![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
Monoculars |
Post Reply ![]() |
Author | |
Sparky ![]() Optics Master Extraordinaire ![]() Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4547 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ![]() MODERATOR ![]() ![]() Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9023 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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 ![]() MODERATOR ![]() ![]() Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9023 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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 ![]() Optics Master Extraordinaire ![]() Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4547 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Thanks Doug.
|
|
![]() |
|
tahqua ![]() MODERATOR ![]() ![]() Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9023 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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 ![]() Optics Master Extraordinaire ![]() Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4547 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Thanks again Doug. I appreciate it.
|
|
![]() |
|
Urimaginaryfrnd ![]() MODERATOR ![]() ![]() Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14961 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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. ![]() |
|
"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
|
![]() |
|
Urimaginaryfrnd ![]() MODERATOR ![]() ![]() Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14961 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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 ![]() Optics Master Extraordinaire ![]() Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4547 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Thanks Wes!
|
|
![]() |
|
koshkin ![]() MODERATOR ![]() ![]() Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13178 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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. |
|
![]() |
|
Sparky ![]() Optics Master Extraordinaire ![]() Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4547 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Thanks ILya! I was considering the Leica 8x20, but I like your idea of using a range finder.
|
|
![]() |
|
tahqua ![]() MODERATOR ![]() ![]() Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9023 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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
|
|
![]() |
|
CaptRedbeard ![]() Optics GrassHopper ![]() ![]() Joined: December/11/2018 Location: Nevada Status: Offline Points: 22 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I know it has been a while and you no doubt have made your decision. Yet I thought I would toss my 2 cents in.
I have tried many monocular over the past 60 years and I have never found one that will provide the quality of view that a decent pair of binoculars can. That said, I wondered what you use was for a monocular? Spotting scopes are great but normally need a tripod to get steady views, and I have one that works well, like others have said, with a straight lens. I also own a small spyglass, like the ones used on ships or by my relatives, the pirates. lol That unit is best braced on a tree limb or some part of my vehicle to keep it steady. I suppose I have to come back to the "what are you doing with it" question. it is the same question we all ask about binoculars. BTW, a good SLR with a nice zoom lens works good in many situations. I hope you have found a great solution and that you are glassing at will. Rev. |
|
Never forget your binos.
|
|
![]() |
|
tahqua ![]() MODERATOR ![]() ![]() Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9023 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hey CaptRedbeard, is that the Whitefish Point Lighthouse?
|
|
Doug
|
|
![]() |
|
CaptRedbeard ![]() Optics GrassHopper ![]() ![]() Joined: December/11/2018 Location: Nevada Status: Offline Points: 22 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I wish I knew! It is a stock picture that Opticstalk provided. Very fuzzy. I've got a new one of Pigeon Point lighthouse I will be posting soon. It is one of my favorites.
|
|
Never forget your binos.
|
|
![]() |
|
CaptRedbeard ![]() Optics GrassHopper ![]() ![]() Joined: December/11/2018 Location: Nevada Status: Offline Points: 22 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I just looked it up Doug and I think you are correct.
|
|
Never forget your binos.
|
|
![]() |
|
tahqua ![]() MODERATOR ![]() ![]() Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9023 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I'm down from Whitefish Point. It's a great area with few people.
|
|
Doug
|
|
![]() |
Post Reply ![]() |
|
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions ![]() You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |