I just bought a "bad to the bone" monocular

[Ray Johnson]

I have been doing research the past week in search of a good monocular for bowhunting. I hunt light and only carry a small fanny pack with me so binoculars are really not suited for me. I just bought a monocular from Amazon for under 50.00 that is absolutely fantastic. I cannot believe the quality that I got for this low price. I got a Wingspan Outdoorsman 8x42 and could not be happier. The image is bright,crisp, and clear. It has very easy one hand operation and is fairly compact. It is about 6" long and weighs around 11oz.
   At the exact same time, I bought 2 Vortex monoculars to compare and keep the best one. The Wingspan won hands down. It really wasn't even close and the Vortex cost 100.00 or more. Needless to say, I returned the Vortex and kept the Wingspan. BTW, the Vortex were a 8x36 Tactical and the 8x36 Solo.
   If anyone is thinking about trying a monocular, I think you will be very pleasantly surprised by the Wingspan. I highly recommend it and the one hand operation is a breeze, which is good for bowhunting.

 

[nineworlds9]

I'm going to look into this.  Would be a nice counterpart to my Nikon 10x42's.

[nineworlds9]

It looks an awful lot like an Alpen product, which if that is the case means it is great quality.

It does look quite large for a monocular though, but the field of view vs a standard sized monocular would be a plus.


***I visited their website.  Definitely looks like Alpen optics rebranded and marketed to birdwatchers.  Alpen stuff is awesome for the money.  Japanese glass.

[Ray Johnson]

It was a little bigger than the Vortex, mainly because the focus knob is raised. That is a plus though because it makes one hand operation very easy. The Vortex was impossible to focus with only one hand.
    It is still smaller than compact binoculars . Honestly, they look bigger in a pic than they actually are. I promise, I don't think anyone would be disappointed in this monocular.

[nineworlds9]

   

[Tim Finley]

I have a Vortex but I will take a look at that one I think the quality could be better on the one I have but for a hundred dollars  what can you expect in optics . If you took half of a Swarovski it would cost over a grand.

[Burnsie]

I have a Vortex and I have looked at the Wingspan you speak of on Amazon as well.  
I may have to give it a try, since you say it isn't as big as it looks in the picture.  That is what was holding me up was the perceived size.
You are correct the Vortex are almost impossible to focus one handed.  The focus ring is super stiff and hard to turn.

[Dry Creek]

Ray, can you take a picture of it in your hand for a size comparison?

Thanks
Craig

[Ray Johnson]

Can I post a pic from my phone? I'm not sure how to post a pic on this forum. I am on my phone.

[Ray Johnson]

If you give me your email address, I can send it that way. I don't think that I can post a pic directly from my phone.

[Ray Johnson]

I carry a small fanny pack and the compact binoculars that I used to have filled the pack up. This monocular fits much better because it is smaller and shaped in such a way that it just fits in the pack well.
    I will say again to all that are reading this. For 50.00, this is one fine optic. It will be perfect for my type of deer hunting in thick woods. It uses BA-K4 glass and is fully multi coated. The reviews on Amazon are very good and many of them are bird watchers.

[KodaChuck]

Ordered one....thanks. It appears to be just what I'm after....and you are tight...54 Amazon reviews all pretty positive. $49.99 delivered.

[Ray Johnson]

Chuck, I'm sure that you will be very happy with it. For the money, it is a great optic. Actually, as far as I'm concerned, comparing it to the Vortex, the Wingspan would be a good buy at 100.00 or even more.

[Steve Clandinin]

Ray I looked them over and decided to order one.its the 12X,with the little tripod it,ll replace my big spotting scope for many spot and stock applications here out west.Im getting to old to be hiking around a lot of extra weight. thanks for the info. Steve

[TURKEYFOOTGIRL]

My horse rolled down the mountain and snapped my binocs in half. Now I got a Brunton monocular I use from time to time..

[BAK]

If I were going out west I'd still prefer some good binos for glassing, however hunting in the thick stuff around here mono's with lower power, and high light gathering are just the ticket.

[creekwood]

Thanks for that information Ray.  I just popped for one based on your review.

[Ray Johnson]

I'm sure that all of you will be happy with it. For 50.00 the quality is excellent.