Monoculars

I don't have much time with a monocular. But their seem to be some good ones. I have a lot of time with spotting scopes and compared to binoculars, with good ones I can glass all day. That doesn't happen for me when using one eye with a spotter.

Maybe some light weight binoculars would help for one hand use. I'll spend the day with some smaller binos watching the birds and deer tomorrow one handed.

Doug

Thanks Doug.

Thanks again Doug. I appreciate it.

https://www.swfa.com/zeiss-8x20-designselection-monocular-1.html?___SID=U

Zeiss 8x20 monocular .... I wouldn't mine having one of these.

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger

Unfortunetely, there aren't a whole lot of high end monoculars with large enough objectives to be good in low light.

The best compact one is probably the Leica 8x20, and it is amazing for how good it is given the small size, but it is not exactly a low light monster.

Vortex used to make 10x50 and 15x50 monoculars. 10x50 was quite nice in low light, but naturally it is discontinued. 15x50 was a little hard for me to handhold for any length of time. They do have a 8x32 version that is adequate.

Honestly, the only monocular that I have been using with any regularity is the 7x25 in my Sig LRF and it is surprisingly good, but Leica and Swaro do have better optics in theirs.

Maybe something like this is worth considering?

https://www.swfa.com/leica-7x24-rangemaster-crf-2400-r-rangefinder.html?___SID=U

ILya

There are some compact spotting scopes that can be used as handheld monoculars when equipped with a straight eyepiece, but that is likely larger than what you are looking for.

Sig makes a 10-20x30 stabilized monocular, but I have not seen it.

www.darklordofoptics.com
Odyssee Video Channel

I have been using my Sig Kilo 1400 8x20 LRF for viewing. I can't hold steady with one hand. If a rest against something or use two hands it is acceptable, but not for long. The optics aren't too bad, either.

Doug

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Sparky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4323	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sparky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Monoculars Posted: January/17/2021 at 16:02
	Since I have a tremor in my right hand I was considering a monocular instead of a pair of binoculars. Looking for something with as good glass as I can get for final minutes of legal light and a wide FOV. Or is a good pair of binoculars going to out perform a good monocular? Any thoughts?

tahqua Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 8944	Post Options Post Reply Quote tahqua Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/18/2021 at 19:22
	I don't have much time with a monocular. But their seem to be some good ones. I have a lot of time with spotting scopes and compared to binoculars, with good ones I can glass all day. That doesn't happen for me when using one eye with a spotter. Maybe some light weight binoculars would help for one hand use. I'll spend the day with some smaller binos watching the birds and deer tomorrow one handed.
	Doug

tahqua Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 8944	Post Options Post Reply Quote tahqua Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/21/2021 at 11:14
	I have been watching the critters the last few days with binoculars and one handed. I have been using 10x42 Meopta and 7x42 Zeiss Dialyt. There is some shake and I can do it for short periods of time. I can't say a monocular would be any better, though.
	Doug

Sparky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4323	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sparky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/21/2021 at 21:25
	Thanks Doug.

tahqua Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 8944	Post Options Post Reply Quote tahqua Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/22/2021 at 13:46
	My only monoculars are a range finder and a night vision device. I could not use a monocular of their size for regular glassing. I spent some more time one handed glassing using the 10x42 Meopta, 7x42 Zeiss and added a 15x80 Steiner. For one handed viewing the 7x42 wins, hands down. The lower magnification helps reduce the effects of movement.
	Doug

Sparky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4323	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sparky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/22/2021 at 19:36
	Thanks again Doug. I appreciate it.

Urimaginaryfrnd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14745	Post Options Post Reply Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/22/2021 at 21:51
	I have had these several years and like them. The Zeiss monoculars are also ones you should consider. I don't do well with binoculars but this I like. https://www.swfa.com/vortex-8x32-recce-pro-hd-monocular.html?___SID=U
	"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger

Urimaginaryfrnd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14745	Post Options Post Reply Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/22/2021 at 22:00
	https://www.swfa.com/zeiss-8x20-designselection-monocular-1.html?___SID=U Zeiss 8x20 monocular .... I wouldn't mine having one of these.
	"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger

Sparky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4323	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sparky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/23/2021 at 16:07
	Thanks Wes!

koshkin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13081	Post Options Post Reply Quote koshkin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/24/2021 at 01:11
	Unfortunetely, there aren't a whole lot of high end monoculars with large enough objectives to be good in low light. The best compact one is probably the Leica 8x20, and it is amazing for how good it is given the small size, but it is not exactly a low light monster. Vortex used to make 10x50 and 15x50 monoculars. 10x50 was quite nice in low light, but naturally it is discontinued. 15x50 was a little hard for me to handhold for any length of time. They do have a 8x32 version that is adequate. Honestly, the only monocular that I have been using with any regularity is the 7x25 in my Sig LRF and it is surprisingly good, but Leica and Swaro do have better optics in theirs. Maybe something like this is worth considering? https://www.swfa.com/leica-7x24-rangemaster-crf-2400-r-rangefinder.html?___SID=U ILya There are some compact spotting scopes that can be used as handheld monoculars when equipped with a straight eyepiece, but that is likely larger than what you are looking for. Sig makes a 10-20x30 stabilized monocular, but I have not seen it.
	www.darklordofoptics.com Odyssee Video Channel

Sparky Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4323	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sparky Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/24/2021 at 22:18
	Thanks ILya! I was considering the Leica 8x20, but I like your idea of using a range finder.

tahqua Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 8944	Post Options Post Reply Quote tahqua Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/25/2021 at 08:22
	I have been using my Sig Kilo 1400 8x20 LRF for viewing. I can't hold steady with one hand. If a rest against something or use two hands it is acceptable, but not for long. The optics aren't too bad, either.
	Doug