Maven B.3 6×30

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Specifications:

Objective diameter (acc. to specs.):  30 mm
Magnification (acc. to specs.):  6 x
Exit pupil (acc. to specs.): 5 mm
Eye relief (acc. to specs.): 18.3 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 14 mm
IPD (acc. to specs.):  56 – 73 mm
RFOV (according to specs.):  8.5  degrees = 149 m
AFOV (according to specs.):  51 degrees
AFOV (measured): 50 degrees
Minimum focus distance (according to specs.): 2.5 m
Minimum focus distance (measured): 2.5 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: > clockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from 3 m to infinity (measured): 170 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (acc. to spec.): +/- 2 dpt*
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position (estimate): >6 dpt*
Prism system:  Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (without accessories, acc. to specs.): 457 g
Weight (measured, with strap, eyepiece cover and objective cover): 543 g
Made in: Japanese components assembled in USA
*range of diopter adjustment not affected by position of focus wheel

 
Remarks:

Maven’s line of «B.3» binoculars includes three 30 mm models – 10×30, 8×30 and the 6×30 presented here. All are “assembled in USA from Japanese components”. As usual for Maven, build quality is very good; the optics are okay, but we felt slightly  “underwhelmed” by this 6×30 binocular based on our experience with the B.6, B.2 and B1.2 models in  this collection (see separate posts under https://binocular.ch/maven-b-6-10×50/https://binocular.ch/macen-b1-2-8×42/, https://binocular.ch/maven-b-2-9×45/ and https://binocular.ch/maven-b2-11×45/). While central sharpness is good, the field of view satisfactory, and image brightness pleasant (Maven claims 94.6% transmission), we found the sweet spot on the narrow side and edge sharpness barely satisfying. Despite the smooth and precise focus mechanism, we sometimes needed a bit of “practice” to find perfect sharp focus. Moreover, control of stray-light is less than ideal, observing when bright light sources are close to the edge of the field of view or observing over a dark landscape with some bright sky overhead produces all sort of unwelcome reflections. The 6×30 therefore does not get our unconditional recommendation to people looking for a 6x or 6.5x binocular (we prefer the Kowa 6.5×32, he APM 6×30 or even 6.5×32 over the Maven, see separate posts https://binocular.ch/kowa-bdii-6-5×32-xd/, https://binocular.ch/apm-6×30-ms/, https://binocular.ch/12117-2/). We remain, however, big fans of our larger “Mavenbuilt” binoculars mentioned above.

Ratings:

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