Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics $198 Steiner Military Marine

At SWFA
http://www.riflescopes.com/products/280/steiner_8x30_military_marine_binocular.htm

This seems like a real good deal.

Is there something about this particular model that is bad?

Pure garbage! Had a pair in the late 80's, they fogged internally on a wet hunt. Sold em and never looked back.

MtnHtr

fwiw,
Steiners are at best decent binoculars. And the cheapest models can often set new lows in performance. I could'nt recommend that glass if I wanted to...

Regards, Matt.

I third the vote. My hunting partner had a pair that were junk. The view through them gave the same dizzy feeling as when you've had a few too many margaritas. I think his 9 year old kid is now the proud owner of them.....

If I were looking for glass in the $200.00 range, it'd be a porro prism; something along the lines of the Wind River Mesa's...they'd blow the socks of the Steiner M/M's.

In the same price range, I've been very pleased with these: http://www.deutscheoptik.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=11&products_id=45

IMHO,Steiner couldn't make tater tots.

I'm guilty of saying likewise,prior..................

I wasted money on Steiner Military Marines years ago. Total POS IMO. They're cheap for a reason.

Jeff

Thank you all very much for all the replies. Thanks too for that link to the Hensoldt Sohne. If I understand it right those binocs are bacically reconditioned Zeiss? Or on par with that?

I have never owned any quality binoc's but I do understand eye fatigue, (I guess that goes together, LOL)

Those Hendoldt's have a removeable ranging reticle, that looks interesting.

I haven't compared the Hensoldts side by side with Zeiss. I was turned on to them by a buddy who'd gotten Zeiss, Leica, etc. and said for the $, you simply can't beat the Hensoldts.

I do plan to get some 10X40 Zeiss classics when I get some spare coin.

Nothing new here. Like many I owned a set of military/marine 8X30's years back. They were absolute crap.

I have owned them. Not much for the money, in fact you can do better for the same amount. My buddy just bought some Swarovski's. Now, I am ruined. Bino's are like scopes, save up , wait and buy a goood pair. You will not regret it!!1
GregH

I ordered the Hensoldts, but I was not a liking them so I sent em back.

But thanks for the advice!

I own a Pair of Steiner Peregrine's and would'nt trade them for anything. They've worked great for me.

http://www.steiner-binoculars.com/binoculars/trophy/358.html

I have a few STEINER 8x42 PEREGRINE left @ $599.00. I am closing out my current Steiner inventory and have a few different models left I can sell below cost if anyone is interested. I have the Steiner Predator 8x22 @ $99.00 (probably 10 pieces left)

That's a great price on the 8x42 Peregrine! I checked B&H Photo and Bearbasin and they are both over $800. I have a pair of Steiner 7X50 Nighthunter binos and really like them especially in timber where I don't have to constantly mess with a focus knob. Haven't compared them to similar Swaro or Zeiss in low light but they are a lot brighter/clearer than my Pentax 10X42 DCFs. I agree the lower end Steiner's aren't very good but the I think the high end are a pretty decent value, especially when compared to the price of the other Euro optics cos. whose prices are going out of sight.

I'll do a big "DITTO" on the Steiner's being junk. A few years ago, my high school hunting buddy came our for a visit. He advised me to buy a pair, which I did. The happiest day I ever had in life was the day I sold them.. Yech
I keep an inexpensive pair of 7x35's by the window for bird watching at 30 yards. They are far better than the more expensive Steiner's.
I did buy a pair of the Zeiss 8x30's that Cabela's had a couple of years ago that I carry for hunting. They are light weight, and a clear set of optics.
Don

I use the Steiner 8X30 Predator at $185 on sale from Natchez. Lighter than M/Ms and cheaper. They are brighter and lighter than my old cheaper 7X50s that I used to take for bird watching etc. I have used them in rough and occasionally wet environments since Christmas '04. Your results may vary. I have to do what I can on a State salary which is the third lowest paid in the US. Rusty Zipper

Steiner binocs. All I can say is when the best binocs for the money or any other reason is discussed.Steiner is rarely or never mentioned. Go from there.

I'm surprised I haven't commented on this thread before now.

I had a pair too, mine sucked also.

I have a pair of Steiner 8X30 Nighthunter XP and they are excellent! They are absolutely superb in low light conditions and looking into dark places in the scrub and timber. The sports auto focus is terrific. The Steiner's are an upgraded from my Nikon 10x25 CF III. And I thought the Nikons were clear,... there is no comparison.

I can't comment on the Steiner 8x30 Military Marine. The Nighthunter XP binos are double the price of the Military Marine here in Australia. I suppose you get what you pay for.