Who needs the “long”? New MEOPTA MEOSTAR B1-HD 15X56 binoculars.

The advantages of a fifteen-power binocular are various:

• Provides even more magnification easily manageable in the presence of strong daytime turbulence.
• It can be used freehand in emergency situations.
• It can replace a twenty-five magnification terrestrial telescope, thanks to the known benefits brought by binocular vision. Transform.
• Allows for extended observations and less tiring than the classic spotting scope.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just fifteen years ago, the number of companies offering valid 15x magnification nature binoculars could be counted on the fingers of one hand. In recent years, however, some excellent products featuring low-dispersion optics have appeared.

In the high end, also called “Alpha” or as I usually call it “Top of the Range” Meopta couldn't be missing, the Czech company, which has recently been distinguishing itself for its lively production of binoculars characterised by an excellent price-performance ratio.

You will have therefore well understood, as the title also suggests, that this article contains my impressions relating to the field use of the new Meopta MEOSTAR B1 HD 15×56 which was introduced by Meopta on January 5th. http://www.meoptasportsoptics.com/us/meopta-introduces-new-meostar-12×50-hd-and-15×56-hd-binoculars-1404043829.html

The question I asked myself was this? Will these binoculars be able to compete with the competition?

 

First impressions.

The binoculars are sturdy like any Meopta product, the aluminum optical hull It is divided by a central zip, the bridge is wide, the rubber cover is thick and is equipped with some small anti-slip “pins”.
Meopta guarantees total waterproofing, defined as waterproof-submersible, it is therefore not a simple splash proof, able to resist rain or water splashes but It can easily withstand an accidental fall into water. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obviously it is filled with nitrogen to prevent the formation of mold and moisture that could form inside the optical hull.

The internal focusing consists of a central system which also has the diopter compensation wheel of the right eyepiece integrated. The focus is not very smooth, however it is very precise. To go from the minimum focusing distance (with my eyesight of about 3.5m) to infinity I had to rotate the knob one turn and almost another quarter of a turn.

Optics.

From an optical point of view, it is useful to remember the following characteristics.

• MeoBrigth 5510: a patented coating from Meopta which is declared in the allow a light transmission of 99.8% , obviously, for each single surface.
• Meo Shield. It's a detail lens treatment that helps resist accidental abrasions during extreme conditions.
• HD Lens. Finally, in the last few years, some products have started to appear in Meopta products. equipped with low dispersion optics. I must admit that the performance on this 15Xmi seemed undoubtedly effective.
• This binocular makes use of roof prisms Schmidt-Pechan . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Color tones.

It is not a neutral tone binocular, the Meopta MEOSTAR B1-HD 15X56  It provides a warm color tone, so any preference for it over other solutions is purely subjective.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aberrations

Field curvature.

• At minimum, images are in focus up to almost 80% of the field of view, and even at the edges, detail remains highly legible. Trying to focus images at the edge of the field of view shows a marked improvement, a sign that the blurring effect is largely due to this aberration.
• Angular distortion.
  Present, pincushion, minimum, about the 3-4% starting from the 80% of the field of view. The panning seemed pleasant to me.
• Other aberrations.
  To check for other aberrations, I looked at the starry sky. I only noticed a little coma at the edges of the field of view.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chromatic aberration.

In the center of the field  chromatic aberration is irrelevant, you have to be really picky to perceive it and this circumstance is only evident during strong lighting conditions. In the phonescoping technique, photographing the image magnified by the eyepiece with the Smartphone, instead, a slight spurious halo is noticeable.

Lateral chromatic aberration is present, but it is not very invasive and, above all, it increases proportionally as one moves away from the center of the field. I must admit that I have observed through much more expensive binoculars, perceiving a superior lateral chromatic aberration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field use.

Merits.

The first feature I appreciated in the Meopta MEOSTAR B1 15×56 HD It's the optical quality itself: The images are decidedly sharp, the contrast is more than good and the containment of aberrations is commendable. I also found the tripod mount to be cleverly designed, splitting in two at the touch of a small button. This allows you to quickly attach or detach the binoculars without having to worry about screwing anything in. It's a simple but effective idea, often overlooked by more aggressive competitors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defects.

There are few: The pupil extraction is sufficient but it doesn't excel: 15mm, in fact, is not much, so I recommend that glasses wearers try it on before purchasing, while the 67m/1000m field of view is obviously not a new benchmark, as it generates just under 60° of apparent field.

In summary.

The field test led me to confirm the quality of this product, The price-performance ratio is very high, it is sharp, robust and very solid, its high magnification could be exploited in various sectors: in the study and observation of birds of prey, in surveillance activities or for example in hunting.

Technical characteristics declared by the manufacturer.

Enlargement	15x
Diameter (mm)	56
Exit pupil (mm)	3.7
Eye relief (mm)	15.2
Diopter compensation	+-3
Real field of view (°)	4.2
Field at 1000 m (m)	67
Weight (g)	1150
Dimensions (mm)	200×142
Bignami Price October 2015 VAT INCLUDED (Euro)	1380

 

Thanks.
I would like to thank Dr. Achille Berti of Bignami SPA for providing the binoculars used in this review, allowing me, as always, to share my impressions without restriction.

Disclaimer.

This review was published in September 2015. Please note that the impressions of use are entirely personal and given by Binomania testers in complete freedom, without obligation or commercial relationship and in accordance with proven experience in the use of these optical instruments. For any information, updates and/or changes to prices, features of the instrument, authorized sales points or other information in general, please contact the Italian distributor of the instrument directly: Handbooks.