Telescope Reviews: Re: Steiner 25 x 80s

Kenny, I've seen references styled "auto focus" used by some binocular manufacturers, including Steiner, and I confess, I don't know what it means. I assume it has something to do with depth of field once the instrument is focused at a certain distance. However, if that's the case, they ought to just say that.

In any case, the Steiners are adjusted by dialing the viewer's eye-correction formula on each eyepiece; i.e., turn the dials until absolute clarity is achieved. Constructing binoculars this way, without a central focus mechanism, allows the unit to be more effectively sealed at the factory, so that it can be loaded with dry nitrogen to keep things clear internally whatever the humidity/temp combo one faces.

I, too, suffer from (pretty severe) astigmatism. I have viewed the heavens compliments of my Steiner Eyes with and without my glasses and/or contact lenses, with very pleasant results in every case. I have read that it is best to use one's corrective lenses with binoculars or scopes when one has astigmatism, but, at least in my case, I don't really have to do that after properly adjusting each eyepiece of the Steiners.

I am nearsighted. Quite often, I use just one contact lens when stargazing to allow me to focus on distant views for proper orientation with the corrected eye, and allowing me to read my charts and write my notes with the uncorrected eye (since I don't need any correction for reading). When I use this methodology, I simply dial the proper settings on the respective eyepieces on the Steiner and view away. When doing this, I still get uninterruped binocular vision as effectively as if I had lenses in both eyes or with my glasses on or off.

I'm planning to keep this rich-field set of Steiner Eyes forever, and then let my kids fight over them once God punches the "forever" slot on my ticket.

Best regards.

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