Anyone use a monocular?

[ÜberFly]

If so can you reco a specific brand I should be looking at (vortex, leica, ziess) and anything specific I should look for as far as features (no puns intended)?

Looking to lighten my load for hiking/backpacking.


8 x 36ish

Thanks in advance.

P

[Bergerboy]

Originally Posted by ÜberFly

Looking to lighten my load for hiking/backpacking.

8 x 36ish

If so can you reco a specific brand I should be looking at (vortex, leica, ziess) and anything specific I should look for as far as features (no puns intended)?

Thanks in advance.

P

Yeah I have a Vortex. They suck to use compared to bins. Save your money.

[dewalt18]

Vortex solo 10x36. Since I had an eye injury back in 05, binos were a waste of weight and money. Love the solo, on my third. One got lost, one destroyed in the flood. After the first one I was sold on them, didn't even shop for something after the flood. Walked into wholesale, straight to the optics counter, and I'll take one of those please!

[lannie]

Originally Posted by Bergerboy

Yeah I have a Vortex. They suck to use compared to bins. Save your money.

I have a Vortex mono too I use at an indoor pistol range for checking targets. Would never use it outdoors either. If you are looking to decrease weight carried I think dieting is the best bet. Bring the Binos when you are out enjoying the back country. You are out to see things so don't make compromises there.

[Sushi]

I have a vortex solo 10 x 36 which I like. Good value. It was around a 100 bucks and the glass is not bad. I really like the rubberized housing. I may upgrade in time but it works for now. The primary reason I prefer it over binos is that I'm blind in one eye so binos are a waste of money and extra bulk for me.

[sillyak]

Blind in one eye or have vision problems I can see it, but I have looked through a few and binos are far superior. Lots of high end compact travel binos if small and light are the main requirements.

Since you mentioned Leica, a 10x25 trinovid is lighter than the Vortex monocular the other posters mentioned.

[Selkirk]

There's no question, or argument that quality binos are better (I have them). But when I'm hunting 'ultra light and simple' (which I much prefer), a good quality mono has always worked just fine for me.

Let the arrows of the righteous optical freaks fly!

Mac

[wolf308]

Yeah. Not very good. Keep mine handy in my truck for the rare times I need it then

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by MacLeod

There's no question, or argument that quality binos are better (I have them). But when I'm hunting 'ultra light and simple' (which I much prefer), a good quality mono has always worked just fine for me.

Let the arrows of the righteous optical freaks fly!

Mac

Agree. For the last few years I carry a Leica 1200 Range finder. Excellent glass and range finder all in one. For all the folks that think Binos are better, I will bet 90% of you don't see anything out of your non-dominant eye. To test, look through binos, then close one eye at a time. Ten to one the picture and clarity won't change at all when you close your non-dominant eye. This tells you the second barrel is giving you no value.

As far as glass goes, Leica can't be beat for clarity, colour rendition and light transmission. There is cheaper glass that is pretty good but if you want the best go with Leica.

[waterninja]

I have a couple mono's and use them all the time while hunting or fishing. Love them. Of course there not as good as my bino's, but are still very handy. I noticed that Cabbelas has them for 12.00 each. Can't go wrong at that price.

[Lefty-Canuck]

I think Dr. Evil has one.

LC

[MadMarty911]

I switched to a Bushnell with a ranging reticle. Much better than binos in my opinion

[V_1]

I also use Vortex Solo with mildot, all the time I'm in the field with a rifle scope with no such reticle.

[Tom Pullings]

I use a vortex solo 8x25. It was fairly cheap and it's easy to pack around.