Small monoculars? (1 Viewer)

[Wile E.]

Looking for some advice from the experts here on BF.

I was looking for a decent, small, take everywhere monocular for general use. Three that look interesting to me...

Zeiss miniquick 5x10 http://www.binoculars.com/monoculars/bird-watching-monoculars/5x10tminiquickmonocular.cfm

Docter 8x21 http://www.browe-inc.com/products/DOCTER-8x21-Monocular.html

Brunton echo 7x18 http://www.binoculars.com/monoculars/bird-watching-monoculars/echo7x18pocketscope.cfm

Anyone have experience with these? Opinions or suggestions?

Would it be possible to use the Docter with either eye? Looks like your nose could get in the way?

thanks

 

[henry link]

The Brunton is complete trash. I bought one just to have an example of an un-phase corrected roof prism optic to play with. Awful image, sticky focuser.

 

[Kevin Conville]

Small and low power are my recommendation. I ended up with the Nikon HG5x15 and I find it fills the bill nicely for a quick look while out walking my dog. While not a substitute for a pair of bins, they are useful.

Here's a thread I posted on them:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=135508

 

[black crow]

I had a Barska 6x30 that was very bright and had something like a 458 ft. FOV. Nice optics (for the money) and very inexpensive. I think they are still available. I gave them to my sister because I have a love affair with both of my eyes.

 

[momotych]

I've got Zeiss 6x18BT*P* and am happy with it. Superb picture, easy focusing (push-pull), very close focusing (25 cm from front lens), extra lightweight (58 g) and compact (94x30mm).
Always in a pocket or my neck on it's lanyard. Very useful at exibitions, any shows e.t.c. I bought this monocular at eBay for about $180

 

[John Russell]

I second Momotych's recommendation for the Zeiss 6x18, which I also have. The only drawback is the somewhat restricted field of view, a feature of most compacts.

The 5x10 Zeiss Miniquick should be avoided. It has a very small 2 mm exit pupil and a miserably narrow FOV, which is bettered by many 10x binoculars.

One of my daughters has an 8x21 Docter, which she takes on her travels. It is optically very good but, like most Porros, not as robust as a roof. One of the prisms became loose but this was repaired under guarantee. I don't see why you should have any difficulty using it left or right.

John

 

[ceasar]

I have the 6 x 18 too. It's handy and easy to carry around and requires very little focusing in normal use. FOV is good, better than 8 x 20 binoculars, but it would be nicer if it were wider. Closeups require much extension of the draw tube.

I find it easiest to use if I hold it in my right hand with my forefinger braced against my forehead and thumb against the bridge of my nose and look through it with my left eye. For right eye use, use your left hand.

I almost bought the Zeiss 4 x 12 and I think I would have been very satisfied by that one too since I use my 6 x 18 only casually.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=zeissmonocular522050

It has a huge FOV!

Bob

 

[John Russell]

It has a huge FOV!

Bob,

Although the FOV is numerically very large, it will appear quite narrow.
Zeiss quote an AFOV for both 4x12 and 6x18 of 41° and according to ISO it would actually be just under 40°.

John

 

[Wile E.]

Both the Nikon HG 5x15 and Zeiss 6x18 look interesting. --Decisions decisions???

I couldn't find any local stores that had either, so I'm taking a small leap of faith and buying before trying. I went and ordered a Zeiss 6x18. Hopefully it will turn out to be a good choice? --Don't think I've ever used a binocular/monocular that had a draw tube; it sounds a bit alien. We'll see what happens when it arrives?

thanks again