Mono vs. Bino? (1 Viewer)

[Pepitogrillo]

Hello,
I am looking for an observation instrument that I can always carry with me, in my pocket, discreet, small, very light, valid in the city, countryside, transport, nature, home... with good quality and easy to use...
My question is: what is better a Monocular or a tiny binocular for these cases?
Can a monocular really be friendly?
And a good substitute for a binocular?
I would be happy to hear your recommendations.
Best regards
PG.

 

[Richard D]

I've got the Minox Macroscope and it's very good for close range viewing - insects/flowers etc. but it's merely adequate for longer distance viewing. Personally I much prefer a binocular view for moderate distances, and tend to carry my Swarovski 8x25CLs much more than I carry the smaller Minox.

The Leica monocular gets a lot of love, but you need to use an accessory lens for very close viewing. The new CL 7x21's generally get very favourable reviews for small compact binoculars.

 

[William Lewis]

I use an opticron bga monocular for the reasons you describe.

Positives are more light gathering vs size and a larger exit pupil, basically you can get half a decent sized binocular for the size on a pocket one. Negatives are handling and stability, stability in particular is noticeably less good.

Pockets are great but limited in terms of light gathering, exit pupil etc so it really depends on your uses, if it's predominantly day time use in bright conditions with reasonably long duration viewing go for a pocket. If its just a quick look to I d something in most conditions go for a mono.

 

[fazalmajid]

Monoculars are harder to keep steady, but you can't beat the compactness.

I have quite a few (Leica Monovid, Nikon HG 5x15 and 7x15, Minox Makroscop 8x25, Docter/Noblex 8x21), my favorite is the Nikon HG 5x21. It's very small, extremely well made and can focus quite close without a fiddly accessory lens like the Monovid.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I use an opticron bga monocular for the reasons you describe.

Positives are more light gathering vs size and a larger exit pupil, basically you can get half a decent sized binocular for the size on a pocket one. Negatives are handling and stability, stability in particular is noticeably less good.

Pockets are great but limited in terms of light gathering, exit pupil etc so it really depends on your uses, if it's predominantly day time use in bright conditions with reasonably long duration viewing go for a pocket. If its just a quick look to I d something in most conditions go for a mono.

I agree. Compact binoculars are easier on your eyes when you are viewing for longer periods, but monoculars are more compact and are excellent for quick looks in lower light when a compact wouldn't perform as well because of the smaller aperture.

 

[Trinovid]

I am looking for an observation instrument that I can always carry with me, in my pocket, discreet, small, very light, valid in the city, countryside, transport, nature, home... with good quality and easy to use...
My question is: what is better a Monocular or a tiny binocular for these cases?
Can a monocular really be friendly?
And a good substitute for a binocular?

I don't feel the monocular to be a very good substitute for a binocular, but do keep my Leica Monovid in my pocket and use it more regularly day to day than any of my binoculars. Just a couple hours ago I was reflecting on how glad I was to have some decent binoculars, but also the monoculars too.

It seems to me that where monoculars excel is in absolute portability, and as information gathering tools. Binoculars win when it comes to thorough enjoyment of a view though and they both work well as complement to each other.

I also have the Zeiss 3x12 and am enjoying it too and must say that I do also find that looking through any monocular can be much quicker and easier than a binocular where both eyes need to find proper alignment between the eyepieces.

 

[Rg548]

Leica 8x20's, Swaro 7x21's or similar will be a much nicer experience than a monocular in my opinion.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Leica 8x20's, Swaro 7x21's or similar will be a much nicer experience than a monocular in my opinion.

It is true a binocular is more comfortable to use for long periods because of less eye strain because you are using both eyes, but a Leica 8x20 or Swaro 7x21 are almost useless when the light is low because of the small aperture. A monocular like the Opticron DBA VHD+ 8x42 will work better in low light for quick looks, and it is probably more pocketable than the small binoculars. So each has its advantages.

 

[Eric222]

Can a monocular really be friendly?

Yes it certainly can, after a bit of practice.

Some find a monocular causes eye strain after a while. Most people can avoid this once they know the secret is to keep both eyes open. Positioning a hand to block the forward view of the unaided eye can help with this.

 

[Foss]

They're worthwhile to own, but more as an alternate to your binoculars than a substitute.

 

[Rg548]

It is true a binocular is more comfortable to use for long periods because of less eye strain because you are using both eyes, but a Leica 8x20 or Swaro 7x21 are almost useless when the light is low because of the small aperture. A monocular like the Opticron DBA VHD+ 8x42 will work better in low light for quick looks, and it is probably more pocketable than the small binoculars. So each has its advantages.

Sorry mate, I'll have to disagree here. They are not 'almost useless' in low light.....
You do seem hell bent on brightness.
The small exit pupil at 3.1mm will not be as bright, understandably, but let me assure you that I can see MORE at dusk through my Swaro 8x25's than I can with the naked eye. So they are fine.
Always a compromise.
I would take a small bino over a monocular all day long.

Unless I was a pirate

 

[Pepitogrillo]

but a small binocular, even a pocket one, will always occupy more than a monocular with equal power and aperture? no? take for example bino 8x20 and mono 8x20....that "discomfort" of using the monocular would be compensated by the comfort of transport?

 

[Rg548]

but a small binocular, even a pocket one, will always occupy more than a monocular with equal power and aperture? no? take for example bino 8x20 and mono 8x20....that "discomfort" of using the monocular would be compensated by the comfort of transport?

View attachment 1437426

Sure.... and that's your call.
What are you happy to carry.
Small binos are fine with me, I carry them to see things, and it's better with Binoculars than Monoculars...

 

[Trinovid]

but a small binocular, even a pocket one, will always occupy more than a monocular with equal power and aperture? no? take for example bino 8x20 and mono 8x20....that "discomfort" of using the monocular would be compensated by the comfort of transport?

Absolutely so. There seems to be a broad misunderstanding of the simple fact that a monocular is a completely different tool from a binocular.

At any rate, you are correct on all points.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Sorry mate, I'll have to disagree here. They are not 'almost useless' in low light.....
You do seem hell bent on brightness.
The small exit pupil at 3.1mm will not be as bright, understandably, but let me assure you that I can see MORE at dusk through my Swaro 8x25's than I can with the naked eye. So they are fine.
Always a compromise.
I would take a small bino over a monocular all day long.

Unless I was a pirate

I have an Opticron DBA VHD+ 8x42 monocular, and I have a Zeiss 8x25 Terra compact binocular. I can attest to the fact that the 42 mm aperture monocular works much better in low light than the 25 mm binocular. The average persons pupils are going to open to 5 mm to 7 mm in low light, depending on your age. The monocular with it's 5 mm exit pupil is about at the maximum of your pupil size. The 8x25 mm compact binocular has an exit pupil of 3 mm, which is well below what your eyes pupil can take in on its own. Unless your pupils are only dilating to 3 mm say if you are over 70 years old, there is no way the compact binocular will be brighter in low light than your eyes. You may see more detail with the 8x25 compact binoculars because of the magnification, but they are not brighter. IMO, compacts are fine in daylight, but their weakness is low light.

 

[Brummie]

Pocket optics are always a compromise. The smallest optics that are really comfortable and enjoyable for me to use are my 7x35 Retrovid.

I would think about how small you need your optic to be, and then what the options are. Do you need something that will fit in a trouser pocket, a coat pocket or a small bag?

For the very smallest size, the only option is a very small monocular. It’s better than nothing, but if won’t give you a very satisfying view.

For the next step up, the very smallest premium binoculars (i.e. Leica 8x20 or Swarovski 7x21) are not that much bigger in footprint than something like the Leica monovid. At that level, I would go for the binoculars. I had a monovid, but the difficulty of holding it steady (particularly while focusing) significantly detracts from the optical quality.

At the next level up, the opticron DBA 8x42 and Zeiss VP 8x25 have a similar footprint, albeit differently shaped. A 6” monocular can be held much steadier if you hold it close to the objective lens with the eyecup resting in your eye socket, but still not quite as steady as binoculars. You’re also trading off the benefits of binocular vision vs a larger exit pupil. I’d still choose the binocular, but the monocular is a viable alternative if you’re concerned about eye placement, low light, or you’re not likely to be doing extended viewing.

 

[Trinovid]

...the very smallest premium binoculars (i.e. Leica 8x20 or Swarovski 7x21) are not that much bigger in footprint than something like the Leica monovid. At that level, I would go for the binoculars. I had a monovid, but the difficulty of holding it steady (particularly while focusing) significantly detracts from the optical quality.

...but the monocular is a viable alternative if you’re concerned about eye placement, low light, or you’re not likely to be doing extended viewing.

Having two pairs of Leica 8x20 and the Monovid, there actually is a pretty big difference when you consider placing one or the other in a pants pocket, and it's Monovid that I've taken to carrying all the time, while also looking forward to using the binoculars for serious, and more enjoyable viewing.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Pants pockets are pretty small. Now if you have a jacket on you can usually fit an 8x25 compact binocular in it.

 

[Brummie]

At 8x, I felt the monovid was overpowered for the stability of the view.

Conversely, many of the smaller monoculars are oversized for their objective lens diameter.

Perhaps the ideal pocket monocular would be something with the form factor of the Zeiss miniquick in 6x12 and with a decent FOV. But I doubt any company is going to put much effort into the design of a niche product. So the best we can hope for is something based on half an existing binocular design. A half-curio 7x21 might be good, but worth the price-tag?

 

[William Lewis]

I've been out on the push bike today and was musing on what would be the most useful small optic to have on a belt case or similar. I just took my usual kit, habicht 7x42ga and ctc 30/75, I'll probably take the monocular next time - I can sack off the bag then!

Still not sure to be honest pepitogrillo what type of small ish optic would be optimal, but I think maybe something like a 50x15 mono poro might enable the most id's for me. Or how about this - Imagic IS 10x30 Monocular | Opticron niche within a niche! Either way, good fun bike ride bird watch.