Binoculars are one of those pieces of gear that I always cheap out on. Growing up as a kid, I’ve been happy to spy on the neighbors with chintsy plastic optics because, well, quality “binos” are really expensive. But these days, I shoot video of elk and deer hunts, and worry that I’m entering some sort of old age by *gasp* bird watching. So I was happy to try out a pair of the new B.3 binoculars from Maven.
The B.3 are compact binoculars with a mid-range level of magnification. They aren’t the most powerful by a long shot, but the small size, coupled with obvious lens and body quality (due to the heft in hand), makes them pretty much ideal for my small range of uses.
The first time I took them out was on spring backcountry ski trips. I like to use optics to scope out lines, especially in the spring, to look for wet avalanche activity. Rollerballs, crown lines, or even sun cups are a lot easier to spot with the B.3 binoculars than using the naked eye from afar. These small binos are great for throwing into a pack so you can stow them away until you need them.
Looking at wildlife is perhaps the best use for these guys. One of the most popular spots on the Wasatch Front for that is checking out the mountain goats in lower Little Cottonwood Canyon. While waiting for my carpool in the park and ride lot at the canyon’s mouth, I would kill time by eyeballing the goats as they graze amongst the scrub oaks, hop rock-to-rock or climb sheer cliffs that would make a pro rock-climber’s palms sweat.
After using the Maven B.3 binoculars for a few months, I’ve really appreciated how good the image through the lenses is. Optical quality is very sharp, and the light transmission is top notch. Even in low light, I was able to make out mountain goats in the early-morning gloom.
Customization is another great thing about Maven. The B.3 (as well as the entire B line) have multi-position eye cups for use with or without glasses. This feature is easy to use with the twist of the eye cups, and it really works well. The eye cups are also pretty comfortable, so I didn’t mind having them against my eyes for long periods of time.
Focusing is quick and easy, the field of view is great with little to no vignetting, and they feel solid in hand.
My only gripe is that the B.3 binoculars don’t come with a decent carrying case. Instead, you get a microfiber bag with a drawstring.
The Good: Quality binoculars for only $500.
The Bad: No carrying case.
Final Word: The Maven B.3 binoculars are a good option for bird-watchers, hunters, or sometime wildlife viewers like myself who don’t need the biggest, most expensive optics money can buy. For scoping out ski lines, or having a pair along on a backpacking trip in case you encounter a moose or elk in the distance and you want to get a closer look, the Maven B.3 are the right choice.
To order a pair, head over to mavenbuilt.com