Meopta MeoStar B1 8×32 Plus

Specifications:

Objective diameter:  32 mm
Magnification:  8 x
Exit pupil: 4 mm
Eye relief (acc. to spec): 16 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 13.5 mm
IPD: 58 – 74 mm
RFOV:  8.0  degrees = 139 m
AFOV (measured, rounded): 61 degrees
Minimum focus distance (measured): 1.65 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: > clockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from 3m to infinity (measured): 280 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (acc. to spec.): +/- 3 dpt*
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position (estimate): 6 dpt*
Prism system:  Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (measured, with eyepiece cover and strap): 685 g
Made in: Czech Republic
*range of diopter adjustment not affected by position of focus wheel

Remarks:

Meopta has been updating their great MeoStar series over time, first when the original “B1” generation was upgraded with a new central diopter adjustment mechanism and named “B 1.1”, and more recently, when the B 1.1 generation was again upgraded and now called “B1 Plus”. Comparing the original MeoStar B1 8×32 from ten years ago (see separate post, https://binocular.ch/meopta-meostar-b1-8×32/ ) with the (2021) current B1 Plus model, the most remarkable differences are the changed diopter mechanism and the improved rubber armour. Meopta’s specifications also claim a slightly wider field of view, a tiny improvement of technical eye relief (usable eye relief stays the same, though) and improved coatings on the lens surfaces. The very good MeoStar B1 Plus competes with excellent glasses of the same size such as Zeiss Conquest HD (see separate post, https://binocular.ch/zeiss-conquest-hd-8×32/) or Leica Trinovid HD (see separate post, https://binocular.ch/leica-trinovid-8×32-hd/ ) and does not have to hide from these. Small nuisance: the objective covers fall off way to easily.

Ratings: