Monoculars, anyone use 'em/know about them??

Ultimate

Ultimate

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Jul 5, 2009
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Interested in monoculars. Requirements: Under $100, Not too large/bulky, effective, easy to look through ie. good objective/bright image. Any recommendations? Thanks.
 
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Looked seriously at this a couple years ago. Ended up with mini binocs. However, reconsidering now, and I have to say, the miniquick got my attention. Everything else is just alright, unless you go for the really nice porro prism monocular.

Zero
 
luger.jpg

Not exactly your budget, but I recently added this 20€ luger monocular to my EDC bag. Doesn't weight at all and doesn't take space. It's spotting kind, so it's not the best neighbour stalking tool. The picture is ok for my needs.
 
there was much encouragement from various forums when I was looking for a monocular to get the Zeiss Miniquick

On paper it is a no-brainer

Phoned a few shops to see if they had stock, and those that did warned me off it.

I picked up a Minox in the end, much bigger, but really that Zeiss felt to me like it would fall apart in my pocket
 
Noddy said:
there was much encouragement from various forums when I was looking for a monocular to get the Zeiss Miniquick

On paper it is a no-brainer

Phoned a few shops to see if they had stock, and those that did warned me off it.

I picked up a Minox in the end, much bigger, but really that Zeiss felt to me like it would fall apart in my pocket
Click to expand...


oddly, i have felt the same way about zeiss binoculars i have handled.

i ended up with leica 8x20's, mainly because they just felt more durable.
 
Noddy said:
there was much encouragement from various forums when I was looking for a monocular to get the Zeiss Miniquick

On paper it is a no-brainer

Phoned a few shops to see if they had stock, and those that did warned me off it.

I picked up a Minox in the end, much bigger, but really that Zeiss felt to me like it would fall apart in my pocket
Click to expand...

If you're willing to go with the size, that thing is nice. Probably will eventually get one- even though I don't really have a need, it's so nice, I probably will get one eventually.

Zero
 
Noddy said:
I picked up a Minox in the end, much bigger, but really that Zeiss felt to me like it would fall apart in my pocket
Click to expand...
How do you like the Minox? And which model did you get?

MORIMOTOM said:
i ended up with leica 8x20's, mainly because they just felt more durable.
Click to expand...
How do you like the Leica? Scratch that, the Leicas are ~$500!!

And I just wanted something for general purpose viewing. Something that was reliable that I could take with me anywhere. Traveling, golfing, camping, hiking, vacation etc. The most important aspect for me is the glass quality. I hate looking through poor optics whether in binos, rifle optics, or spotting scopes.
 
Noddy said:
Phoned a few shops to see if they had stock, and those that did warned me off it...that Zeiss felt to me like it would fall apart in my pocket
Click to expand...

I've been carrying a Zeiss Miniquick in my front pants pocket for four or five years. While it's certainly light weight (.75 oz.) it quite tough. I love mine and use it frequently. Because of its size and shape (about the same as a Sharpie Marker) you'll always have it with you when you need it. Look for reviews and you'll see that it's highly regarded by those who own them.
 
The Zeiss Mini-quick is a specialized tool, too specailized for me. ;)

A larger Monocular is much more functional if you wear glasses and it's a whole light brighter with a better Field Of View. Check Ebay for a gently used Zeiss 4x or 6x. More then 6X and you can't hold it steady and loose too much image quality.
 
I have the Zeiss too and if you don't hold it just right and rock steady it's hard to get a good 'picture' through it with your eye.

I have an older Leica range finder monocular (lots bigger though) and it's view through the optics is so good I use it instead of binoculars a lot.
 
I've bought a monocular a long time ago and found it to be almost useless. It's extremely hard to hold steady. Small binocs are the way to go and offer a better field of view. Some people might find a monocular to be a good bit of gear, but it would probably be for a very specialized usage.
 
I'm more apt to have a monocular with me then bins, even small ones. Regarding FOV, bins only work better if you have good vision in both eyes ... :(
 
Of course binoculars are better. They are also bulkier and heavier. I have binoculars of various sizes. Even the smallest stays in the car. With all the other things I carry, I can't afford to add binoculars. The Zeiss Miniquick weighs 3/4 ounce and is as easy to carry as a Sharpie marker. Not only does it go with me in the woods, but it also goes to the mall and museum. Why not? It weighs nothing, and I might use it to check a distant street sign or the price of gas several blocks down the road.

The Miniquick does take a careful hold. There's not much mass to steady it. By pressing a portion of the holding hand against your face, it steadies nicely though. The quality of the Zeiss glass is amazing. The sharpness/resolution of optics is more important magnification. Would I rather be looking though a pair of binoculars? Sure. But not enough to carry them.
 
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