Steiner Predator 10x42 Binoculars: Field Test Review

When it comes to binoculars, I’m not exactly an optics snob, but I am a bit picky and opinionated. Through the decades, I’ve field tested the best binos

When it comes to field optics, I’m a bit picky and opinionated. I’ve spent thousands of hours in the field with what I call “value optics.” I’m not talking about a $99 bino — in general, this price point is so low that the optics are almost worthless (my opinion). By “value,” I’m talking about binos in the range of $250 to $500. There’s no doubt that a smart shopper can find a decent hunting bino in this price range.

Where does the bino covered in this field test article, the Steiner Predator 10x42, fit into the mix? Well, the MSRP listed on the company website is $747.99, but like many hunting products, the street price is significantly lower. For example, I found a few online retailers selling the Predator 10x42 for $649.99. Even this price is higher than my value category maximum, but MUCH lower than the highest-end binos ($1,500 and up).

I’ve used Steiner binos in the past, and the one word I would use to describe them is “bulletproof.” And that was my first thought when unboxing the Steiner Predator 10x42. There is nothing chintzy about the Predator; everything about it screams durability.

I was immediately impressed by the synthetic rubber armoring. It is laser-textured and not only looks great, but I knew it would provide a 100 percent positive grip.

Next, I noticed bino weight — let me explain so you don’t get the wrong idea. The Predator 10x42 weighs 26.3 ounces. Is this light? No. But is it heavy? No. If you compare this bino to similarly sized models at the very top end of the market (i.e. price), the weight is right where it should be. For example, a Swarovski 10x42 EL (MSRP: $1,999) weighs 29.6 ounces; a Leica UltraVid HD 10x42 (MSRP: $2.399) weighs 26.8 ounces.

In general, a bino that is durable enough to last a lifetime and possesses great glass won’t be super light. Enough said.

I attached the Predator 10x42 to a bino harness and wore them while bowhunting in South Dakota last fall, and also used them as my “house bino” during the winter of 2024/2025. What do I mean by house bino?

My backyard butts up to a wooded river-bottom, and I often see whitetails and a variety of other wildlife throughout the day. Because I work from home, I’m able to look out my office window from 7:30 to 5, and the Predator 10x42 sits on my desk right next to my water bottle. If I spot a deer, coyote, wild turkey or interesting song bird with the naked eye, I can quickly stop typing and grab the Predator 10x42 for a better view.

At the end of my work day, I move the bino into my living room, beside the chair where I watch TV and read. This chair is also positioned where I can see the river-bottom, this time out of a very large picture window.

I mention my home layout because the biggest test for the Predator 10x42 happened recently from my living room and not the treestand. At sunset, I watched two bald eagles circling above the trees beyond my backyard, and soon both birds were perched high in trees about 150 yards from my house. I sat down and looked at them through my picture window with bino in hand.

Evidently, there was a dead animal directly below them, and they were carefully checking out the scene before landing on the ground to feast. I don’t know how often a coyote and eagle will fight over a carcass, but I could certainly see the eagles scanning the forest floor below for danger.

Finally, the biggest of the two white-headed eagles landed on the ground and slowly walked in the 2-inches of fresh powder toward the carcass. I could see everything play out with the naked eye, but watching it through crystal-clear 10-power glass was spectacular!

For the next 30 minutes, I watched the eagles take turns ripping apart the carcass with their talons and beaks. One bird would eat, then fly into a nearby tree, then the other eagle would take its turn.

Remember, 30 minutes after sunset is the end of legal hunting time for big game in almost every state (Wisconsin is only 20