My wife has taken to hiking and wants something very light and compact to observe the occasional bird or animal. When we are together and see something interesting, I hand her my Leica binos and she is content to look through them for about 20 seconds and that's it. So I want to buy her something that is sharp enough to have a rewarding, but quick look. I am considering the Hawke 8x25 monocular. I am also interested in the Zeiss 6x18. I tend to buy high-end optics, not because I have a fat wallet, but I do appreciate good glass, perhaps more than my wife. So maybe she would be happy with the Hawke model. I have heard the focussing ring is stiff and plasticky feeling, which puts me off a little. Any thoughts or suggestions--on these or other models--are most welcome. Thank you.
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Best low- to mid-priced monocular (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Artigas
- Start date
4 The Birds1
Well-known member
Swarovski Curio
4 The Birds1
Well-known member
Thanks for your suggestion, but as the title of my thread suggests, I am looking for a low- to mid-priced monocular.
I know.
But it is a gift for your wife.
And you are looking for something that gives a rewarding look, while being small and portable.
And you appreciate good glass.
The curios are a better fit than any monocular for that scenario.
Suggest burnt orange.
Look, I'm with you. I don't think the weight savings is worth it because the viewing experience with binoculars is far superior. But she said she wanted a monocular. I already have a very nice pair of compact Ultravids she could use. But she has her mind made up. So I think I'm much better off going down that path! 😅
Thank you. Even though the monocular is a gift, I might get to use it now and then so the Zeiss is appealing. 333 euros vs 95 for the Hawke is quite a jump but I guess I should look through both of them in order to come to a decision.
Very tempting, thanks. I’m a lover of vintage optics. I have two Trinovid binos but I never use them because of inferior (compared to modern) coatings and close~focus limitations. But I’m a moth to a flame so I might try this 8x30.
I have tried dozens of different monoculars and the best mid-priced one I have found is the Nikon HG 5x15. They are nice for a quick look but tiring for extended observations.
Nikon 5 x 15 HG Monocular HG5X15D from Japan New | eBay
5 x 15 HG Monocular HG5X15D. Type single glasses.
www.ebay.com
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jmepler
It's just a flesh wound.
Has she every used a monocular? I find them less satisfying to use. A friend has a Zeiss monocular, and while the view with it is excellent, I much prefer binoculars.
Harrybongo
Now, approximately, 33.33% accurate on bird IDs 👍
Hi. When not rainy, I use a komz soviet 8x30 porro, superb optically, you can pick them up very cheap on ebay, anything from £25-40! When rainy, a Vortex solo 8x36/opticron 8x32, good optics, and waterproof, new, around £105.
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gr8fuldoug
Camera Land / Supporting Vendor
That, the 7x15 HG version or the Vixen Artes HR 6x21 ED.
Not sure how many monoculars I still have, but the Zeiss 6x18 is the one that has worked best for me, even over the Ultravid 8x20 that I had. With slide tube focusing it's very fast, and also has an incredible close-focus capability.
I think it's the weight of my 7x42s
Okay. Thanks.
That’s kind of too bad, because there are definite disadvantages to monoculars.
I wish her luck.
grackle314
Well-known member
Maybe get a really inexpensive monocular to try out. Small monoculars tend to provide unstable image viewing compared to small binoculars. The monocular rests on one place on the face and has short reach for second holding position which makes angular shake greater than for a small binocular which rests on two places on the face. Small binocular also has short reach for second holding position. Both small monocular and small binocular have lower mass than larger siblings, lower mass also leads to increased image instability compared to full size binocular.
My guess is that Curio or UV 8x20 would be happier long term usage but takes short term learning how to use best (which also will be true for monocular). But human nature being what it is, getting through the learning phase is not always achieved. Learning to play a violin is painful for the first 500-1000 hours and makes music after that. The small monocular or binocular learning curve to comfortable, enjoyable use is perhaps an hour or two of time-on-the-eye, not achieved by multiple viewings of a few seconds each at a dealer.
My guess is that Curio or UV 8x20 would be happier long term usage but takes short term learning how to use best (which also will be true for monocular). But human nature being what it is, getting through the learning phase is not always achieved. Learning to play a violin is painful for the first 500-1000 hours and makes music after that. The small monocular or binocular learning curve to comfortable, enjoyable use is perhaps an hour or two of time-on-the-eye, not achieved by multiple viewings of a few seconds each at a dealer.
