[Telperion]

Anyone know where to find binoculars with a rangefinder reticle that's cheaper than a Steiner? The price on their "Military" models is :what:

[hksw]

Tasco sells basically direct copies of Steiner's Military line. The Offshore 36 and 54 have illuminated range finding reticles and internal compasses.

http://www.tasco.com/binoculars/offshore_main.shtml

To ease distance calculation, a sliderule-type ring around the left objective helps you find the estimated distance. I'm not entirely sure if the reticle graduation and calculating procedure is the same as that found in the Steiners as I've never tried one of those but the Tascos do seem to work if the object or anything being viewed is large enough for the relatively course reticle graduations. (I've got a 36 and a 54.) These models can usually be had in well stocked sporting goods stores for well under $300. If you go surfing, you can probably find it even cheaper.

Optically, they really aren't not that bad. But then again, it's not that hard to make a relatively average bino or scope when the magnification is fixed.