Meopta S2/Cabelas Instinct Euro HD 82 Spotting Scope

Anyone own one of these spotting scopes that could comment? I am going to buy a new spotting scope for hunting out west and prefer the bigger scopes. I'm looking for validation on the side by side comparison I did with a few scopes. For my eyes, I liked the FOV and 'flatness' of the entire picture compared to the Swarovski ATS 80 (both at 60X) and the Vortex Razor (60X again). I was at Cabelas so this was the 20-70 fixed eyepiece version that they carry.

Does anyone have some real world experience with this scope to validate what I saw in the store? I was pretty impressed.

From another thread......

Originally Posted by JGRaider

I've personally had my S2 side by side with the Kowa 884 Prominar, one of the best spotters on the planet. I kept the S2, sold the 884....it's that good.

Here's what Outdoor life said about it in 2013...

http://www.petersenshunting.com/featured/bes-spotting-scopes-of-2013/

Using the 30–60X WA EP, the field  of view was incredible with virtually undetectable color fringing. This is a damn fine scope. The image is expansive. Controls are easy to manipulate but a bit stiff when fine-tuning.

The MeoStar offers a very sharp, crisp image with a hint of warm tint. In fact, this scope posted near-perfect scores during the two 100-yard resolution tests. Edge sharpness was excellent, but missed perfection due to curvature at the very edge of the field. Normally, a wide-angle EP gives up eye relief, but not with this one. Four-eyed observers rejoice.

Color fidelity was true and even better than the more expensive Nikon EDG. The friction in the adjustment wheel is perfect, and the MeoStar offers a perfect weight balance, which translates to minimal  image distortion when panning, focusing, or tracking moving objects.

At 46X, we observed reduced brightness, but sharpness remained excellent through 58X. It was no problem reading signage placed at one mile. In fact, it bested the Leica in this aspect of our comparison. The Meopta is an incredible optic. It’s so good some of our testers almost preferred the Meopta to the mighty Swarovski. That says a lot.

Priced at $2,200—less than Leupold’s GR—the MeoStar earns our Best Buy Award for offering an image that rivals scopes costing twice as much.

SCORE: 93
Price: $2,200

[Linked Image]

Best spotter I have ever looked through including Swarovski and all the others. Getting one is a priority for me

Thanks JG. I was blown away by it too. It was so good, it made the ATS and Razor look very similar to me. Do you own the S2 or the Cabelas model? Curious which eyepiece you have?

The Meopta/ Cabelas spotter is awesome. And to my eyes- I also definitely thought it was better than the Swaro 80 ATS when doing an in depth comparison. And it was not a hard to call decision. Even my wife who does not know beans about optic companies thought the Meopta was better when I had her look through the two of them.

Get the Meopta one- and you will be happy.

I have the Meopta S2 spotter and have the 30-60WA and the 20-70 eyepieces. I use the WA eyepiece more and I get some amazing digiscope video through it

http://youtu.be/y_OC7todhq4

Drum, what's your digiscoping setup?

Wow. That's very clear video. Is that with an iPhone?

No sir, it's an Olympus TG-4 camera and a special adaptor that I had built

Great video, thanks for sharing it. How far were the deer in the video?

What scope cover are you guys using? I will be getting the angled scope.

Originally Posted by SCRUBS

Great video, thanks for sharing it. How far were the deer in the video?

About 200 yards. Had great light and no heat waves

Cool stuff Drum. Very good quality IMO.

Originally Posted by huntsonora

I have the Meopta S2 spotter and have the 30-60WA and the 20-70 eyepieces. I use the WA eyepiece more and I get some amazing digiscope video through it

I know this is an old thread, but one of the few I can find on this scope and both eyepieces. I just found a sick deal on this spotter with an eyepiece. I was wondering if you (if you see this) or anybody else can give me a few comparisons on both eyepieces? I know the 30-60 is wide-angle and the 20-70 probably has more a looking-through-a-tunnel effect. But is the 20-70 that much more narrow in terms of edge-to-edge image? Is it usable at 60/70 power?

I'm using this spotter for long-range shooting past 1,000 yards. Like 1200-1500 yards. And I need to be able to see and spot misses on steel targets at that distance. So it's not like I need to find deer hiding on a hillside.

This looks like such a great optic. And I found a killer deal so I jumped on it. But I still have time to decide which eyepiece.

I have the S2 with the 20-70x. I experience no tunneling at all on any power. As you're well aware, mirage, heat waves, etc are a killer for long range spotting, and you'll fight it with this scope too, but that's obviously no fault of the optics. This is world class stuff that takes a back seat to nothing at any price, with the very small exception of the modular Swaro spotters that sell for $4k +. Yes, the 70x is usable in some limited situations, once again whe the atmosphere is cooperating. Around here, about 15% of the time.

Good luck, you chose well.

Originally Posted by JGRaider

I have the S2 with the 20-70x. I experience no tunneling at all on any power. As you're well aware, mirage, heat waves, etc are a killer for long range spotting, and you'll fight it with this scope too, but that's obviously no fault of the optics. This is world class stuff that takes a back seat to nothing at any price, with the very small exception of the modular Swaro spotters that sell for $4k +. Yes, the 70x is usable in some limited situations, once again whe the atmosphere is cooperating. Around here, about 15% of the time.

Good luck, you chose well.

Thanks! Hmm... still have no clue which eyepiece to get haha. Right now I have the 30-60 WA on order. The shop has the 20-70 in stock. What's the difference between both eyepieces when they are both set to 50x, for example?

I have been trying to compare different high end scopes, and it requires piecing together a number of reviews, such as

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?8795-REVIEW-Swarovski-ATX85-vs-Kowa-Prominar-884

http://www.petersenshunting.com/featured/bes-spotting-scopes-of-2013/

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?8795-REVIEW-Swarovski-ATX85-vs-Kowa-Prominar-884

http://www.rokslide.com/gear/optics/261-swarovski-atx85-kowa-884

http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-vortex-razor-hd-20-60x85-spotting-scope.html

I went with the 20-70. I don't need the wide angle because I'm not sitting there looking for an animal. Just target shooting. And while I couldn't find any real reviews of the S2 with the 20-70, I did find lots of reviews of the Nightforce version, which is basically the same scope and it uses the 20-70. And it seems to get great reviews, so I took the plunge on the S2. Should be here in a week.

I also got the whole package new for $1800 haha!

I compared both lenses and preferred the 20-70 for hunting. It has been a great setup for me. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

I went with the 20-70. I don't need the wide angle because I'm not sitting there looking for an animal. Just target shooting. And while I couldn't find any real reviews of the S2 with the 20-70, I did find lots of reviews of the Nightforce version, which is basically the same scope and it uses the 20-70. And it seems to get great reviews, so I took the plunge on the S2. Should be here in a week.

I also got the whole package new for $1800 haha!

Nice!!! Where from?

Originally Posted by huntsonora

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

I went with the 20-70. I don't need the wide angle because I'm not sitting there looking for an animal. Just target shooting. And while I couldn't find any real reviews of the S2 with the 20-70, I did find lots of reviews of the Nightforce version, which is basically the same scope and it uses the 20-70. And it seems to get great reviews, so I took the plunge on the S2. Should be here in a week.

I also got the whole package new for $1800 haha!

Nice!!! Where from?

Sport Optics has a package deal with the eyepiece for $2100 and they have (or had) a 15% off sale for euro companies. Right now they have a 12% sale for Valentine's Day. So it's still possible to get a good price.

I have an S2 with the 20-70. The only caveat with the Cabela's version is the eyepiece is not removable. These are great scopes. I want for nothing. At the price these sell for on sale, you can't go wrong. Do a search on here, there are lots of positive posts.

Here, I did the search for you.
S2 Meopta on 24HCF

***Edit: I can't seem to link the search results. Enter "S2 Meopta".

Scope arrived today. It's too dark to really get a good peek through it. But living in the city (SF), I have a nice view of all the city lights and it looks pretty freakin' good. A couple things though:

1. The eyepiece has no lock. So when you zoom the eyepiece, it basically unscrews itself from the scope body. Really annoying. You have to use two hands. One to zoom and one to hold the eyepiece so it doesn't unscrew. It either A) Needs a locking mechanism (like on a DSLR), or B) Needs a tighter fit with a friction lock of sorts. I'll contact Meopta about this and see if there is a solution.

2. The 20-70 eyepiece seems nice so far (again, hard to tell at night). But the 70x isn't exactly that much more than 60x. At 1,000 yards it's basically no difference in terms of "zoom". But the eyebox is pretty tight. Makes me wonder if the 30-60x would have been a better choice. Maybe the eyebox is more forgiving, with less vignetting.

I'll play with it in the morning, when there's more light.

On a side note, the PhoneSkope I ordered is also way too loose. I need to put some electrical tape on the inside so it can grip the scope better. So no photos/video yet.

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

......A couple things though:

1. The eyepiece has no lock. So when you zoom the eyepiece, it basically unscrews itself from the scope body. Really annoying. You have to use two hands. One to zoom and one to hold the eyepiece so it doesn't unscrew. It either A) Needs a locking mechanism (like on a DSLR), or B) Needs a tighter fit with a friction lock of sorts. I'll contact Meopta about this and see if there is a solution.

If it's an S2 it has a lock which engages when eyepiece is emplaced and requires the push of a button to release.

Hi FourT6and2,

If the Cabelas (Meopta)has a non removable eyepiece, it is NOT the S2 MeoStar. I think is the MeoPro version. The Meopta second line of optics. Very good, also but not the best ones.
The S2 (and S1 by the way, I have one) are the best Meoptas and they do have removable eyepieces. The S1 screw type mount, and the S2 a bayonet type one.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by TheBigSky

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

......A couple things though:

1. The eyepiece has no lock. So when you zoom the eyepiece, it basically unscrews itself from the scope body. Really annoying. You have to use two hands. One to zoom and one to hold the eyepiece so it doesn't unscrew. It either A) Needs a locking mechanism (like on a DSLR), or B) Needs a tighter fit with a friction lock of sorts. I'll contact Meopta about this and see if there is a solution.

If it's an S2 it has a lock which engages when eyepiece is emplaced and requires the push of a button to release.

Really?! What button? Yes, it's an S2. There is no button...

Oh wow, never mind lol. I'm an idiot.

That little pin in the body snaps into a notch in the eyepiece. But I had to really force it. I didn't want to damage anything, but I see how it works now.

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

Originally Posted by TheBigSky

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

......A couple things though:

1. The eyepiece has no lock. So when you zoom the eyepiece, it basically unscrews itself from the scope body. Really annoying. You have to use two hands. One to zoom and one to hold the eyepiece so it doesn't unscrew. It either A) Needs a locking mechanism (like on a DSLR), or B) Needs a tighter fit with a friction lock of sorts. I'll contact Meopta about this and see if there is a solution.

If it's an S2 it has a lock which engages when eyepiece is emplaced and requires the push of a button to release.

Really?! What button? Yes, it's an S2. There is no button...

I don't have mine in front of me so bare with me as I try to describe it. By the way, it should be in the manual. The button isn't separate by color or anything. On the underside the eyepiece release button is on the body and it is only identifiable as three raised lines just short of the separation of the eyepiece and the body. You need to push in quite firmly on it to release. It is there. I believe it's actually triangular in shape.

We've had the Cabelas, straight, with 20/70 for two hunting seasons now. It is very sharp and very true on colors. I recommend it highly. It is a long-term piece of equipment.

Originally Posted by TheBigSky

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

Originally Posted by TheBigSky

Originally Posted by FourT6and2

......A couple things though:

1. The eyepiece has no lock. So when you zoom the eyepiece, it basically unscrews itself from the scope body. Really annoying. You have to use two hands. One to zoom and one to hold the eyepiece so it doesn't unscrew. It either A) Needs a locking mechanism (like on a DSLR), or B) Needs a tighter fit with a friction lock of sorts. I'll contact Meopta about this and see if there is a solution.

If it's an S2 it has a lock which engages when eyepiece is emplaced and requires the push of a button to release.

Really?! What button? Yes, it's an S2. There is no button...

I don't have mine in front of me so bare with me as I try to describe it. By the way, it should be in the manual. The button isn't separate by color or anything. on the underside the eyepiece release button is on the body and it is only identifiable as three raised lines. You need to push in quite firmly on it to release. It is there. I believe it's actually triangular in shape.

Yup, I found it. Thanks haha! I guess it was too dark last night and I was too excited to play with the thing to notice it.

Here's a video. A bit shaky because I had to hand-hold the camera since the Phone Skope is a bit loose. Watch in 1080P.

The crane and workers are a bit over 600 yards away. The domed building at the end is 4,048 yards.

Originally Posted by PatagoniaHunter

Hi FourT6and2,

If the Cabelas (Meopta)has a non removable eyepiece, it is NOT the S2 MeoStar. I think is the MeoPro version. The Meopta second line of optics. Very good, also but not the best ones.
The S2 (and S1 by the way, I have one) are the best Meoptas and they do have removable eyepieces. The S1 screw type mount, and the S2 a bayonet type one.

Good luck!

The Cabelas Instinct Euro HD is the exact same scope as the Meopta S2, with the exception that the Euro HD does not have a removable eyepiece.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Instinct-Euro-HD-Spotting-Scope/1575211.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dinstinct%2Bspotting%2Bscope%26CQ_st%3Db

Nice video FourT. I just got one of those Phone Skope rigs too.

Figured I'd try one more vid during my lunch break. Here's Alcatraz at 4700 yards. Again, make sure to watch in HD. The tree colors at 2:20 are awesome.

It's really surprising that Meopta hasn't put out a 60-65mm smaller scope to fit the niche of backpack hunting. The 80 and 82 are awesome but just so big and heavy. If they made a smaller/lighter version at Meopta price points they would sell like hot cakes.

Hi JG,

If it is so, is the same situation as with the Cabela Euro HD/Meopta Meostar HD binoculars. There are some MM HD offered ONLY by Cabelas, the 8x32 HD as an example. Not for sale in Europe where the only ones are the 10x42, 12x50 and 15x56.
This version of the great S2 Meostar, with the fixed eyepiece would be only sold by Cabela's.

Regards

Hi Alaska,

I have the S1 APO Meopta Meostar 20-60x75. The previous top of the line Meopta's S.S.
I understand it is in the market in Europe as S1 HD instead of "APO" (for apochromatic).
This S1 APO or HD is a fantastic Spotting Scope, much lighter and smaller than the S2 and less expensive as well. Optically is VERY good! And, beeing apochromatic, is very well corrected for chromatic aberrations. As the S2 is. And a fixed 30x Wide Angle eyepiece is an extra option. I have this also. I must recomend it!

PH

Man... You all are making it hard to resist one of these Meopta's.. Need to check some weights but they look danged good!