I am always on the lookout for a hidden gem. I am new to the FORUM, but lifetime birder and binocular junkie who researches online and tests in field. I grade conservatively on a 1-10 scale, with 10.0 being the BEST YOU CAN BUY. The Peregrine should be compared to $500 retail list binocular models and not $1K Zeiss, Leica and Swarovski models. It is currently being closed out for $300 or less and represents a superb value.
Case: 8.5
Clean lines, lightweight and protective, it works well. Ballistic cloth with a slick finish that easily wipes clean. Quick release buckle is solid, secures a compression strap. Flip up handle on top back of case. Two attachment points for shoulder strap. Case secures binoculars but also allows for easy access. Single stitched but stitches are tiny and close together. Relatively narrow padded shoulder strap attaches to case or binocular with quick clips. Nicely Done!
Binoculars: Overall 8.35
Ocular caps: 5.0
Too large for a secure press fit. Design incorporates the Wing Flaps. Why? Ocular caps will easily fall off when hiking in field with caps extended. Steiner includes a cord tether which allow them to be secured to an attachment point on binocular so you don’t lose them.
Objective caps: 8.5
Steiner has done a nice job securing objective caps to objectives. Proprietary design creates secure attachment yet allows caps to be removed and replaced. Caps press into the objective tubes, seal is snug. Superior to Nikon outer rubber rings, Steiner design makes it virtually impossible to lose objective caps. Caps hang out of the way as they should. Life expectancy of the living hinge design is unknown.
Body Construction: 8.0
Solid. Body is constructed using Steiner’s venerable Markulon glass-fibre reinforced polycarbonate, cladded in rubber armour. Markulon has stood the test of time in the field. The rubber has a slight but distinctive odor. The armour’s textured finish adds a modicum of traction. Wing flaps to screen eyes in bright sunlight fold down for general viewing on cloudy days. I am not a fan of the hinge. Leaking lubrication is visible on hinge seam and hinge movement is a bit herky/jerky when setting pupillary distance. Optics appear to be glued in place to exacting standards. Overall the build is very good.
Ergonomics: 7.5
Compact design makes these best for people with smaller hands. I wear a L glove and the Peregrines didn’t totally meld into my hands. Weight distribution is typical of German entry designs like the Zeiss Terra binoculars which sell in the $500 range. Weight is concentrated over a 5”x 4.5” housing. Higher-end Leica/Zeiss/Swarovski distribute weight so their models feel lighter at equivalent weights to competitor’s brands. Steiner states the weight as 20.5 oz; I weighed Peregrines at 21.6 oz without the strap. There are pre-mounted strap connectors on the body that add under.3 oz total, and the padded strap and the weight increase another 2 ounces to 23.6. That’s an easy weight to hold steady, but better weight distribution would make Peregrines feel lighter and less fatiguing on the wrists. My take is contrarian to most online reviews for this model, your hands may feel differently.
Focus: 7.8
Focus wheel is smooth enough but not Zeiss or Leica smooth. NOS so work the focus wheel back and forth to distribute lubricant. Fast focus, one turn from 6’ to infinity is a personal preference, but it is not for everyone. It requires a calm, controlled, patient touch that may elude a user chasing the flash of wings. Takes a bit of practice not to blow past the focus point. Once mastered, it’s great! Noted similar fast focus on my Swarovski Habicht 10x40 SLC model. Both could be a hair more forgiving. Once focused, razor sharp. Focus wheel is calibrated with distance markers (in meters). A nice touch and a bit of gimmick. This theoretically allows you to set focus at a measured distance. Then just move the wheel slightly for fine focus. Peregrine’s fast focus diminishes the field usefulness of the calibration. 6’ close focus is exceptional.
Image Quality: 9.0
Why buy Peregrines? Optically they are impressive! Properly focused, they are near alphas in terms of sharpness. 19mm eye relief. Minimal loss to edge of FOV. FOV @399’ as advertised. Depth of field is shallower than expected, not stand-out. Not quite as bright as premium alphas, but plenty bright @ 4.0mm. Contrast is above average. Chromatic aberration is virtually non-existent. Natural color rendition favors red/brown bias vs. yellow/green bias, with little perceived fringing. Better color rendition than most under $1k (where Leicas rule). By comparison, Vortex Viper’s advantage is depth of image, visual immersion into the image, but the Peregrines are sharper both on center and to the edge. There is no rolling ball effect. Overstating to point: through Vipers, images are rendered as if viewed through a fishbowl compared to the Peregrines. The clarity of the Peregrines are Viper killers. This takes nothing away from Vortex Viper design, build quality, and warranty service. Having viewed the world through Vipers, my eyes unequivocally prefer the Peregrines. And so does my wallet.
Final Thoughts:
Call the Peregrine 8x32 binoculars “Zeiss Terras on a diet”, minus the Terra’s stodginess and excess baggage. Terras gets the nod for smooth focus but bow to Peregrines for superior image quality. Peregrine 8x32s are a steal for birders who prefer fast focus; but shallow DOF compromises tick counts. They are discontinued and discounted as Burris streamlines the Steiner line for the USA. For under $300, image quality bests $500 binoculars and approaches the $1Ks. STEINERS LIFETIME WARRANTY included.
Biggest Gripe:
Nowhere on the binocular or box can I find MADE IN GERMANY. You’ve heard the whispers…”are Steiners made in China or in Germany from Chinese parts?” I contacted Burris who stated the Peregrines are “from Germany.” I contacted Steiner DE who confirmed that the Peregrines were “Made in Germany for the USA market.” Stating “Made in Germany” on the binocular adds credibility and enhances the exceptional value that these 8x32 Peregrine models represent.
Case: 8.5
Clean lines, lightweight and protective, it works well. Ballistic cloth with a slick finish that easily wipes clean. Quick release buckle is solid, secures a compression strap. Flip up handle on top back of case. Two attachment points for shoulder strap. Case secures binoculars but also allows for easy access. Single stitched but stitches are tiny and close together. Relatively narrow padded shoulder strap attaches to case or binocular with quick clips. Nicely Done!
Binoculars: Overall 8.35
Ocular caps: 5.0
Too large for a secure press fit. Design incorporates the Wing Flaps. Why? Ocular caps will easily fall off when hiking in field with caps extended. Steiner includes a cord tether which allow them to be secured to an attachment point on binocular so you don’t lose them.
Objective caps: 8.5
Steiner has done a nice job securing objective caps to objectives. Proprietary design creates secure attachment yet allows caps to be removed and replaced. Caps press into the objective tubes, seal is snug. Superior to Nikon outer rubber rings, Steiner design makes it virtually impossible to lose objective caps. Caps hang out of the way as they should. Life expectancy of the living hinge design is unknown.
Body Construction: 8.0
Solid. Body is constructed using Steiner’s venerable Markulon glass-fibre reinforced polycarbonate, cladded in rubber armour. Markulon has stood the test of time in the field. The rubber has a slight but distinctive odor. The armour’s textured finish adds a modicum of traction. Wing flaps to screen eyes in bright sunlight fold down for general viewing on cloudy days. I am not a fan of the hinge. Leaking lubrication is visible on hinge seam and hinge movement is a bit herky/jerky when setting pupillary distance. Optics appear to be glued in place to exacting standards. Overall the build is very good.
Ergonomics: 7.5
Compact design makes these best for people with smaller hands. I wear a L glove and the Peregrines didn’t totally meld into my hands. Weight distribution is typical of German entry designs like the Zeiss Terra binoculars which sell in the $500 range. Weight is concentrated over a 5”x 4.5” housing. Higher-end Leica/Zeiss/Swarovski distribute weight so their models feel lighter at equivalent weights to competitor’s brands. Steiner states the weight as 20.5 oz; I weighed Peregrines at 21.6 oz without the strap. There are pre-mounted strap connectors on the body that add under.3 oz total, and the padded strap and the weight increase another 2 ounces to 23.6. That’s an easy weight to hold steady, but better weight distribution would make Peregrines feel lighter and less fatiguing on the wrists. My take is contrarian to most online reviews for this model, your hands may feel differently.
Focus: 7.8
Focus wheel is smooth enough but not Zeiss or Leica smooth. NOS so work the focus wheel back and forth to distribute lubricant. Fast focus, one turn from 6’ to infinity is a personal preference, but it is not for everyone. It requires a calm, controlled, patient touch that may elude a user chasing the flash of wings. Takes a bit of practice not to blow past the focus point. Once mastered, it’s great! Noted similar fast focus on my Swarovski Habicht 10x40 SLC model. Both could be a hair more forgiving. Once focused, razor sharp. Focus wheel is calibrated with distance markers (in meters). A nice touch and a bit of gimmick. This theoretically allows you to set focus at a measured distance. Then just move the wheel slightly for fine focus. Peregrine’s fast focus diminishes the field usefulness of the calibration. 6’ close focus is exceptional.
Image Quality: 9.0
Why buy Peregrines? Optically they are impressive! Properly focused, they are near alphas in terms of sharpness. 19mm eye relief. Minimal loss to edge of FOV. FOV @399’ as advertised. Depth of field is shallower than expected, not stand-out. Not quite as bright as premium alphas, but plenty bright @ 4.0mm. Contrast is above average. Chromatic aberration is virtually non-existent. Natural color rendition favors red/brown bias vs. yellow/green bias, with little perceived fringing. Better color rendition than most under $1k (where Leicas rule). By comparison, Vortex Viper’s advantage is depth of image, visual immersion into the image, but the Peregrines are sharper both on center and to the edge. There is no rolling ball effect. Overstating to point: through Vipers, images are rendered as if viewed through a fishbowl compared to the Peregrines. The clarity of the Peregrines are Viper killers. This takes nothing away from Vortex Viper design, build quality, and warranty service. Having viewed the world through Vipers, my eyes unequivocally prefer the Peregrines. And so does my wallet.
Final Thoughts:
Call the Peregrine 8x32 binoculars “Zeiss Terras on a diet”, minus the Terra’s stodginess and excess baggage. Terras gets the nod for smooth focus but bow to Peregrines for superior image quality. Peregrine 8x32s are a steal for birders who prefer fast focus; but shallow DOF compromises tick counts. They are discontinued and discounted as Burris streamlines the Steiner line for the USA. For under $300, image quality bests $500 binoculars and approaches the $1Ks. STEINERS LIFETIME WARRANTY included.
Biggest Gripe:
Nowhere on the binocular or box can I find MADE IN GERMANY. You’ve heard the whispers…”are Steiners made in China or in Germany from Chinese parts?” I contacted Burris who stated the Peregrines are “from Germany.” I contacted Steiner DE who confirmed that the Peregrines were “Made in Germany for the USA market.” Stating “Made in Germany” on the binocular adds credibility and enhances the exceptional value that these 8x32 Peregrine models represent.
