In the 21st century, I know very few hunters who don’t rely upon some style of binocular as a major part of their kit. Whether scouting crop fields for preseason bucks in late summer, scanning the shadows behind your bear bait for the earliest sign of that big boar, or picking apart the limbs across a canyon searching for the glint of antler in the elk mountains, a good binocular allows you to see your quarry. No self-respecting guide or professional hunter would be caught dead without their trusted binocular, and I often find myself amazed at the tiny detail that drew my guide’s eye, which prompted the raising of the binocular in the first place. Just as there are many sizes, shapes and makers of riflescopes, there are an equal number of binocular manufacturers who offer models from the pocket-sized minis to glass so large it might detect life on other planets.
“There is a tool for every job,” my grandfather used to tell me, and just as I wouldn’t hunt dangerous game in thick brush with a 6-24x scope atop my rifle, I wouldn’t hunt wild sheep with a 2.5x compact scope. The same goes for a binocular, as the 10x42 models which can be cumbersome, yet show their value on distant game, a quality compact binocular is a blessing when weight or space is an issue. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t retired my Leupold BX-5 Santiam HDs, as they definitely offer a great balance of image clarity and light transmission, but that comes at the cost of commensurate weight and bulk. The smaller-framed binocular does have an appeal—it certainly takes up less room, and the lighter weight can be a blessing on those hunts where ounces count. Perhaps it comes down to the question of “how much binocular do you need?”
The Maven’s B.7 8x25mm is a compact binocular with straight tubes, using 25mm objective lenses. Despite the smaller lens diameter, Maven has used modern light transmission technology, phase correction and good ol’ contrast to deliver a very respectable, yet concise package. Using the Schmidt-Pechan roof prism design, you get a surprisingly bright and clear image for the size of the unit. The dual hinge design makes the binocular quite easily adaptable to a wide variation of face shapes; it can be widened or narrowed quickly, while retaining its position unless vigorously moved. The B.7 unit will fold down into a package measuring 2x3x4¾ inches, so they can slide into a coat pocket or fit neatly in the console of your truck. Maven ships the binocular with a well-constructed carrying case with a magnetic latch; the case can easily be affixed to your belt or pack.
The B.7 tips the scale at just 12.4 ounces, which is a bit more than some other minis I’ve used, but still considerably less than a full-sized model. While the 25mm objective lenses will certainly have a limit as to the light-gathering capabilities, the B.7 seems to be brighter than any of the other models I've used in this class. The adjustable eye cups allow for use with or without glasses, and there is a knurled diopter adjustment ring on the right maintube for a crisp binocular view. The focal ring is located in the center of the unit, and like the diopter ring, is made of crisply knurled metal. I had no issue focusing the binocular in wet weather, or in cold weather when wearing gloves.
The 8x magnification was powerful enough to spot deer way down the power line clearing, yet the 6.8-degree field of view makes picking up close objects like small birds a breeze. I got a crisp image at the bird feeder just inside of 10 feet, and bringing the B.7 to my day job—where as a land surveyor we use a binocular to lay out control points, and ensure a clear line of sight—I put the binocular through its paces in all sorts of light and weather conditions. They never leaked in the rain while stalking bears in the Catskill Mountains, and never fogged up despite the transitions from the January subfreezing temperatures to the inside of the warm truck. “Rugged” may be an overused marketing word, but it is applicable here.
Maven Optics ships the B.7 with a neoprene neck strap which uses quick-connect system. I have never warmed to a binocular harness, much preferring to carry the optic with strap over my right shoulder, keeping the binocular under my left arm. For me, it keeps it out of the way when it’s time to use the rifle—this probably stems from emulating the African professionals, especially when stalking dangerous game—and keeps rain, snow and debris out of the lenses. With the lighter weight of B.7, I sometimes forget they're hanging there. And if I set them down, the burnt orange highlights against the gray body allows me to find them, just a bit quicker than any camo model.
I know Mike Lilygren, co-owner and CFO of Maven Optics, and asked him for a bit of insight into the design and development of the B.7 model; as a mountain climber and backcountry hunter, I had a good idea, but Mike clarified. He had the following to offer: “We always try to build the best optics we can. We saw the need for an ultra-compact, pocket-sized optic for adventure and travel. The B.7 fits a niche and a need that we find extremely important. Our hope is that there is never an excuse not to bring your optic with you.”
Is the Maven B.7 a do-all, be-all binocular? Well, it might not be in the same class as the ultra-premium stuff coming out of Austria, but with a price tag of $600, it offers a great value. If I were a professional hunter, I might opt for a bigger objective lens, such as the popular 42mm models, especially if I had to pick out the glare off a Cape buffalo’s nose in the thick jesse bush, or make the call on a leopard in that last light. But as a hunter, visiting sportsman, or for those situations where space and weight come at a premium, this makes a great choice. I like color contrast that the Maven lens coatings produce, which seem to enhance the browns of a whitetail’s coat in the woods, and make the bright colors of the finches, grosbeaks, cardinals and other songbirds pop. This binocular is light enough to be carried all day without issue, yet have just enough weight to settle down for long distance glassing. Perfect for spring turkey season, and also for early archery season, the B.7 is a great addition to your gear collection. Having spent nearly a year with this bino, in many different scenarios, it’s become one of my favorites.
