FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Steiner Introduces Its Newest Bird of Prey: the Merlin Pro

GREELEY, Colo. (February 28, 2012) - In the falcon family, the Merlin is a keen-eyed, lightweight and compact predator with a unique robustness that makes it an exceptionally effective bird of prey. In the binocular world, the Steiner Merlin has emulated many of the attributes of its namesake, making the Merlin a favorite among hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and birders. Steiner has announced today that it has improved upon the Merlin with the introduction of its new Merlin Pro binocular line.

Lightweight, compact, surprisingly robust, and upgraded with several new key features, the Merlin Pro provides the rapid target acquisition and close focusing that will help you spot your game. With its roof-prism design, the Merlin Pro will be available in four models: 8x42, 10x32, 10x42 and 10x50.

One of the most important upgrades for the Merlin Pro line is the high-contrast optical coatings that ensure bright images with maximum color fidelity while minimizing color fringing. Additionally, new twist-up eyepieces with contoured eye cups adjust perfectly to the desired amount of eye-relief for a crystal-clear image with or without eyeglasses. The new, Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) armoring makes the Merlin Pro rugged enough to withstand any weather conditions or rough handling.

Like its predecessor, the new Merlin Pro offers precise center focusing with incredible close focusing capabilities, long eye relief and phase-corrected roof prisms, and it is lightweight, fogproof and waterproof. The unique earth-tone brown coloring of the Merlin Pros was specially developed by Steiner to blend into the outdoor environment.

Each binocular comes with a padded travel case, removable neoprene rain-guards for the ocular lenses and objective lens caps, and a padded neck strap for comfortable carrying and viewing at all times.

Available at retailers nationwide the first quarter of 2012, the suggested retail prices for the new Merlin Pro line are: 8x42, $499; 10x32, $499; 10x42, $599; and 10x50, $699.

Headquartered in Germany, Steiner has been widely acknowledged as a world leader in the manufacturing of high quality optics since 1947. In addition to the outdoor, hunting and marine markets, Steiner provides products to military and law enforcement worldwide. Allied forces around the world-including the U.S. Army and countless law enforcement agencies-have made Steiner their binocular of choice. For more information, contact: Steiner Optik, 920 54th Avenue, Suite 200, Greeley, CO 80634; call (970) 356-1670; or visit the company website at www.steiner-binoculars.com.

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Steiner Merlin Pro Technical Specifications:
Product Item No. Weight Field of View Eye Relief Close Focusing
@ 1,000 yards
8x42 4481 18.3 oz 368 ft. 17.3 mm 6.6 ft.
10x32 4321 21.1 oz. 346 ft. 16.9 mm 6.6 ft.
10x42 4581 26.1 oz. 316 ft. 16 mm 6.6 ft.
10x50 4681 33.1 oz. 301 ft. 17 mm 6.6 ft.


* High-resolution images are available on the Hunter Outdoor Communications
website at www.hunteroc.com or upon request by contacting Kimi Herndon at Kimi@hunteroc.com.