Mate - us merchant marine - Barska Battalion 8x30mm Porro Prism Rangefinder Binocular

In choosing these binoculars the choice came between the Steiner 8x30 or the Barska 8x30. The technical specifications revealed virtually identical features with the field of view through the objective lens actually greater than the Steiners. The Brska binocs are fully multi-coated as I assume the Steiners are as well when researching deper, but the Steiners do not appear to advertisethat as much. The weight of both are similar a few grams heavier for the Barska. The Barska has an internal rangefinder reticle not a critical consideration but the Steiners did not unless I bought a Steiner 8x30 with a reticle wouldvirtually more than double the price in the $700+ range. The Baska has the similar porro silhouette of the Steiners which I was looking for- probably closely copies. I also chose the Barska as it was a domestic US company; however I was very disappointed when I received the unit and fond that the binocs were made in the PRC and the description online on Optics Planet and the Barska site never mention that fact. I was tempted to return on that account but upon using them so far they feel and perform just like Steiners...so far and are waterproof, Nitrogen filled and individual eyepiece focused as the Steiner autofocus and appear to perform the same. So far so good