New Meopta Optika6 HD Binoculars are Available

[gr8fuldoug]

New Meopta Optika6 HD Binoculars are Available

After a long wait these great new binoculars from Meopta are available. 2 models, 8x42 HD for only $289.95 and 10x42 HD for only $299.95. These are certainly going to be go to binoculars in the under $400.00 price class.

From Meopta:

Meopta USA Sport Optics is pleased to announce its Optika HD binocular line is now shipping. Available in 8x42 and 10x42, these lightweight, rugged, magnesium-alloy binoculars are encased in a newly designed shock-proof, rubber-armored exterior for a modern look and feel. The advanced HD lenses, combined with phase-correction and dielectric coatings, deliver incredible brightness, superior color fidelity, edge-to-edge sharpness and increased contrast, allowing hunters to see better in low light.

Optika HD binoculars feature Meopta’s MeoShield anti-abrasion lens coatings and MeoDrop hydrophobic lens coatings which repel rain, dust, and grease from lens surfaces.

The twist-up eyecups on the Optika HD binoculars are metal with a soft rubber exterior, making them extremely durable and comfortable while eliminating the risk of breakage in the field. They are also designed for easy removal and cleaning since eyecups often collect dirt and debris in the field. Like all Meopta binoculars, the Optika HD series is nitrogen purged and fully sealed for fogproof and waterproof performance in the most demanding conditions.

About Meopta

Meopta has been producing high-end European optics for over 85 years. Meopta is a leading manufacturer & partner to many of the world's finest optical brands. Meopta conceives, develops and manufactures precision optical and electro/optical systems for semiconductor, medical, aerospace and military industries as well as for consumer markets.

If there is anything you're looking for please give us a call at 516-217-1000. It is always our pleasure to speak with you. Always give a call to discuss options and what would be best for your needs

Have a great day.

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Thank you for your continued support.
If there is anything else that I can assist you with please let me know.
Doug
Camera Land
720 Old Bethpage Road
Old Bethpage, NY 11804
516-217-1000
Please visit our web site @ www.cameralandny.com
Cameras,Binoculars, Spotting Scopes, Rifle Scopes | Camera Land NY
Long Islands Largest Camera and Sports Optics Superstore

 

[gr8fuldoug]

These are the same optics as the Meopro with a different coating. You are correct that they are not built as rugged, however, I think these will totally take over all Nikon Monarch sales (not saying that because the new head of Meopta Sports Optics was with Nikon for over 20 years and wanted to make sure he came out with something to be the go to rather than the Monarch).

IMO, under $400.00 these will be a HUGE success

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Still made in Czech Republic?

Yes sir, product of the Czech Republic

 

[broncoaz]

Specs on the 8x42 look great. The field of view on the 10x42 looks narrower than most 10x42 I’ve looked at, that seems strange when the body is shorter than the Meopro. Light transmission exceeds the Meopro and is on par with the Meostar according to the spec sheet.

I’m assuming these would be significantly better than the Vortex Diamondback HD.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Here is a Video put out by Meopta with some more detail on these binoculars

 

[broncoaz]

Order placed for the 10x42. It was nice talking to you, Doug.

 

[broncoaz]

My order arrived this morning USPS Priority. I ordered at 4:30 pm Friday and had them in my hand in AZ before noon Monday. Impressive work by Doug getting them out Friday, and USPS for delivering a day early.

This is an initial review written within an hour of having the Optika HD in my hands, my opinion may change as I use these more. These came well packaged with a nice factory box and a case that is a much closer to the binocular fit than the bulkier Vortex Diamondback case I’m used to. Comparing the size to the DB, the Meopta are slightly less bulky overall; the barrels are 50mm on the objective end vs 52mm, overall length with the eye cups extended are 152mm vs 155 mm, the strap loops are much tighter to the body and without rubber over molding covering them. The Meopta feel like a higher quality product in the hands, think about a Ford vs a Lincoln or a VW vs an Audi, just more finished. The Meopta are easier to hold up to my eyes. The eye relief better matches the supplied eye cups. On the Meopta I can put the cups against the bones and everything lines up, this was not the case on the Diamondbacks where I have to hold them off my face slightly to avoid black rings (which leads to fatigue). The cups are slightly larger in diameter and more comfortable.

Initial impressions is that the optical quality is good. The color tone is neutral like the DB, no noticeable yellow or blue tint. Glare on the ocular lens is well controlled with a purple tint, vs a more distracting and less controlled green tint on the DB. Trying to read small lettering on a power box down the block is possible with both, but the letters are very slightly clearer with the Meopta. Trying to read a UPS label on a box 15 feet away in my house is noticeably easier (the smaller print under the barcode is readable with the Meopta, not possible with the DB) and the image is brighter. Brightness looks similar between the two outdoors on an overcast day, but it’s the middle of the day so I’ll compare again at dusk. The depth of field looks wider on the Meopta, if I focus on a tree 100 yards away the other trees around it are still close to focused where they are noticeably blurry with the Diamondback. I don’t have a good way to judge CA at the time of writing as it’s more noticeable for me in bright sunlight or looking over a roof at sunset, it just started raining. The focus is faster on the Meopta, approximately 1.25 turns lock to lock, the DB are approximately 1.7 turns (not sure if I prefer this yet, but it’s an observation).

Directly comparing within 100 yards the Meopta is noticeably better than the DB, but not mind blowing, but I didn’t expect mind blowing. I recently compared a bunch of different pairs at Sportsman’s Warehouse and Bass Pro, and the differences there between the $159 Crossfire HD and the $999 Razor, Meopta, etc. just aren’t that great under normal conditions. I will get these out on the rifle range to spot hits at distance later, but my initial impression is that the improvements in sharpness, depth of field, potentially brightness, and the proper fitted eye relief all make for a better experience and make the upgrade worth it. I would certainly recommend these CZ made magnesium frame binoculars over any China made plastic body models in a similar price point.

My only minor nit is the length of the included strap, at its shortest setting the binoculars are at my naval, the short setting on the DB is mid chest. The measured difference is 7.5” longer, tThe strap QD buckles add 6” of the additional length. I will end up with a different strap or I’ll cut the Meopta strap shorter and not use the QD section at all. I could also purchase a different strap or harness.

Edited to add some additional observations. Looking at Humphreys Peak 12.4 miles to the north 30 minutes before dusk, the clarity on the Meopta and the DB are similar, brightness looks similar, edge clarity is noticeably better on the Meopta. Both exhibit similar CA (looking at the edge of the mountain against the sky there is a purple fringe), depending on which section of mountain I was looking at both the Meopta and the DB will look better CA wise at times so I’d call that a tie.

Going back outside at dusk, the Meopta is brighter than the DB. Looking at the moon the Meopta is a bright white moon, the DB has a slight tan tint and the sky around is darker. Looking at houses in the neighborhood the Meopta is still brighter and slightly clearer, I can more easily read a license plate on a truck 140 yards away. Regarding the amount of turns to focus, the Meopta goes another .2 of a turn past the moon to infinity, the DB goes another .4 of a turn past the moon to infinity. I would think the moon is probably as far as most binos need to go, but it’s not dark enough to look for Jupiter yet.

 

[Pilotscrappy]

Excellent write up ! Cheers