Night Vision The Official: Steiner C35 Thermal Clip-on Review and User Thread!

#651
PlinkIt said:
Isn't a standard cr123a 3.0 volts?
Click to expand...
That's correct
PlinkIt said:
If I'm reading that correctly you should ensure that you put it in electronics with a voltage regulator of some sort in the architecture
Click to expand...
What we "should" do and what we "actually" do due to our own curiosity doesn't always add up. Most units have a range of voltages they will work with, I remember years ago everyone saying you should not use Energizer Lithium AA batteries in expensive camera gear, as a working pro I needed the extended length and so decided to risk it and none of that equipment ever failed using the higher voltage lithium AA's. I'm not saying there's a risk, but sometimes the benefit may be worth the risk, that is something you have to decide.
PlinkIt said:
Rechargeable always scare me unless a manufacturer says they were made to work with them because the voltages seem higher and sporadic when coming off different chargers.
So I always "ASSUME" they have built in a voltage control if they referenced rechargeable batts
Click to expand...
They used to scare me, but having used so many with all kinds of different devices with no noticeable adverse side effects I am not so concerned anymore. Maybe some of the cheaper "off brand" batteries which I tend to stay away from anyway may have more of an issue.
 
#653
Glassaholic said:
I feel similar, that is a crazy high number for mah... we've seen this before with other batteries and those with the equipment have shown they are usually grossly inflated and do not perform as hoped.

These batteries have served me well for several years and last a long time in my flashlights, plus they can be charged with micro usb which most of us have laying around
www.fenix-store.com

Fenix ARBL18 High-Capacity 18650 Battery - 3500mAh

The ARB-L18-3500mAh 18650 battery from Fenix is a high-grade model with an impressive 3500mAh rating, providing superior performance and reliability. It is equipped with protective features like short-circuit prevention, multiple layers of protection, and a button-top design that is suitable for...
www.fenix-store.com www.fenix-store.com
This is the non-USB version, but there have been times where I brought my light but forgot my charger so prefer the above USB version
www.fenix-store.com

Official Fenix Store | Original Brand Authorized Retailer since 2006

FENIX STORE is the OLDEST and LARGEST BRAND AUTHORIZED RETAILER of Fenix products in the world. Fenix has been producing innovative and high quality personal lighting since 2005 and Fenix Store has been serving customers since 2006. We remain your #1 choice for high-quality Fenix products...
www.fenix-store.com www.fenix-store.com

These are fantastic for devices that use CR123A and can handle 3.6v
www.fenix-store.com

Fenix ARB-L16-700UP USB Rechargeable 16340 Battery

The Fenix ARB-L16-700UP features 700mAH current charging capacity and advanced protection circuit for superior safety performance. This 16340 Battery has a heavy load discharge rate of 3.5C and a reliable output of 2.5A. With over 500 recharge cycles, it eliminates the need for non-rechargeable...
www.fenix-store.com www.fenix-store.com

And these are fantastic for replacing AA batteries, excellent for high drain devices
www.fenix-store.com

Official Fenix Store | Original Brand Authorized Retailer since 2006

FENIX STORE is the OLDEST and LARGEST BRAND AUTHORIZED RETAILER of Fenix products in the world. Fenix has been producing innovative and high quality personal lighting since 2005 and Fenix Store has been serving customers since 2006. We remain your #1 choice for high-quality Fenix products...
www.fenix-store.com www.fenix-store.com
Click to expand...
You need flat top batteries, not button top. None of those will work.
 
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#654
uhg said:
I've been thinking about buying one of the $2700 S35s from down range thermal (https://www.downrangethermal.com/product/steiner-s35/) but the pricing makes me kinda wary, is there a catch with these? Early production or something?
Click to expand...

m jager said:
I would like to hear on this. Should have a s35 arrive today and ordered some 9900mah batteries. Is this a bad thing?
Click to expand...
I am very interested in hearing more about first hand experiences with the s35.
Researching thermals is what led me to this site, and dang what a wealth of information. Talk about drinking through a firehose.
Anyhow, the internet seems a little quiet on this particular product.....or maybe my google skills suck.
Guidance appreciated.
 
#657
dirtrich said:
I am very interested in hearing more about first hand experiences with the s35.
Researching thermals is what led me to this site, and dang what a wealth of information. Talk about drinking through a firehose.
Anyhow, the internet seems a little quiet on this particular product.....or maybe my google skills suck.
Guidance appreciated.
Click to expand...
The S35 is great but it has some major drawbacks. The mount does not cantilever enough rearward to work well on a bolt gun. An optional $150 mount will fix that. The battery housing is so big that if you use an action with a 90° bolt throw, your bolt handle will hit the thermal (depending on rail height). I wish the menu buttons were more like the Burris thermal with just a wheel and button. It would make it much easier to navigate menus.

If you are putting it on and AR, it is an excellent thermal.
 
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#662
srt-4_uk said:
The S35 is great but it has some major drawbacks. The mount does not cantilever enough rearward to work well on a bolt gun. An optional $150 mount will fix that. The battery housing is so big that if you use an action with a 90° bolt throw, your bolt handle will hit the thermal (depending on rail height). I wish the menu buttons were more like the Burris thermal with just a wheel and button. It would make it much easier to navigate menus.

If you are putting it on and AR, it is an excellent thermal.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this. I am considering the Burris BTS-50 and Pulsar Talion XQ38 this reason.

Don’t see a lot of talk about the XQ38, but it’s not Chinese-made and it has in-board video recording, both unlike the Burris.

But I really don’t know crap about thermal. Seems hard to know who to trust.
 
#663
carbonbased said:
Thanks for this. I am considering the Burris BTS-50 and Pulsar Talion XQ38 this reason.

Don’t see a lot of talk about the XQ38, but it’s not Chinese-made and it has in-board video recording, both unlike the Burris.

But I really don’t know crap about thermal. Seems hard to know who to trust.
Click to expand...
I have the BTS 50 on a bolt gun. It would also benefit from the optional rear cantilever mount, but I made mine work with the factory mount. At the price burris is getting rid of them for, they are easily the best for the money.
I see onboard recording the same way I see an illuminated reticle. It's cool if it's there but It's not going to sway my decision. Other people absolutely have to have it.
What neat feature of the Burris that doesn't get talked about is the single 18650 battery can go in either way. It isn't polarity sensitive so swapping batteries in the dark is simple.
 
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#664
#665
srt-4_uk said:
What neat feature of the Burris that doesn't get talked about is the single 18650 battery can go in either way. It isn't polarity sensitive so swapping batteries in the dark is simple.
Click to expand...
That is brilliant, thank you Steiner and that might be why they chose to go with this particular battery style knowing this unit would be used a lot in the dark of night. Does the C35 already come with a plug for external battery or do you have to get an adapter?
 
#666
Glassaholic said:
That is brilliant, thank you Steiner and that might be why they chose to go with this particular battery style knowing this unit would be used a lot in the dark of night. Does the C35 already come with a plug for external battery or do you have to get an adapter?
Click to expand...
It comes with cable for external pack. Can’t remember battery specs off top of my head, if someone doesn’t post before I get out to the shop, I’ll add it
 
#667
Glassaholic said:
That is brilliant, thank you Steiner and that might be why they chose to go with this particular battery style knowing this unit would be used a lot in the dark of night. Does the C35 already come with a plug for external battery or do you have to get an adapter?
Click to expand...
Just to clarify, I was talking about the Burris thermal. Haven't tried it with the Steiner but it's not in the literature.
Glassaholic said:
Nice. Can anyone confirm what mah comes with the Steiner from factory, 3400mah seems high for factory provided. Panasonic makes good Li-ion but how to know if this is real Panasonic or counterfeit?
Click to expand...
That is the battery that comes with the unit.
 
#668
srt-4_uk said:
Just to clarify, I was talking about the Burris thermal. Haven't tried it with the Steiner but it's not in the literature.
Click to expand...
Since they are sister companies one would hope they share some tech, but could be wrong. Can anyone verify if the battery works both ways in the Steiner C35?
srt-4_uk said:
That is the battery that comes with the unit.
Click to expand...
A 3400mah unit from the factory, I'm impressed, Steiner did their work on this, and to see these units selling right now for what DRT and SOK have them for, well that's what pushed me off the fence.
 
#669
Both thermals are made by GuideIR So the same tech is definitely available. You're giving Steiner too much credit though. That battery comes with it if you buy with a GuideIR label.

If you go look at GuideIR website, I'm willing to bet the new thermals they introduced will be what Burris replaces the current BTS/BTC with.
 
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#672
srt-4_uk said:
The S35 is great but it has some major drawbacks. The mount does not cantilever enough rearward to work well on a bolt gun. An optional $150 mount will fix that. The battery housing is so big that if you use an action with a 90° bolt throw, your bolt handle will hit the thermal (depending on rail height). I wish the menu buttons were more like the Burris thermal with just a wheel and button. It would make it much easier to navigate menus.

If you are putting it on and AR, it is an excellent thermal.
Click to expand...
Thanks, useful info.
 
#674
I attached a copy of the manual below. It does say to insert with proper polarity at the bottom of page 18.

...only one way to find out if they really meant it though. 🤣
 

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  • nighthunter_c35_manual.pdf
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#676
These are the batteries that I bought.
They are the same as what came with my C35.
Free shipping on 50 bucks.
www.18650batterystore.com

Panasonic NCR18650GA 3450mAh 10A Battery

We offer the lowest prices on original Panasonic NCR1865GA batteries. The Panasonic 18650 battery is considered one of the best unprotected 18650 batteries available on the market today. Shop now at 18650BatteryStore.com
www.18650batterystore.com www.18650batterystore.com
 
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#677
Gasgun said:
These are the batteries that I bought.
They are the same as what came with my C35.
Free shipping on 50 bucks.
www.18650batterystore.com

Panasonic NCR18650GA 3450mAh 10A Battery

We offer the lowest prices on original Panasonic NCR1865GA batteries. The Panasonic 18650 battery is considered one of the best unprotected 18650 batteries available on the market today. Shop now at 18650BatteryStore.com
www.18650batterystore.com www.18650batterystore.com
Click to expand...
Shit, that’s cheaper than the Imren versions I bought.
 
#679
twin_57_hound said:
Is there any way to tighten the rail clamp mount for the C35? I can feel a slight amount of play when I install it on my handguard pic rail.
Click to expand...
There are 4 screws on the bottom of the mount. You will have to wiggle the locking bar some to get full access to one side. Take them out and put some loctite on them when you reassemble
 
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#680
roostercogburn98 said:
There are 4 screws on the bottom of the mount. You will have to wiggle the locking bar some to get full access to one side. Take them out and put some loctite on them when you reassemble
Click to expand...
Ah, sorry I meant to tighten the clamp mount to the pic rail. I see the four screws under the C35 that the clamp mount installs into the C35 but I don't think this is where the play I feel from the C35 installed on my rail. When I install the c35 on another handguard pic rail it has no play at all.
 
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#681
twin_57_hound said:
Ah, sorry I meant to tighten the clamp mount to the pic rail. I see the four screws under the C35 that the clamp mount installs into the C35 but I don't think this is where the play I feel from the C35 installed on my rail. When I install the c35 on another handguard pic rail it has no play at all.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I haven’t had that issue with mine yet. I’d have to dig it out and look
 
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#683
twin_57_hound said:
Ah, sorry I meant to tighten the clamp mount to the pic rail. I see the four screws under the C35 that the clamp mount installs into the C35 but I don't think this is where the play I feel from the C35 installed on my rail. When I install the c35 on another handguard pic rail it has no play at all.
Click to expand...

Call Steiner, they will send you a new clamp/mount. Had one to me the next day.

Also, Make sure the two big bolts that hold the clamp plate and space together are tight. If not. It will cause lateral movement. They were loose on both mounts from the factory. So remove the mount with the 4 screws. Flip it over and tighten the two larger ones.

If the mount slides back and forth on the pic rail between the slots, Steiner will get you squared away. If your pic rails are on the small side then they didn't leave much room for extra clamping force. Replacement is the only fix. They have extra clamps and will get you one out same day. Customer service was awesome.
 
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#684
MOUNTIC said:
Call Steiner, they will send you a new clamp/mount. Had one to me the next day.

Also, Make sure the two big bolts that hold the clamp plate and space together are tight. If not. It will cause lateral movement. They were loose on both mounts from the factory. So remove the mount with the 4 screws. Flip it over and tighten the two larger ones.

If the mount slides back and forth on the pic rail between the slots, Steiner will get you squared away. If your pic rails are on the small side then they didn't leave much room for extra clamping force. Replacement is the only fix. They have extra clamps and will get you one out same day. Customer service was awesome.
Click to expand...
Sounds good!
I'll take a look at the mount by uninstalling it and checking over all the screws, and worse comes to worst I'll contact Steiner.
Thanks!

EDIT: What torque values should the screws be?
 
Last edited:
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#685
Pardon me if this has been asked. Is this unit capable of giving you live video feed of what your seeing via cord to a screen say can the supplied cord plug into a tv and supply live feed. I understand there is apps ect but I do not want any type of delay real time data.

Thank you
 
#686
Any of you gotten the steiner app to work on various Android based devices?

And when I stream the S35 over to an ipad it has no reticle at all... vs some videos online showing it only had a white reticle...

The S35 does also have a very ... "jumpy" visual effect when zooming in. It appears to be maintaining the point of aim within a couple pixels but it does look very disturbing when zoom is going up

Speaking of zoom... this only scrolling up/down by 0.1 at a time was a bad idea to my taste. It's too slow. This is basically going to be used with standard view and the PiP function for zoom. Would also be nice if you could adjust the zoom level for the PiP

Also speaking of zoom... there is some interesting scaling adjustments for zero at different magnifications that just don't make much sense to me yet... perhaps I need to read the manual a bit more thoroughly now, but certainly not the most intuitive experience

Dedicated scopes have their benefits over clip on units in some cases but steiner did a better job here making a clipon than making a scope... the software needs some refinement to get the scope up to being a better experience I think

That leads to the question does steiner have the ability built in to make major software updates to these without sending them in...

Think I'll be posting the S35 for sale or trade and see if I can get another C35 before our vendors here stop their discount.
 
#687
COTTON_00 said:
Pardon me if this has been asked. Is this unit capable of giving you live video feed of what your seeing via cord to a screen say can the supplied cord plug into a tv and supply live feed. I understand there is apps ect but I do not want any type of delay real time data.

Thank you
Click to expand...
So far I haven’t seen any noticeable delay using the app. I have ran my battery dead twice using mostly the app just to play with it while it was mounted on my tripod. I was scanning the fields around my house. It seems to keep up pretty good.

As for a cable to attach directly to a viewing device, there is a cable with a micro usb plug included. I understood it was for an external battery pack, but it might be capable of video as well. I run an iPhone so can’t plug it into my phone.
 
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#688
PlinkIt said:
Any of you gotten the steiner app to work on various Android based devices?

And when I stream the S35 over to an ipad it has no reticle at all... vs some videos online showing it only had a white reticle...

The S35 does also have a very ... "jumpy" visual effect when zooming in. It appears to be maintaining the point of aim within a couple pixels but it does look very disturbing when zoom is going up

Speaking of zoom... this only scrolling up/down by 0.1 at a time was a bad idea to my taste. It's too slow. This is basically going to be used with standard view and the PiP function for zoom. Would also be nice if you could adjust the zoom level for the PiP

Also speaking of zoom... there is some interesting scaling adjustments for zero at different magnifications that just don't make much sense to me yet... perhaps I need to read the manual a bit more thoroughly now, but certainly not the most intuitive experience

Dedicated scopes have their benefits over clip on units in some cases but steiner did a better job here making a clipon than making a scope... the software needs some refinement to get the scope up to being a better experience I think

That leads to the question does steiner have the ability built in to make major software updates to these without sending them in...

Think I'll be posting the S35 for sale or trade and see if I can get another C35 before our vendors here stop their discount.
Click to expand...
I don't know shxt from shinola about any of this stuff, but I did find one comment on opticsplanet that talked about the zero issue:

Wont hold zero, but that is "intended"​


by anthony, Verified Owner from IL, United States Written on August 16, 2022

So instruction book came with the zeroing procedure not filled out. Figured I'd guess at it. Had issue. Reached out to Steiner.

Support ticket with steiner in regards to it not holding zero.

"Steiner Optics Support on 8/16/2022 7:50 AM MST

Hello Anthony,

The profile only saves your zero at the zoom power you saved it at. If you need a different a zero you will need to save it in another profile. Sight in at the zoom you want to use. Changing the Zoom changes your point of impact."

Returning now.



Would recommend: No
7 of 11 found the following review helpful.
 
#689
dirtrich said:
I don't know shxt from shinola about any of this stuff, but I did find one comment on opticsplanet that talked about the zero issue:

Wont hold zero, but that is "intended"​


by anthony, Verified Owner from IL, United States Written on August 16, 2022

So instruction book came with the zeroing procedure not filled out. Figured I'd guess at it. Had issue. Reached out to Steiner.

Support ticket with steiner in regards to it not holding zero.

"Steiner Optics Support on 8/16/2022 7:50 AM MST

Hello Anthony,

The profile only saves your zero at the zoom power you saved it at. If you need a different a zero you will need to save it in another profile. Sight in at the zoom you want to use. Changing the Zoom changes your point of impact."

Returning now.



Would recommend: No
7 of 11 found the following review helpful.
Click to expand...
Yea I call BS on this one from what I saw

It's very disturbing to the eye how much the screen jumps around during zoom but with the scope sitting steadily it appears to stay within a couple pixels of zero based on where you stop.
Imagine a target makes up two pixels... it's on left pixel at a certain zoom level then as you increase zoom perhaps it falls to the pixels on the right of the item vs the one that was on the left.
What's disturbing is while changing zoom it appears to be bouncing around badly but when you stop adjusting zoom it falls back where it should be. I think it's an optical illusion more than an actual issue but I know people won't enjoy looking at it

Perhaps I'll get the unit back out the box and try to show what I am saying tonight
 
#692
srt-4_uk said:
My S35 and a buddy's S35 will hold zero when you zoom in. When zooming, it looks like the reticle is jumping though.
Click to expand...
^ is the same thing I was trying to say earlier
It looks really jerky / jumpy when adjusting zoom but it seems to put the cross where it's supposed to be whenever you let off the adjustment

Now did you guys happen to play with the other zero adjustments at each zoom level? Cuz I never tested anything on that
 
#693
dirtrich said:
Any idea what the useful life expectancy is on these (or any of the current thermals, actually) and how long factory support will be available on
this generation of Steiners (h,c, and s)?
Click to expand...
I think there are too many variables to answer that...

Only thing you know for sure is how long the warranty is

I've owned various units over ten years old, and heard of units over twenty years old
Then some of us break everything and manage to kill things before the warranty even runs out

Steiner could service them for years to come or drop us like It's hot the minute the warranty runs out...
 
#695
MOUNTIC said:
Call Steiner, they will send you a new clamp/mount. Had one to me the next day.

Also, Make sure the two big bolts that hold the clamp plate and space together are tight. If not. It will cause lateral movement. They were loose on both mounts from the factory. So remove the mount with the 4 screws. Flip it over and tighten the two larger ones.

If the mount slides back and forth on the pic rail between the slots, Steiner will get you squared away. If your pic rails are on the small side then they didn't leave much room for extra clamping force. Replacement is the only fix. They have extra clamps and will get you one out same day. Customer service was awesome.
Click to expand...
So I did remove the stock C35 mount and re-tighten the screws of the mount, 25 in/lb for the 2 larger screws to the two pieces of the mount and then 15 in/lb for the smaller screws into the body of the C35. I don't know if this is the correct torque amount but I didn't want to over-tighten the screws.
The clamp mount still has side-to-side play on my primary handguard, URX 4, but on other pic rail handguards it seems to be quite sturdy i.e. no play.
I contact Steiner today and they shipped out a new clamp mount to me, hopefully it fixes my issue.
Also if you know what torque values I should use please let me know.
 
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#696
roostercogburn98 said:
So far I haven’t seen any noticeable delay using the app. I have ran my battery dead twice using mostly the app just to play with it while it was mounted on my tripod. I was scanning the fields around my house. It seems to keep up pretty good.

As for a cable to attach directly to a viewing device, there is a cable with a micro usb plug included. I understood it was for an external battery pack, but it might be capable of video as well. I run an iPhone so can’t plug it into my phone.
Click to expand...
How far away from the device can one get before bad signal. And can the wifi of the device be used in areas of no service ie no cell service I'm assuming you need cell service for the steiner connect app to work?
 
#697
COTTON_00 said:
How far away from the device can one get before bad signal. And can the wifi of the device be used in areas of no service ie no cell service I'm assuming you need cell service for the steiner connect app to work?
Click to expand...
I haven’t tested distance yet. Usually it is just me out and I never think to see how far away I can get. I know it connects though wifi, so me being tech retarded I would assume it needs internet? Someone with some more up to date tech knowledge will surely chime in on that though.
 
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#698
roostercogburn98 said:
I haven’t tested distance yet. Usually it is just me out and I never think to see how far away I can get. I know it connects though wifi, so me being tech retarded I would assume it needs internet? Someone with some more up to date tech knowledge will surely chime in on that though.
Click to expand...
It's whats called a "peer to peer" wifi connection, where your phone connects to the thermal directly. It will disconnect your phone from any wifi network you might be connected to.
In some phones, you might have to take action to prevent your phone from automatically disconnecting from the thermal because the phone senses that the wifi connection doesn't connect to the internet.

I don't like the way the app works but it's probably the most reliable way of doing things.
 
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#699
COTTON_00 said:
How far away from the device can one get before bad signal. And can the wifi of the device be used in areas of no service ie no cell service I'm assuming you need cell service for the steiner connect app to work?
Click to expand...
Mine was good to 15-20 yards before video degraded and then connection cut out at about 20 yards. You shouldn’t need cell service. The unit creates a connection via wifi. Cell service is not in use for that
 
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