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Steiner Nighthunters

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Category: Other Optics
Forum Name: Binoculars
Forum Description: Anything that requires two eyes to look through it
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3033
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 13:50
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Topic: Steiner Nighthunters
Posted By: tigerman
Subject: Steiner Nighthunters
Date Posted: January/28/2006 at 21:43
I need a low light, high magnification set of binos for hunting large fields. I am considering the Steiner Nighthunters in a 10 x 50. I am wondering if anyone has experience with them and how do they compare to a set of Zeiss 10 x 56 or Leica 10 x 50 as far as light gathering and clarity.



Replies:
Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: January/29/2006 at 00:20
I would get the 8x56 NigtHnters first. The are the brightest NightHunters by far, the 7x50 NightHunters are a very close second and give you a very slight advantage in FOV.I don't think you will notice the difference in brightness.They are very bright night glasses. The Steiner will be much brighter than the others you mentioned. With the exception of glasses like the Zeiss Night Owl, which cost about a thousand buck more,the 8x56 NightHunters are the brightest glasses you will ever look through. Steiner lists these NightHunters as the brightest bino's available. I agree. My 8x56 NightHunters are nothing short of amazing.


Posted By: lucznik
Date Posted: February/01/2006 at 10:26

I've not seen any specific numbers to refer to so I'm sort of "shootin' from the hip" here but, I am wondering what the trade off might be here for the Nighthunters.

 

For example, the Steiner Predator, which was developed to "enhance" the red and brown colors typical of prey animals accomplishes this task by blocking out the blue and green lightwaves which are used by the eyes for nightvision.  This necessitates that the Predator will provide a dimmer image (especially in low light) than other binoculars of comparable quality. This is a trade of that some people are happy to make but, it is nevertheless a compromise.

 

Since the Nighthunters are also designed with a very specific purpose in mind (i.e. maximum light transmission for low-light usage) I am wondering if something had to be compromised in order to acheive this similar to the Predator. For example, since low light conditions reduce the eyes ability to see detail might they have compromised on image clarity some since it wouldn't be noticed during the optics intended use?  This wouldn't bother the guy using the Nighthunter during late evening but, might make the binocular less than desireable for more general purpose activities.

 

Again, I don't know this to be true.  I just know that whenever something is highly specialized it usually comes at the cost of some compromise that makes that product less generally useful. Before buying a Nighthunter, I would advise you to find out what the compromise might be so that you can make an informed decision as to whether or not it will be acceptable to you for your intended purposes



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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: February/02/2006 at 13:34
The NightHunters utilize a broad band coating designed to provide maximum light transmission. They are unlike the lens used in the Predator series bino's.If your theory were true, than every bino made would have to make compromises ie. color fidelity, brightness, contrast etc.



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