Top of the line monocular.

T

Triq

Joined
Oct 1, 2009
Messages
351
I am in the market for a small but high end monocular and was wondering what my options are? Im not real familiar with optics so i'm looking for a little advice.

Regards,
Triq
 
"Small" and "high end" = Zeiss Miniquick. It's 5X and incredibly sharp. It's about the size of a Sharpie marker and weights a mere 3/4 ounce. It's form factor makes it very easy to have with you. $125-$150.
 
Scott Free said:
"Small" and "high end" = Zeiss Miniquick. It's 5X and incredibly sharp. It's about the size of a Sharpie marker and weights a mere 3/4 ounce. It's form factor makes it very easy to have with you. $125-$150.
Click to expand...

Just what I was going to suggest. The one detractor is the lack of a twist-up eye cup for eye relief, but you can't have everything I suppose! :D
 
Pardon me for mentioning a "low end" optic, but I have 2 of the Eagle Optics Insight 7x18 Monoculars, and am about to order another for one of my sons. $39 shipped. The form factor is different than the Zeiss (shorter, fatter), but the 7x18 optics are excellent and quite handy. I keep one in my Man Sack. You get adjustable eye relief for different users as well.

For you guys who recommend the Zeiss, are the optics really that much better than a "low end" monocular, or are you mostly paying for the form factor?

thanks
 
They definitely are. The question is if it's worth it to you or not. ;)
 
powernoodle said:
For you guys who recommend the Zeiss, are the optics really that much better than a "low end" monocular, or are you mostly paying for the form factor? thanks
Click to expand...

Good question, and one im interested in as well. BTW the only reason that i said high end is because i like buying quality once. If there are cheaper optics that are well built and and of good durable quality im all for checking them out. thanks for the responces so far guys.
 
powernoodle said:
For you guys who recommend the Zeiss, are the optics really that much better than a "low end" monocular, or are you mostly paying for the form factor?
Click to expand...

Both. The Zeiss IS amazingly sharp. Sometimes it's fun to look through it just to see if I can read the t-shirt on someone that's so far away I'm not even sure it's a person. As to the form factor— I've purchase shorter and fatter monoculars but they always end up in a drawer or glove compartment. They just don't fit in a pocket so they don't work for EDC unless you're willing to carry a man bag. The Miniquick actually gets carried.

The Miniquick does not come with lens caps. After lots of searching, I finally found a couple of lipstick/chapstick caps that fit. The soda bottle capsules fit perfectly for carrying around water. I keep one tethered to a life jacket.

I should add that I did NOT pay $150 for mine. I'm not sure if they're still made in various colors, but mine was on sale a few years ago because it was red. I think it was $65 or so. Heat shrink tubing fixed the color problem.

Edited to add: My Zeiss is sharper than my much less expensive Brookstone monocular. That's not a big sampling size, though.
 
Last edited:
Triq, the Zeiss mini quick is awesome. If you get one I am sure you will not be
disapointed.

Bryan
 
Scott Free said:
Both. The Zeiss IS amazingly sharp.

The soda bottle capsules fit perfectly for carrying around water. I keep one tethered to a life jacket.
Click to expand...

I use one of those soda bottle capsules to carry my Miniquick all the time.....even when not around water. It offers good protection for it.
 
An important advantage of the Miniquick is it's size, shape and miniscule weight. It's very easy to carry. The lack of mass, though, is also it's downside. Even though it's only 5X, it's still difficult to hold steady because it's so light. To counter this, I wrap my fist around the tube with my thumb and forefinger out over the end to forming an eye cup and to provide eye relief. With the thumb and forefinger pressed around my eye socket, everything becomes steady. (If I'm not explaining this well, ask questions.)

As mentioned earlier in the thread, the Miniquick weighs 3/4 ounce. You should know that it weighs so little because it's made out of plastic. I happen to think it looks and feels like cheap plastic. Something with the word "Zeiss" on it should look nicer. Mine seems durable, and I'm glad it so light, though.
 
My suggestion is try out various ones if you can. You personally may not be able to tell the difference in a moderately price one and an expensive one. Monoculars are small and may be hard to use. I have never tried one but I do have a Leica 8x20 binocular which is very small and light. Basically two of these little monoculars connected together. Much harder to use than my Baush and Lomb/Bushnell Custom Compact, which is small but not shirt pocket size like the Leica. Great optics but tough to hold steady.
 
I have the little Brunton that goes in the pocket occasionally. But more often that not, I throw my Nikon Travelites in my pocket or bag.

SANY0023-4.jpg


I would like to give these Vortex mono's a try - Vortex Solo Monoculars Solo 10x36 Tactical Monocular:

http://www.reedssports.com/Product/product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=21471
 
if you have the money to burn, Leica makes one. I haven't looked through thier monocular but the binos I had were astonishingly clear
 
What do you guys use your monoculars for?

I've always thought they were neat little things but wasn't sure of a specific practical application.
 
30 year ago I purchased a 8x20 monocular from when Zeiss was behind the Iron Curtain.
The optics are superlative.
It weighs a couple of oz.
I have carried it for years backpacking, and it goes in my shirt pocket for easy access

I have a less expensive binocular, which are good, but no where near the clarity of my Zeiss.
And the Monocular weighs nothing.


This is the Zeiss website for Monoculars
http://www.zeiss.com/c1256bcf0020be5f/Contents-Frame/c05dbc439acfe8c78525754d004f81ca

Look at the 8x20 for useable magnification in the field
http://www.zeiss.com/c1256bcf0020be5f/Contents-Frame/c05dbc439acfe8c78525754d004f81ca

Buy a leather pouch for it
 
Last edited:
I have the Vortex and I would enjoy one with more magnification but it is tough. I keep it connected to my molle on the outside of my pack. it's kind of large for belt carry.
 
Joben said:
What do you guys use your monoculars for?
Click to expand...

Mine gets used mostly for watching occasional wildlife. I've also used it to identify people hiking toward me on a trail, reading distant road signs, and checking the price of gas blocks away. It's not a must-have edc item. For it's size and weight, though, it's fun and occasionally useful.
 
What do you use them for?...........Everything you use binos for.

Only you are using one eye instead of both eyes.

They really are a great light wieght peice of gear.

Bryan
 
If you check binoculars.com they have a Zeiss monocular which is more powerful than the mini quick available. A bit spendy but very nice!!
 
powernoodle said:
For you guys who recommend the Zeiss, are the optics really that much better than a "low end" monocular, or are you mostly paying for the form factor?
Click to expand...

I compared my Zeiss 5X Miniquick to my "low end" Brookstone 8X monocular today, both indoors and out. Indoors, I taped a newspaper to a wall and viewed it with both optics from about 15 feet. Whether braced or freehand, the 8X allowed me to read finer type just a little bit easier. Outside, I could read license plates a little further away with the 8X even though it was harder to hold steady. Next, I used both monoculars to just look around. Buds on the trees. Bushes. The cat. The Miniquick gave the better viewing experience. More contrast or "snap." More importantly, the Miniquick was sharp over the entire field of view. The Brookstone was sharp only in the center. The edges were annoyingly fuzzy. The 8X also provided a shaky image. If you are only trying to read the closing hours of the Kwicky Mart without getting out of your car, a low end monocular is probably fine. If you're using it for wildlife viewing, the superior optics of the Miniquick is a pleasure.

A 5X monocular vs. a 8X is apples to oranges. The Zeiss is optically superior but it may not matter for its intended use. Also, my "low end" monocular is just one low end monocular. Others may be better.

In any case, the form factor of the Miniquick makes all the difference to me. It is the only monocular I'd be willing to carry on a daily basis.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top