Any of you use a monocular?

[saltwatertom]

Instead of binoculars, I am considering a monocular. It is WAY cheaper for quality glass, and lighter, and more compact. I've never used one. It seems to be in line with the philosophy of  keeping it simple, like trad archery.

Any thoughts, or experiences??

[Wannabe1]

I have often thought of getting one myself. Will be interesting to see how this thread pans out. What model did you have your mind on?

[Roadkill]

I found mine too much trouble in locating game within the radius compared to binos.  Binos seem easier to find as they pointed quicker.  They, it, is smaller and lighter

[Oregon Okie]

Started using one some. I think I'm gonna like it. Sure nice to just stick it in a pocket. I'm still using binocs too so I guess I'm still deciding.

[bigbadjon]

I've got one of the small square Minox ones like they used in Stargate. It works ok but it is best suited if you aren't doing alot of glassing. I keep it in my pocket for when I'm hunting dense woods and just need a peek at something.

[saltwatertom]

I'm looking at a Vortex 10 x 30. Really inexpensive compared to my binos.

[Wandering Archer]

I've been wanting to get one for a while. No matter what binos I use, I can't get a single picture, it's so distracting when both eyes are separated...

[Muttly]

I,ve got an 8 power Vortex, light handy, easy to clip to a pack or find a pocket for it. Had it for a couple years, it has it,s positives, lot of times I catch myself wishing I had a little more power, miss the depth that I get with binocs. Next step in optics, probably try a pair of 10 power Leupold Mojaves.

[randy grider]

I like mine simply because it is half the weight, and bulk of Binos. Long hikes carrying lots of gear make you want to cut weights in any way possible.

[oldbohntr]

I have a Zeiss 5 power...good quality, but I don't like it much. Have tried some other monoculars, but I guandamntee you those pirates in the movies couldn't see crap through a hand held telescope on a moving ship!  If you can really see anything really clear when you're not using a good rest, you have better eyes than I do!

 Also have 8 x 20 Leitz binos-perfect size, but they aren't bright enough at last light. Tried 10 x 25 Zeiss with the same complaint. My best small glasses are 7 x 35 Swift Audubons and Vortex 6 x 32s. I go bigger when I can stand the weight, but a really good 6 or 7 power compact is my go-to hunting bino.  Reasonably small, light weight, great eye relief, great light gatherers, with especially clear, crisp views.  I'll suffer whatever to carry a glass like this.

[stykbow67]

I've got a Vortex Solo 10x25 and to be quite honest with you I went back to my Nikon travelites. My biggest issue was when you put it up to your eye you need to use both hands to spin the focus dial to me this defeats the purpose of using one. They are very light and easy to carry just not as "user" friendly as I had hoped for. I use them at work for patrolling power lines looking for damaged equipment now and they work great for that!

Steve

[ChuckC]

There are a bunch of smaller framed binoculars available in prices ranging from under $50 to a lot more.  Some have decent capabilities. I am not certain that any monocular would be easy on the eyes for long glassing sessions, so why not a small bino set ?  I routinely put them in a jacket pocket.  They are tools, meant for certain purposes.  They are not well designed for sitting and glassing all day, although I have done just that with my Nikon versions, but they are perfect for carrying around while deer hunting in the east or anywhere that you need to see, but at reasonable distances.

I myself just don't see the benefit of a monocular.
ChuckC

[meatCKR]

I have the vortex solo 10x25 as well.  And I will echo what stykbow67 and Roadkill have said.  It's nice and light but for me too difficult to get what you are trying to see in the sight picture.  Gonna go back to binos.

[ridge runner]

I use a6x zeiss and the the thing I like the most is I can pull them out and look and still keep my bow in my hand,

[German Dog]

Originally posted by stykbow67:
I've got a Vortex Solo 10x25 and to be quite honest with you I went back to my Nikon travelites. My biggest issue was when you put it up to your eye you need to use both hands to spin the focus dial to me this defeats the purpose of using one. They are very light and easy to carry just not as "user" friendly as I had hoped for. I use them at work for patrolling power lines looking for damaged equipment now and they work great for that!

Steve

I got the 8 power vortex and while it's good and clear glass...what stykbow67 said rings true.

[saltwatertom]

Great feed back guys, Thanks. Now I am starting to lean away from the monocular some. Two eyes defiantly give a better picture than one.

[old_goat2]

Yes, love my Vortex 10x. It's about all me and my wife carry hunting, scouting I carry regular binoculars but the monocular goes right in my pants pocket for hunting and it's light and not in my way!

 

[Hoyt]

I bought an inexpensive 8 x 25 and either I'm too far gone sight wise or it's not strong enough to do me any good.

[Burnsie]

Not good for extended periods of glassing, but in the whitetail woods they are just fine for taking a closer look at the clump of grass that looks like a bedded deer,  or check the headgear on an already located deer...etc

[Roadkill]

I sat on my binos for over 6 hours a day last week.  Actually found a bedded doe at 1.5 miles and a band of lopes at better than 2.5.  Each device has it's own application spectrum , so define your intended use before making your final decision.
Believe it or not, at artillery school, we had a class on adjusting and using binos, ---40+ years ago