Maven S.3A Spotting Scope Review, By Matt Cashell

[Justin Crossley]

Matt took the Maven S.3A spotting scope out for some testing last season and just finished up his review.

Maven S.3A Spotting Scope Review

 

[Matt Cashell]

Maven has really been offering great value with a number of new products.

 

[Matt G.]

As usual great write up.

 

[robby denning]

i like that it's dirty. I don't trust guys with clean clothes and optics lol

 

[sndmn11]

Maven has really been offering great value with a number of new products.

I think with this spotter in particular, there's a lot of potential for more value coming shortly. I'm excited to see where the change from integrated eyepieces to the S3's removable eyepiece leads to ...

 

[Matt Cashell]

i like that it's dirty. I don't trust guys with clean clothes and optics lol

Ha!

That spotter’s got some miles on it!

 

[Ynothunt41]

Great review Matt. I think for a little more money and a little more weight I would go with the 80mm. I was looking to see if they have a Rokslide discount.

 

[406flyfish]

Great review. Anyone one else with first hand experience ?

Disappointed with the weight. Might as well get the 80 at that point. Had the cs1a but needed some addtional magnification. Anyone have good recommendation ?

 

[sndmn11]

Spotting Scope Eyepieces

The Maven Optical Double provides a small, lightweight solution to double the magnification of your Maven B and S Series optics. For use on all Maven B Series (excludes B.3) binoculars and S Series spotting scopes.

mavenbuilt.com

@Matt Cashell do you have one of these en route?

 

[Matt Cashell]

Spotting Scope Eyepieces

The Maven Optical Double provides a small, lightweight solution to double the magnification of your Maven B and S Series optics. For use on all Maven B Series (excludes B.3) binoculars and S Series spotting scopes.

mavenbuilt.com

@Matt Cashell do you have one of these en route?

I saw that too! I will have to reach out.

I saw they updated the S.1 for the eyepieces also.

 

[sndmn11]

I saw that too! I will have to reach out.

I saw they updated the S.1 for the eyepieces also.

I was unaware of the S1 change, but I think there's a mil S3 eyepiece headed to me. I like the S3 a good bit.

 

[Matt Cashell]

I was unaware of the S1 change, but I think there's a mil S3 eyepiece headed to me. I like the S3 a good bit.

The S1.2:

New: Maven S1.2 25-50x80mm Spotting Scope

With the dynamic landscape of technology and advancements in components, we're constantly looking at ways to refine our products to incorporate these enhancements. Enter the next iteration of our popular, award-winning spotting scope: the Maven S1.2 25-50x80mm spotting scope with interchangeable...

mavenbuilt.com

 

[tracker12]

So who actually is making the glass and components for these spotters. Are all the components made in Japan or just the glass.

 

[sndmn11]

Pretty interesting

 

[crowlja]

With the S.1A only being another $150, and for a guy who can only afford 1 spotter, would you go with the S.1A? And what's the difference between the S 1A and the S1.2A???

Also Matt, for a guy who is only going to buy 1 spotter, looking at a $2000 budget, what spotter would you go for at this price point? Would it be a Maven or something else?

 

[sndmn11]

With the S.1A only being another $150, and for a guy who can only afford 1 spotter, would you go with the S.1A? And what's the difference between the S 1A and the S1.2A???

Also Matt, for a guy who is only going to buy 1 spotter, looking at a $2000 budget, what spotter would you go for at this price point? Would it be a Maven or something else?

The S1 has an eyepiece that is not removable, the S1.2 has a removable eyepiece and there are multiple versions of the eye piece. I don't believe there are any other major changes between the "old" and the updated .2 version.

With that budget I would consider what tripod and head is being used. If they do not provide a rock solid foundation, I'd use both of that budget there. $2k and under in my eyes is either Maven or a used Kowa 77, maybe 88 of you are lucky. Do reread the first sentence; great optics can't be great if your foundation is giving micro vibrations.

 

[crowlja]

The S1 has an eyepiece that is not removable, the S1.2 has a removable eyepiece and there are multiple versions of the eye piece. I don't believe there are any other major changes between the "old" and the updated .2 version.

With that budget I would consider what tripod and head is being used. If they do not provide a rock solid foundation, I'd use both of that budget there. $2k and under in my eyes is either Maven or a used Kowa 77, maybe 88 of you are lucky. Do reread the first sentence; great optics can't be great if your foundation is giving micro vibrations.

I have pretty solid tripod, but also noticed that Maven has added a bundle with the tracer tripod...so I may go with that bundle so I don't need to take my photography tripod into the field anymore. And I believe I can shoot off of the tracer.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Thanks for the review. I hope to retire my old Leupold Gold Ring 25x in a few years and a Maven is pretty high on my list.