Video review of the Steiner Ranger Xtreme 8×42 binoculars

Good morning everyone, I'm kicking off my first video review of 2022 with a pair of mid-priced binoculars from the well-known German company Steiner, part of the Beretta group.
Steiner was founded in 1947, its products are profitably used by the US NAVY, the Merchant Marine, professional sailors but also by birdwatchers, trekkers and hunters. Steiner Ranger Extreme 8×42  These are binoculars designed specifically for hunting, although, as I'll explain, I think they would be equally at home in many other fields.  It currently costs 749 euros, and benefits from a ten-year warranty. Before you begin, I suggest you also subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking the icon above. Enjoy watching and reading.

 

MECHANICS AND FOCUSING SYSTEM

I'll start by confirming that this model is available in various formats: 8×32, 8×42, 10×42 and the 8×56 which I have already reviewed on binomania, some time ago. Compared to the previous "Ranger Pro" model, discontinued in 2013, the new Extreme design is truly… extreme and aggressive. The armor is made of NRB Longlife rubber, which is thick, resistant to acids and oils, and also features knurling and varying thicknesses to ensure a secure grip even with gloves or sweaty hands.
 My electronic scale estimated a weight, without caps, of 750 grams, which is evenly distributed across 125 mm x 147 mm. The binoculars are well-balanced, and above all, the focus position is perfect for ensuring the natural mobility of the index finger, which doesn't have to be bent to rotate them. The optical hull is made of Makrolon which is a very resistant polycarbonate used by the parent company on high quality products.
It is lightweight yet shock-resistant.
It is fully waterproofed and filled with nitrogen to prevent internal fogging of the lenses and the formation of mold.’The temperature range to which it can be subjected is incredibly between – 40 and + 80°. Thanks to the two-way valve technology, it will be possible, at any time, to deliver the product to Steiner for a rapid refill of the nitrogen, which is still a volatile gas and tends to deplete over the years.

The rubber is military green, a shade I particularly appreciate. The logo, product code, and two nitrogen symbols are also present, visible thanks to an elegant gold coloring. The optical body is composed of a classic central hinge system with a large bridge on which you can see the knurled knob that controls the focusing. The focusing system is obviously internal., meaning there's no arch that causes the eyepieces to move; the internal elements actually move. This technology ensures excellent waterproofing and greater weather resistance over the years. Last but not least, it features a thread for connecting to tripod heads.

As for the focusing system, it's called "fast close focus." Steiner claims it achieves fast and precise focusing. So, I decided to put it to the test in a field test and can confirm that at the minimum focusing distance (which I calculated to be 180 cm), it takes just under a full rotation to reach infinity.
You need to turn the knob counterclockwise. An excellent performance that doesn't particularly affect precision focusing. During field use, however, I noticed a hitch-free focusing, although not the smoothest. I also appreciated the presence of the Steiner ClicLoc system, which I'm familiar with on nautical products, and which allows for very quick attachment and detachment of the strap.

Francesca Maulucci, Marketing Manager of Steiner Germany, confirmed to me that Steiner purchases its glass from the prestigious German company SCHOTT, which, I remind you, began as a small glassworks in Jena, Germany, and later transformed into a multinational with production and sales units in 34 countries.

 The really positive side of this choice is that the lenses and prisms are polished in the Steiner laboratories with high-quality machinery.. A modus operandi that denotes greater seriousness and quality than many new brands that only brand products made in Japan or China, confirming only that they have suggested the design.

OPTICS

GOALS
Considering the price range in which it is proposed, the lenses provide good brightness and excellent sharpness in the center of the field.. Personally, I also notice a decent contrast between light and dark areas, although not much information is lost in the mid-tones. The white rendering is slightly skewed towards warm.

EYEPIECES

The eyepieces frame a linear field of 125 meters, or about 7.2° of linear field, so it is not among the widest angles. I really appreciated the observation comfort of the eyepieces. At an interpupillary distance of 65 mm, that tThe eyepiece diameter is greater than 19 mm. Furthermore, the eyepiece hoods are rotatable, and being made of silicone, they are rarely prone to deterioration. The side fins, also affectionately known as "salami slices," are very useful, as they prevent lateral light from entering the field lens, decreasing contrast and creating reflections. Thanks to their 360° rotation, you can rotate the fins to the most suitable position. I have personally purchased universal side lens hoods for many of my binoculars and am pleased to see that Steiner offers them as standard.

OPTICAL TREATMENTS

The treatments are of excellent quality, I think among the best in this price range. The prisms are Bak 4- glass, I notice very little vignetting at the extreme edges of the field, The exit pupils are not perfectly circular and some diffuse light can be perceived at their edges.

 

 

CHROMATIC AND GEOMETRIC ABERRATIONS

ON-AXIS CHROMATIC ABERRATION

Chromatic aberration in the center of the field is present during the worst lighting situations and on very contrasty subjects. These are not binoculars equipped with ED optics. However, in most lighting conditions, it is quite moderate. It appears as a thin blue-green halo around the edges of high-contrast subjects.

LATERAL CHROMATISM 
It is most noticeable at the central visible one starting from about 70% from the center of the field of view

Image: The eyepieces of the Steiner Ranger Xtreme 8×42 binoculars

 

FIELD CURVATURE
The Steiner Ranger Xtreme 8×42 It seemed to provide better performance than the 8x56 I tried years ago. Analyzing a truss from about 700 meters away, I could see details almost to the edge of the field. Refocusing slightly, I noticed that the main aberration at the edge and the field curvature

 

ANGULAR DISTORTION
It is already present around the 60% of the field and is a cushion and even if I am not very sensitive to the rolling ball effect, I noticed that it behaves very well in panning.

 

OTHER ABERRATIONS 
These are obviously not binoculars designed for astronomical use, however, as I usually do, I also observed the starry sky, checking for coma at the extreme edges of the field. At the center, the star images are perfectly pinpoint.

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PROS AND CONS

 
MERITS

 

• Lightweight and robust Makrolon optical hull
• Very well-finished details (lens hood, rubber coating, click lock system and so on)
•  Short focus travel
•  Good sharpness in the center of the field
• Minimal vignetting at the edges
•  Excellent internal darkening of the optical hull
•  High quality anti-reflective treatments
•  In astronomical use I also noticed a low astigmatism
•  Ten-year warranty

 

DEFECTS

• Among the defects I can mention
•  The non-wide-angle field
•  The presence of chromatic aberration in the worst conditions
•  A little bit of diffused light in some situations
•  The exit pupils of this specimen are not perfectly circular

 

IN SUMMARY

I can confirm that I had the pleasure of using the Steiner Ranger Xtreme 8x42 during the Christmas season, which was marked by atypical sunny days but also by a few thunderstorms. In both situations, I greatly appreciated the reliability of these binoculars. They are robust, well waterproofed, and have a set of features that will appeal to even the most demanding enthusiasts who are not only interested in mechanical quality but also in magnificent optical performance. They are not among the brightest or widest-angle binoculars, but they are definitely among the most robust and reliable. I consider them to be excellent work binoculars, a product that cares less about wide-angle, aesthetics, or bright colors, but that aims to be a faithful companion for years to come. The ten-year warranty is also clear proof of what I have learned in the field.

PRICES

The Steiner Ranger Xtreme 8×42 It costs 749 euros and benefits from a ten-year warranty.

 

THANKS

.I would like to thank Dr. Francesca Maulucci and Steiner Germany for providing the specimen used in this test, allowing me to share my impressions, which, as always, have strengths and weaknesses. 

 

DISCLAIMER

Binomania is an online magazine that reviews sports and astronomical optical products. The products reviewed are not for sale and are returned to the company at the end of the test. For more information on the instrument being tested and to learn about any promotions, please click on the banner below. This will take you to the official website. Steiner who will be able to give you all the commercial information you require, if you ask.