In my experience, those who laud Steiner have never used Zeiss, Leica, or Swarovski. But Steiners are good for the money. My son has one. Says it's not as good as his Zeiss 10X56, but a good utility glass. Many years ago, I tested a 7X50 Steiner against B&L 7X35's in both roof and Porro form.The smaller Bausch & Lomb's (actually made by Bushnell) were quite noticeably better, even under dark skies, in astronomy. The 8X42 B&L Elite are very fine glasses. Also made in 10X42, I believe.
I used to review binoculars for a magazine and was loaned many, and bought those I most wanted. I also was a guest of Zeiss USA at a retreat/symposium conducted by a physicist from the factory. This was in rural VA after a fine dinner in Richmond.
We spent several days studying binocular design and using most of the famous brands in both daytime and night, under very dark skies.
Zeiss didn't mind us using other brands,as they mostly just confirmed Zeiss quality as the best, save Leica which I think are neck and neck. Back in the 1970's and '80's, I felt Zeiss eclipsed Leica, but by the '90's, Leica had upgraded quality. And I prefer some design elements of my Leica 8X32/BA to the then-current Zeiss model. (Since changed.)
For a relatively economical really good buy, I like my Swift 8.5X44 Audubon roof prism model, sold for about $500 where I looked. I def. prefer it to Nikon and Pentax.
I haven't been able to study current models, but I think they're even better than those of a few years ago, which were already superb.
I suspect that the best new models exceed the capability of most human eyes.
If buying used, shine a strong flashlight through the objective lenses and look around inside. MANY will be clouded from being left in a hot car.
