Customer Reviews

Steiner 7x50 Marine Binocular

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have the 7x50 Steiner Ralleye model, which appears to be identical to the Marine version. It is built like a tank and gives you a lot of confidence that it will hold up to abuse. In low light and night conditions this is an excellent performer. If you are using this is an area with a lot ambient light (such as a town) or moonlight, it will really bring a lot of detail out of the shadows and is a better choice by far then night vison equipment costing hundreds more. The 7x magnification is also a nice choice for avoiding lense shake. (I also have a pair of 9x40 Steiners, and that move from 7x-9x power is noticeable.) The 7x50 also allows you to better follow moving targets. The sport auto focus system works very well and the optics are excellent.

Edit: Oct 2009. I have acquired several other binos since this purchase and now primarily use a roof prism set of 10x40's as the weight is better and I wanted that little bit of extra power in the day light. However for low light and stability nothing beats these and they are still the best built pair I have. I would still recommend these.

I bought these at the same time as a Steiner 7x50 Commander XP model. The Commander XP's use the same case but for triple the price have better eyepieces, coatings and optical specifications and a few additional or better accessories than the Marine model.

I compared them in terrestrial and celestial viewing but the easiest comparison is done with astronomical subjects since they really define performance clearly. The images in the Marine model merged effortless. In the Commander XP, I have difficulty merging the images. The XP's are obviously badly out of collimation. I don't care to fix this myself on binos in this price range but I was pleased that the much less costly Marine's appear to be flawless in this respect.

I evaluated the real and apparent fields of view as well as the sharpness near the edge of the field.

In the Marine model, the real field of view is reasonably wide but apparent field is quite narrow. It's not bad but it's not a spectacular vista either. In the Commander XP, the real FOV is only barely perceptibly wider. Steiner's website lists the specifications. The apparent field, which is not specified is about the same for both. The almost indiscernable extra width of real FOV does not contribute much to the value of the XP's for triple the price.

On the Marine model, I put Sirius and Jupiter in the center of the field. They each looked nice. Moving the binoculars so that the objects were farther from the center of the field I could see the image degraded about half-way to the edge of the field of view. Near the very edge, the image was appalling. Much more than half-way out of the center of the field of view, the star or planet turns from a bright point to just a smear. Near the very edge it's a dim smudge. I tried the same with the Commander XP. It was every bit as bad. I could have probably improved things a little by refocusing but that only means that the field isn't flat either.

Are the XP's better on dim objects? The optics are supposed to transmit 96% light compared to the Commander V's 95% and the Marine's 90%. I saw very little difference on dim objects like the Orion nebula or the background of the Pleides or Jupiter's moons. Again, I can't see the justification for triple the price, so I commend these Marine models over their far more costly cousins.

Both have generious eye-relief, 20mm for the Marine and 22mm for these XP's. They also have the same weight and dimensions. They're heavy but still reasonable if you're wearing a thick coat to pad your chest and a harness to keep them from swinging all over if you're moving. Also, at 7x they're reasonable for handholding. For me, 7x50 is about the limit for handholding. Heavier or higher power would be too shakey. 6x56 might be nicer if they were more common.

Where the XP is clearly better is with small details like the click-loc strap attachments (for use with Steiner straps and harnesses only), the better eyepiece covers, lens covers, focuser grips, shading eye-cups, and various doo-dads that come in the case. It comes with a flotation strap which the Marine doesn't, but I would still rather prefer a harness which neither comes with.

I bought these Porro prism binos because I thought for the high price, particularly the XP's, they should be outstanding. While roof prism binos might require fifteen hundred dollars or more to achieve optical exellence (or so I've heard), it should be easier with porros. With these, the optical quality is lacking nontheless. To be honest, I have nothing to compare them to. I've never seen better, but I was still totally underwhelmed by the performance which was only slightly better than I would expect from binoculars in the hundred dollar range. In the case of the XP's, it's a rip-off, no question. In the case of the Marine model, the value is closer to reasonable because of the far lower price. I didn't compare them to other binos in their price range. The Fujinon line would be the most similar but it would also be worthwhile to compare Nikons, even the well-regarded Monarch roof prism models which are in this price category but are totally different.

The Steiner Marine 7x50 binoculars have met my (admittedly high) expectations. The Sports Auto-Focus is great -- even better on my Marine pair than the Predator models that I looked at in Academy Sports. It makes changing from viewing one object to another fast and easy. They are very clear too. With the focus set at the closest range I can read the buttons on my microwave from across my small trailer. Using them out of doors the foliage really pops out (even when overcast). In almost complete darkness they enable one to see things the naked eye cannot. I have used them at night when I could barely see to walk around. The view through the binoculars was hardly affected at all. Once I used them to look from my parent's back yard, across the (six-lane) interstate, into the parking lot of the local community college at night. I could see the bugs playing around the streetlights!

I hadn't seen this particular pair in person, so they surprised me with their light weight -- some people had called them heavy online. They must be very frail people. This pair is much, much lighter than the Sears brand ones my parents got me 15+ years ago that are smaller. Compared to all steel binoculars the Steiners hardly weigh anything. They are not so light that image-shake is a problem however. The weight combined with the 7 magnification makes for an easily stabilized view.

One other thing of note is the 22mm of eye relief. That is a very helpful feature to me since I wear eyeglasses. Other binoculars with less eye relief have been problematic for me -- even ones with 19mm eye relief made by Steiner. Of course, for those who do not wear glasses, the rubber eye-cups can be folded out to reduce the amount of eye relief. In that mode people with normal vision do not seem to have any problem with them.

So far I am pleased with the binoculars in every detail but one. The strap sucks. It is way too thin, and I could imagine that after a day in the field the binoculars would really dig into one's shoulders with the supplied strap. What is a little odd is that the case that came with them is rather nice and has a comfortable, wide strap attached to it... The package also came with a little cleaning cloth, which was kind of a nice touch.

For the price, $260 through Amazon with free shipping, I think the Steiner Marine 7x50 model is fantastic. It would certainly be hard to beat the performance in that price range!

Last summer while visiting a friend in Germany I had a chance to try a pair of high-end Steiner binoculars. They completely reset my expectations of how good a binocular can be; the image quality was unbelievable. Unfortunately, they were the Commander series, which are way beyond my budget.

I'm so glad I discovered the Marine line of Steiner! They totally blow away anything else in the price range.

PROS -

* Incredibly bright and sharp image
* Made in Germany
* Very high quality construction
* Comfortable to hold
* Good eye clearance
* Nice carrying case included
* Waterproof

CONS -

* Heavy - over two pounds (doesn't bother me at all, but for some it might be a factor)
* Pretty large
* The neck strap is a little underwhelming, but it's functional

Steiner binoculars reinforce a view I've held for years: the Germans really know how to make lenses.

Don't even think about other brands if you're planning to spend $300 on binoculars. Get the Steiner!

Very high quality product. It really brightens up the scene in
daylight and low light conditions. For those that don't know 7X50mm
is the preferred configuration for boating. You get a large field of
view which is important when you are on a moving/rocking boat. I find
the 7X magnification fine. I use these on my Jetski as an aid to
my GPS when out exploring in Florida waters. The waterproofing is
great and the rubber armor is superb. A great value, worth the price.

I returned the item for a refund.

Image distortion is quite prominent near the edge of the field of view. The focus in the center area (the middle 1/3 of the diameter) seems different from the focus in the outer area. The construction is sturdy, but the craftsmanship seems wanting. There are jagged edges in the plastic casing.

For its price, Steiner Marine is not a bad performer. But I don't consider it an outstanding value.

I ordered these binoculars for boating and it was like growing a new pair of eyes. The quality starts with the box they come in. The sports focus system is so easy to set and so useful compared to continually readjusting as with other binoculars that it makes using them a pure pleasure. You can find yourself just lost in gazing at one thing after another. The clarity is superb. The great light transfer into your eyes in low-light conditions makes you wish you had natural night vision. My pair has attached protective rubber caps to cover the glass when not in use. The warranty is great and be sure to register the serial number. The price offered by Amazon is on par with the lowest price I've been able to locate on the Internet, and a lot better than many.
The included strap will hurt you after a short while so do yourself a favor and buy a Steiner floating, cushioned strap (presently also available at Amazon). It will save your neck and keep them floating if you drop them overboard. Don't like the bright yellow or orange color? Wrap your favorite cloth over it.
This is a best buy. Happy viewing.

I bought these several years ago used/as new for $150 from a guy that traded up to the model with the compass. These are used 99% on my boat. Way to large for hunting.
Pros:
1) Focusing set-up is worth the price of admission. Set it and forget. Amazing. This single feature makes these worth owning.
2) Grippy rubber outer casing. Does not slide around on your helm station. Feels very secure.
3) Nice attached lens covers.
4) Very clear sight picture with very minor, very slight flare at the outer edges. You have to be VERY picky and experienced with fine optics for this to be an issue.
I notice it because I own several $600+ rifle scopes. Of course they are better; they cost 4 times as much! I have done an A/B comparison with the more expensive Military models and, for daytime usage, could not detect an appreciable difference. I am sure that what you are paying extra for in the Military model is 1. better lens coating 2. slightly more rugged internal construction.
5) These cannot be beat for the money.
6) Waterproof; but see cons
Cons:
1)Somewhat bulky.
2) Although I received mine sans case and strap, the stock strap is thin and sort of wimpy. I threw down for the $30 Steiner Floaty strap and it is real comfortable around your neck. Unfortunately it adds to your overall cost. It is an absolute necessity for marine use. It will float the binocular long enough to dive in and retrieve it after your kid drops it overboard!

'These Binoculars are unbelievable, Way Clear, gather light at night, Rugged and easy to grab and hang onto, They are quick to get your eyes on, and at night is where these babies shine. It is not uncommon for us to go air born while cutting across the back bays of the Texas coast. There is nothing immune from getting bounced & beat. Binoculars have had a short live span while in my possession in the past. I have been around a few Military type Binoculars in the past, and have a little background on the subject. Spent six years in the infantry, transferred out of the Army and went into the Navy SeaBees, to finish my 21.
My Brother-in-law is a Striper guide on Lake Texoma, He uses Nikon,
He could not believe the lesser price and the far better quality.

"I am 100% Satisfied with the Steiner 7x50 Marine Binoculars "

These binoculars have excellent visibility, especially in low light. They are extremely clear and easy to use. You get a lot for your money. It's a great product for a low price.