Why no love for Steiner?

[gearjunkie]

I cannot find any current reviews on Steiner glass. I can get the HX 8x42 for around 550. Are they a German brand that does not live up to the other ones? Anyone ever compare the HX series to an "alpha" glass?

 

[AGPank]

My first binos were 9x40 Bighorns. Had them for 20 years. They were a Porro prism design and I wouldn’t be able to compare to newer models.

Their porro prism designs seem bigger/bulkier than roof prism designs. They do have many roof prism offerings too.

They have many quality levels now and I’m not sure what is made where now. I think they are a subsidiary of Burris also.

If you are interested I would call Doug at CameralandNY. He is a dealer and very knowledgeable and helpful.

You should try to find some place where you can use them first or buy from someone with a good return policy. They won’t have the resale value of the alphas (even a Vortex, Meopta, Nikon).


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[TNKnoxville]

I picked up a slightly used pair of the Steiner 10x42 HX for $500. During my elk hunt the guides had Vortex razor, Steiner HX, Zeiss conquest and I had an old pair of Cabelas/Pentax. Thought mine were okay until I looked thru all the others! My order of spotting elk thru them was Steiner, Zeiss, Vortex, then Bak4.

I like mine but would like to hear reviews against Swarovski SLCs or other similar class binocs.

 

[gearjunkie]

I picked up a slightly used pair of the Steiner 10x42 HX for $500. During my elk hunt the guides had Vortex razor, Steiner HX, Zeiss conquest and I had an old pair of Cabelas/Pentax. Thought mine were okay until I looked thru all the others! My order of spotting elk thru them was Steiner, Zeiss, Vortex, then Bak4.

I like mine but would like to hear reviews against Swarovski SLCs or other similar class binocs.

So you are saying the Steiners looked the worst out of the bunch?

 

[gearjunkie]

I picked up a slightly used pair of the Steiner 10x42 HX for $500. During my elk hunt the guides had Vortex razor, Steiner HX, Zeiss conquest and I had an old pair of Cabelas/Pentax. Thought mine were okay until I looked thru all the others! My order of spotting elk thru them was Steiner, Zeiss, Vortex, then Bak4.

I like mine but would like to hear reviews against Swarovski SLCs or other similar class binocs.

Oh I see what you are saying you got the Steiners after looking through them on your Hunt compared to the others.

 

[TNKnoxville]

Steiner was the best next being the Zeiss to my eyes. The difference was small. The Vortexs were good. The Bak4 were not that great. I was surprised at the difference in binocs. It was the resolution that surprised me. Being from TN my old binocs worked great for deer hunting. Hunting in CO I could see the elk and mule deer but really couldn't count points or see detail at the distances we were glassing. Looking thru the guides different binocs was eye opening. To my eyes the Steiner and Zeiss were hands down better than my Cabelas/Pentax. I now know what better glass looks like. I only hunt in CO for 5 days every other year or so. Not sure that I want to spend the $$$ for an upgrade.

You really need to look thru as many different brands outdoors as you can and see what your eyes like. I'm happy with my Steiner HX's.

 

[ozyclint]

i have a pair of nighthunter 10x50's bought new in 2002. just got them back from germany after having them re armoured and general checkup and service. the steiner customer service was outstanding.
the nighthunters are exceptional glass. comparable to my mate's swaro EL 10x42 only brighter. porro 's have alot going for them IMO. unbeatable optical performance for the price. expect to pay twice as much for a roof that will meet a porro.
the steiner porro models are quality!

 

[Frank Grimes]

I too have always wondered about Steiner, and how they compare to others in the price range. Like the Meostar or maven B2’s, or the Nikon hg.

 

[matthewmt]

Off topic kinda but I have a px4i Steiner 1-4 that I purchased through cameraland and it's a solid optic, just made hits out over 500 with a BCM 16" mid length at sun down.

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[Piscatory_4]

. I think they are a subsidiary of Burris also.

I thought it was the other way around, Burris was bought by Steiner.

 

[AGPank]

I thought it was the other way around, Burris was bought by Steiner.

This is old, but... http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/09/beretta-owned-burris-acquires-steiner-optik-gmbh/

 

[Piscatory_4]

This is old, but... http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/09/beretta-owned-burris-acquires-steiner-optik-gmbh/

Thanks, guess I was mistaken. That was about the time my signature series 8x32 binos fogged up and I sent them back for repair under the forever warranty that the signature series had. Then was told they were unrepairable and they offered me landmark series at a reduced price. So much for the forever warranty...
I just figured after the merger they wouldn't honor the warranty. Don't even look at Burris stuff anymore.

I had a pair of Steiner 7x35 military-marine binos back in the 80's that were pretty good, individual eye focus so no focusing once set for your eyes but they were bulky and extra wide angle. Sent them back, couldn't get used to the extra wide angle view.

 

[TNKnoxville]

Interesting, Thanks

 

[loganksmith]

I ran Steiner Predator Pro 12x40s for years. Glass was good for the price and I was content with it. I’d put it on par with Vortex Vipers. I had an issue where the plastic cracked where the center pin held the binos together - which wasn’t a big deal to me. They still held together fine. But then I started having issues with the eye ups falling off. Multiple times I’d be out hiking, look down to see an eye up was gone, then have to backtrack to find it. Sent them in for warranty repair and was told sorry, nothing we can do, we can either send your broken binos back or give you a 20% discount on a new pair. I’ve heard multiple stories of people having bad warranty service experiences. Kind of ruined the brand for me. I run Leica Geovids now.

 

[gearjunkie]

Doesnt seem anyone has ever compared the HX to alpha glass. I would love to pick camera lands brain about this but due to the fact that I am a first responder I receive discounts through several brands and would likely purchase elsewhere. I hate to use up the time if I wont be purchasing there.

 

[Newtosavage]

I cannot find any current reviews on Steiner glass. I can get the HX 8x42 for around 550. Are they a German brand that does not live up to the other ones? Anyone ever compare the HX series to an "alpha" glass?

They just don't measure up against today's offerings. Steiner's sell because there is a certain demographic that likes the military connection. But they are too heavy with too narrow fields of view and typically are not as bright as other bins in their class. In other words, they haven't kept up.