Steiner Binoculars

[countertop]

Looks like I have a chance to purchase some used Steiners tomorrow afternoon.

Guy has two pair for sale -
8x30 Navigators for $125 (OBO) or 7x50 Military/Marine for $175 (OBO)

What should I look for (these are used)? Which is the better deal?
If I can get the Military/Marine's for $150, does that change anything?

I'm going to be using these mainly for hunting (and scouting) and at the range (I can't tell where my bullets land on the target at 100 yards anymore). I'll also keep them in my car. Right now, I have a cheap pair of Simmons pocket binoculars that were worth the $20 I spent on them, but not much more..

 

[45crittergitter]

I don't know anything about the Navigator, but have the 7x50 MM, and they are very nice, though bulky. Lightweight though. As I recall, they go for as much as $500. I'd say you have a heckuva deal. One caveat: they are "permanent focus" like a riflescope, where you have no focus wheel to turn for focusing at various ranges, once you set each ocular for your eyes. I've found as my eyes age this is not helpful.

 

[Ala Dan]

I sell Steiner binoculars from within the gun shop I work in. As a rule of thumb,
any glass that comes from Germany is superior to that made in any other
country; including Japan. However, I have found that the Leupold Wind River
(green ring) 10x42 Cascades is also very fine binoculars; at an affordable price,
ranging from 'bout $269-319 depending on where you shop. I sell 'em NIB
for $289.88 everyday~!

 

[Derek Zeanah]

The 7x50's are going to be better binoculars -- brighter image, less image shake, probably more flexible on exactly where you put your eyes for viewing. That said, they'll be larger and heavier.

It's your call. Steiner are reasonable binoculars. They're not Zeiss, Swarovski, or Leica, but then they're not priced like it either.

Personally? If I was independently wealthy I'd go with Leica or Zeiss glass. In my world though, Steiner is just fine (though I opted for armored Tascos instead.)