Maven CS.1S Spotting Scope Review

I've had my Vortex Razor HD spotting scope for a couple years now and I've been interested in trying out some other options.

I reached out to Maven about getting a demo unit of their comparable S1.2A spotting scope as I was hoping to compare apples to apples.

Unfortunately, their marketing agency, for some reason, didn't want me to compare apples to apples and instead suggested I try out the cheaper Maven CS.1S.

Still, it was a spotting scope to try out so I agreed and they sent over the CS.1S 15-45x65.

Obviously, the CS.1S doesn't really compare directly to the top-of-the-line Razor HD from Vortex. The clarity isn't quite as good, the outer edges of the view are soft.

But the price is right at just $800 compared to the Razor HD's $2,399 MSRP (market prices at retailers seem to be in the $1,300-1,600 range... still significantly more expensive).

For the price, I think the Maven CS.1S provides a great value.

The clarity in the main part of the image is good. The magnification range is useful. It's relatively lightweight and compact making it easy to pack around.

Before we dive into all that, let's get the CONS out of the way.

Cons of the Maven CS.1S

The biggest con for me is, fortunately, very easily remedied. I am not a fan of the straight form factor. At least for me, it's a bit more tedious to get a comfortable viewing position. You always have to be directly behind it with the spotter at eye level and there are just some scenarios where that's not easy or convenient. It also requires a taller tripod if you want to use the spotter while standing up. The tripod issue is perhaps a bigger deal than people realize.

The good news is that there is an angled version of this Maven spotting scope, the CS.1A.

Also, as I mentioned before, the edges of the view are a bit soft and this gets worse at higher magnifications. I'm going to assume that this is simply due to cheaper glass and likely to be an issue across the CS line. You can also see a bit of chromatic aberration (purple fringing)... however this is also a problem that my much more expensive Vortex suffers from.

Here are some example pics/videos taken with the CS.1S and an iPhone 14 Pro Max. Obviously digiscoping examples don't let you see the EXACT image out of the eyepiece, but it's close enough for government work.

To re-iterate, for the price I don't think any of these issues are deal breakers.

Where the Maven CS.1S Shines

For me personally, the biggest PRO for the Maven CS.1S is a spec that I literally just made up called the Magnification-to-Weight Ratio. The CS.1S delivers 1.11x of magnification for every ounce of weight. My pricey Vortex? Just 0.91x per ounce.

The CS.1S is light enough (and powerful enough) to basically just let it live in your pack no matter what. With my heavier Vortex, it's a conscious thought process to decided if I want to pack the extra weight.

This is a big deal as there have been many times I wish I had my spotter and didn't end up packing it because of weight considerations. With the Maven CS.1S this is no longer an issue. Now I just decide is 45x (and slightly lower visual quality) good enough or do I really need/want 60x and a heavier pack. Good enough usually gets the job done.

All Maven products come with an "Unconditional" Lifetime Warranty which also warrants mentioning. I put unconditional in quotes because on their website they do list some conditions...

*Warranty does not cover loss, deliberate damage, or cosmetic damage that does not hinder product performance.

That stuff is pretty standard exclusions though. The meat of the warranty is GREAT:

Maven optics are made with a commitment to you, our customer. All Maven optics come with an unconditional lifetime warranty*. If your optic becomes damaged or is at all defective contact us immediately for repair or replacement. We don’t care where or when you bought it or if it was your fault or not – if it says Maven, we will take care of it.

Do I recommend the Maven CS.1S?

If you're on a tight budget or just looking to get into the spotting scope game then I think the Maven CS line is one to consider. You'll get decent quality for the price, a solid warranty, and a direct-to-consumer relationship with a brand that stands behind their gear. For me personally, I would take the angled version over the straight version but this really comes down to personal preference. 

If your budget allows, you may consider stepping up to the S-line of spotting scopes where you'll get Japanese glass and components on an assembled-in-USA product, versus the Chinese-origin CS line.

Learn more at MAVENBUILT.COM

Full specs below

Maven CS.1S Specs