ksbird/foxranch
Well-known member
I wanted to post these reviews to the "equipment review" section of this website (www.birdforum.net) but I couldn't find a button marked "Write a new review" so I couldn't figure out how to list these comments in the equipment review section.
I recently received a pair of Steiner Merlin 8x32 binoculars. I found the field of view was too small, the eye lenses didn't allow for use with eyeglasses and the views were not very bright compared to comparable binoculars. The view seemed to be very sharp and the contrast was good. But they didn't rank as one of the better binoculars I've seen recently and at the price (US$440), they were no bargain. The rubber armoring was nice and the weight and feel were excellent. But they just didn't give me the views I wanted.
I contacted the retailer and asked if I could exchange the Merlins for other binoculars. When they agreed and made a note of my name etc. I went to visit them with the binoculars, box, papers etc. One of the most important considerations I have when buying binoculars is that my interpupillary distance is 78.2mm, so binoculars must open completely to accomodate my eyes without blank spots. The Merlins were able to do this, and the eyecups were excellent, but any binocular I buy has to pass this test.
My timing was lucky. When I visited the binocular counter with the Merlins I noticed that Steiner 8x30 porro prism binoculars were at half price (Normally $399 for 8 out of their 9, 8x30 models, but on that day only US$189/199, and I believe the clearance of those models is still ongoing). The Steiner 8x30 porro prism binoculars come in a huge variety of types with names like Navigator/Hunting/Military/NightView/Safari/Tactical etc. The difference in all these models is the coatings. Depending on the uses, the anti-reflection coatings are various colors and thus reject various narrow color bands or UV or IR. These binoculars are all rubber coated, nitrogen purged, water/fogproof, and most have integrally attached objective covers.
I got a pair of the Steiner 8x30s labelled Hunting because they were designed to reject a narrow green color band so that brown birds could be seen well up against a green background. Our ranch is in a forested area of Kansas and so this is very helpful, especially when watching nesting birds. There are few if any green birds in our area. The basic design of all the Steiner 8x30s is similar. The eye lenses are very large and are easy to use with eyeglasses for a full view. The field of view is large. The ergonomics of the design allows for easy holding. The weight is not too heavy to cause fatigue, but heavy enough to help with steadiness. Color contrast and sharpness are excellent, edge-to-edge. Interpupillary distance just barely fit me wide open, but that's good enough. Steiner binoculars are made in Germany.
With the extra trade-in credit I also purchased a pair of old model but new-in-box Nikon Naturalist 7x35 binoculars. This is a non-waterproof, porro, multicoated "old-style" body design with a fairly wide field of view (8.6 degrees). The sharpness edge-to-edge was excellent. These binoculars were a bit heavier than the Steiner 8x30s but not much. The flare resistance, almost looking into the sun was excellent (this is a key factor for me when buying a widefield binocular). While the color contrast was not the best I've ever seen, it was very good considering the US$90 cost and the 25 year USA warranty is very good. The eye lenses would not accomodate eyeglass users, but the interpupillary distance was just sufficient for me. These Nikon binoculars were made in Taiwan.
Finally I used the balance of my trade in credit to buy a pair of Burris 8x32 Fullfield binoculars. These non-waterproof roof prism binoculars have a much wider field of view than the Merlins. The brightness and sharpness of these binoculars is also impressive. These binoculars claim to be made in the USA, so I was very surprised that they sold for less than US$200. They were a bit lightweight for my taste but someone smaller than 6ft4 (193cm) and 198 lbs (90kgms) might find them "just right". The rubber coating on the body seems a bit slick too, but that isn't a huge factor since the shape is easy to grip. The color contrast good if not great, and overall this binocular seemed like a very good value. The eye lenses were large enough to allow eyeglass wearers to see the full field.
I recently received a pair of Steiner Merlin 8x32 binoculars. I found the field of view was too small, the eye lenses didn't allow for use with eyeglasses and the views were not very bright compared to comparable binoculars. The view seemed to be very sharp and the contrast was good. But they didn't rank as one of the better binoculars I've seen recently and at the price (US$440), they were no bargain. The rubber armoring was nice and the weight and feel were excellent. But they just didn't give me the views I wanted.
I contacted the retailer and asked if I could exchange the Merlins for other binoculars. When they agreed and made a note of my name etc. I went to visit them with the binoculars, box, papers etc. One of the most important considerations I have when buying binoculars is that my interpupillary distance is 78.2mm, so binoculars must open completely to accomodate my eyes without blank spots. The Merlins were able to do this, and the eyecups were excellent, but any binocular I buy has to pass this test.
My timing was lucky. When I visited the binocular counter with the Merlins I noticed that Steiner 8x30 porro prism binoculars were at half price (Normally $399 for 8 out of their 9, 8x30 models, but on that day only US$189/199, and I believe the clearance of those models is still ongoing). The Steiner 8x30 porro prism binoculars come in a huge variety of types with names like Navigator/Hunting/Military/NightView/Safari/Tactical etc. The difference in all these models is the coatings. Depending on the uses, the anti-reflection coatings are various colors and thus reject various narrow color bands or UV or IR. These binoculars are all rubber coated, nitrogen purged, water/fogproof, and most have integrally attached objective covers.
I got a pair of the Steiner 8x30s labelled Hunting because they were designed to reject a narrow green color band so that brown birds could be seen well up against a green background. Our ranch is in a forested area of Kansas and so this is very helpful, especially when watching nesting birds. There are few if any green birds in our area. The basic design of all the Steiner 8x30s is similar. The eye lenses are very large and are easy to use with eyeglasses for a full view. The field of view is large. The ergonomics of the design allows for easy holding. The weight is not too heavy to cause fatigue, but heavy enough to help with steadiness. Color contrast and sharpness are excellent, edge-to-edge. Interpupillary distance just barely fit me wide open, but that's good enough. Steiner binoculars are made in Germany.
With the extra trade-in credit I also purchased a pair of old model but new-in-box Nikon Naturalist 7x35 binoculars. This is a non-waterproof, porro, multicoated "old-style" body design with a fairly wide field of view (8.6 degrees). The sharpness edge-to-edge was excellent. These binoculars were a bit heavier than the Steiner 8x30s but not much. The flare resistance, almost looking into the sun was excellent (this is a key factor for me when buying a widefield binocular). While the color contrast was not the best I've ever seen, it was very good considering the US$90 cost and the 25 year USA warranty is very good. The eye lenses would not accomodate eyeglass users, but the interpupillary distance was just sufficient for me. These Nikon binoculars were made in Taiwan.
Finally I used the balance of my trade in credit to buy a pair of Burris 8x32 Fullfield binoculars. These non-waterproof roof prism binoculars have a much wider field of view than the Merlins. The brightness and sharpness of these binoculars is also impressive. These binoculars claim to be made in the USA, so I was very surprised that they sold for less than US$200. They were a bit lightweight for my taste but someone smaller than 6ft4 (193cm) and 198 lbs (90kgms) might find them "just right". The rubber coating on the body seems a bit slick too, but that isn't a huge factor since the shape is easy to grip. The color contrast good if not great, and overall this binocular seemed like a very good value. The eye lenses were large enough to allow eyeglass wearers to see the full field.
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