Just in time for hunting season, Maven has created a super tough choice for hunters in need of fantastic glass: Maven upgraded its elite B.1 binoculars, transforming them into the new “B1.2” line. As if that weren’t interesting enough, Maven created an all new B-series option with a 50mm objective lens — the new B.6.
There’s a lot to unpack here, so let’s get into it.
The New Maven ‘B1.2’ Binoculars
The newly upgraded B.1 binoculars get a slightly new naming scheme — the B1.2, which makes sense but also creates an incongruence with the rest of the B and C naming strategy (when it comes to the period placement, at least for now).
On the inside of the new B1.2 binoculars, Maven reworked the internals with upgraded coatings and a wider Schmidt-Pechan prism that delivers higher light transmission and a wider field of view.
At the same time, Maven crammed this awesomeness into a lighter and more compact frame.
For birders who spend time walking and standing and looking up through their binoculars, the reductions in weight and gains in optical quality should be welcome.
For hunters, like myself, weight is often a critical decision factor. Over the last two years, I hunted with the previous generation B.1 binoculars and the only very minor quip I had with them were that they were slightly big and heavy. Granted, this only mattered to me during archery elk season on long mileage and steep elevation days, but still.
In any event, Maven updated the B.1 to the new B1.2 but didn’t increase the price. Nice.
The B.12 is available in 8×42 and 10×42. We have the new B1.2 binoculars in hand in 10×42 at Man Makes Fire and we will publish a first-look B1.2 review asap. In the meantime, check out the specifications at Maven!
The New Maven B.6 Binoculars
For hunters who like to glass during the dim gray minutes before dawn — and at the last few minutes of twilight at sundown — the new Maven B.6 binoculars in 10×50 and 12×50 are now Maven’s brightest mid-sized binoculars.
As expected with binoculars with 50mm objective lenses, the new B.6 binoculars are a bit taller and heavier than the B1.2 — but only a smidge taller and heavier than the original B.1. To keep the Field of View useful, Maven uses a wide-angle Schmidt-Pechan prism made from ultra high-quality ED glass. (It’s probably still Japanese-made glass that Maven has used in its B-series line, but I haven’t confirmed that yet.)
The frame is a rugged magnesium with a grippy rubber housing.
The Maven B-series line is assembled in Wyoming, which also means that Maven can customize the B1.2 and B.6 binoculars through its Maven Custom Optics Builder program. (If you haven’t checked out the possibilities, you should give it a whirl — it’s cool.)
We also have the 10×50 Maven B.6 binoculars in hand at Man Makes Fire and will publish a first-look review soon, as well as a B1.2 vs B.6 post that will reveal the benefits and drawbacks when you pit 10×42 against 10×50 with very similar constructions and glass components. Will the 10x50s deliver much more light? We’ll examine both side-by-side and report back.
I did a similar test with the C-series earlier this year, comparing the C.1 10×42 to the C.3 10×50 — with a bit of B.1 10×42 tossed in for the flagship model comparison. After that experience, which you can read in my review of the Maven C.3, I’m looking forward to testing the differences with Maven’s elite glass.
Both of the new binoculars are, of course, covered by Maven’s unconditional lifetime warranty.
Check out Maven’s announcement post for additional photos.
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Note: Read our full B1.2 10×42 review for more detail!
