Steiner ePredator 8 3-24x50 + ePredator LRF Binocular: Joint Success

As a gear junkie, I always enjoy handling and testing optics. Over the years, most of my experience has been with spotting scopes and binoculars for hunting big country, where glassing for hours on end is part of the process. So, when I received the Steiner ePredator LRF 10 10x42mm binoculars, I felt right at home. This was a high-quality set of binos with a built-in rangefinder, and Steiner is a name I’ve always associated with rugged, dependable optics.

The real curveball came when I cracked open the box on the ePredator 8 3-24x50mm riflescope. While I’ve run my fair share of scopes, this system, especially when paired with the binoculars and the Steiner Connect 2.0 app, felt like a step beyond the traditional long-range setups I’ve used in the past. It piqued my curiosity, and to be honest, it put me a little out of my comfort zone. But that’s also what made testing it exciting.

My Initial Impression

When I first pulled the binoculars out of the box, I was immediately impressed by how streamlined and lightweight they felt compared to other rangefinding binoculars I’ve used in the past. They’re streamlined, ergonomic in hand, and the laser spits out distances instantly, even at extended ranges. How far? Steiner advertises a range from 16.5 yards (15 meters) to 3,281 yards (3,000 meters). In my experience, I’ve consistently ranged targets well over 2,000 yards without issue.

The ranging button is perfectly positioned under the right-hand index finger, making one-handed operation simple if needed. The display shows up in the right optical tube, which feels natural. Clarity is exactly what you’d expect from Steiner—bright, crisp, and clean, checking every box you’d expect from a high-end optic.

The ePredator riflescope makes a strong impression from the moment it's out of the box. The finish is flawless, the build is rock-solid, and it’s clear this is a serious, no-nonsense optic. With a 34mm tube, a wide 3-24x power range, and a 50mm objective lens, it’s built for performance. On the left side of the scope, you’ll find the CR123A battery compartment, with the dial for the illuminated reticle just inside it, offering 11 brightness settings. The right side houses a capped windage adjustment dial along with the parallax adjustment. On top, the scope features an exposed, uncapped elevation turret. Finally, near the end of the ocular lens, you’ll find the buttons that control the Heads-Up Display (HUD). More on that later. Rounding out the scope, the power adjustment ring features a grippy, rubberized dial that makes zooming in and out effortless. Steiner also includes a set of scope caps for both ends.

Mount

Mounting the scope on my custom .260 Remington built on an XLR Element Chassis was seamless thanks to the T-Series Steiner Rings. These rings are rock-solid, with a cross bolt torqued to 60 inch-pounds and four top screws per ring torqued to 25 inch-pounds, locking the scope down with zero wiggle. I appreciated how straightforward the setup was; everything aligned cleanly, and I didn’t have to fight with lapping or adjustments to get it square and level.

The 34mm tube of the ePredator riflescope pairs perfectly with the T-Series rings, and the combination feels bombproof. Once mounted, I had complete confidence that this scope wasn’t going to shift or lose zero, even under recoil or hard use. It’s the kind of setup that inspires confidence before you ever fire the first shot.

Tandem Technology

Usually, this is the point where I’d be heading straight to the range, but with this system, there’s some prep work first. To get the most out of the ePredator 8 riflescope and the ePredator LRF binoculars, you’ll need to install the Steiner Connect 2.0 app on your phone. This app is where the magic happens—it allows you to build custom bullet profiles that sync with the scope and binos for precise ballistic solutions.

Inside the app, you’ll input specific data for the bullet you plan to shoot. Most of this information is readily available from the bullet manufacturer; however, some details may require actual testing with your rifle. The key data points you’ll need to enter include caliber, bullet name, grain weight, muzzle velocity, bullet diameter, overall bullet weight, and ballistic coefficient (BC). Since I already knew the muzzle velocity for this cartridge and rifle, I was able to input all of my data and build the profile before even leaving the house.

Additionally, the app will ask for your scope’s mounting height (the distance from your line of sight to the centerline of the barrel bore) and your chosen zero range. Getting these numbers right is critical, as they directly affect the accuracy of the ballistic calculations that drive the scope’s Heads-Up Display (HUD) and ranging data.

Range Time

Once at the range, the first order of business was zeroing the rifle with the new scope. I started with a quick boresight at 25 yards—removing the bolt, securing the gun in a vise, and aligning the barrel with the target before adjusting the scope to match the barrel's position.

With the rifle close, I moved the target back to 100 yards and fired the first round. The shot landed about 7 inches low and 2 inches left. Adjusting the scope was straightforward, and I have to say, the turrets on this scope are impressive. The clicks are smooth, precise, and leave no question about how much you’re moving the reticle. With a few quick adjustments, the rifle was stacking shots into a dime-sized group at my 100-yard zero.

Once zeroed, we loosened the Allen screws on the elevation turret and lifted it just enough to rotate freely without engaging the clicks. From there, we spun it back to zero and locked it down. At this point, the scope’s zero stop was set firmly at 100 yards, making it a quick and foolproof process to return to zero. At this stage, it’s also critical to electronically zero the scope using the menu on the scope itself. We initially skipped this step, and the system’s readings were incorrect until we realized our mistake and corrected it.

With the rifle dialed, it was time to see what the entire “system” could do. I opened the app on my phone and clicked the prompt to connect to the scope. Holding down the power button on the scope brought the HUD to life in the glass, and the app confirmed Device Connected. From there, I tapped the prompt to connect the binoculars. A quick press of the ranging button on the binos linked them up as well. Now, the scope, the binoculars, and the app were all talking to each other.

At this point, we ranged a steel target sitting at 403 yards, and that distance instantly popped up in the upper right-hand corner of the HUD display. It was impressive to see the binoculars and scope working together seamlessly, with no extra steps, no guesswork, just instant feedback right in the glass. Below, in the center of the HUD, it still read 100 yards.

Here’s where I hit my first hiccup. For some reason, I convinced myself that the number above the ranged yardage—reading 12.75—was the value I needed to adjust until it read zero. In my mind, it made sense that this was the “correction,” so I started turning until I had it lined up. It didn’t take long to realize something wasn’t adding up. Shots weren’t landing where I expected, and the system felt “off.”

In my defense, this optic and system are still relatively new to the market, and there isn’t much detailed information available yet. My only real knock so far is that Steiner didn’t include a comprehensive guide or even a simple QR code that links to a walk-through of the process. With a setup this advanced, having a quick-start guide would go a long way. I do not doubt that this will be addressed as more units reach customers' hands, but for now, you will have to figure some of it out on your own.

Fortunately, Steiner’s customer service was top-notch. After a quick phone call, they walked me through the correct steps and had me squared away in minutes. Here’s the proper process: once you range a target and the yardage appears in the top right of the HUD, you dial the elevation turret until the center display matches that ranged yardage. That’s it, no overthinking required.

Back to the Range

After waiting a couple of days for the winds to die down, I headed back to the range with my new knowledge, eager to test the system properly. The first shot at 400 yards was a clean center hit on the 12-inch steel plate. The HUD, turret, and ballistic profile were perfectly in sync—one shot, one hit. That boosted my confidence, so I moved on to a basketball-sized rock that I often shoot at 640 yards. I ranged, dialed, and squeezed off a round. Direct hit. This was getting fun.

Next, I decided to stretch things out. I put another rock in my spotting scope at 1,043 yards and had my buddy watch through the glass as I dialed the scope. The first shot landed just below the target; it wasn't a system failure, just me needing to refine my hold and trigger break at that distance. I chambered another round, made a slight correction, and this shot was right on the money.

From that point on, it became clear how capable this setup is. Every time I did my part, maintaining a steady position and clean trigger press, the combination of scope, binoculars, and app worked flawlessly, delivering precise hits without the usual guesswork. It felt less like I was “hoping” to hit at long range and more like I was just executing a calculated plan.

In Closing

The Steiner ePredator system flat-out impressed me. What stands out is how it allows you to set up a capable long-range shooting system without needing the deep ballistic knowledge that was previously required. In the past, dialing for distance meant endless charts, dope cards, and trial and error. Now, with accurate input and a little time spent setting it up, this system does the math for you, and it does it fast.

The key here is to provide the system with the most accurate information possible. The more precise your bullet data, muzzle velocity, and mounting measurements, the better this scope and binocular combo will perform. When you do your part behind the rifle, the ePredator setup makes hitting at distance almost feel easy. It takes the guesswork out but still rewards good marksmanship.

For hunters or precision shooters, this is a tough system to beat. Just remember to check your state’s regulations before hunting with it. Some states don’t allow electronic rangefinding or ballistic-compensating scopes. This system won’t instantly make you a better shooter, but it will make sure every ounce of skill you bring to the table is backed by rock-solid technology. Steiner built this system to perform, and after running it, I can say it delivers.