Steiner BluHorizons 8×22

Specifications:

Objective diameter:  22 mm
Magnification:  8 x
Exit pupil: 2.75 mm
Useful eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 12 mm
IPD: 42 – 72 mm
RFOV:  7.1  degrees = 125 m
Minimum focus distance (measured): 3.1 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: > clockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from 3,1 m to infinity (measured): 450 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (acc. to spec.): +/- 5 dpt*
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position (estimate): 8 dpt*
Prism system:  Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (measured, with eyepiece cover and strap): 325 g
Made in: Germany (??)
*range of diopter adjustment not affected by position of focus wheel

Remarks:

Looking for innovation in binocular optics? Shaped after the Steiner Safari 8×22 (see separate post https://binocular.ch/steiner-safari-8×22-ultrasharp/), but with a waterproof  and sturdier body, the BluHorizons is advertised to “automatically adjusts brightness for the best view in any lighting situation” thanks to Steiner’s “exclusive Autobright Sunlight adaptive lens technology” (quotes from  Steiner’s website). In BINOCULARS TODAY’s tests, we could unfortunately not detect any such automatic adjustment of brightness; the image appears generally quite yellow-brownish and dull in any lighting situation, which means that when light is scarce, the image gets problematically dark. Perhaps the BluHorizons could prove useful on glaciers in full sunlight or on sandy beaches in bright sunshine? Otherwise, the usefulness appears quite limited.

Ratings: