Steiner Bino model opinions

[JRCHolsters]

I plan on buying my wife a pair of Steiner Bino's for Christmas this year. I had a set of Military Marine 10x50's that she loved except for the bulkiness. I was looking at some of the sporting models and was wondering in any P-F members had some insight or opinions from actual experience. I want to be sure they are waterproof and anywhere from 7-10 power, those are my only must haves on any model. Thoughts are appreciated.

[DamonL]

Search online for "best binoculars". There is a ton of information. Nikon Monarchs seem to be well regarded. If I was looking, I would probably buy something with an 8 power magnification. What is her use for the binoculars? Birdwatchers like accurate colors without tints that some coatings have.

[pablo]

A huge fan of Steiner as a company and they make decent binoculars. For many years Steiner would give factory refurbished binoculars to any service member that asked for them. In 2004 I got a refurbished pair of the Military/Marine 8x30s while deployed in Iraq. When I got home in 05 the lenses were in trashed. I sent them Steiner, offered to pay for new lenses and they replaced them free of charge. Fast forward 9 years, I left the binouclars on the top of my squad car, drove off and sent them tumbling at 40mph. They fogged up after that. I sent them back to Steiner, offered to pay and they fixed them again free of charge. They are currently with my nephew in Afghanistan.

The glass isn't the greatest, they've always had a slight haze in bright light and distortion along the edges. They're tough and for the price point the customer service is great.

[JRCHolsters]

I am definitely sticking with Steiner. I have always had the best luck with them and as the post above shows, the customer support is top notch. I have done some research and am looking at the Predator series. I was just hoping with all the users on here, someone might have experience with the different series' they offer.

[LittleLebowski]

I plan on buying my wife a pair of Steiner Bino's for Christmas this year. I had a set of Military Marine 10x50's that she loved except for the bulkiness. I was looking at some of the sporting models and was wondering in any P-F members had some insight or opinions from actual experience. I want to be sure they are waterproof and anywhere from 7-10 power, those are my only must haves on any model. Thoughts are appreciated.

I cannot recommend talking to Scott at Liberty Optics (http://www.libertyoptics.com) enough on this.

[Drang]

Does anyone else have this image come to mind when the name "Steiner" is brought up?
4643

[Wondering Beard]

Does anyone else have this image come to mind when the name "Steiner" is brought up?
4643

Sure did

[mtnbkr]

Anyone have any experience Steiner AZ830 binoculars (http://www.amazon.com/Steiner-2032-AZ830-Binocular/dp/B00WREWGLI/)? At $55.31 on Amazon they seem like a steal (even if they suck a little :)).

I'm not convinced they're not counterfeit. I can't find ANY info online about them, even on Steiner's website. That worries me. Otherwise, I would have pulled the trigger on a pair myself. I still have them in my Amazon wishlist. If they turn out to be real, maybe I'll get a pair "just because".

FWIW, while not Steiner, I did buy a pair of Nikon Aculon 10x25 binoculars yesterday. I wanted something quality, yet inexpensive, and compact. Those fit the bill at $70. After a lifetime of cheap Bushnell and Simmons binoculars, these are amazing. As an "east coast" hunter, I don't need the ability to count ticks on an elk's hide at 500yds. I just need to be able to see what's on the other side of a 200yd clearcut or moving around in brush 100yds away. Pocketability was a concern as well (don't like stuff hanging around my neck as I move through ravines and such). For the price, if I drop them from the tree stand, lose them, or whatever, I won't cry much. I could even loan them to the kids without worrying. :)

Chris

[Crews]

FYI, there is a 15% off sale on Steiner binocs on the Beretta USA website right now.

[SLG]

I have a pair of Steiner 8x30's, armored green ones, but can't remember the model. Individual eye focus, as I prefer that. They don't compare well to my Leica's or older Zeiss bino's, but they are small, light and work pretty well for the price. I also have the best binos that Leupold makes, and they are definitely better. Nonetheless, I like the little Steiners. None of that may have been very useful, as I've never put the Steiner's through anything too tough.

[Surf]

I have had the Military Marine 8x30's for about 15 years. Been all over with me and are my goto pack binos. Very happy with them.

[JodyH]

My Steiner 7x50 Military-Marine binoculars are over 15 years old and have been treated like shit, they still work like new.
Great binos and if/when I buy a new set, they'll be Steiner Military-Marine.

[JRCHolsters]

I ended up getting her some Steiner 8x42 Predator Extremes. Optics Planet had a great deal on them. I loved my Military/Marine and always regretted letting them go in a trade. Had a moment of Cranial vapor-lok at the time. Pretty hard to beat the warranty. It will be interesting to see how these work out.

[SLG]

My wife reminds me that she took the Steiners on a recent 10 day elk hunt. She did not find them lacking, and they were light for all day carry.

[JodyH]

Have you tried to register them online for the warranty?
http://www.steiner-optics.com/optics-warranty-registration
That might be a good way to see if they're real or counterfeit.

[JRCHolsters]

Tom, based on that info, I just ordered a second set. I bought the slightly more expensive Steiner AZ842 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WREWHPS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00) for $91.25. It is essentially the older style 8x42 Predator Pro. Figured it would make a good last minute gift for my son.

[Shellback]

ETA: The price has gone up to $74.76 (http://www.amazon.com/Steiner-2032-AZ830-Binocular/dp/B00WREWGLI/), but I think it's still a great deal. Especially since I know they are in fact Steiners and covered by their warranty.

Now up to $117.

[JDM]

When I mentioned those binos to you last week, I suspected that I was mentioning the deal of the year to you.

I am now sure of it.