Good looking ( love the green), comfortable, super-bright glass, dielectric prisms, terrific eyecups....by Meopta.....at a great price.
I don't need one, I do not need one....I do not need one.....
I hear you, loud and clear. The skeptic in me says since they were made to be a notch below the Meostars, how can they be better than those? Not saying they can't, but they're less than $300!
They are below the Meostars but they are also below the Meopros, essentially meopros without some of the lens coatings.
Are they really considered to be less of a performer than the Meopros or just ...assumed to be ??? I wonder. Not surprised they wouldn't advertise it as better than Meopros (if it is the case.....just musing here). I haven't read any comparison and don't own them for side by side field test. I don't suppose you have???? Would be great if you could\do\did. I actually wonder - being newer (and advances DO happen in optics) if they actually don't perform better than the Meopros. I have tried highly touted silver coated prisms and can tell you I won't buy roofs that aren't dielectric. The Opitikas' are dielectric. Meopros silver. Make me wonder- and makes me want ......
ps Meopta....any chance you can think ...7x35?
They have some great specs and I want to buy a pair for a pair of Ranger/loaner binos. I optimistically hope for Monarch 7/Viper performance. For the money, these look great but they are not meant to compete at a high level. Here is what Meopta customer service told me via email:
the MeoPro will have a little bit better image quality than the Optika due to the processes used to finish and coat the lenses; this will be most notable in lower ight conditions with color resolution. The Optika is aimed at a lower tier of the market while the MeoPro is still intended to be a top ranking mid-market performer.
Yes, the MeoPro will still be produced. Basically there will be 3 levels of binoculars that we sell once the Optika comes out in June: the Optika HD as an entry level, the MeoPro HD as a mid-level, and the MeoStar B 1.1 as a high end, top-of-the-line model.
What other glass that we may be familiar with do they compare to optically? Thanks for the link, but that's not a user review, that's more of an infomercial.
bman, I've asked you this 3 separate times, and figured you're the guy that can answer it????
Bman, didn't you used to do some work for Nikon. How do they compare to Monarch 5/Monarch7?
What other glass that we may be familiar with do they compare to optically? Thanks for the link, but that's not a user review, that's more of an infomercial.
bman, I've asked you this 3 separate times, and figured you're the guy that can answer it????
I have seen them and I am not the kind of person to disparage another optics company. I will tell you that the Meopta MeoStar has the best glass of any bino I own and I have one that costs 2.5 times what the MeoStar does. I wouldn't and haven't felt that I missed out on any of my preseason scouting with my Optika 10x42's. Come opening day I will have the MeoStar's around my neck by choice not obligation. I hope that answer is sufficient.
What other glass that we may be familiar with do they compare to optically? Thanks for the link, but that's not a user review, that's more of an infomercial.
bman, I've asked you this 3 separate times, and figured you're the guy that can answer it????
I have seen them and I am not the kind of person to disparage another optics company. I will tell you that the Meopta MeoStar has the best glass of any bino I own and I have one that costs 2.5 times what the MeoStar does. I wouldn't and haven't felt that I missed out on any of my preseason scouting with my Optika 10x42's. Come opening day I will have the MeoStar's around my neck by choice not obligation. I hope that answer is sufficient.
Nothing personal, please understand, but that wasn't the question. I own the Meostar HD and you can read by my question i wasn't referring to that model. I was referring specifically to the Optika binos, and made specific reference to that in my post. Now I'll try again....
What specifically do the Optika binos compare to? It is a very easy question I thought.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
Got a pair of the 8X42s a few weeks back but have not done any serious scouting/hunting with them yet. Can look about 1000 yards from camp and have tried them against some old bushnell, Leupold, Steiner and Nikon binocs we have laying around camp. No question these are better, but nowhere near my Leica Geovids. But, they do not weigh what the Geovids do and I will be using them for bow hunting, where ranges are short. So far, very happy with them.
Some mornings, it just does not feel worth it to chew through the straps!~
Spent some time over the weekend comparing the Ne Optika to several other mid priced binos (Browning 8x32- Minox 10x42 and 8x32) I didnt have another 8x42 to compare it with
No the Meopta is not the "Best" bino money can buy. It is however a very good buy under $300. Of the 4 binos I took along, I prefer the ergos of the Meopta.The performance at dawn and dusk is outstanding.The view through the Minox 10x42 at mid day was a little clearer.
My only complaint about the Optika is the edge to edge clarity isnt as good as the other 3 binos, I would say the sweet spot is about 80 to 85%.
The accessories that come with the Optika are all top notch.
336rcm, Thank you for giving us your honest hands-on impression of how the Optika bino's functioned for you. Your statement of it is, "a very good buy under $300", is what Meopta is looking for from consumers. Being happy with your purchase comes down to realistic expectations. Great job and a nice photo too.
Spent some time over the weekend comparing the Ne Optika to several other mid priced binos (Browning 8x32- Minox 10x42 and 8x32) I didnt have another 8x42 to compare it with
No the Meopta is not the "Best" bino money can buy. It is however a very good buy under $300. Of the 4 binos I took along, I prefer the ergos of the Meopta.The performance at dawn and dusk is outstanding.The view through the Minox 10x42 at mid day was a little clearer.
My only complaint about the Optika is the edge to edge clarity isnt as good as the other 3 binos, I would say the sweet spot is about 80 to 85%.
The accessories that come with the Optika are all top notch.
I concur and opened up my new Optika 8x bino’s today. Im impressed and recommend them highly .
Just got mine a few minutes ago. 10-42's, first impression looking out the back yard in grey skies with not great light is they sure are bright and crisp. In a really quicky comparison to my personal favorites the last several years which have been a pair of Pentax 10x43 DCF SP they are much brighter than the SP's. And about the same size/weight.
I also compared them to a pair of Minox BF 10x42BR which IMHO are pretty nice for a cheap binoc and the Meopta's are better which they should be. Anyway, my 5 minute impression is they will be a nice pair of binocs, seem to be extremely bright in muted light and overall fit and feel is nice. I'll be using them next week on an open country mule deer hunt so will know more then.
Last edited by Oregonmuley; 09/18/19.
"Rather hunt Mule deer than anything else" "Team 7MM-08"
Thank you guys for taking the time to pass along your hands-on experiences with the Meopta Optika binos. I think getting info from members who have used them in the filed will go a long way towards getting others to believe in the quality Meopta brings to the consumer. I look forward to other from the field posts too. As always, any Meopta questions, please feel free to drop me a note.
bman940 been a Meopta fan and supporter for decades now. Loved the idea of a Czech scope on a Czech Rifle (CZ) and liked having everyone ask Meopta who? Then take a peek.
Products are top notch and my first call to you all way back was enough to sell me.
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of . Confucius
Kenjs1, Thank you very much for the kind words! They couldn't be more appreciated. As I have told dozens of folks who have asked me, Weren't you the Nikon guy? For almost 10 years I was and then they made big changes and I moved on, for the better, I might add. I had multiple opportunities and I chose to work with Meopta because of the product's they have and their commitment to quality. I couldn't be happier and enlightening guys to what they can get for their money from Meopta is another bonus. I still do not do any sales and I encourage you to support the Sponsors who support RFC.
Hey guys, Just a heads up, we carry the full line of Meopta binoculars and can answer any questions you may have. Of course always mention 24hour when calling
Always outdoor, Obviously, did not expect them to compete with Leica's. The original poster had asked for comparisons with other binos and the ones I listed were the ones I had to compare to. No they are not Leica's but I think they fit the niche I got them for (bowhunting - short distances) quite well.
Some mornings, it just does not feel worth it to chew through the straps!~
Thought I would kick this back up to the top. I just got back from antelope hunting in Wyoming and used my new 10x42's on the hunt. I used them every day from dawn to dark and will say I'm 100% happy with them. I had my old pair of Pentax DCF SP 10x43's along as well to compare and the new Optikas for eyes anyway where much nicer. In low light in the morning I could make out antelope a mile away easily with the Optikas and even see the bucks and sort of tell which where better. And thats tough when looking at any antelope when a inch makes a difference between a good or better buck. Anyway, for the price I'm sure happy I ordered these from Doug, they will certainly be my new go to binocs for future hunts.
"Rather hunt Mule deer than anything else" "Team 7MM-08"