The Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 riflescope is a new wide-angled scope from the German manufacturer Steiner Optik. This scope hit the shelves in 2022. It has quickly become popular among hunters and shooters for its wide angle of view, trusted German #4 reticle and high-quality construction.
- Steiner Optik
- Steiner Ranger Series
- Steiner Ranger 8 Riflescopes
- Physical Properties
- Optical Properties
- Scope of Delivery
- Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 Warranty
- Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 vs. Leica, Swarovski, and Blaser
- Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 Price
- Pros
- Cons
- Final Thoughts on Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24
- Read More
- Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 Riflescope Photos
Steiner Optik
Steiner Optik from Bavaria is a well-established German brand, dating back to 1947. They are one of the biggest producers of binoculars in Europe, for both hunting and marine purposes. Later on, Steiner was incorporated into the Beretta group which allowed them to expand their business ventures into military optics. For the past 10 years, they have offered an extensive line of rifle scopes for militaries all over the world.
It was only after success in battle-proven scopes that Steiner also tapped into the market of hunting scopes. No wonder then, that even civilian scopes from Steiner boast military-grade reliability of mechanics. The first hunting scope made by this German manufacturer was Steiner Nighthunter, a stellar optic. Unfortunately, it was a commercial failure.
Steiner Nighthunter
Why did Steiner Nighthunter not succeed? Steiner’s mistake was diving straight into the premium range. Priced at around 2500 euros, scopes from the Nighthunter series competed against top-of-the-crop; brilliant optics like Swarovski Z6, Leica Magnus, and Zeiss V8. Not only that – Steiner also had no brand recognition in the hunting segment. The obvious thing happened. People were reluctant to splurge on a brand without a premium pedigree like the creditworthy Swarovski, Leica, and Zeiss. This was an expensive lesson to learn. It took years for Steiner to release Ranger scopes, this time with a brand new market strategy.
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Steiner Ranger Series
The first edition of the Steiner Ranger line of hunting riflescopes premiered in 2017. That is 5 years after the company was forced to cut its losses with Nighthunters. But good things were coming to the German town of Bayreuth. The hunting market of €1000-and-below welcomed Steiner with open arms. Ranger scopes were much more affordable than Nighthunter models but still offered more than decent optics and reliable mechanics. Steiner was now able to pull in a steady stream of hunting-oriented customers and bring better awareness to the German brand.
Steiner Ranger 4
Emboldened with sudden success, Steiner Optik released two follow-up Ranger series in the spring of 2021: Steiner Ranger 4 and Steiner Ranger 6. The number 4 was the more profitable line of the two: with Ranger 4 scopes Steiner conquered the market of hunting scopes at the around €1000 mark. The unanimous audience approval continues to this day. In this price range, most hunters and business insiders consider the Steiner Ranger 4 line to be the Best Buy.
Steiner Ranger 6
There was much affinity shown towards the pricier Ranger 6 line-up as well. Ranger 6 models that made the biggest splash in the world of hunting are the wide-angle Steiner Ranger 6 1-6×24 and the low-lighter Steiner Ranger 6 3-18×56. This comes as no surprise because Ranger 6 scopes, too, are some of the best optics in their price category. This time, we are talking around €1500. Not many competitors can offer comparable scopes with modern design, long-lasting build, and good optical performance.
Steiner Ranger 8 Riflescopes
Steiner Ranger 8 is the latest edition of Ranger scopes. Optics Trade had the pleasure of visiting the Steiner Optik factory in Bayreuth when these scopes were still a business secret. Now there are 4 released models you can pick from. Each Ranger 8 offers its own set of features and benefits, making this series a perfect choice for any shooter or hunter.
Steiner Ranger 8 Models
All models in the Ranger 8 series are available with a ballistic turret (BT). The only exception is the wide-angle model 1-8×24 for obvious reasons.
The Steiner Ranger 8 series offers high-end optics, so the modest price tag was a pleasant surprise. You won’t find another European company offering scopes with equivalent features for this little. Once we tested all the models, we can understand Steiner’s pricing policy much better. But we’ll get to that later.
Physical Properties
First, let’s go through the physical qualities of Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24. At exactly 290 millimeters (11.41 inches), this 1-8×24 scope is quite long. It weighs 510 grams (18 ounces). This is nothing special, about the same weight as the competition.
The scope is shockproof and waterproof. The scope is filled with nitrogen and completely air-tight, which eliminates internal fogging of the lens during cold hours of boar hunting. This Steiner Optik model can be operated from -25 to +65 °Celsius.
The 30-millimeter tube is made from aluminum alloy and has no parallax adjustment. This setting is fixed at 100m. The low-profile turret on the side operates the illumination system. It’s powered by a single CR2032 battery that you can buy anywhere. As of 2022, there is no built-in rail option with this Steiner Ranger available.
Looking for Quality-Made 30mm Scope Mounts?
Windage and Elevation Turrets
Steiner Ranger 8 scopes have single-turn turrets with a hard zero stop. In terms of physical appearance, they have the typical build of hunting-style turrets: low and capped.
Steiner’s decision to implement a stop into a single-turn turret goes against what’s expected. We like it. It takes the user experience with this Steiner up a notch. Setting the zero is an easy but not a toolless operation. The user has to remove the 2 screws on top of the turret.
What about the adjustment range? In a single direction, you can move the elevation turret for 6.5 MIL. That’s 65 centimeters of reticle travel in total. The scope has an internal adjustment of more than 2 meters of elevation and windage.
Optical Properties
Now, let’s talk the Steiner Ranger 8 optics. The magnification range is 1-8x, which makes this a wide-angle model. Steiner 8 1-8×24 is purpose-built for driven hunts. The scope sports a 24-millimeter objective lens, like the majority of scopes of this type. The diopter setting can be adjusted on the ocular, eyesight correction can be made from -3 to +2 diopter points.
The eye relief is 95 millimeters (3.74in). So almost 10 centimeters. The eyebox is not the best in class, not even near it. But for an 8x zoom scope priced at €1799, the eyebox is acceptable. This 1-8×24 scope for driven hunts can be easily utilized with both eyes open.
Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 Field of View
On the base magnification (without image enlargement), the Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24’s field of view is 37.8 meters at 100 meters. Although this isn’t the best Steiner could do, the FOV is more than decent for the price point. At 8x image enlargement, the field of vision is 4.73m/100m.
It still won’t change the fact that hunters expect more from Steiner Optik. The disappointment is not without validity; the lower-priced Steiner Ranger 6 has a larger FOV at 1x (40.75m/100m).
Light Transmission Rate
Okay, here come the coveted percents. Per the manufacturer’s claim, the light permeability of Steiner 8 is around 92% on most wavelengths. Since this scope won’t be used in the dark, it hardly matters.
German 4 Reticle
The reticle is in the second focal plane. The only design available is the remodeled German #4, called 4Ai. This reticle is designed for short to medium-range shooting. It is widely popular on the Old Continent where much of the big game hunting is routinely done under the cloak of darkness. The uncluttered design of 4Ai, only three posts and a center dot, is a must for fast target acquisition.
What’s especially of note with Steiner Ranger 8 models is that the 4Ai reticle is partially outlined with optical fiber. So the illumination is super-precise and intensely bright. The 0.1 MIL center dot is completely daytime bright.
Illumination
Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 illumination control is made simple. This Steiner wide-angle riflescope has 11 levels of intensity. Up to level 6, the dot brightness is suitable for lowlight conditions. From levels 7 to 11, the dot can be used during the day.
There’s an off switch located between each level of intensity. With a single turret click, the hunter reactivates the level of dot intensity most appropriate for the time of the hunt (or according to hunter’s personal preference). Easy illumination deactivation will extend the CR2032 battery life. Mid-steps are also more user-friendly than dialing through all illumination levels to turn off the dot.
Scope of Delivery
The Steiner Ranger 8 1-8x24i scope arrives in a cardboard box. The contents are well secured in place with thick foam lining, so there is no danger of the optic being damaged in transport.
Included in the package are the following items: the scope itself, plastic flip-up caps, thin hex key, Steiner lens cleaning cloth, and Ranger 8 manual.
Looking for more accessories?
- Panasonic CR2032 Battery
- Niggeloh Driven Hunt Rifle Sling
- Caldwell E-Max Electronic Hearing Protection
- Dörr Three-Legged Chair with Sink-Stop
Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 Warranty
Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 is made in the USA since the Beretta group that Steiner is a part of also owns Burris. They come with a 10-year warranty. Unlike the bulk of Steiner Optik production, the post-sales service and repairs are done in Bayreuth, Germany. Steiner customer care deserves more recognition as they’re super user-focused and do great work. Even if the device is no longer covered by warranty.
Where are Steiner scopes made?
Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 vs. Leica, Swarovski, and Blaser
Let’s check how this Steiner 8 compares to rival wide-angle scopes. None of the scopes we’ll mention offer an 8x zoom or 1-8x magnification range. This is because Steiner is the only one that offers such high- powered scope for less than €2000. Even the competitor’s 6x zoom scopes we list below are more expensive than Ranger 8 line.
Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 vs. Steiner Ranger 6 1-6×24
Unfortunately, the biggest competition to Ranger 8 comes from the same factory. Ranger 6 is simply too close to the upper-level Ranger to justify forking over 300 euros more. In addition to that, Ranger 6 model boasts a wider field of view.
If your main goal is a capable scope for driven hunts, Steiner Ranger 6 1-6×24 is the sensible choice. But if you’d like to occasionally use your wide-angle scope on a longer range, Steiner Ranger 8 can do that for you. Like all Steiner Ranger models, Ranger 6 1-6×24 in produced in the United States.
What about other European manufacturers that sell premium wide-angle hunting scopes?
Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 vs. Swarovski Z6i 1-6×24 (Gen II)
The next rival is the Swarovski Z6i model for driven hunts. Swarovski Z6i 1-6×24 (Gen II) is 60 grams lighter than Ranger 8 (450g compared to 510g). The illumination on Z6i 1-6×24 comes with Swarolight, an automatic dot shut-off when the scope is not in the prone position. Again, we’re comparing this Steiner scope to yet another 6x zoom scope. But Swarovski Z6i 1-6×24 is very similar.
As you’d expect, Swarovski does things optically that Steiner cannot. On the other hand, Z6i scopes are also much more expensive. But thanks to the ultimate brand prestige, some hunters will choose Swarovski over Steiner any time of day. Swarovski Z6i 1-6×24 is manufactured in Austria.
Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 vs. Blaser B2 1-6×24 iC
The German manufacturer Blaser also comes close to Steiner Ranger 8 with their Blaser B2 1-6×24 iC. The field of view is better on Blaser, though not by much (40m/100m at 1x magnification). While it weighs over 100 grams more (612g), this wide-angled Blaser scope is also almost 2 centimeters shorter than Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24. Consider that Blaser B26x24 iC costs about €150 less than Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24. Not to mention, Blaser B2 scopes are actually made in Germany.
Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 Price
We don’t want to be a complete downer. Especially because there is so much to like about Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 scope. It’s an 8x zoom scope from a respectable European brand that costs €1799.
As we elaborated in the section above, comparable manufacturers that offer premium scopes for driven hunts are Zeiss, Swarovski, and Blaser. But they all come with a hefty price tag. Even if Ranger 8 isn’t all that, it does its job at a 600- or 800-euro lower price than the rivals. Indeed, Steiner’s price is unbeatable for the quality you receive.
Yet it is not a complete wonder why Steiner lowballed the Ranger 8 1-8×24 price. After all, this scope doesn’t wish to go against Swarovski Z8i or Zeiss V8 and Blaser Infinity. The desirable price tag also excuses that the field of view is a little bit narrower, and edge-to-edge sharpness is no match for the aforementioned premium lines. Doesn’t matter. Either way you slice it, the €1799 price is a giant point in Steiner Optik’s favor.
Pros
While we appreciate we like the reliability of tried-and-true German #4, it’s Steiner Ranger 8’s illumination system that’s the real treat. The precision and intensity of optical fiber illumination is a class above diode-powered scopes. The center dot on Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 is daytime bright, small and precise.
Single-turn turrets with hard zero stops are uncommon. Steiner has chosen its own trends, rather than just following industry leaders, as evidenced by the 4-16×56 configuration in their Ranger 4 line. These unexpected elements give Steiner a competitive advantage.
Steiner Ranger 8 is the only Ranger scope series that includes flip-open lens caps. Ranger 4 and Ranger 6 scopes come with impractical bikini covers. Admittedly, we don’t particularly like the design as these flip-ups are very robust. You also cannot adjust focus without removing the caps. Nevertheless, it’s good that Steiner supplies them with the scope.
Pros Summary
- competitive price
- 8x zoom
- optical fiber illumination
- hard zero stop
- flip-up caps included
Cons
What could have been done better? Steiner could stretch that field of view out to 40 meters and be more competitive against Swarovski, Leica, and Blaser. The edge sharpness could be improved as well. Zeiss Victory V8 1.1-8×24 beats Steiner in that. Of course, the Zeiss scope also costs about 1000 euros more.
Place of Manufacture
The fact that Ranger 8 scopes are made in the USA and not in Germany will disappoint many. This brings a serious disadvantage to Steiner Optik. All other competitors are produced in Europe. Hunters would lean towards this German manufacturer faster if these 8x zoom hunting scopes were produced on-site.
Steiner’s decision to outsource the lower-priced Ranger 4 and Ranger 6 series to the United States was met with a bigger understanding. But Steiner Ranger 8 models are closer to the premium level, which is monopolized by European-made scopes. Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 almost hits that 2000-euro line of demarcation between upper mid-level and high-end riflescopes for hunting. It’s within reason that Steiner could handle this differently, especially since they make all military scopes and tactical-use scopes in Bayreuth, Germany.
The next downside of Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 is that there is no built-in rail. Now consider that the lower-priced Ranger 4 1-4×24 comes with the option of an integrated mounting rail. Comparing the Steiner Ranger series shows a bigger issue.
Similar to Ranger 6
Steiner Ranger 8 scopes are too close to Ranger 6 models in terms of optical performance and build quality. This is particularly true when it comes to the two wide-angle models. It doesn’t matter that much whether you’re working with 1-6x or 1-8x magnification. On driven hunts, you’ll rarely need to enlarge the image. Therefore, what matters most is how the scope performs at 1x magnification. The cheaper Ranger 6 wins the battle of FOV (at 1x). So while Steiner Ranger 8 gives you a bigger zoom factor, the overall performance at base magnification doesn’t justify the splurge.
We believe that if Steiner lowered the price of this Steiner Ranger 8 to €1699, more hunters would pick the 1-8×24 model over 1-6×24. That would be the sweet spot, as Steiner Ranger 8 could also fare better against Blaser B2 1-6×24 iC (priced at €1639) and Zeiss Conquest V6 1.1-6×24 (priced at €1579). As it stands, it’s only the 8x zoom that makes people choose Steiner Ranger 8.
Cons Summary
- not made in Germany
- FOV at 1x magnification
- edge-to-edge sharpness
- no option of built-in rail
- too similar to Ranger 6
Final Thoughts on Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24
Overall, the Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 is a great scope. Its illuminated reticle and single-turn turrets are top-notch, and its build quality is excellent. However, its field of view is narrower than that of other premium scopes on the market, and its edge sharpness could be improved. Additionally, it’s produced in the USA rather than in Germany, which may be a turnoff for some buyers. Despite these drawbacks, the Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 is still a reliable model for driven hunt and is worth considering if you’re in the market for an 8x zoom hunting scope.
Looking for Wide-Angle Scope with 8x Zoom?
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Steiner Ranger 8 1-8×24 Riflescope Photos
