I’ve tried out a few Maven scopes over the years, the RS1.2 has some classic Maven features and some optical improvements.   Maven’s RS.1 Riflescope series is intended for hunters seeking enhanced precision and versatility.   The RS1.2 is a first focal plane scope with a 2.5-15X zoom range, side parallax adjustment, and a milliradian or MOA-based reticle with illuminated center dot.  I prefer milrads myself, and evaluated the mil version of this scope.

Maven’s business model is a “direct to consumer” approach, which means you don’t find their optics in retail outlets, and your buddies who only buy scopes from the local gun store have probably never heard of them. Most companies use the traditional retail model of selling their product, which means a markup of around 50% is added to that item at the retail level. Since Maven cuts out the retail middleman, they can provide higher quality at a better-than-retail price.

The Maven RS1.2 is built on a 30mm tube with Extra-low dispersion ED glass and an etched reticle.  The scope is Nitrogen purged, waterproof and fogproof.

Comparing apples-to-apples, let’s pit the RS1.2 against 2 similarly-priced, illuminated FFP optics with similar features and magnification ranges (out of courtesy, I will refrain from mentioning any names, but they are popular brands).

As you can see, the Maven RS1.2 compares favorably in performance, size, weight, and price to these other popular competitors.

PERFORMANCE

CLARITY

This scope showed minimal optical distortion.  In the image above, if you look at the left and right edges of the cardboard target, you can see the greenish-yellow on the left and purple-ish tone on the right.  That is chromatic aberration, but I actually attribute it to the camera I was using to look through the reticle, and didn’t observe it with the naked eye staring through the reticle itself.  The horizontally-stacked railroad ties that make up the front of this backstop are a dead-giveaway for optics with pincushion distortion.  Notice how they appear flat and parallel in this image.  That’s a good sign!   All variable power scopes exhibit some field curvature or spherical aberration which causes some distortion at the extreme edges of the image when the center of the image is clear.  These are also exaggerated in the image above by the effects of the scope camera, which uses angled windows to permit looking through the scope while simultaneously filming.   This is good glass.

ILLUMINATION

RATING:

Optics

Chromatic Aberration 5/5 Chromatic aberration (when high-contrast objects can be edged by blues and yellows) was not noticeable in this optic.  I attribute the little bit observed in the images to the camera unit, not the scope.

Distortion 5/5 No pincushion or “fish-eye” effect.

Eye Relief 4.5/5 The advertised eye relief of this scope is 86-100 mm,  a little on the tight side, but very usable.

Field of View 4.5/5 100 yard field of view is basically comparable with similarly-priced (and higher-priced) competitors at 41.7′ at 2.5X and 7′ at 15X.

Spherical Aberration & Field Curvature 5/5 Sacrificing a little field of view probably helps cut down on the apparent field-edge distortions.  All scopes have a little distortion at the extreme edges of the field due to the physics of bending light through curved glass lenses.  The little bit in this scope is nothing to complain about.

Features and Characteristics

Size & Weight 5/5 – Slightly shorter and lighter than the competitors, for hunters and other shooters trying to shave ounces from gear, that’s a solid benefit.

Illumination 3.5/5 – This is the only area where I have a bit of a hard time with Maven optics.  The illuminated center dot is only visible at high magnification in relatively dim ambient conditions.

Tactile Surfaces 5/5 – Solid and precise, tool-less re-zero, nice knurling throughout and a usable lever that doesn’t get in the way on the magnification ring.

Tracking: 5/5 – All Maven scopes I’ve tried have had perfect tracking.

OVERALL RATING: 94% VERY GOOD

In the world of optics, you can certainly do a lot worse.  While this scope has comparable features and performance to popular competitors (at a better price), Maven also has durability going for it.  These scopes are designed for hunters and intended to survive harsh field conditions.  They are backed by a Lifetime Warranty.  As an American company, that makes warranty service (if ever needed) a much more pleasant experience.  If you’ve ever had to send an expensive Austrian or German scope back to the factory, you know it is a painful and lengthy process.  If you are a precision rifle shooter who needs a hunting scope, I think you’ll find this Maven to your liking.  It has the precision optics characteristics you are accustomed to like good glass, a mil or MOA subtension reticle, side parallax adjustment, and a practical magnification range for its intended use, in a light-weight, durable body.

Material Disclosure

I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.

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*The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Spotter Up Magazine, the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.