If you love spending time in nature and exploring it, you can't go without a quality optical instrument. And what better device to fulfill these purposes than a monocular telescope. It's convenient, lightweight, and easy to use.
However, it can be hard to choose the one you need with so many different monoculars offering various features. But don't worry, we got you covered. Find out everything you need to know about monocular telescopes, their characteristics, and their uses, and get the one that will suit your needs.
What Is a Monocular Telescope?
A monocular is a modified refracting telescope used to magnify the images of distant objects by passing light through lenses and often prisms. Current monoculars usually use prisms instead of relay lenses for an erect image. That results in a compact and lightweight telescope.
Monoculars typically weigh half less than a pair of binoculars with similar properties, which makes monoculars cheaper and easier to carry. That's because binoculars consist of two monoculars - one for each eye. In addition, monoculars provide one 2-dimensional image, whereas binoculars make two parallax images.
Who Should Use It?
Monocular telescopes are perfect if you need low weight and compactness. Also, they are an excellent choice for people with vision in one eye only. If you struggle using both eyes through binoculars because of eye variation, a monocular telescope might be what you need.
Even if you don't have poor vision, monoculars can come in handy. For example, you could use it for stargazing or taking a closer look at a particular artwork. Observing nature and wild animals is also convenient with a monocular telescope.
When to Use a Monocular Telescope
You can use a monocular telescope for various purposes. They are ideal for scouting, viewing, and short-term scanning while hunting, camping, and boating but aren't limited only to sports activities. You can also use it to watch sporting events, concerts, opera, ballet, and other performances.
Night vision, thermal, and digital monoculars are used in military applications and law enforcement, for example, when searching for suspects or doing surveillance.
The Monocular Telescope for Phone
You can also come across a monocular telescope for the phone. These come with mounts allowing you to attach a smartphone or even a camera, expanding your shooting opportunities. Bringing distant objects into near focus becomes effortless with these monoculars.
If you compare this to holding your monocular in one hand and your smartphone in the other, you'll find it challenging to keep both devices firm. You might even lose the desired shot while trying to adjust them. In that case, it's better to equip yourself with a monocular telescope for the phone.
Benefits of Using Monocular Telescope
Monocular telescopes come with various benefits. Below are some of them.
- Hikers and campers can easily carry them because of their size and weight.
- You still have a wide field of view and can remain situationally aware because you're using only one eye.
- They aren't complicated to use due to simple focus adjustments.
- Most monoculars require using only one hand.
- They provide value but aren't expensive.
What to look for in a Monocular Telescope
To find the best monocular telescope for your needs, you should consider four factors - magnification, lens and prism setup, eye relief, and close focus range. Let's dive into the details.
Magnification
You'll find numbers on your monocular that specify its magnification strength, for example, 8x30. The first number means the object of your observation will look eight times bigger, whereas the second number means your objective lens is 30mm in diameter. Note that more magnification doesn't mean a higher quality image as it will narrow your field of view and make your image more unstable.
Larger lenses are best for the low-light setting because they gather more light into the device. A monocular telescope contains one light path through its objective lens. For that reason, it limits image depth to a 2-dimensional field.
However, that typically isn't an issue due to the bright image quality you can expect from a monocular. Multi-coated objective lenses and treated roof prisms will also add to the image quality. That's why you should check the specs before you buy.
Essentially, you should know how much you want your target magnified. But remember, monoculars with high magnification may not be ideal for those on the go. The higher the magnification, the more impaired the vision by the monocular movement - even a twinge can cause instability and loss of target.
Prisms
Monocular telescopes can have either Roof or Porro prisms. The Roof prisms provide a brighter color image clarity and cost more. On the other hand, Porro prisms offer a better 3D sharpness and are less expensive.
Also, consider the lens coating - higher quality coatings produce higher quality images, but this also comes at a price.
Eyepiece
Another thing to consider is the eyepiece. It isn't just about checking if it fits your face. You'll need to consider eye relief too. That's a measure of how far your eye can be away from the lens so you can see well. That generally isn't a problem unless you wear contact lenses. However, you'll need a monocular telescope with more considerable eye relief if you do.
Close Focus Range
Close focus range is the most relative distance a monocular telescope needs to be in focus. Typically, the higher the magnification, the more space is required to develop a clear focus.
Features to Consider
Apart from the factors described above, it's a good idea to consider additional features monoculars come with, depending on what you intend to use yours for. These include size, materials, and waterproofness.
Monocular Sizes
Consider the monocular size because the bulkiness can affect the purpose of its use. Remember that larger monocular telescopes provide a better view than smaller ones, but smaller ones are more portable. Before buying, ask yourself what size is more convenient for you.
Materials
The monocular materials will determine their durability and resilience as these devices are prone to field damages. Most monocular telescopes are metal or plastic. Sometimes they're coated with rubber to absorb shock.
For general use, consider getting a monocular made of inexpensive materials. However, if you spend more time in harsh terrains, you better go for more robust materials and extra rubber or plastic protection.
Waterproofness
If you aim to spend a lot of time in the woods or other outdoor areas, a monocular that can withstand extreme weather conditions can prove valuable. Waterproof monocular telescopes provide features that prevent moisture from entering the device.
The waterproofness of a device is indicated by IP ratings, for example, IP56. The first digit stands for the protection of intrusion of foreign objects, while the second number denotes the level of water resistance. The higher the numbers, the higher resistance.
Get the Best Monocular Telescope for Your Needs
After reading this article, you learned about monoculars and their features. Base your decision on what you intend to use it for. A compact, lightweight device is ideal if you need it for general use. However, if you want more from your monocular telescope, for example, higher magnification or waterproof properties, check the specifications and choose accordingly.
