I recently got a Sightron 7x28 monocular with milliradian markings for measurement that I throw in my pack. Does anyone here keep like a small set of binoculars or a monocular in their daily kits for sightseeing and whatnot?
I keep a Minox MD 6x16 monocular in my daily edc bag. I have been looking at the Pentax 4x20 WP as a possible upgrade.
I keep an inexpensive Simmons 8x21 monocular at home and use it to look out the window at animals and objects in my back field. I used to carry it with me as an EDC tool, but didn't use it often enough to justify the pocket space.
I have a Vortex 10x25 monocular that usually rides in the center console of my truck, but occasionally goes in the EDC pack. I paid about $60 and it’s pretty compact, with decent glass (considering the price). Being so small with a 10x magnification, it usually requires both hands to hold it steady enough to get a good picture. I think Vortex makes an 8x version, which would be the one I would get if I had to do it over. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have a lightweight, inexpensive monocular that I keep in my EDC bag and a Vortex (Solo, I think) that stays in a bag in my vehicle. I don’t know that I would have enough need to justify the cost of a good quality, lightweight monocular or binoculars, but my aging eyes have made me consider it.
Normal shaky hands with lightweight,portable optics is definitely a problem. First time always makes you feel like you have no control over your muscles. Had for 30 bucks or so a Kenko 15-50x21 mono and while the image quality was quite decent(no aberrations), it was dim if the skies aren't clear and your view just magnifies how much your hands are shaking. It even provided a tripod mounting thread because a tiny monocular on a tripod isn't the most ridiculous thing ever. Still fun to lend people and see them start doubting the muscular functions of their arm(I'm talking adolescent students by the way). Letting the scope "free-float" relative to the eye seem to have some positive effect though.
There was a time in my life... for about 6 years before the recession hit back around 2007~8 etc., when I was involved with home remodeling sales etc. Had a pair of binoculars for reading addresses on houses that were at the end of a long drive.. said homes too often did not have clear markings near the street believe it or not. That ended of course. No longer keep the binoculars in the car -- don't need them. I have had contractors come out to look at my house and often they have binoculars so they can take a look at a roof or gutters from ground level. Am Yisrael Chai! Moshe ben David
Monoculars for me: Zeiss 5x10 Miniquick - pricey for what feels like a Crackerjacks prize, but it’s optically excellent and the only one that makes the cut for my 12L EDC bag. Also have a Pentax 8x30 (great quality) and Vortex 10x25 (meh), but for that toilet paper roll size, a stove/bar/heater combo is more useful.
They do make an 8x36. I used to carry the Vortex 8x36 Solo monocular in my pack every day. Worked on the 4th floor of a building downtown and very often the police would be on one of the side streets or alleys dealing with some manner of civil disturbance or another. The monocular was useful for getting a better look at what was going on to determine if we could leave for lunch or if we needed to stay in the building. We've since moved to a different location and I no longer need the monocular, so it sits in the gear closet at home. EDIT: monocular is 8x36, not 8x32.
The 8x version is easier to see out of due to the way lenses and magnification work. It's called 'exit pupil.' Basically, a bigger exit pupil lets more light through the device and into your eye, making the image appear brighter. Exit pupil is calculated as the objective lens size divided by the magnification power. So, the 10x25 monocular is 25mm objective lens / 10x magnifcation, giving you an exit pupil of 2.5. The 8x36 however is a 36mm objective / 8x magnification, for an exit pupil of 4.5. So you're getting a lot more light coming through the 8x36, which is why the image appears brighter. Something to keep in mind when you're researching and comparing optics in the future.
I carried a Bresser 10x25 monocular for many years in my EDC bag - rarely made use of it like when hiking. Thanks for this thread, it makes me consider re-adding it.
I carry a vintage Bushnell 7x18 wide angle pair. I also keep a Bushnell NVD in my bag. I keep a Flir Scout in the truck
I have a nice one in my car emergency kit and a less expensive one in my hiking/outdoor range backpack.
For light packing, there are a number of good options out there in binoculars. When you're talking about objective optics (the front end), 32 mm or 25 mm is the way to go. I wouldn't go higher or lower. For magnification, 8x mm is a very good balance. Generally I wouldn't go higher than 10x mm. My first set of reasonably good binoculars started with a pair of Nikon Travelite V @ 9x25 mm. Great clarity, sharpness, and focusing. Diopter has firm detents. The FOV (field of view) is nearly 300 ft at 1,000 yds. For most purposes, the FOV is super important. When narrow, it's like looking through narrow tubes. When wide, you have a pleasing view that's easy on the eyes. The higher the magnification, the much larger the objective lens required to provide a comfortable FOV. Also, with a large objective lens, more light comes in that helps with brightness, color perception, and low light performance. Also, higher magnification requires a much steadier hand. 12x mm is about the limit--you really can't go higher without a mounting point / tripod. The Travelite V 9x25 mm are pretty affordable, and at times you can pick them up used for nearly 50% off. This is a photo from an auction (haven't taken a photo of mine yet). The body has a rubberized coating that is holding up reasonably well for nearly 20 years. Most thin rubber coated things I've seen at this age get tacky/sticky. My second set of binos was a pair of Simmons 7x42 mm. Moderately large and hefty. I got them as a gift. The brand used to be made in Japan, now I think it's China and mostly lower tier quality from what I've read. FOV is 336 ft. Good brightness, coloration, and center focus clarity. Edge-to-edge clarity is decent. But they're a bit heavy to carry around on a regular basis. I use them mostly surveying from a home window or back yard. I guess I'm lucky to have an older Japan model. Almost got rid of them as the shiny black plastic pieces you see below were coated in a rubberized material that went horribly sticky. Some alcohol swabs and rubbing for about 30 mins and I was able to get rid of most of it. Also purchased some aftermarket objective lens caps, the kind with a securing loop. Excellent quality pliable rubber, well worth the $6.50 from Amazon! My third set is another pair of Nikon Travelite binos, this time the VI model in 12x25 mm. The magnification is impressive. Something rather empowering having 12x in your hand. But it's a challenge to keep steady. I really think if you're doing an outing where you'll be using binoculars a lot, you get something like an 8x or 9x with decent FOV and then when you want to get in close on something in particular, take out the smaller 12x25 mm. Sort of like the "sharp shooter bino." The Travelite VI is a nice evolution from the V. There's a good rubberized faux-leather grip. Porro prism, but in this size it doesn't become unwieldy. In fact, the stance makes it easier to hold than a comparable roof prism. I picked mine up sold as "refurbished" for $55 about 6 years ago. Today they go for $130 new.
