Which Steiner to get- nighthunter or predator series.

[JohnC]

I'm trying to decide between the above two. i'm interested in either the 8 x 56 nighthunter or one of the Predators which are supposed to boost the reds (8X 50?) mostly for moose hunting but also some deer. The tradeoff seems to be weight (about 1 pound more for the nighthunters) & also how much do the predators distort colors for non-hunting viewing?

anybody used or compared both? They don't seem to be readily available here in Ottawa.

all input gratefully appreciated.

many thanks

john

 

[RobP]

John - have you looked through Steiners? I had a pair and did not like the auto-focus funciton. I found it was a bad compromise - not sharp at close distances and not sharp at the long distances.

I've had good luck with Pentax --- I had the older model DCF WPs. Phase corrected and coated lenses - also waterproof - 8x32. I would really suggest looking through the binos you intend on buying.

Rob

PS - I too am in Ottawa - a few places around to try higher end, but unfortunately most of it you will have to order.

 

[lcq]

Hey John,

Why not go and see Ratsy at Focus Scientific on Merivale. He has new and used optics. I have seen some really high class stuff in his shop.

Brian

 

[Hunter7]

The 8x56 Nighthunters have better optics if you have the extra cash and don't mind the weight. I have a pair of the 8x30 Predators and they are not too bad and the green lense coating does not distort colors much if at all, you won't even notice it. IMO the auto focus feature does work quite well but NOT in anything much higher than about 8x. I actually bought a pair of 12x56 Nighthunters from S.I.R. last year and returned them because of this. Also I am somewhat unimpressed by their so called mil-spec tough quality. One of the eyepiece adjusters on the lense barrel broke from a fall of about 3 feet while they were IN a padded case. If you saw how cheap this part was made you would understand how they could break so easily. Unacceptable IMO, even for a binocular in the $300 to $400 range. They were replaced under warranty but I am not as impressed by Steiner quality as I used to be and while they are not bad binoculars IMO there are better optics for the money. Hope this helps.

 

[Puma]

I had a pair of Steiners that required repair while under warrenty, sent them in and never got them back. They said they could sell me a new pair at a reduced price !
Never again will I buy Steiners !