Steiner binoculars

[Martyn]

dogman, again no problem

Yes, its a jungle out there. Finding the right pair of binos is a chore. There are so many to choose from.
But with a bit of research you might settle on a pair of binos suitable for your use.

You can get better quality binos than Steiner, but they cost far, far more.
I have been eyeing a pair of Leica 10x40 binos but know, that Ill most likely stay with the Steiners.
For the money, the Steiners are VERY good.

You can buy a mess of Steiner Firebirds for one set of Leicas.
The quality of the Leicas are of course better too, but the Steiners are very good for my use and have not failed me yet.
They have been used in all kinds of weather conditions on several continents and they are fine binos in my book.
My binos really gets used and are not pampered.

If you want to go upmarket from Leica, check out Swarovski - even mojo's little 8x20's are an arm and a leg. There's nothing worse than forking out £1300 for Leica ultravids when the guy next to you whips out his Swaro EL's and tells you to upgrade.

[BladeScout]

If you want to go upmarket from Leica, check out Swarovski - even mojo's little 8x20's are an arm and a leg. There's nothing worse than forking out £1300 for Leica ultravids when the guy next to you whips out his Swaro EL's and tells you to upgrade.

Swarovski optics are great quality and amongst my favourites.
Choosing optics are like religion and people get fanatical about it, so I wont name names, but I actually prefer Swaro over a VERY well known German optics manufacturer
I wrote 10x40 but the Leicas, I had been eyeing was the 10x42 Geovid. A friend of mine has the Leica Geovid binos and they are excellent.
But although superior to my Steiners, they are heavier and bulkier. As a minimalist, I like the light weight of the Steiner 8x30 binos in my ruck or around my neck when hiking. Theres a significant difference in weight, bulk .... let alone price (and yes, quality).
Im allowed to dream, but like the 8x30 Steiners so much for various reasons, that I most likely will stay with them.
They have so far worked just fine from dusk till dawn and under various (harsh) conditions hence I see no reason to change.

[Martyn]

I will be carrying them probably in a backpack, but will take them on holiday, in carry on luggage, asuming thats allowed, so size/weight is an issue.

Rob

Hmmm, well 8x32 or thereabouts is probably the right size. If you go smaller than that, you will either get fatigued very quickly or have to spend a fortune for bonkers good glass to get round the mini aperture size. Steiners are great value for money, nice optics and have a reputation for being tough, but all that armour means they are quite heavy for their size. The porro prism bins are a simpler construction and have less glass in em so are usually lighter (and also cheaper) that roof prism bins. So the Firebird's that Bladescout has would probably be a better buy for you than my Merlin's - though porro prism bins are not as compact. Also, have a look at the Opticron range - they are darned good for the price and much lighter than the heavily armoured Steiners.

These...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/OPTICRON-8X3...5657365&sr=1-2
...are 391g - google em and see what the birdwatchers are saying.

[dogman]

Thanks again gents for your advice, hmm.. opticron, thats all i need, another make to look at !

The price is good though, similar to a used pair of steiners on here..

Rob

[Sabre Tooth]

I've got some Steiners. I got them from Bristol Cameras website a few years ago. I'm very happy with them.

[dogman]

Thanks for your input, i finaly decieded that i could'nt make my mind up, so doglady made it up for me, & got me the wildlife 8x24 xp's i'd been talking about from amazon, as a prezzy, ahh, who says love is dead !.

Rob

[benp1]

And how do you find them?

[dogman]

And how do you find them?

I'm realy happy with them, the optics are as clear & precise as the one's i tried at the show, the "adjustables" have the right amount of control, ie not to stiff/loose, & if i'm on top of the hill outside Grantham i can see Lincoln cathedral, as i said very happy with them.

Rob