I checked them out and found them to be pretty darn good for the money. I did like the perigrines better but they are over 8 bills. I think the only weak point of steiner may be warranty (only 25 years instaed of lifetime) and durabilty. But the glass is good.
You should check out the Docter optic 8x42. Made in germany and EXCELLENT. Docter used to be the East German Zeiss factory. Cabela's has them. I was also very impressed with the Cabela's Alaskan guide roof prisms. They are also about 5 bills and I could find nothing wrong with them for the money. I believe they are made by Fujinon in Japan. Stll the Merlins are good! I am juust really impressed with docter for the money. Check out this link of a german optics engineer and his review of the Docter 10x42's There is more good info on this site too.
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/dialyt10x40.html
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