Maven CS.1 Spotting Scope Review

For the past few months I've had a chance to use the new Maven CS.1 spotting scope and now it's time for my long-term review.

This is Maven's most affordable spotting scope and at $650, it costs less than a third as much as Maven's premium S series. It also costs hundreds less than its closest competitors - the Vortex Viper HD and Leupold SX-4.

Beyond price, what really sets this 15-45x65mm scope apart is its weight. Tipping the scales at 40.4 ounces, the Maven CS.1 is more than a pound lighter than either the Vortex Viper HD or Leupold SX-4.

Maven backs up the CS.1 with a lifetime warranty.

[leroyjones]

Thank you thank you for that review. That’s exactly what I was looking for.

[ianhamilton]

Thanks for this great review - I especially appreciate that it is primarily from an archery perspective (whether for target or hunting). I'm glad to hear this scope will handle the standard target distances with ease - I've had my eye on the Maven S1 and the Meopta MeoPro 80 HD for some time, but it's hard to justify that much cost and scope for target archery's relatively short distances. This may just be the solution!

[willfalkner]

Thanks for the great review. Looking at this for my backcountry hunts. I purchased and still use a Nikon 10-30x spotter at only 21 ounces and would like a touch more magnification but this almost doubles the weight at 40.4 oz so still debating here. Great info.

[GS-ygwk]

Can I use it with Celestron astronomical eyepieces?

[commonsense]

That Maven 15-45x spotter is currently $800 2 years later. I'd sure like to see a head to head vs the much cheaper Athlon Ares 15-45x65.

[jmartinezstudios]

Any way to attach a camera or phone to scope? I would use Velcro for the caps.

[commonsense]

OMG here I thought Maven was like Tract Optics and avoided anything made in China but I just realized this Maven spotter as well as several of their binoculars are made in CHINA... After further research, this spotter is nearly identical to the much cheaper best in class Athlon Ares UHD spotter which is also made in China. The differences are only in their weight and much higher cost of the Maven.

[ObelixCMM]

For reviewing optics you should get resolution test chart, it would give you actual numbers vs. subjective opinion.
Vortex Viper 15-45X65 HD is about same price ($699.00) and it comes with best warranty in industry and interchangeable eye piece. Lets say you always use it at 45X magnification you could get fixed magnification eye piece and improve image quality, zoom eyepiece is never as good as fixed focal length.