Can any one tell me the differences between the various ranges of Steiner binoculars?
In particular the Commanders, Observers and Navigators?
What are the feature differences between these ranges?
I've not been able to find specific info on the Steiner site e.g. if they have different lenses, coatings etc.

I'd be very interested if someone knows, especially about the 7x50 compass models.

Alternatively does any one know of a good forum/site with info on binos?
The first 5 or so pages of google were all shops no user info.

bump

Couldn't say, I know the Bio dept at my University had some nice glass.

try here
http://www.opticstalk.com/

I did not research those specific models but I picked up a set of the Military model last month. The main reviews I found for the Military model were on Amazon. I did not find too many reviews on the other models on Amazon though. This site appears to have a few reviews and answers some of the questions you mentioned http://www.binoculars.com. There is also some info here http://www.thebinocularsite.com/steiner/.

I will say that for my purposes (spotting for shooters, where I need to site in something quickly to provide feedback) the auto focus system works really well. At first I was a bit skeptical, but I am a beiever now. It took a trip to a local store in order to try out the binos before I was convinced. Binos at least for me are one of those things you need to try before you buy, but that may just be from my lack of experience with them.

The only real downside I have found is that the auto focus system makes it so whatever your observing needs to be at least 25 yards away from you or else it's blurry. Since I can see pretty clearly with my own eyes at this distance, this is not a problem for me. Obviously for something like bird watching a manual focus is more desireable although I do watch the cardinals that live the cactus behind my house without too much difficulty.

Good luck

Thanks for the links gentlemen.

I'm feeling lucky, I've just picked up some second hand 7x50 Observer C's second hand off the bay.
Well they may not be top of the line Steiners but I've no doubt that middle of the road Steiner's will be more than fine with my middle aged eyes.

My housemate bought some second hand 6x30s and they were bright as bright.
The best optics I've seen since his Schmidt and Bender 6x42 scope.
That encouraged me to get these, but I wanted to see what if any features if any I was missing or if the lenses/coatings would be significantly different.
The Steiner site itself didn't really seem to give much info about the different ranges, so I really appreciate your links gents.

Thanks again.
FireballXL5

I got a pair of the 10x26 safari pro's and they are real bright for the price.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...&hasJS=true