Home » Spotting Scopes » Maven S.1A 25-50 X 80mm Spotting Scope Review (Angled Body)

Maven S.1A 25-50 X 80mm Spotting Scope Review (Angled Body)


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Maven S.1A 25-50x80 Spotting Scope
Image Credit - Maven Built

Viewing Configuration: Angled
Magnification: 25-50x
Power Variability: Variable
Adjustable Eyepieces: No
Eyepiece Included: Yes
Objective Diameter: 80 mm
Close Focus Distance: 16.4 feet
Length: 14.9 x 6.3 x 3.9 in
Weight: 64.5 oz
Field of View: 115.2 - 83.8 feet/1000 yards
Eye Relief/Exit Pupil: 18-17 mm/3.2-1.6 mm
Optics Coatings: Fully multi-coated
Glass: Japanese
Focus System: Collar/Vari-speed
Waterproof/Fog-proof: Yes
Digiscope Adaptable: Yes

Best Uses: Hunting, For the Range, Birdwatching, Wildlife Observation, Photography

Maven S.1A Spotting Scope

Maven's spotting scopes are not cheap by any means, but they've done it right.  Spotting scopes either come cheap or they come really expensive.  There's hardly a market for the "in-between" range, and to be frank, it's always going to be the more expensive ones that offer the best performance.  The Maven spotter shows us how it's done, and how they nailed it from top to bottom.

Maven S.1A Spotting Scope
Image Credit - Maven Built

The S.1A spotter embodies everything that innovation can provide without complicating use.  This is the angled model that's all the rage these days and for good reason when you're in steep terrain looking to the skies or switching the scope between users.

It has Japanese glass that's about as good as you can get.  You really won't appreciate clarity through a spotter until you've peered through a Maven.  With 5 groups and 7 elements in the eyepiece and a schmidt-pechan prism assembly, you've got the makings of a very high-end spotter.  The fluorite glass offers chromatic aberration- free image quality for outstanding contrast and true color fidelity that photographers and birders will certainly value.

With dielectric coatings on the prisms combined with flat, wide lenses, brightness, resolution, and image flattening is going to make all the difference when you want to stay out later, catch minuscule movement, and make out details essential to the hunt or for photography.

With a 25-50x wide angle eyepiece, you'll have high power for extreme long-range spotting to make crucial decisions in the field.  However, Maven didn't go for the interchangeable eyepiece system on their S.1 spotter, but you'll appreciate the durability and dust/debris-free benefits that comes with the integrated eyepiece.

If you are looking for a spotting scope with an interchangeable eyepiece, check out the Maven S.3A spotting scope instead.

The focus ring is a modern element that allows for quick focusing that all the high-end brands are now employing.  Aluminum, knurled, and robust, the focus collar is a welcome feature.  But, the standout aspect is the image quality.  You have edge-to-edge sharpness that remains true throughout the entire magnification range.  Most spotting scopes don't provide sharpness to even 3/4 of the way to max power, and yet, this is where the Maven spotter out-shines them all.

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Buyers are few and far between when spending in this price range.  Can you blame them?  It's not a cheap spotting scope, and yet many users will often regret their spotter buy because it's no better than their binoculars.  However, the Maven spotter is no stranger to field testers and expert marksmen.  Maven are putting themselves on the map by offering superior optics for a price that's worthy of matching those of Swarovski and Zeiss, but for much lower!

Pros:

  • Price
  • Focus collar
  • Fluorite glass
  • Dielectric coatings
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Integrated eyepiece

Maven S.1A Q&A:

What does the S.1A and S.1S stand for?

The A and S in the model names stand for Angled and Straight.

Why is the Integrated Eyepiece on the S1.A a Con?

It's not a con in any means because there are many benefits to having it.  However, for spotting scopes in this price range, the option to purchase and change out an eyepiece is the norm.  But, in reality, hunters don't often bother with purchasing extra eyepieces as they buy the spotter that offers their desired magnification range anyway.

Additionally, many interchangeable eyepiece spotters may not come with an included eyepiece which significantly adds to the overall cost of a spotter.  But, for lack of finding anything wrong with this spotter, we had to get petty.

Does the S.1 A Maven Spotting Scope have a Dual Focus Collar?

Most focus collars on high-end scopes have a dual focus function built in.  Nowhere could we find the S.1A spotter being advertised to having a dual focus system, but it does have a vari-speed collar.  With its ease of use and fast focus function with being able to attain sharp image quality, we assume it does.

Can you Attach a Sunshade to the Maven S.1A spotting scope?

No need.  The spotter already has a built-in, extendable sunshade.  You can also purchase accessories to screw into the objective bell since it has threading that accepts add-ons like filters.  It must be 82 mm to fit.

Does the 25-50x80 S1.A Spotting Scope have a Scratch-resistant Coating?

The objective lens has an oil-phobic coating to protect from scratches, oil, and debris.  It will also cause water to disperse from the glass providing an unobstructed view in rainy weather.

Is the S1.A Maven Scope Waterproof?

The scope is both water and fog-proof.  It's nitrogen purged, and it has an IPX7 rating.

Where are Maven Spotting Scopes Made?

Their line of spotting scopes is made with Japanese optical materials and then assembled in the USA.  They're American-built with Japanese components.

Is the Maven S.1A Lightweight?

Both the angled and straight spotters weigh 64.5 ounces. It's right in line with other spotters in the market with the same specs.  It's lighter than Zeiss and Swaro spotters since they come without the eyepiece, and eyepieces can easily weigh an additional 20+ ounces more.

Noteworthy Features:

  • Exceptional Japanese glass for peerless image quality
  • Edge-to-edge sharpness throughout the entire magnification range
  • Fully weatherproof and armored to withstand harsh conditions and accidental abuse
  • Modern elements to provide a flawless spotting scope experience
  • Assembled and built on American soil

Our Verdict on the Maven S.1A Spotting Scope

The scoop on the scope is that the Maven S.1A spotter is worthy of every penny of its listing price.  It's hard to put down cash like this on any optic.  But, when you depend on making crucial decisions that can make for a successful hunt or photo session, you'll know value in the S.1A when you see it.

S.1A Maven red and black spotting scope side on
Image Credit - Maven Built

You can always opt for the S.1S for the straight model if that's more your style.  Or, you can always take advantage of their "Build Your Maven" option to create a spotter that's exactly to your dimensions.  Have fun playing around with armor finish options for a camo look or include custom engravings if you've got the cash to burn.

The Maven spotter is constantly pitted against other well-known ones in the same price range, and the Maven continues to impress with their slightly better color rendition, brightness, and resolution.  One such scope to pit it against is the Meopta MeoPro 80 HD.  It's a worthy competitor, but there's no straight model option if that means anything to you.

Maven has put themselves on the radar of every hunter who wants a premium optic for the best price possible.  We can confidently say that we believe they offer the best value in the market, bar none.  What are you waiting for?  Get a Maven and never have buyer's remorse ever again!

Check out our other reviews on Maven's line of optics here - https://www.targettamers.com/maven-built/.

Further Reading

Photo of author

Simon Cuthbert - Founder

Simon is an avid outdoor enthusiast and the founder of Target Tamers. He is passionate about bringing you the most up to date, accurate & understandable information on sports optics of all kinds and for all applications. Simon has contributed to notable publications online and teaches beginners the technical side of optics through his extensive library of optics guides.

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