Monocular for one handed person (1 Viewer)

[mummymonkey]

My elderly mother has moved house and we've set her up with a bird table and she likes to watch the birds come and go. She has a little wall chart to identify the birds but it's hard for her to see them clearly (maybe 30 feet distance). She had a stroke many years ago and only has the use of one arm.

Are there any monoculars that might be of use? Need to be light, easy to use one handed and suitable for a spectacle wearer.

Failing that I thought about a bird feeder cam?

 

[Essex Tern]

I find monoculars hard to use, is it possible she could keep a lightweight pair of binoculars steadier with the use of her eye sockets than a monocular, just a thought? They would likely be easier to focus one handed too.

 

[Mono]

Pentax make a monocular with a rocker type focus that is designed to be used one handed. There is a thread about it here.
Thread 'Pentax VM 6x21 WP Monocular/ 18x Microscope' Pentax VM 6x21 WP Monocular/ 18x Microscope

 

[Hermann]

My elderly mother has moved house and we've set her up with a bird table and she likes to watch the birds come and go. She has a little wall chart to identify the birds but it's hard for her to see them clearly (maybe 30 feet distance). She had a stroke many years ago and only has the use of one arm.

Are there any monoculars that might be of use? Need to be light, easy to use one handed and suitable for a spectacle wearer.

I'd look at a stabilised binocular, e.g. the Canon 10x30 IS. That can be used one-handed. Monoculars ... Not sure they'd work for her, unless you set one up on a tripod focused on the bird table. That may actually be the best idea.

Hermann

 

[Foss]

Pentax make a monocular with a rocker type focus that is designed to be used one handed. There is a thread about it here.
Thread 'Pentax VM 6x21 WP Monocular/ 18x Microscope' Pentax VM 6x21 WP Monocular/ 18x Microscope

Sounds like a great starting point. Good suggestion.

 

[RubyRobin]

I’m sorry I don’t have a good tip on a monocular, as I’ve been reading a lot about unsteady and awkward use reviews that have led me to abandon the idea for me.

BUT, you might try a lightweight bino with an open bridge. The open bridge allows you to hold one barrel and focus at the same time with one hand - I do this a lot while walking my dogs, as they pull on the leash held in my left hand I watch the birds with my right.

 

[PhilR.]

Besides the Pentax suggestions above, Carson also makes a monocular w/a rocker focuser. Also, you can buy monoculars that are essentially half a binocular. No need to buy a whole bino when half a bino will do. I don't know if they come in 32mm objective models, but there are a number of 42mm versions. They have a rotary focus knob that can be manipulated by one finger, and I would bet that this type of focus mechanism will be easier to use than a rocker type.

Lastly, there used to be a few electronically stabilized monoculars out there too. I don't know if they are still being made, but you might look into it.

 

[GeorgeL]

How about a low power, table top spotting scope?

 

[WalterRayle]

I have a friend in a similar situation, he bought a monocular (I don't know which one) early last year and found it quite difficult to use, cumbersome and quite heavy and got no joy from using it. I loaned him my Pentax Papillio 6.5x21 binoculars and a year later I still haven't had them back from him. He's looking to sell his monocular. I'd strongly recommend the Pentax binoculars as they're light, easy to use and don't require the user to squint/close one eye while using them.

Good luck with whatever route you go down.

 

[pbjosh]

It seems the idea of a small low power spotting scope on a table top tripod has the most promise to me.

 

[pete_gamby]

We hear from our dealers that the Oregon monocular is finding favour as it can be used more readily with one hand than other monoculars in our range:

Oregon 4 PC Monoculars | Opticron

Click to view this page on www.opticron.co.uk

www.opticron.co.uk

A scope is likely to have 12x or higher power so IMO for viewing at 30 feet is probably not practical, especially as some low cost scopes won't focus that close. It would also probably need two hands to set up/adjust the tripod head.

HTH

Pete

 

[normjackson]

If all the action is in the vicinity of the bird table maybe focusing can be set and forget; particularly for a low magnification device. For quick peeks at a garden feeder a Canon 5x17 FC worked for me; once set up no adjustments necessary just raise to eyes/spectacles and view.

For more extended watching think I'd want something more comfy though and ideally a binocular. Any chance could set up a table to rest elbow on? How about a Finn stick or monopod on the binocular and resting the end on a little bean bag or something to provide vibration reduction and ability to swivel?

Without having something to support the weight of the device that might restrict consideration to compacts which tend to carry a penalty in either quality or ease of view or cost. The Helios Nitrosport 8x26 is a compact with open hinge so looks promising but can't vouch for its optical or mechanical quality; obviously any loosening of hinge would make it unworkable as a binocular.

At a higher budget something like the Vanguard Endeavor ED II 8×32, Kenko OP 8x32 DH II or Minox BL 8×33 at £150-£220 might offer better views and mechanics but are also double the weight.

Some of these binoculars specify 16mm eye relief which might be borderline for a spectacle user to see the full field of view, but again that might not be an issue for viewing a bird table or feeder.

 

[RubyRobin]

If a table top scope is a contender, then consider a table top bino+tripod setup.

one hand does not mean that a person cannot enjoy(prefer) using TWO eyes.

Oh! And Opera glasses! They often include a vertical rod to facilitate prolonged one-hand viewing!
Edit: here's a link for some basic info (I don't know much about opera glasses): Best Opera Binoculars & Theatre Glass Reviews

 

[mummymonkey]

Some great suggestions, thanks all.

 

[HeatherD]

My elderly mother has moved house and we've set her up with a bird table and she likes to watch the birds come and go. She has a little wall chart to identify the birds but it's hard for her to see them clearly (maybe 30 feet distance). She had a stroke many years ago and only has the use of one arm.

Are there any monoculars that might be of use? Need to be light, easy to use one handed and suitable for a spectacle wearer.

Failing that I thought about a bird feeder cam?

I've got CP and while I have some use of my left hand, it makes everything shake wildly. I recently got a Canon PowerShot Zoom monocular. It's tiny, fits in the palm of the hand (or a pocket) and also takes pictures and short videos which can be helpful when trying to identify a bird. It simply toggles between 100mm, 400mm (optical) and 800mm digital zoom.

I don't think it was a big seller (I think it's great for one-handed folks) and may only have limited availability

 

[fazalmajid]

I'd purchased the Pentax monocular and the rocker switch had come unstuck in the shipping box, I don't think it's a very durable design so I returned it. Many binoculars have an easier to use focus knob than most monoculars, and can be used single-handedly.

 

[Foss]

If all the action is in the vicinity of the bird table maybe focusing can be set and forget; particularly for a low magnification device. For quick peeks at a garden feeder a Canon 5x17 FC worked for me; once set up no adjustments necessary just raise to eyes/spectacles and view.

Good thinking.

 

[Trinovid]

My elderly mother has moved house and we've set her up with a bird table and she likes to watch the birds come and go. She has a little wall chart to identify the birds but it's hard for her to see them clearly (maybe 30 feet distance). She had a stroke many years ago and only has the use of one arm.

Seeing that she's lost the use of one arm but not her eyes, I'd say that most any binocular would be both easier and more enjoyable to use than virtually any monocular.

If she's got a particular watching place then having them setup one time for eye spacing in a tripod set lightly enough that she can move the viewpoint to follow birds would seem by far the preferable route to take.

 

[jring]

Hi,

another vote for the Pentax Papilio 6.5x21.

It is small and light and can be easily held and focussed with one (small) hand. The low magnification helps to keep things steady, the view is good (and without comparison when used close-up for insects and flowers).

And unlike with a monocular, you don't need to learn to to use just one eye... so much more comfortable.

Joachim, who likes his pair and has give a few more to others including hin mom...

 

[edwincjones]

or a tripod mounted pair of binoculars with wide FOV pointed towards the feeder