Forests, plains, deserts and mountains all have their secrets. Those who are looking to unlock these secrets, for adventure or to just enjoy nature have a need to know what is out there. This is what it takes to make your hike, birding adventure or hunt an unforgettable experience. The eye is the key: We can act to only what we see.

     STEINER has been producing binoculars for over 60 years in Bayreuth, Germany. Founded by Karl Steiner in 1947, STEINER has become the largest manufacturer of binoculars in Europe. Today, STEINER is the only company in the world to specialize solely in binocular development. This focus has made STEINER binoculars synonymous with the highest standard of quality worldwide. STEINER’s goal is to continue building the toughest and most weather resistant binocular available. We deliver unsurpassed brightness and clarity using space age materials and the latest in optical technology. STEINER is convinced that it is more than technical excellence and high optical performance that is required to build a truly optimal binocular for our customers. You need to know the user specific requirements as well as the unique environmental characteristics of where the binoculars will be used. Binoculars need to be customized to the situation, whether there are birds flying or animals hidden in cover, which are almost invisible to the eye, or whether glistening sunlight distorts the colors of nature.

STEINER is passionately committed to the user’s requirements.
They have combined six decades of experience and research and development, for professionals and amateurs alike with a deep understanding of their needs. That’s why fellow hunters, hikers, bird watchers and naturalists can be confident when having a STEINER binocular in their hands.

Eyeglass Wearers - Wearing glasses, you have already created the necessary distance between the binoculars’ oculars and your eyes. Contrary to users without glasses (or with contact lenses) you usually don't need to artificially create this distance and you can use your binoculars with both eyecups fully retracted.

To retract the eyecups simply use your thumb and index finger to twist them in the direction indicated by the arrows. Then fold down the sidelight screen. When looking through your binoculars you can put your glasses directly onto the eyecups - the soft silicone material prevents scratching.

Different types of eyeglasses might vary the distance between the eye and the lens and it’s possible that your eyes are too close to the ocular. You will see some black areas when looking through the binoculars. In this case you need to increase the distance by slightly twisting the eyecup upwards (usually just a few millimeters) until you see a complete image.

You need to create a distance between your eyes and the binoculars' ocular lenses. Use the binoculars only with eyecups in the up position. On both eyecups you will also find small wings that prevent sidelight to enter and increase image clarity. To turn the eyecups simply use your thumb and index finger and twist the eyecups down. To twist them up, turn them in the other direction until you can feel the noticeable stop limit - after that you will only be able to minimally turn the eyecup. This play is necessary to adjust the sidelight screen for different users' interpupillary distances.

Many STEINER marine binoculars feature a precision reticle that helps users to determine the distance to objects. If you know the height or length of what you are glassing it's easy to determine the range. Two examples demonstrate how fast and easy it functions

Example: While boating, another boat is crossing your course. How far away is it? If you estimate the mast height of that boat to be 50 feet and the vertical scale reads 25, the distance results from the actual height (50) divided by the scale height (25) multiplied by 1000: 50/25 = 2 x 1000 = 2000 feet.

Serial Number -      Every STEINER binocular has a serial number. This allows them to track when your binoculars were produced and allows you a way to identify your binoculars in case of loss or theft. Serial numbers are located at the front objective (large) lens of the binocular on the center axis or on the underside of the center bridge for some smaller models. The serial number for the Commander C is behind the right hand view objective lens towards the top of the binocular.