Steiner · Nighthunter S35 Gen II

Estimated range, standing human, clear air

IdentifyRecognizeDetectBox claim

Steiner Nighthunter S35 Gen II640×512 · 12 µm · 35 mm

112 m identify182 m recognize729 m detectbox says 1,830 m (coyote/pig ('over 2,000 yards'; recognition 500 yd))

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Estimated from pixel pitch and lens focal length using the Johnson criteria (2, 8 and 13 pixels across a 0.5 m human critical dimension), clear air, 50 % probability. A model of the optics, not a measurement — real range depends on temperature contrast, humidity and the animal.

Steiner

Steiner Nighthunter S35 Gen II

Riflescope640-class

The Steiner Nighthunter S35 Gen II is a 640×512, 12 µm thermal riflescope behind a 35 mm lens. On the Johnson yardstick that is an estimated 729 m detection and 182 m recognition range for a standing person; Steiner quotes 1,830 m detection (coyote/pig ('over 2,000 yards'; recognition 500 yd)). The box figure is 2.5× the Johnson estimate — a narrower gap than most of the 60 claims recorded here.

Approx. price: ~$4,600
Sensor: 640×512 · 12 µm
Lens: 35 mm · 1×
Est. detection: 729 m · 797 yd

Best for

A dedicated night rifle for hogs and coyotes inside about 150 yards

We may earn a commission. Price and availability on Steiner’s site may differ.

Box claim vs. what the optics support

Manufacturer says

1,830 m

detection, coyote/pig ('over 2,000 yards'; recognition 500 yd)

Johnson estimate

729 m

detect · 182 m recognize · 112 m identify

Claim ÷ estimate

2.5×

how much further the box reaches than a 2-pixel, 0.5 m criterion

One pixel of this unit sees 0.343 mrad (12 µm ÷ 35 mm). Two pixels across a 0.5 m human is 0.5 ÷ (2 × 0.343) × 1000 = 729 m. The box figure is usually computed against a person’s 1.8 m height instead, which is why it comes out higher. Full explanation.

Specifications

Manufacturer-published figures, cross-checked against steiner-optics.com page (item 9526, MSRP $4,599.99) + Steiner S35 Gen II manual (1x base, 'digital' system magnification with no max stated; 2x 18650).

Sensor: 640×512
Pixel pitch: 12 µm
NETD: <30 mK
Refresh rate: 50 Hz
Lens: 35 mm
Base magnification: 1×
Field of view: 12.5° horizontal
Display: 1280x960 OLED
Claimed detection: 1,830 m
Claim basis: coyote/pig ('over 2,000 yards'; recognition 500 yd)
Run time: 9 h
Battery type: 18650
Weight: 16.2 oz
Length: 4.7″
Laser rangefinder: No
Ballistic calculator: No
Records video: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
IP rating: waterproof (no IP code published)
Warranty: 2 years
Approx. price: ~$4,600

Derived here

IFOV: 0.343 mrad
Est. detection: 729 m
Est. recognition: 182 m
Est. identification: 112 m
Claim ÷ estimate: 2.5×
Derived field of view: 12.5°
Pixels per degree: 51.1

Features

640 sensor
12 µm
35 mm lens
50 Hz
Removable battery
Records video
Wi-Fi
Under 20 oz
waterproof (no IP code published)
OLED display

What the spec sheet says

Read from the published specifications and this catalog’s own numbers — not from owner reports, which we have not collected for this unit.

For it

640×512 core — 3.0× the pixels of a 384-class unit
12 µm pitch — the 35 mm lens sees what a 17 µm core would need 50 mm to match
Runs on 18650 cells you can swap in the field
9 h published run time, 11th-longest of 64 here
16.2 oz — 4th-lightest of the 36 riflescopes here
Records video and streams to a phone over Wi-Fi
Detection claim is only 2.5× our estimate — one of the more conservative box figures here

Against it