How do Steiner's compare to Zeiss? Any input as to your favorite brand and size?
Thanks
ks
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Both are too expensive for me to own and compare the two. Try Consumers Guide, they rate everything good to poor. You will have to dig up the web site, for I know they have one. I think it might be rare if a taxidermist has owned both of these brands on bino's. But I am sure someone has owned one of them.
I really can't give you a good guess.I know a Zeiss dealer who will tell you that there is nothing even close to a Zeiss-surprise.I can tell you that these days in the west,the most popular seem to be Zwarofski.I am sure Zeiss are very good.I know nothing about Steiners.If you can find some kind of consumer report,like Mr.T says,that would be the ticket.If you go to a store to compare binoculars,go at dusk.They all look good in bright sunlight.Pay attention to how crisp the image is around the edges.Better lenses should be clear to the edge,cheaper ones will be fuzzy.I hope this helps a little.
Both are great. If money is no object, Leica beats them all (again, in my opinion). I can afford any of them, and I chose Pentax. I compared them all together at the same time, in and outside. The Pentax was just as crisp and clear. The only difference is the light gathering benefit that Leica will give you. If I did the type of hunting (or bird-watching...) where you spend hours at a time glassing, I would have gone with the Leica's. Another factor was that Leica is 3+ times the money of Pentax. I have also owned Swarovski, they are great too, but in the same price class of the Leica's. If you have 1500 bucks to spend on optics, take a look at the Pentax line. You'll end up with enough left over to buy a new rifle and scope (everyone needs another rifle)! I think most of you will agree they are a great bang for the buck.
For a good company to deal with, check out Bear Basin Outfitters in California. They offer a lot of good advice and have great prices.
Just one man's opinion!
You get what you pay for (most the time). I owned a Steiners 8X30 Predator. Paid $230. Was a pretty good Binos. A little less light gathering than my newer Leupold 10X40 Windriver. Think I paid $300 for those. I really like them. Zeiss or Leica? Never owned them Seen'em. Think they're good. But not worth the extra $1000 I have to pay to own one. I'd rather buy 3 sets of Leupolds for that money. Plus it's american!
Just as with telescopes, the cost of the lens is directly proportional to the size of the lens and it's light gathering abilities. With a telescope, in my opinion it is more important to have more light gathering ability as you're looking thru it at night. A good pair of light gathering binocs might give you a few more minutes in the morning and at dusk to look. And, if you're looking thru them a lot in low light conditions this would be another plus. Otherwise, I wouldn't spend the excess if these issues don't really matter...
That is what I use and after looking at all of them, the Swarovski's couldn't be beat. Any of the higher grade binos will do the trick though. And for those that tell you there isn't a difference, tell them that tanning and dry perserve both get the job done but there is a difference. ;) LOL, good luck with your buy.
Les
Schmidt and Bender beats all of them hands down, I did side by side and S&B have a coating on the lens and light gathering abilities far beyond the others.
by Leupold has been my choice through 15 years of guiding. Economical and good enough light gathering to keep you looking through legal shooting hours. I have both the 10x40 and 10x50. Spend most of the time behind the 50's and a nikon spotting scope where we hunt.
And I think the Swarovski and Zeiss are both overpriced. I've used them all and just like Steve stated, the Leica's would be very hard to beat in the same price range. BUT, being too poor to own my one Leica, I settle for the Nikon Monarch 8x42. Probably the best glass for the money (around $300). A buddy of mine compared his Zeiss to my Nikon and was none too happy about the light gathering qualities in the late evening. Leupolds (their Wind River line) is about the same quality glass. I truly missed a deal of a lifetime last year at the Harrisburg show. Leupold suddenly realized that Wind River advertising was larger than "by Leupold" and had stopped marketing them as such. They were selling all their remaining stock of "Wind River" for $199 each and the new LEUPOLD Wind River's were selling for twice as much. I should bought the inventory. Very good glass for the money and like all those expensive models, they are guaranteed for life.
I've owned Zeiss, Leupold and Swarovski. Nothing compares to the Swarovski's. Leica is a close second. Try spending a day glassing for Bighorns, that'll show the difference. The eye relief of the Swarovski's are superb and their light gathering capabilities are excellent. As far as Nikon, Steiner, etc. you get what you pay for. I've had my Swarovski's 8x30 SLC for 12 years and they'll last you a lifetime.. Amazing glass.