Meopta Optika 10x42 HD

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CopperFouling

CopperFouling

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Does anyone have experience with the Meopta Optika 10x42 HDs? I'm looking for a general-purpose pair of binoculars for hiking, hunting, and range use. From what I've read, Meoptas are kind of like the CZ of the binoculars world: they punch much higher than their weight class, given the cost.
 
Though I do not own any Meopta glass, I have a high regard for them. I would definitely buy them, if I did not have other glass. I would ask why such high power with a “small objective”. I went 7x42 for brightness and stability, though I have spotting scopes for higher power requirements.
 
I have a 1,200 Meopta scope (and I need to get another one) that's been on about 5 big guns that I have owned in the past and the quality of this scope beats a 2,200 Leupold scope when it comes to low light.

Meopta in Europe is like Leupold in the USA..........

Buy them!
 
I've been looking at Swaros for a few years, but at the end of the day, I just can't bring myself to spend the money. I'm not obsessed with wringing every last ounce of performance from them; I'm more looking at getting a quality pair.
 
Generally speaking, Meopta is fantastic BFTB. They've been on top of my mid-priced optics preference list along with Docter for a long time, ever since IOR Valdada have incrementally profiled their product range and pricing closer to higher end Zeiss/Swarovski/Schmidt&Bender. Binoculars often utilize similar multilayer coatings as riflescopes so manufacturers and their proprietary coating technologies make a difference.

I'm usually anything but brand loyal, but as far as optics are concerned, it's hard to go wrong with Meopta.
 
I have an older pair of Meopta binoculars and they are very, very good and people that have used them are amazed. I just mounted an Optika Scope yesterday and the glass seems comparable. I wouldn’t hesitate to get a pai if I was in need.
 
As far as magnification is concerned, do you expect to (mainly) have some kind of support for the binoculars or use them handheld? IMO 10x for the range and open terrain (mountains, plains, large bodies of water), 8x feels a bit more stable if you mainly glass standing up.

My choice? 8x56. A bit heavier than either of these but larger lenses combined with 7mm exit pupil improve clarity and perceptible light transmission noticeably. Not so nice to lug around everywhere, though.
 
@JudgeHolden10 it really is a trade off balanced by what you want to do with them. All the following are better at the expense to magnification - field of view, exit pupil (light transmission), etc. Does the extra 2x give you more of what you want compared to less of the above. A buddy of mine went 10x, because he wanted to count tines without scoping with his rifle...10x for him was more important than the other (safer too). For me (7x42) brighter and field of view were more important than power (again, I have spotting scopes). No right or wrong here - just what is better for your need.

Regardless, Meopta is good glass. Buy what fits your needs. You will be happy.
 
Building on what @hq says, everything about glass is a compromise: weight, exit pupil, power, price, etc....every advantage in one area comes at a “cost” in another area.
 
hq said:
As far as magnification is concerned, do you expect to (mainly) have some kind of support for the binoculars or use them handheld? IMO 10x for the range and open terrain (mountains, plains, large bodies of water), 8x feels a bit more stable if you mainly glass standing up.

My choice? 8x56. A bit heavier than either of these but larger lenses combined with 7mm exit pupil improve clarity and perceptible light transmission noticeably. Not so nice to lug around everywhere, though.
Click to expand...

Handheld. The mountains around me are more accurately termed "large hills." :D

rabid wombat said:
@JudgeHolden10 it really is a trade off balanced by what you want to do with them. All the following are better at the expense to magnification - field of view, exit pupil (light transmission), etc. Does the extra 2x give you more of what you want compared to less of the above. A buddy of mine went 10x, because he wanted to count tines without scoping with his rifle...10x for him was more important than the other (safer too). For me (7x42) brighter and field of view were more important than power (again, I have spotting scopes). No right or wrong here - just what is better for your need.

Regardless, Meopta is good glass. Buy what fits your needs. You will be happy.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am planning to use them 50 percent of the time for hiking (birding), 30 percent of the time for hunting, and 20 percent of the time at the range. Sounds like 8x is the way to go.
 
I'm eyeballing binoculars to use for PRS, and the Meopta 15X are seriously clear and pretty much edge to edge, not just in the center. Very impressive. I looked through some Tract 12X binoculars this weekend and they were super nice as well, very comparable. I also got the chance to look through some Bushnell Forge 15X and was impressed, although they weren't as nice as the Meoptas and Tract. I could live with them though, and they are appreciably cheaper.
 
JudgeHolden10 said:
Any other opinions on the 8x compared to the 10x? @ms6852, @rabid wombat, @hq?
Click to expand...
At this point it is what you prefer. I find the 10X to be the max I would go and to me were not as heavy but I personally would have preferred the 8X as they are easier to steady your field of view. The 10 X magnifies your breathing and unsteady hand. As this were a gift for my brother that is what he wanted. My brother is crazy anyway he likes things to be big, like his pistol that shoots 45/70 rounds.
 
I do some freelance work for Meopta and I can assure you from my own experiences that you will not be disappointed by the Meopta Optika6 HD bino. I have been using a pair off and on for a year now and zero issues. From being strapped to a tractor while plowing/planting to hiking/4-wheeling while scouting, they can take what you dish out. Not to heavy around the neck for all day either. For under $400, I do not think they can be beat for quality and glass. I don't do any sales at all, just passing along my experiences with them.

IMG_6953.jpg
 
I have one pair of binoculars and have only had them about five years. I hunt on my land, sister’s land, mother’s land and land owned by two good friends. I know the land very very well and the need for binoculars just doesn’t exist or is very rare. So even though they are rarely used I’m perfectly happy with my MeoPro HD 10x42.

I’ve also never found my MeoPro 3.5-10x44 scopes lacking.
 
No Meopta binoculars here but I have one of their scopes and it's fine.
As for power, I've settled on 8.
 
today I mounted a Meopta Optika 6 3-18x50 on my CZ 557

It's the best glass I've ever used, really amazing clarity. Looked for flaws, couldn't find any. Strikes me as absolutely neutral. Not an expert and haven't had my hands on a lot of scopes, but this Meopta feels like money well spent.
 
I haven't bought a pair yet as I am still wrestling with the 8x or 10x question. According to Meopta's website, the two models are the same weight. It's really just a question of whether I'd like the extra low-light performance or extra magnification. I'll figure it out this week.
 
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