Maven B.3 Binocular - Review 2023

Overview

The B.3 is Maven’s pair of premium compact binoculars. They call it their “elite line”. It is available in three different magnifications with the same objective lens diameter of 30 mm— 6X30, 8X30, and 10X30.

Maven may not be the first name that comes to your mind when it comes to outdoor gear. It is a relatively new company that is only starting to build a name for itself. They’re doing so by producing weather-resistant, high-performing binos at below-average prices.

Moreover, these binoculars come in two different color options—grey/orange and black/grey. With the company’s Custom Optics Builder service, you may also personalize them.

As a direct-to-consumer manufacturer, Maven offers the Maven B.3 at a competitive price. You can get many state-of-the-art features often found in expensive binoculars at only a fraction of their cost.

These binoculars have an extra-low dispersion (ED) glass, which significantly reduces color fringing. Simply, this glass delivers sharp images with high contrast.

The Maven B.3 also provides a wide field of view, especially the 6X30 option. This option is best used at events like concerts.

Weighing only 16 oz., these binoculars are lightweight enough to carry everywhere. They can fit in every pocket. If you like hanging your binoculars around your neck, you won’t strain yourself with their compact and sleek profile.

These features are only a glimpse of what the Maven B.3 can offer.

Image Quality

Available in three options, the Maven B.3 generally offers a wide field of view. The unusual 6X30 option offers a field of view of 446’ at 1,000 yds. This option is good enough for glassing at outdoor events like concerts and sports. Ideally, it would also suffice for observing wildlife at a close distance.

The 8X30 option for these binoculars has a field of view of 430’ at 1,000 yds. It is a lot wider than that of the B series’ flagship model, Maven B1 – 8X42, which has a field of view of 388’ at 1,000 yds.

As the magnification increases, the field of view decreases. The Maven B.3 – 10X30 has the narrowest field of view— 341’ at 1,000 yds. It is still pretty good enough but you might find this option harder to handle than the 8X30 option. Typically, the higher the magnification, the harder it gets to keep the images stable.

For a pair of compact binoculars, these binoculars have a pretty decent low-light performance. Of course, that is not to compare them with binoculars that have the same quality but 50-mm lens objectives. You’ll get better low-light performance from binoculars with 50-mm lens objectives than binoculars with 30-mm lens objectives.

Minimal chromatic aberrations are present but hardly noticeable. With ED glass and fully multi-coated lenses, the Maven B.3 delivers high-contrast images and sharp edge-to-edge clarity.

Construction Quality

These binoculars have a sleek, minimalist design that does not compromise function. Only weighing 16 oz., they are easy to carry wherever you go. They have the cutting-edge features of modern binoculars housed in a single, small package.

They’re similar to the Athlon Midases in terms of price and build quality. Both have the robust magnesium body housed in a rubberized coating for good grip.

The Maven B.3 is available in two color options— grey/orange and black/grey. With Maven’s Custom Optics Builder, you may also customize it. You can have a pair of one-of-a-kind optics that exhibits your personal style.

Purged with nitrogen, these binoculars are fogproof. They allow you to see clearly even when there are sudden changes in atmospheric temperature.

Moreover, the Maven B.3 is built to last. It has a waterproof rating of IPX7. So, it can be submerged in water up to a depth of 1 m for half an hour. It can take a beating, performing even when the conditions are far from ideal.

The lenses of these binoculars have scratch- and oil-resistant coating. Combine that with the fogproof and waterproof qualities, and you have a pretty durable pair of optics.

Ergonomics and Comfort

Designed with the needs of sports and outdoors enthusiasts in mind, the Maven B.3 has a comfortable grip. The rubber grip and lightweight profile also make it easy to handle

The smooth focus knob is very accommodating. These binoculars are practical for prolonged use that requires precision and agility. With their easily adjustable focus, they allow you to observe and follow your subjects even in a tough environment.

The different configurations of the Maven B.3 come with varying eye relief. The higher the magnification, the lower the eye relief you get. If you are wearing eyeglasses, you might be uncomfortable after a few hours with the 8X30 and 10X30 options. The 6X30 option, meanwhile, has a pretty generous eye relief of 18.3 mm.

The 8X30 option is the most practical option if you are birding or hunting. However, it might compromise your comfort if you need your eyeglasses to see properly. It only has an eye relief of 15.1 mm, which is a bit less than the recommended 16 mm for eyeglass wearers.

Amazing Value

The Maven B.3 is versatile. Available in 6X30, 8X30, and 10X30 options, it is suitable for different purposes. If you are into different outdoor activities, you will appreciate the many things that these binoculars can do.

If you are merely a casual observer at concerts or sporting events, the 6X30 option is a pretty solid choice. It is lightweight and compact, so you can easily carry it around even as you make your way through a crowd.

On the other hand, birdwatchers and hunters will likely benefit from the Maven B.3 – 8X30 or the Maven B.3 – 10X30. They exhibit low-light performance satisfactory enough as the sun rises or sets. You can only expect so much from binoculars with a 30-mm objective lens diameter, and these Maven binoculars do deliver.

With the 10x magnification, having a tripod set up is advisable in order to avoid too much shake.

These binoculars have an ED glass providing a high-quality glassing experience. The color fidelity and edge-to-edge clarity are quite impressive. If you are nitpicky or an experienced enthusiast, you will likely notice the minimal chromatic aberrations that occur. However, these color fringing instances are hardly evident unless you really look for them.

We also like that the Maven B.3 can take a beating. It has an IPX7 waterproof rating like the budget-friendly Legacy WP 10-22X50 Binocular. It has been tried and tested to the limits, able to survive a 30-minute submersion in water up to 1-m deep.

Further, these binoculars have scratch- and oil-resistant lens coating. You will have heavy-duty and long-lasting binoculars at a fraction of the cost of leading optics of the same quality.

The Maven B.3 may be customized depending on your preference, thanks to Maven’s Custom Optics Builder. Not a lot of manufacturers give us that liberty.

Of course, let’s not forget about how comfortable and user-friendly these binoculars are. With a polymer body and rubber texture, they have a comfortable yet firm grip. They won’t slip off your palms easily, and that is important in tough or wet environments.

The focus wheel of the Maven B.3 is really smooth, too. It allows you to attain and maintain the right focus at the right time effortlessly.

What We Didn’t Like

If you have glasses, using either the 8X30 or 10X30 options for demanding outdoor activities like hunting might create ever-so-slight discomfort after a couple of hours of glassing. These options only have an eye relief of 15.1 mm and 15.3 mm, respectively.

Given that these binoculars have a 30-mm objective lens diameter, you may find their low-light performance unsatisfactory. That’s the trade-off you get for such a compact design. You can still see images decently at dawn and dusk but the quality does not compare with that of binoculars with a 50-mm objective lens diameter.

About the Company

Maven has only been around for a few years but it has already appealed to many outdoor enthusiasts. After all, it takes pride in being a company built by outdoor lovers for outdoor lovers.

What sets this company apart from other leading brands is its business model. With a direct-to-consumer (DTC) approach, it eliminates the middleman. Essentially, no retail markup is imposed on its products. You can get high-quality optics at budget-friendly prices.

While it may not be as popular as leading names like Nikon or Bushnell, Maven has significantly expanded its offerings in the past few years. It offers binoculars, monoculars, rangefinders, riflescopes, and spotting scopes. Moreover, it has a wide range of accessories available.

The company also has a unique program that lets you personalize your gear, the Custom Optics Builder. This program lets you add a personal touch to every optics you buy. You can choose from an array of anodized colors and camouflage patterns.

Conclusion

The Maven B.3 is the cheapest product in Maven’s B series, which includes the updated flagship model, Maven B1.2. It is suitable for casual hunters, observers, and travelers.

These binoculars offer many features that you would usually find in high-end binoculars, minus the price tag. If you will use a pair mostly during the day, they are pretty good enough for you. In low-light conditions, you can only expect so much from binoculars with a 30-mm objective lens diameter.

Since the Maven B.3 has an ED glass, it guarantees reliable color fidelity. Color fringing is hardly noticeable or not present at all.

Moreover, these binoculars are easy to carry and use. You can bring them everywhere without getting fatigued, thanks to the compact design. You will also appreciate the effortless focus mechanism.

If you are on a budget but want optics that pack a punch for casual use, you can count on the Maven B.3.