Steiner 3-15 × 56 Nighthunter Xtreme - The targeted expansion of the Beretta Holding has grouped under the same aegis already famous companies which have been given a significant design and commercial impulse: this is the case of Steiner which has implemented its eminently military sector of action by dedicating itself with attention to the civil one where the classic triad composed of binoculars, long and riflescope satisfies a conspicuous series of enthusiasts. We had one of the latest products on trial, today already surpassed by a similar model further improved.
Lo Steiner Nighthunter Xtreme 3-15 × 56 has a primary factor in robustness, a legacy of design for rough use and without too many regards, supported by a 10-year guarantee. The salient features see the 30 mm tube, the high-level optical glasses to ensure excellent and appreciable light transmission, a correct view with the qualification of high definition (HD) in the absence of chromatic aberrations and image distortions. on the periphery of the view, sharp and defined outlines of the framed subjects.
The reticle is the classic no. 4 designed for hunting, therefore with positioning on the second focal plane for the maintenance of virtual thicknesses even by varying the magnifications, the central cross remains a right reference even in unfavorable light conditions when the illuminable central point proves to be a decisive aid for many. The total length of 360 mm, the weight of 770 g, the 56 mm diameter of the lens offer an entity that is still manageable with a brightness value suitable for aspect shots in the twilight minutes, when this feature proves essential and deadly to achieve the result. The magnification excursion, together with the wide field of view, allows with the 3x still a good success in the movement shot while the maximum value of 15x does not pose problems for long shots or on game with a vital area of not large dimensions.
We also had fun in the shooting range: a crosshair reticle would allow you to file a few mm in the groups, but it would be definitely out of place in this strongly and punctually hunting system.
The adjustments see the eyepiece ring for the reticle focusing protected by a rubber thickness to protect the eyebrow and small reliefs that facilitate its rotation while the ring for the variation of magnifications has much more marked reliefs and a movement fluid and immediate.
The turrets with closing screw caps have a differentiated movement: the one for elevation with perceptible clicks, although not always so distinctly, and the one in drift with friction movement for which the references must be read on the ring; with the attention of the case we conducted the test of the square verifying a substantial correspondence of the return to the zero point while the extent of the deviations expected on the value for each step, or line, equal to 1 cm at 100 meters is correct in the elevation, but it is almost halved in the lateral deviation: after the first tests it is easy to adapt. We then move on to the third turret where the reticle lighting system is mounted, which can be changed gradually according to the needs of use, and which can be activated from the position of the rifle; with a second coaxial wheel the parallax is corrected according to the prefixed metric values. This latter function is decisive, especially at the maximum magnification value (15x) and the effectiveness in the field is corrected. Another value that is very convenient for those with short necks is represented by the long focal length thanks to which the exact position is easily found to embrace the entire field of vision with the gaze.
The tests carried out on different shooting ranges and on several occasions made it possible to verify the validity of the technical system for brightness, sharpness and ability to detach a camouflage image from the less favorable background, such as a roe deer in a December afternoon against a forest. of bare trees and twigs. To this we add a little technical point, but well perceptible especially by those who have an easily fatigued eye: even in long sessions where you try to squeeze the best from the ballistic optical set, these lenses do not tire your eyes at all. For us it is a factor of primary importance.