Where possible, hold your monocular with a strap so you won’t accidentally drop it.

If you don't, dirt and dust could eventually damage the lenses, and they cannot be replaced. TipsĪlways put on the lens caps when your monocular is not in use.

Good entry-level models cost around $150, and it isn’t difficult to spend twice that. Night vision monoculars are different technology. You can pay more for so-called 'tactical' or specialist models, but those would be expensive overkill for most of us. We would happily recommend monoculars that cost $30 and up. Neither the quality nor the optics may be great, but how many times have you been out and about and wished you could see something off in the distance? Here’s your answer.įor quality optics and features covered in this review, you need to pay a bit more, but these devices are still remarkably affordable. You can buy a cheap monocular for $10 or $15, and why not? It’s a handy magnifier to keep in your bag or pocket. Quality instruments of the kind discussed here focus at six or seven feet.Ī good seal around the lenses reduces the chance that water or dirt will get inside the monocular.ĭepending on quality and features, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to more than $150 for a monocular. It's worth bearing in mind that as magnification power increases, the ability to focus at short range decreases. This is the minimum focal length, and it is often overlooked. There's nothing wrong with the former, but most experts consider BAK4 to be superior. There are two types in common use: BAK7 and BAK4. Ideally, you should look for an eye relief length (exit pupil distance) of 14mm or greater.Īll monoculars contain a prism. Most people hold the monocular against their eye or very close to it, so it doesn't have a major impact. The following features are worth investigating before you make your final purchasing decision.Īlso called the exit pupil, this is the distance your eye can be from the eyepiece (in millimeters) while still seeing the whole FOV. It isn’t a perfect solution if color fidelity is vital, but for most consumers, it isn’t a factor.īestReviews Other monocular factors to consider Experts we consulted would not recommend monoculars with ruby lenses for viewing birds or wildlife.Ī blue-green coating also reduces relevant colors, but the effect is less dramatic. The downside is that without red light, you only see green and blue, so you don't see the proper color of things. It’s intended to stop the 'fringing' effect in which some images seem to have a multi-colored halo. Others appear ruby or blue-green.Ī ruby coating cuts out red light. Multi-coated (several coatings on multiple surfaces possibly only one on the exterior)įully multi-coated (FMC) (several coatings on all lens surfaces)Ĭoatings also tint the lenses different colors. There are several different descriptions for lens coatings.Ĭoated (one anti-reflective coating on one surface of both lenses)įully coated (one anti-reflective coating on all lens surfaces and on one side of the prism). While multiple coatings don't necessarily mean better images – you need excellent optics in the first place – they are usually a mark of quality because the process requires great care.

They improve image clarity and brightness by cutting out reflections and increasing the contrast. Different manufacturers claim different benefits, making it more confusing. The coating of a monocular lens is a complex scientific process. The larger this number, the more light gets into the monocular, and the clearer the view. The second number in the two examples above (5x15 and 10x50) is the objective lens size in millimeters. Most manufacturers give FOV figures, usually stated as feet per 1,000 yards (240 feet/1,000 yards, for example). There’s no perfect answer as to FOV – it's a question of making the best compromise. If you want to scan an area for wildlife, FOV is important. If you want to examine the individual feathers on a bird 1,000 yards away, a wide FOV isn't important. Increasing the magnification reduces field of view (FOV), the area you see when looking through the device.

Single binocular