When you’re ready to take that leap of technological faith, you’ll find that the combination of Steiner’s ePredator 8 riflescope and ePredator LRF 10×42 binos changes everything regarding easy firing solutions and successful long-range game stalking and recovery
by David Kelley
As most of us have experienced, unique equipment will always generate friendly chat amongst fellow shooters when the firing line is cold. In addition to the usual and expected suppressor questions that I previously covered for Shoot ON readers, another that I clearly recall is, “That’s a lot of electronics on your bench — do you trust all of it?”
The comment was directed at my battery-powered optic (illuminated reticle and internal heads-up-display), an open phone app, and a chronograph near the suppressed rifle’s muzzle that doesn’t take up more bench space than a modern cellular telephone.
That curiosity-driven inquiry got me thinking about the history of many electronic devices that have rapidly developed over the last century. At every turn, these tech-driven items have become significant parts of our daily routines at home and in the workplace, and an equal amount of technology has thoroughly bled over into the outdoor sports.
Several immediately come to mind: very compact and portable chronographs, accurate ballistic applications, wind meters, and other devices used to measure atmospheric conditions, as well as electronics that digitally record shot placement to a small screen in lieu of walking downrange. Some of the most recent advancements involve integrating electronics directly into firearms optics.
Adding electronic features to optics is not a new trend. Red dot sights have existed since Aimpoint introduced its first in 1975, half a century ago. Since then, we have seen innovation continue forward, from zero magnification optics to illuminated riflescope reticles and now, the most recent, ballistic apps communicating with a riflescope via Bluetooth connection, with data displayed inside the optic. Laser range-finding capabilities have also shifted from a standalone item to be included in the function of premium binoculars.
Announced during SHOT 2025, the Steiner 3-24x50mm ePredator 8 riflescope and 10x42mm ePredator LRF binoculars use a downloadable app to program an elevation dial and mark the location of a target. The Steiner Connect 2.0 app pairs ballistic data to the ePredator 8 riflescope and provides mapping functions on the app through the ePredator LRF. This enhances precision and reduces the time between ranging distances and putting a bullet on target.
Here is an overview of features, functions, and first experiences with the ePredator 8 scope and ePredator LRF binoculars.
Steiner 3-24x50mm ePredator 8
The Steiner ePredator 8 riflescope moves forward with the stellar composition and glass quality of the time-tested Predator 8 series by incorporating an exceptionally user-friendly program in which the Steiner Connect 2.0 app feeds your ballistic data to the optic’s system. Once the app is downloaded, rifle zeroed, and data trued, a heads-up display shows the yardage at which your elevation dial is set.
For those who are not tech wizards, do not fret. A basic instruction is to download the Steiner Connect 2.0 app and pair it with your optic. Then, select a factory load or manually input bullet data and velocity inside the app menu. That data will next be uploaded to the scope. This app also provides a location setting to provide the optic with information that can influence external ballistics, such as temperature, altitude, and barometric pressure.
Next, the initial operation of the ePredator 8 does not differ from any other riflescope you’ve used in the past. Take a steady rest, fire your shots, and zero as usual. Once your group is centered, loosen two small set screws to move the elevation dial back to “0” without shifting your group, then snugly retighten. At that point, ensure your zero distance is correctly set in the app and search through the optic’s menu to reset zero. Now, your dial will be at the zero-stop, and the heads-up display should read the yardage at which you just zeroed the rifle. As you turn the elevation dial while looking through the scope, you will see the digital readout change for yardage as you turn. Also, the heads-up display shows the ammunition title, a level, the amount of elevation dialed, and the last distance measured with the ePredator binoculars.
Tracking? Tracking.
Steiner 10x42mm ePredator LRF
Complementing the riflescope is the ePredator LRF binocular that reads fast and accurate distances and feeds the last three measured ranges into the ePredator 8 scope’s display. The portion of the app specific to the binoculars uses Google Maps satellite imagery that can be downloaded prior to leaving dependable cell reception areas. When the laser hits its mark, a pin is dropped on the map, distance is displayed, and a straight line from the user’s position to the target is marked. The app will also track the user’s movement in relation to the pin.
As expected from a company with a reputation for true quality, the ePredator LRF glass is sharp, and the rangefinding capabilities are nothing short of impressive. These binoculars were nearly perfect after “Modify Declination Value” was selected in the app. Earth is round, and a map is flat; adjusting the declination calibrates the magnetic azimuth of the binoculars to the grid direction of a flat map.
I repeatedly measured leafed treelines from 2,000 to 2,400 yards away — the furthest line-of-sight readily available in my neighborhood. Again, the setup is simple. It was a matter of pairing the binoculars to the app, then pressing “Modify Declination Value.” A CR123 battery powers the binoculars — the same battery used for the ePredator riflescope.
It’s not in the interest of reading time or space to include every minute detail of operation, but know that if you can navigate through the menu of your vehicle’s dashboard, you can figure this system out easier than it may be to read it. A menu button surrounded by four directional buttons are used to navigate through the riflescope functions. Two buttons operate the LRF binos. It is not complicated once you have the items in hand and operate them for a few minutes.
Range Tested
To confirm a solid zero with minimal wind variables, I opted to zero at 100 yards. While zeroing, I manually input the velocity of factory-loaded Hornady Black 155-gr. A-Max ammo. A Garmin Xero chronograph provided an average velocity of 2765 fps for the .308 Winchester with a Dead Air Nomad Ti XC suppressor.
After uploading that data to the ePredator scope, I turned the dial straight to the 500-yard readout, held the second-focal-plane illuminated E3 reticle just off the left edge of the 10-inch plate to compensate for a light wind, and gently squeezed the Bergara’s TriggerTech trigger. “Thwunk!” A hit in the bottom half of the target sent the plate into a swing. I followed this up with several additional shots. Repeated impacts followed.
Working back at progressively closer distances yielded equal success. Hits at 400, 300, and 200 were all satisfying. This session proved that the system works with proper data inputs. Feed the app good information, and good results are on target. If not using a chronograph, slight tweaks to velocity or ballistic coefficient in the app will close the margins between projected data and real-world results.
While the barrel was cooling, I opened the Steiner Connect 2.0 app and hit a few backstops with the ePredator LRF laser. As before, the pins dropped on the map were very close to the laser impact point.
The Why
It’s common to glass with binos, set them down, switch to a separate rangefinder, refer to a hard card or ballistic program for trajectory, and then turn the elevation dial to the required correction before firing. Systems like the Steiner ePredator and Steiner Connect 2.0 simplify the process. The way forward is to glass and measure with the LRF, shoulder the gun, dial elevation, and fire.
Aside from pairing directly with the scope, I can also think of other valuable uses for the ePredator LRF. The pins dropped on the Google Map give reference points for where a target or animal was when shot to increase chances of quick recovery. The map function also allows marking an animal or reference points before a stalk, improving the odds of staying on course during a longer movement.
Conclusions and Forewarnings
The ePredator 8 is a top-of-the-line scope with its 8x magnification range, 34mm tube, second focal plane illuminated reticle, and crisp parallax adjustment. The LRF binoculars are a perfect addition to the system.
With that said, ensure that you follow all state hunting regulations pertaining to electronic devices and validate the data before taking the ePredator optic to the field. Though the system works, you owe it to yourself and the animal to only use technology to increase the speed of shot calculations, not as a crutch for a lack of external ballistics knowledge.
Through recent use of these items, I’ve come to a conclusion — I like them and have a use for them. For those unwilling to accept or trust the technology, don’t let it be because you fear operation and lack understanding. If I can figure out how to operate these tools, most anyone can.
Steiner ePredator 8 Specifications
- Magnification: 3-24x
- Finish: black
- Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
- Focal Plane: second focal plane
- Tube Diameter: 34mm
- Field of View: 126m – 16m @ 100 meters
- Eye Relief: 3.7 in.
- Exit Pupil: 85mm – 20mm
- Length: 376mm (14.8 in.)
- Weight: 960g (2.116 lbs.)
- Diopter Adjustment Range: -3 to +2
- Wind/Elevation Click Value: .25 MOA
- Parallax/Focus: side focus
- Parallax/Focus Range: 20 yds. to infinity
- Nitrogen Filled: yes
- Operating Temperature Range: -13 to 145 Fahrenheit
- Waterproof/Fogproof: submersible to 1 m
- Warranty: 10 years
- MSRP: $3,295.99
Steiner ePredator LRF Specifications
- Magnification: 10x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 42mm
- Finish: black
- Ranging Distance: 15 – 3,000 meters (16.5 to 3,281 yds.)
- Focus System: fast-close focus
- Optics System: fully multi-coated
- Nitrogen Filled: yes
- Weight: 900 grams (1.984 lbs.)
- Special Features: stores up to three previous measurements
- MSRP: $1954.99
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