Steiner 8x 42mm Predator Fast-Close Focus Binoculars, Black Makrolon with Rubber Armor

For comparison, I have Zeiss Terra HD and I've used some Vortex binoculars before. Really, the glass on all of them are good. I bought these because while hunting I felt almost disoriented using 10x in some locations and wanted a little less magnification. I like the sighting system on these which the manual explains well. You focus one eye and then use a separate ring to calibrate your left eye to your right. To be fair - my Zeiss are plenty sharp without having to do this. The texture, aesthetics, etc. on these are very nice. The soft carry bag it comes with feels a little cheap, but I'll probably use it for storage/travel and just carry them without the case in the field. My biggest gripe which may not bother most is the eye cups. The ergo eye cups used on a lot of Steiner binoculars are nice, but when you rotate the eye pieces out to set your eye relief, they both turn counter-clockwise. The eye cups rotate with the eye pieces. Out of the box, they're positioned at 9 and 3 o'clock, but when you set the eye pieces to use them, they've rotated to 11 and 5 o'clock. What I did is rotate them in and twist the caps so that they're correct when I use them. The problem then is you can't really use the protective cover correctly. If you don't twist the eye pieces back down, the cover doesn't really have any retention to stay on, but when you do twist them down, the shape of the eye cups doesn't line up with the rubber cap. What you can do is fold the eye cups down and then use the cap and just flip them back up to use them. Probably not a big deal, but I'm just a little OCD about it. Will have to compare them more with my Zeiss. There are design trade-offs to each so it really comes down to personal preference, but overall they seem to be a quality product.

I have the 8x42 Predator binoculars. Recently I have been using them for hunting white tail deer in a timbered area. I find that the clarity is very good when scanning the undergrowth for animals. I have also found that when it is too dark for my eyes to pick up movement the Predators light gathering ability allows me to see what I can’t with the naked eye. They are very comfortable in my hands and lightweight as well. I like the foldable eyecups when I’m wearing my glasses. I also appreciate the unfolded eyecups in the late afternoon sun for their ability shield my eyes. The adjustment wheel is smooth and easy to use. I also like the positive grip on the rubber armoring. I would buy again.

These are great birdwatching binoculars. They let in a lot of light and focus easily, making it easy to find birds quickly. The image is very bright and razor-sharp. The case and lens covers are very rugged, and the texture of the binoculars in your hands gives you confidence while handling them. These are perfect for all birdwatchers, beginners, or experts. Steiner binoculars are of high quality in lense and build quality.

In classic Steiner fashion, the optical quality is impeccable. With extremely clear glass and good resistance against fogging these binos are well worth the price. The housing rubber seems durable and the attachment points for the lanyard clasps are convenient. The focusing dials are very easy to use, are ergonomic, and conveniently placed. The downsides: ->The 8×42 Predator is a bit weighty for its size; without a threaded bipod connection, it can be inconvenient to focus on distant points after shooting, or an extended amount of time holding them to your eyes. ->The lanyard that comes with the binoculars is very uncomfortable--little padding and feels cheaply made. I would recommend buying a different one as soon as possible.