Gear Review: Steiner 8x30mm Military/Marine Binoculars
A while back your Editor was in New Mexico, on a prairie dog expedition. While in the field, my companions and I used two pairs of Steiner 8x30mm Military/Marine binoculars to spot the critters. Finding the Prairie Dogs (PDs) could be challenging in the high grass. Often, a PD would reveal only its head — a small target at distances approaching 400 yards. We really needed sharp optics with high contrast to spot the dogs hiding behind tufts of grass or dry brush.
The Steiner Military/Marine binoculars performed superbly. I came away very impressed with these armored 8x30mm binoculars. The glass is bright and super-sharp. And the rubber-armored body is truly rugged. These binoculars offer both right and left diopters — important for me as my right eye requires more correction than the left eye. One great feature of the Steiners is the focusing system which keeps everything you can see in focus. This really is a big deal. You don’t have to constantly fiddle with focus — everything past about 20 yards is in sharp focus all the time. As one Steiner owner reports: “Focusing set-up is worth the price of admission. Set it and forget. Amazing. This single feature makes these worth owning.” And the sharpness is impressive. I compared the Steiners’ image with a 6.5-20×40 Leupold EFR riflescope set at 8X. Both 8×30 Steiners were brighter than the Leupold scope, and the Steiners resolved individual blades of grass and fine details better than the Leupold. Of course, comparing a binocular optic with a riflescope is like comparing apples and oranges. The advantages of binoculars (compared to a monocular scope) are well known — the brain combines the two images (left eye and right eye) to create a more vivid, 3D effect, with greater perceived contrast.
Good Binoculars are a “Must-Have” Item for Hunters
After three days in the prairie dog fields I came away convinced that a good set of binoculars is absolutely essential for any varmint hunter. As the PD population was fairly thin where we were shooting, we probably spent five minutes glassing for every minute actually behind the trigger. Over 90% of the dogs were first spotted with binos rather than riflescopes. We had a fixed (non-rotating) bench so it was difficult to swing the rifle more than about 30° from one side to another (60° total arc). With the binoculars, and their wide field of view, we could quickly scan a much wider arc.
Steiner 8×30 Military/Marine Binocs are Just $227.98
At the end of our hunt, I told my host that I planned to purchase a Steiner 8×30 Military/Marine Binocular just like the one we used during our hunt. When I arrived home I was amazed to see that the Steiner 8×30 Military/Marine is available for just $227.98 on Amazon.com, with free shipping for Prime members. That’s a great value, considering the ruggedness and optical quality of the unit.
The 10×50 Steiner Military/Marine is also offered on Amazon.com. It has more magnification and better low-light performance. However, it currently runs about $489.98, more than twice the price of the 8×30 Military/Marine! Unless you really need the 10×50’s extra low-light capability, the 8×30 M/M is the smart choice.
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Tags: 8x30, Amazon.com, Binoculars, Leupold EFR, Military/Marine, Optics, Steiner
I just got in from a short varminting session up ’til dusk – got a magpie at bit over 230 yards with the 20Tac… Surely everyone uses binoculars when varminting? I can’t imagine trying to spot them using a rifle-mounted scope! I’ve had a set of Steiner 8×56 Hunter binoculars for quite a few years, excellent performers, not up to Zeiss etc but of course they’re much cheaper.
I have used a pair of Steiner 8×30 Military/Marine exclusively for the last 14 years. The only knock is being stuck with eight power. I have very different problems with my eyes and slight astigmatism, and I can glass hillsides for hours on end with no eye fatigue. Use a buddy’s Nikon 10x50s more than a few minutes and my eyes are crossed and I begin to get a splitting headache. Same goes for my family member’s Leupold 8 and 10 power binoculars; however, the 8x Leupolds are a distant second. The only other binos I have viewed over much time without eye fatigue that gave BETTER contrast, etc… were $2000+ Ziess. Sooo let’s see $2000!?! Unless you NEED magnification for positive identification of small details beyond 4-500 yards, I think these are hands down the best binos for the money. (at least that I have viewed!)
Owned a pair of Steiner Military & Marine 8x30s for over 10 years. Very crisp contrast, great individual focus diopters, compact & rugged.
Unfortunately on several Alaska hunting trips the Steiners would continually fog under wet and rainy conditions. When I began carrying my Fujinon M22 binos, I never again encounted any fogging. Too bad the Steiners weren’t up to my needs, their lightweight and armored compactness made them much easier to carry than the full size 7×50 fujinon.
Hogan: Thanks for your feedback. I didn’t have any fogging problem on a very rainy/ foggy day in the Colorado mountains. But the temp never dropped below about 50 deg and I always had a ball cap. I suspect the Fujinons may have a more advanced lens coating.
My most used binoculars for prairie dogs are a pair of 6x Vortex. Long eye relief, huge filed of view makes them very easy on the eyes.
When will the Steiner come out with built in range finder? Now you talkin!