The flagship Maven B.1 (see image) is a solid go-to for all outdoor activities, whether it be birding or whale watching.
In the Maven product line, the B.1 and B.2 offer superior optics for low-lighting scenarios. The flagship Maven B.1 is sized for everyday use, while the Maven B.2 offers exceptional performance.
In summary, the 10x magnification and brightness level of the Maven B.2 is more advanced than the Maven B.1. This makes these binos better for big game hunters and wildlife watchers scanning the landscape at dawn and dusk.
Let’s delve deeper for better clarity on the two.
Magnification and Objective
Also known as strength and size, the magnification and objective vary between the Maven B.1 and B.2.
With Maven B.1, you have a choice between 8x42 and 10x42. Meanwhile, the Maven B.2 offers a wider range with 7x45, 9x45, and 11x45.
As you can see, the full-size objective is the same for both models. It’s the magnification that’s really setting them apart.
A 7x to 10x magnification will suit most users. However, this depends upon the scenario.
If you’re a hunter scanning the ridgeline for a bull elk, you’ll want the 11x magnification, especially if regulations prohibit antlerless elk hunting.
The smaller 7x magnification is better when the objective isn’t miles away. Like when you’re cheering on your favorite soccer team, and you want an up-close look at the red card that’s about to get pulled.
For times like these, go Maven B.2.
Brightness and Clarity
Both Maven B.1 and B.2 are just as sharp as the attractive streamlined design. Yet it’s the Maven B.2 that wins out in brightness.
The sharp prism offers a brighter image along with incredible light transmission. That makes the Maven B.2 a superior choice in dim lighting.
This is a feature I find particularly useful considering the prime time for wildlife watching is at dawn or dusk especially if I’m trying to ID certain species.
Field of View
The 10x magnification and brightness level of the Maven B.2 (see image) is more advanced than the Maven B.1. This makes these binos better for big game hunters and wildlife watchers scanning the landscape at dawn and dusk.
Field of view is important when you need more of the horizon in your sights. For instance, when you’re keeping a close watch for a rare bird in the sky.
A general rule is the smaller the magnification, the greater the field of view. Both the Maven B.1 and B.2 offer a wide field of view.
Both of which are excellent options when you're bird watching or keeping a lookout for small critters roaming about.
Should you need a different field of view, these aren’t the only options. Maven offers a range of binos in a wider and narrower field of view.
Prism Type
One of the most notable differences between Maven B.1 and B.2 are the prisms.
The Maven B.1 features a Schmidt-Pechan roof prism. The Maven B.2 is equipped with an Abbe-Koenig roof prism. So what’s the difference?
Without going full-on optics nerd, the Schmidt-Pechan prism is more compact than the Abbe-Koenig. That means it will be more comfortable to grasp and easier to transport for everyday use.
On the other hand, the Abbe-Koenig prism offers better light transmission. They’re also harder to produce and more expensive.
Near Focus Distance
It may sound counterintuitive, but how close a pair of binos can focus can be just as important as how far.
For instance, say you’re sketching field notes of a woodpecker’s feathers, and the bird is only 10 feet away. A smaller near-focus distance will allow you to get more detail.
So in the case of the woodpecker, you’d want to opt for the optics of the Maven B.2. The Maven B.2 has a minimum focus distance of 4.9 feet. That’s just slightly better than the 6.6 foot near focus of the Maven B.1.
Conclusion
The flagship Maven B.1 is a solid go-to for all outdoor activities, whether it be birding or whale watching. However, it’s the Maven B.2 that excels in low light situations, whether that be dawn, dusk, or a cloudy day.