Ross Steplite 7x30

Mfr: Ross, London, England

Date: circa 1950's?

AFOV: ~63 degrees

TFOV: ~9 degrees

Eye Relief: ~8mm

Prisms: Porro II

Serial Number: 126011

The Steplite is a relatively uncommon Porro II configuration 7x30.  Ross also made a 7x30 in the Porro I configuration, the Stepnada.  The Steplite's body is top heavy and does not stand up well.  However, I find it very comfortable to hold.  The particular sample shown has a deteriorating covering on the body.

The Steplite exhibits a fairly good optical image with a moderately wide field of view.  There is some astigmatism at the field edge and minor light leakages.  Compared to the Stepnada, the field of view is not quite as wide but seems to be flatter.  Also, although the eye relief is short, in practice it is comparable to the Stepnada's due to the much less recessed eye lens.  The eyepiece design is definitely different than the Stepnada's, with a convex vs. plano first surface on the latter.