks." The tech. data for each adds several parameters which reflect this.

MeoStar B1 Plus line: still, as a year ago, stated to have a "magnesium body", and the weights in the table much less than of the familiar (to BF) models with aluminium bodies. Have Meopta even now actually made this change, especially considering there is now a heavier, more robust line? Or will soon?

 

[Yarkho]

Czech (native) eshop does not list MeoGuards. Regarding Meostar B1 Plus, they say "aluminium alloy chassis".

 

[adhoc]

Yarkho: Here's a composite image I had made from the 2023 catalog. Won't repeat with 2024 catalog as much easier to just post this! 2024 (the English catalog, within the website) carries the identical text and figures (except "are" in "are resistant" is typoed just "a").

 

[tenex]

The issue of false claims of lightweight Mg bodies was dealt with earlier in this thread. One has to imagine they actually planned to do that, else the figures shown would never have been generated.

I suppose getting further into the military market makes sense for Meopta. John noted the new DF models in March:

Meopta's 2024 Offerings

Meopta has long been a family owned company. However last year it was sold to the Carlyle investment firm, see: Statement of the Rausnitz Family on the Sale of Meopta | Meopta :: Better view of the world And understandably there's been speculation as to what that means in terms of current and...

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