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

[pangris]

Until the Gen 2 has a real rail mount option, thr gen1 is better. I mean, it's a clip on, that's the whole purpose of having it. That scope bell mount thing is just not something that allows easily going from one gun to another. Jmo

There is the modification work around BUT you're limited to about a 34mm bell to slide under and 30mm much better

 

[cake5150]

Until the Gen 2 has a real rail mount option, thr gen1 is better. I mean, it's a clip on, that's the whole purpose of having it. That scope bell mount thing is just not something that allows easily going from one gun to another. Jmo

Agreed. I was excited about the gen 2 until I saw the hardware situation. I love the shit out of my gen 1 and use it every single week. That thing works great, has a killer image, and intuitive controls. I routinely shoot small moving targets and it does not miss a beat. For a thermal clip-on to hunt/shoot at reasonable distances, these are incredible. I don't miss my AN/PAS-13G in any way. I couldn't even tell you the last time I used the PVS-27 for real work, if that tells you anything. If Steiner can cram the usability of the C35 gen 1 into a smaller, lighter form factor with rail mount, an even better processor and screen while keeping the price reasonable, they will sell the absolute shit out of them. Super bonus points if they offer a version with 75-100mm focal length lens, demag on the rear end, and an integrated LRF (or at the very least a side rail for me to stick my Impact on if I need to).

 

[pangris]

fingers crossed for Gen 3 to not be overseen by some German that knows better

 

[tam4511]

So is the gen ii a good upgrade over the gen 1 or is there a better option around that 2-2500 dollar area ?

Or ZEISS DTC 3/25 ?​

Guide TA series. Guide makes all the Steiner and Burris thermals.

https://strictlyoffensivekit.com/collections/guide-sensmart

 

[Ape_Factory]

There is a rail mount coming in weeks. I know they're being made as we speak but don't know the final delivery date.

 

[DownRangeThermal]

FYI we are blowing out our gen 1 C35s for $2199 until they are gone. 10 left.

 

[noobinacan]

thanks for sharing.
better info here than Steiner...they have no clue.

 

[noobinacan]

wow! that's a good price!

FYI we are blowing out our gen 1 C35s for $2199 until they are gone. 10 left.

 

[srt-4_uk]

wow! that's a good price!

They were available straight from Steiner for $2k before a dealer bought them all to control the inventory and hike the price.

 

[Tall Pine]

Whats the going rate/lowest price seen for the gen2...new (or used).

 

[TheHebrewHammer]

I've seen a gen 2 pop up for under $1900. Have to be patient. With all the new 1024/1280 stuff coming out, 640s should be a dime a dozen in the next 2 years.

 

[pangris]

I'm blessed to have multiple thermal units - if I could only have one and was on a budget, I have to say the Steiner Gen 1 might be it. The Gen 2 problems with mounting - and make no mistake, they're problems - well, its like a really pretty woman, excellent personality, good job, has herpes. There is only one problem, but it is a doozy.

Are there any known issues with the Gen 1? Any consistent failures or warnings?

 

[srt-4_uk]

Are there any known issues with the Gen 1? Any consistent failures or warnings?

If you're good with a brick at the end of the gun, it works well.

 

[TheHebrewHammer]

I had to take off the QD mount and retighten it with some loctite. Only issue. Just need to regularly check your equipment before going out.

 

[Ape_Factory]

Got the temp mount in until the new one is released. Works well with the Steiner 2-12x42 which is on my 308 gas gun. My mount is 1.54" but I'll be switching over to a 1.5" with that scope.

I tried it on my POF P415 which has "optional" top pic railing. It opens up some possibilities due to there being more room for something like a flip to side type mount. You'd have to bolt it on but it'd be slick. Other than that, with a rail bolted down, my PA PLxC 1-8 is perfect with the PLX mount (1.5"). I have a One Hundred Concepts pro cap with flash hider and there is no room between the scope and the thermal. I can't tell that there's a flash hider when looking through it either. So that's the easy button

I'd likely just use the 1-8 on the 308 gasser but it's nice to have options. I have a neoprene shroud on the way as well. I'll try to get some better pics in the near future. Zooming in at 8X is not a problem at all, can barely see the screen pixels.






P415 gap.


w/flash hider in place


Gap without flash hider. If I clearance the mount, ever so slightly, I could get it flush.

 

[rlsmith1]

Curious how this works, Guide’s new 1280 clip on seems to use a similar mount but I don’t know if I’d want to hang all the weight off the ocular?

 

[Tall Pine]

Curious how this works, Guide’s new 1280 clip on seems to use a similar mount but I don’t know if I’d want to hang all the weight off the ocular?

I have wondered this myself how much flex could happen under recoil. The gen2 is a lot less weight than gen1 but it still seems awkward to have to hold the whole unit in place from one end.

 

[Ape_Factory]

The threaded ocular is actually fairly beefy. Add the adapter ring that screws over the top and it's pretty solid. But I hear you, if I were to design something. I'd at least have some sort of rubber foot support underneath at the front. But most of the weight on the Gen2 is at the back, not out front. Anyway...this is just a "I'm impatient" and want to get a mount. Waiting for the aftermarket mount, specifically designed for the Gen 2, to be released. Also...the scope adapters do the same thing, it's all on the ocular. But as is, it's definitely usable and actually kinda bad ass.

 

[tam4511]

Curious how this works, Guide’s new 1280 clip on seems to use a similar mount but I don’t know if I’d want to hang all the weight off the ocular?

The 1280s aren't there yet. The refresh rate is pretty bad on all of them.

 

[rlsmith1]

The 1280s aren't there yet. The refresh rate is pretty bad on all of them.

I never used the prior generation of thermals, but at least in a clip on I don't think I'd mind a 30hz refresh. Now for drone applications the 30hz would certainly be an issue

 

[tam4511]

I never used the prior generation of thermals, but at least in a clip on I don't think I'd mind a 30hz refresh. Now for drone applications the 30hz would certainly be an issue

When you are panning, and especially tracking a group of hogs on the run, you'll want atleast 50hz.

 

[rlsmith1]

When you are panning, and especially tracking a group of hogs on the run, you'll want atleast 50hz.

I'm a coyote guy so I try not to shoot them on the run hahaha