When your outdoor adventures demand an upgrade in optics, there can be some serious sticker shock. Itโs tempting to look for less expensive alternatives, and Mavenโs B.3 binoculars have an awfully attractive price tag for what they claim to offer. Iโll walk you through the design and share some insights to help you decide if theyโre worth buying.
Maven B.3 Binoculars at a Glance
- B-Series Model: Mavenโs elite premium optics line.
- Compact Size: 4.7 inches, 16.6 ounces
- Extra-Low Dispersion ED Glass: Reduces chromatic aberration and color fringing, creating a clearer, brighter image.
- Fully Multi-Coated Lenses: Improves overall visual quality, resists scratches and oil.
- Phase Correction Coating: Corrects loss of contrast and resolution from phase shifting in the prism.
- Waterproof and Fog Proof: Nature might drive you inside, but not your binoculars.
- Multi-position Eye Cups: Twist to adjust the length of the eye cups.
- Tripod Adaptable: Set up on a tripod for outstanding stability.
Specifications
| 6 x 30 | 8 x 30 | 10 x 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exit Pupil | 5.0 mm | 3.8 mm | 3.0 mm |
| Field of View (FOV) | 8.5ยฐ | 8.2ยฐ | 6.5ยฐ |
| FOV @ 1000 Yds | 446 ft | 430 ft | 341 ft |
| Brightness | 25 | 14.1 | 9 |
| Light Transmission | 94.6% | 95.2% | 94.6% |
| Twilight Factor | 13.4 | 15.5 | 17.3 |
| Eye Relief | 18.3 mm | 15.1 mm | 15.3 mm |
| Near Focus | 8.2 ft | 8.2 ft | 8.2 ft |
| Eye Width Adjustment | 56 โย 73 mm | 56 โย 73 mm | 56 โย 73 mm |
| Objective Lens Const. | 3 groups 4 elements (ED) | 3 groups 4 elements (ED) | 3 groups 4 elements (ED) |
| Ocular Lens Const. | 4 groups 5 elements | 4 groups 5 elements | 4 groups 5 elements |
| Prism | Schmidt-Pechan | Schmidt-Pechan | Schmidt-Pechan |
| Prism Reflective Coating | Dielectric | Dielectric | Dielectric |
| Diopter Correction | ยฑ 2 | ยฑ 4 | ยฑ 4 |
| Ingress Rating | IPX7 (submerged for 90 minutes) | IPX7 (submerged for 90 minutes) | IPX7 (submerged for 90 minutes) |
| Frame | Polymer | Polymer | Polymer |
| Internal Gas Purging | Nitrogen | Nitrogen | Nitrogen |
Maven B.3 Binoculars Price
Mavenโs price is attractive in large part because theyโre a direct-to-consumer manufacturer. With no retailer markups, you get the savings advantage.
The B.3 is available in 6 x 30, 8 x 30, and 10 x 30 lens configurations with a price ranging from $525 โ $575. Theyโre backed by a lifetime warranty.
Should You Buy Them?
I own Maven optics from both the B-series and C-series, and I heartily recommend them to anyone in the market for an upgrade. The B-series offers the highest quality, with a sharp, clear edge-to-edge picture. They use Japanese components and are assembled in Lander, Wyoming, in a facility overlooking the town, which has a fantastic view of Landerโs legendary 4th of July fireworks.
The Maven B.3 is a compact binocular suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities, including hunting, birding, and general travel. However, itโs not the most compact. That award goes to the B.7 binocular, which is my go-to when Iโm traveling. The price tag is a little lower on the B.3, though, and if you donโt mind a bump in size and weight, youโll also enjoy a bump in brightness and field of view.
The B.3 also doesnโt have the highest magnification in the B-series lineup. That goes to the B.5, which has magnification options up to 18X plus a much larger objective lens. As you would expect, they are larger, heavier, and more expensive. But if youโre stalking big game at the longest distances, you should consider them.
So where does it fit?
The B.3 is your top all-around pick if youโre looking to balance clarity, brightness, and compactness. Itโs also the most affordable in the line, giving you an excellent entry point into the B-seriesโ quality. When you look at the price compared to what youโll have to pay to get the same quality from other brands, youโll be impressed.
