Maven S1.2S Waterproof Test: 20 Minutes Submerged in a Creek

A waterproof rating is reassuring when you’re buying a spotting scope, but I wanted to see how the Maven S1.2S would handle an actual dunking. So, I took mine to a creek, rolled up my pants, and submerged it for 20 minutes.

Would water get inside? Would the lenses fog up after the scope dried? Those were the questions I wanted to answer.

After checking it that day and using it again the following day, I was happy with the results. My Maven S1.2S showed no visible internal fogging or apparent water damage, and the image remained clear.

Why I Tested the Maven S1.2S in Water

If you spend enough time outside with optics, eventually you’re going to encounter water. Rain, creek crossings, and an accidental drop can all put your equipment’s seals to the test.

For this video, I wanted to do more than read off a waterproof specification. I wanted to put my own spotting scope in the water and show what happened afterward.

The IPX7 specification I referenced in the video described protection against temporary immersion up to one meter for 30 minutes. I chose a 20-minute creek test to see how my scope would handle sustained exposure.

This was a practical field test. I didn’t document the exact depth or reproduce controlled laboratory conditions, so the results reflect what happened to my particular scope during this outing.

The Test: 20 Minutes in the Creek

It was windy outside, but the setup was straightforward: place the Maven S1.2S in the creek, leave it submerged for 20 minutes, and inspect it afterward.

Once the time was up, I pulled the scope out and checked for signs of water getting past the seals.

Initially, everything looked good. During my inspection of the eyepiece area, I didn’t see much water around the connection. That was encouraging because the seal had held up better than I expected from looking at it.

Of course, an immediate inspection was only part of the test. I also wanted to see whether internal moisture or fogging would become visible as the scope dried.

Checking for Moisture Afterward

Nearly an hour after removing the scope from the creek, some water was still dripping off the exterior. Inside, though, the lenses appeared clear.

I didn’t see obvious internal moisture or fogging. The seal around the eyepiece area also appeared to have done its job.

I left the scope to dry and checked it again the following day. At that point, everything was dry, and I still couldn’t see any internal fogging or apparent water damage.

That next-day inspection gave me more confidence than simply pulling it out of the creek and calling the test finished.

Looking Through the Scope the Next Day

To show how the Maven performed after its dunking, I recorded footage through the scope while watching cowbirds roughly 31 to 45 yards away.

I started at 25x magnification, then increased to 50x for a closer look.

At both magnifications, the image remained clear. I couldn’t see fogging or visible signs of water damage affecting the view as the birds moved through the field.

For me, that was the most useful part of the test. The scope looked fine during inspection, and it continued to provide a clear image when I took it back out and used it.

What the Creek Test Showed

My Maven S1.2S handled this 20-minute submersion without visible problems. Afterward, I observed:

• No visible internal fogging during my checks.

• No apparent water damage the following day.

• A clear image at both 25x and 50x magnification.

• No obvious moisture intrusion affecting the view.

One successful test doesn’t establish how every scope will perform under every condition. It also doesn’t tell us what would happen at greater depths or during longer immersion. But it does give me a useful firsthand result: my S1.2S came through this creek test and continued working as expected.

My Take on the Maven S1.2S Waterproofing

I was impressed with how the Maven S1.2S handled the water. After 20 minutes submerged in a creek, it dried out with no visible internal fogging or apparent damage, and the view remained clear the next day.

That gives me more confidence in taking this scope into wet outdoor conditions. I still intend to take care of my gear, but it’s reassuring to see it handle an actual dunking successfully.

If you’ve used the Maven S1.2S or the angled S1.2A in wet weather, leave a comment below. I’d love to hear how yours has held up and whether you’ve had a similar experience.

Stay connected to the wild. Nature is good for you, so get out there and enjoy it.