Steiner Marine Binoculars
- Size
- 7x50
- Eye relief
- 20.2 mm
- Field of view
- 354 feet at 1000 yards
Maker specs: Steiner Marine 7x50
German made binoculars: the German brands we list
Shop 11 binoculars from German brands, including Steiner, ZEISS, Leica and MINOX, and compare size, eye relief and field of view. A German brand name does not tell you where a pair was made, so check the country of origin for the exact model.
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The makers themselves say different things. MINOX says part of its range is made in Germany, German Precision Optics says its final assembly happens in Japan, the Philippines and China, and the ZEISS shop lists China as the country of origin of the Terra ED 8x42 on this page.
- 11 models
- 1 with our score out of 10
- 6 with maker-listed specs
Our picks from German brands
GPO Passion ED 10x42
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 16mm
- Field of view
- 340ft @ 1000y
Maker specs: GPO Passion ED 10x42
Leica Trinova HD
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 15 mm
- Field of view
- 339 ft at 1,000 yds (113 m at 1,000 m)
Maker specs: Leica Trinovid 10x42 HD
Leica Noctivid 10x42
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 19 mm
- Field of view
- 336 ft at 1,000 yds (112 m at 1,000 m)
Maker specs: Leica Noctivid 10x42
Zeiss Terra ED 8x42
- Size
- 8x42
- Eye relief
- 18.0 mm (exit pupil distance)
- Field of view
- 125 m (375 ft) at 1,000 m (yds)
Maker specs: ZEISS Terra ED 8x42
Zeiss Victory HT 10x54
- Size
- 10x54
- Eye relief
- 16.0 mm (exit pupil distance)
- Field of view
- 110 m (330 ft) at 1,000 m (yds)
Maker specs: ZEISS Victory HT 10x54
Our German brands guide
The full lists these picks come from, with our notes on every pair.
- Best German-Made Binoculars Brands
10 picksHighest score: Steiner Marine Binoculars
Compare German brand binoculars
Scroll sideways to see every comparison field and Shopping action.
| Model | Magnification | Objective (mm) | Eye relief | Field of view | Maker’s model | Shopping action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steiner Marine Binoculars | 7x | 50 | 20.2 mm | 354 feet at 1000 yards | Steiner Marine 7x50 | |
| GPO Passion ED 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 16mm | 340ft @ 1000y | GPO Passion ED 10x42 | |
| Leica Trinova HD | 10x | 42 | 15 mm | 339 ft at 1,000 yds (113 m at 1,000 m) | Leica Trinovid 10x42 HD | |
| Leica Noctivid 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 19 mm | 336 ft at 1,000 yds (112 m at 1,000 m) | Leica Noctivid 10x42 | |
| Zeiss Terra ED 8x42 | 8x | 42 | 18.0 mm (exit pupil distance) | 125 m (375 ft) at 1,000 m (yds) | ZEISS Terra ED 8x42 | |
| Zeiss Victory HT 10x54 | 10x | 54 | 16.0 mm (exit pupil distance) | 110 m (330 ft) at 1,000 m (yds) | ZEISS Victory HT 10x54 |
5 models without a maker’s figure record are listed in the picks above.
German made binocular questions
What binoculars are made in Germany?
Some Steiner and MINOX binoculars, by those makers' own accounts: Steiner calls its Bayreuth plant a production and research facility for binoculars and uses a Made in Germany seal, and MINOX says part of its range is made in Germany and carries the Made in Germany label.
Check that label on the exact pair you want, because a German brand can build some models elsewhere: the ZEISS shop lists China as the country of origin of the Terra ED 8x42 on this page.
Is a binocular from a German brand always made in Germany?
No. The ZEISS shop lists China as the country of origin of the Terra ED 8x42, a model on this page.
Brand ownership can shift too: ZEISS's Terra ED page says an independent company, Valyra GmbH, develops, manufactures and distributes outdoor products under the ZEISS brand as its exclusive licensee.
Where are Leica binoculars made?
Leica says the handcrafted manufacture of its binoculars is part of the production program at its factory in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal, its second production site after its Wetzlar headquarters, according to Leica's own account of the plant.
That account mentions early Trinovid production there but does not say which current model comes from which plant, so check the label on the Trinovid or Noctivid you are considering.
Are Steiner binoculars made in Germany?
Steiner says it produces binoculars in Germany: it calls its Bayreuth plant a production and research site for binoculars and uses a Made in Germany seal.
Confirm that seal on the exact pair, such as the Marine 7x50 or the Predator 10x26 here, since a company seal does not describe every variant it has ever sold.
Where are German Precision Optics binoculars made?
GPO has them assembled outside Germany. Its FAQ says design, engineering and quality control happen in Germany, components come from Germany, Japan and the Philippines, and final assembly is outsourced to Japan, the Philippines and China before every unit returns to Germany for inspection.
Which German brands are on this page?
Seven: Steiner, ZEISS, Leica, MINOX, German Precision Optics, Eschenbach and Blaser.
For our take on each brand and its standout models, read our German brands guide.
How to choose German brand binoculars
Read the country of origin on the box
Start with the label, because imported goods sold in the United States generally must name their foreign country of origin. The FTC notes that the Tariff Act requires imports to be marked this way, for example "Made in Japan". If the product page or box shows no country, ask the seller or the maker before you rely on it.
Match the maker's statement to your exact model
Ask the maker about the model number you are buying, because a statement about a brand or a factory may not cover every line. MINOX, for one, says only part of its range is made in Germany, so the MINOX BL 8x56 and BV 10x25 here each need their own check. Ask Eschenbach and Blaser directly about their models on this page too.
What each maker says about where it builds
We found production statements from five of the seven brands, and each covers a different amount of ground. Read the “What to check” column as the gap to close before you buy on origin.
| Brand | What the maker says | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Steiner | Bayreuth plant is a production and research facility for binoculars; uses a Made in Germany seal | The seal on your exact model |
| Leica | Handcrafted binocular manufacture at its Portugal factory, its second production site; headquarters in Wetzlar | Which plant made your model |
| ZEISS | Shop lists China as country of origin for the Terra ED 8x42 | Each model's own listing |
| German Precision Optics | Designed and inspected in Germany; final assembly in Japan, the Philippines and China | Assembly country of your unit |
| MINOX | Part of its range made in Germany with the Made in Germany label | Whether your model is in that part |
Sizes of the listed models
The table below counts the listed pairs by size and shows each size's exit pupil, the objective diameter divided by the magnification.
| Size | Models | Exit pupil, calculated |
|---|---|---|
| 10x42 | 3 | 4.2 mm |
| 7x50 | 1 | 7.1 mm |
| 8x42 | 1 | 5.3 mm |
| 10x54 | 1 | 5.4 mm |
Maker specifications for four listed models
These four are among the pairs whose specifications we took from the maker's own page, and the 10x42s show how much they differ inside one size. The Noctivid gives the longest eye relief of the three at 19 mm but weighs about 30.4 oz, while the Trinovid HD comes in near 25.75 oz. Leica rates the Trinovid HD watertight to 4 m and the Noctivid to 5 m.
| Model | Eye relief | Field of view | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leica Trinovid 10x42 HD | 15 mm | 339 ft at 1,000 yd | About 25.75 oz |
| Leica Noctivid 10x42 | 19 mm | 336 ft at 1,000 yd | About 30.4 oz |
| GPO Passion ED 10x42 | 16 mm | 340 ft at 1,000 yd | 26 oz |
| ZEISS Victory HT 10x54 | 16 mm | 330 ft at 1,000 yd | 37 oz |
Our German brand reviews
For brand histories and our notes on each model, read the German brands guide, and for how these makers compare with the rest of the field, see who makes the best binoculars in the world.