binocular opinions or review sites?

G

gadgetman

Joined
Feb 27, 2000
Messages
200
I'm looking for high quality compact binoculars to supplement my Steiner Firebirds (8x30), especially for travelling. Steiner makes a compact 8x22 in the predator (low light) and safari (UV/IR coated) lines. I don't hunt, so the Predators are less attractive (not that I wouldn't need *another* pair just for that). Does anyone own any of the safari Steiners and use them in snow, sand, or aquatic environments?

Alternatively, could anyone point me to a binocular review website? I searched the web for one, but was unsuccessful. I'd prefer to keep the cost under $200.

I don't have any complaints about the firebirds, but I'd like something a little smaller for ease of carry. I already lug around too much stuff.

Thanks
 
I am very interested in this subject as well. Been wanting a pair of good binocs for some time. NOt in the market for them right now, though, as money is tight, but anxious to learn!

Gadgetman -- are your Firebirds the same size as the 8x30 Predators/Safaris? I know the next smallest are the 8x22 which look perfect for field carry.

I have always heard good things about Steiner. Are they the ones to go with?

Thanks,

Clay

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
Clay,

Yes, the 8x30 Firebirds are the same size as the 8x30 Safaris/Predators. I assume all 3 are based on the Military Marine, but with different coatings. There is also an 8x30 Navigator for marine environments.

I got the Steiners for the clarity, weight, rubber armor, water resistance, and the price point. The Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss are all fantastic, but I didn't want to spend that much. The Steiners use a polycarbonate frame to keep the weight down. While a metal frame may seem to be more desirable, I doubt that the US military (and other armed forces) would be using them if the frame were weak. My Firebirds are very light for the size of (a bit smaller than full size) a binocular that fills your hand, but I'm looking to save space as well. Believe it or not, I sometimes find the fixed focus to be a detriment at closer ranges for birding. Having a center focus would help in those cases. (But I'll probably end up bringing both with me instead of saving weight and space)

Here's steiner's site: http://www.steiner-germany.com/english/hallo.htm
I found a pretty extensive collection at www.binoculars.com, but I haven't shopped around too much to compare prices.

I had tried the Firebirds at a local sporting goods store but put off buying them until I saw the sale at Sierra Trading Post (www.sierratradingpost.com) for $200. www.binoculars.com had the same price at the time, so I'm inclined to believe that their prices are reasonable. Based on my experience with the Firebirds, I may buy the Safari 8x22 compacts unseen.

I'm pretty bias toward European makes, but you'd probably get good satisfaction from an mid-upper range binocular by Nikon, Pentax, or Bausch and Lomb. johno's www.lightshedder link is pretty informative too. My 10+ year old 7x20 Nikon compacts still work and are pretty good overall, but they don't compare to the Steiners in performance.

gm
 
Thanks for the inof GM. The Steiners seem to be at a good price point.

Do you know exactly what the differences are in the Safaris and the Firebirds; the latter is much expensive and as far as I can tell the coating seems very similar?

Are the 8X30s a bit big to take on day hikes and the like?

The Rocky's look nice but are a bit pricey...

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
Clay,

The price for the Firebirds at Sierra Trading Post is the same as the Safaris at Binoculars.com. According to Steiner's website, the Firebirds block UVA/UVB and glare, while the Safaris block glare.

I also looked at the German Steiner page (www.steiner.de), in which I found a Safari 8x30 and the Safari II 8x30. The Safari II is the model which I have been discussing. both seen to be pretty much the same, but I can't read German. Maybe the coatings on the Firebirds block more wavelengths, but the Rally 7x50 are supposed to block UV rays too, so maybe all Steiners block UV rays. I don't think you'll go wrong with either one.

Additional info: I was looking at binoculars.com and saw that the Safari line is supposed to block UV, but the Steiner site didn't explicitly state that they do, so I'm not sure if the Safaris really block UV.

The 8x30's are much lighter than they look and are comfortable to carry on day hikes. But I carry so much other crap that's heavier that the additional 18oz of the Firebirds is not much. I should point out that only the Marine, Military Marine, and Rockys (as far as I know) are waterPROOF; the Firebirds are waterRESISTANT. I'm not planning in immersing them, so that detail didn't bother me. The length of the warranty may hold the key to the waterproof vs. water resistant issue.

gm

[This message has been edited by gadgetman (edited 07-11-2000).]
 
Thanks for all the info, GM.

Hmmm. I tend to like things that are waterproof, for the "just in case" factor, but I am not sure that it would really be needed on binoculars.

On hikes, do you just weat them arounf your neck or do you have a case for them? I was more worried about size than weight for convenience of carry, but it is nice to know they are so light.



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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
Clay,

When I was considering the Steiner that I wanted, the waterproof vs. water resistant issue weighed pretty heavily. However, at the time, the Safari's hadn't come out yet, and I wanted the coating of the Firebirds, so I compromised on the waterproofness figuring that Steiner makes excellent products that would withstand the water exposure that I would encounter (rain, splashes, dew). I have to admit that the style pactor came into play too; the olive green Military Marines didn't really strike my fancy. I would recommend a waterproof model for aquatic use (with a floating strap!) or if you use them in really rainy environments.

As far as carrying them, I don't use a consistent method. Most of the time, I'll be using a Mountainsmith Tour pack (lumbar) with the strapettes addition (check 'em out at www.mountainsmith.com!). I either shove the binoculars in one of the external waterbottle holders or use the accessory belt pouch that I attach to the hip belt. The belt pouch flops a little when I walk, so I don't use it unless I have to. The 8x30's are very short (objective lens to eyepiece), so they fit in places where other "full size" binoculars wouldn't. I don't usually hike with them around my neck beacuse they bounce too much. If I want them to be more accessable, I'll wear them bandolier style since I'm small enough to have an adequate amount of strap to still bring them to my eyes.

I would suggest finding a shop that carries Steiners since all the 8x30's are similar in size and weight to get a real world feel for the size and weight, even if you buy them on-line. (not that I like to shaft retail "brick and mortar" stores with the "try it here, buy it there")

gm
 
When it comes to binos, my advise is usually to try and save up the extra $$ for a waterproof model if at all possible. Simply stepping into a warm building/vehicle after having spent some time out in the cold is often enough to cause condensation to form inside the housing of a poorly sealed pair of binos. And when it happens, it seems to take forever for it to dry out.

One other consideration regarding the Steiner line of binos; I've owned a pair of the 7X50 Military/Marine Commanders for over a decade and they've served me very well, but it's important to understand that with Steiners you basically focus both ocular lenses one time to match your eyes, and then they remain focused at all viewing distances afterward. With most other brands of bino, you're constantly adjusting the focus to match your current viewing distance. Each system comes with some advantages and disadvantages.
If I'm at a sporting event, for example, I'll usually take the Steiners, as I can quickly move around the stadium, arena, track (whatever) without constantly spinning the focus knob. However, if I'm hunting or hiking I'll tend to go with my Swarovskis as I can use the focus knob to finely adjust the focal plane. This gives you the ability to seemingly look "into" foliage making it much easier to pick out birds, deer, people, etc., from the surrounding leaves and branches. Just some food for thought.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
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