I am looking at getting some new bino's...have been looking at the Steiners in the 5-700 range. I know swarovski are great but im not going to spend that much. Also looking at some of leupold and burris binos as well...what do yall think? Anyone use Steiners? You like them? Any info is appreciated...thanks

Really happy with my Steiners

Pretty much all i have ever used is steiners. Pretty much all I will ever use. I'm sure other brands are good, but I'm not gonna mess with a good thing!

If you have an Academy near you, I would go there. Have them get out all the ones you like and look across the store and see which ones you like the best. They normally have something on the wall to focus on. I did this at Academy with Bino's and my scope. They were more than happy to help. I must admit, I ended up with Nikon. Both bino's, and scope. Thanx Academy.



Academy customer for life.

What model steiners yall have? I was looking at the marine models
What about the Burris, higher end, Burris® Signature Select Binoculars - Roof Prism?

I have Swarvroski 10X42 SLC's and love them but for the money those Nikon 10X42 ATB are hard to beat.

I have 8x30 predators, really like how light weight they are along with the clarity and their self adjusting. My father has 10x50 military marines, they are great (but heavy). I can use mine with one hand with ease.

i have the leupold gold rings and they are awsome

meopta 10x42....makes all my other optics look like shat

Check your PM's

hard to beat steiners.... holler at for prices

meopta or vortex viper in that high price range. nikon monarch's are very good for the price.

leica's. hadnt looked through any better.

x2 on the Nikon Monarch's. Plus you get to save half of your money!

I like my Steiners.

About 15 years ago, 3 of us were hunting SW of Abilene. At the end of the day, we piled in the pickup to head back to camp. There was about a 1/2 moon. As we drove by a wheat patch, one guy noticed a lot of deer feeding. There must have been 100. I bailed out with my Gen 1 nighttime binoculars and another guy got out with his Steiners. While I was uncasing them and getting them fired up, the guy with the Steiners said "All doe". When we finally got a look with the nighttime binocs, we found out that he was right.

I bought a set of Steiners as soon as I got back to the metroplex.

I know there are better and higher priced ones out there but the Steiners work for me and my budget.

I own a pair of Zeiss compact ones and can't tell that they are any better than Tasco. But then, I think all compact binocs are junk. Just not enough light penetration. However, when you are climbing mountains for elk, the heavier weight ones become a PITA.

Look at the high end Pentax. When OUTDOOR LIFE does their comparisons of Optics Pentax generally comes out on top regardless of price.
Good luck,
Gary

For $700 get the Cabela's Euro 10x42(which are meopta's) or the Minox HGs. Doug at Cameraland has the Minox HG's for I believe around $600.

In that price range you will not find better optics than those two, period.

Bill

If you are going to spend 5-7 $$$ Why not Swarovski you can buy a good pair for that? I know here we go again but it's your eyes why not have what you use the most be worth the extra money? Plus like I always say Nikon makes the Best CAMERA I have ever used as far as Steiners a buddy of mine has some I will stick with Swarovski all day.

I use Steiner Predator's 8x42. Not the current model but the ones that were sold about three years ago. They are awesome glass. The clarity is hard to beat and the eyecups and lens covers are great.

I bought a pair of Nikon Monarch 12x42's and really liked the optic quality but the eyecups didn't fit me. My wife uses the Nikon's and loves them.

Try em all before you spend that kind of $$.

BTW- IIRC I paid about $450 for my Steiner's on special at www.cameralandny.com. They are great people to deal with. (I have no affiliation with them)

Not near the cost of the ones mentioned above, but I have some Nikons and they are by far my favorite.

the folks on opticstalk.com and some other forums have been raving about a new company called Zen Ray -- they claim their binos compare to the top of the line, but at a $400 price point. I haven't seen them though.

I have the nikon monarch atb 10x42 - they're nice, but they don't compare to my friend's Swarovski's. I'm considering selling my monarchs and getting a Zen Ray, but I'd like to actually see one first...

have u decided yet?

[quote=Nate76]the folks on opticstalk.com and some other forums have been raving about a new company called Zen Ray -- they claim their binos compare to the top of the line, but at a $400 price point.

My favorite glass has been a Leica 10x42 for several years. Recently, I bought a set of Zen-Ray 8x43 ED binos for a tad over $400. I'm shocked by their performance, especially their incredible field of view. It is simply amazing what the Chinese can do now that they're getting a little taste of western capitalism.

Nobody has mentioned the Leupold "Wind Rivers". I know they are Leupolds "second line", but what do some of you think about them?

Can you buy swarovskis for 5-700? the ones Ive seen are usually 1000+