Have you seen that great spy thriller, The Bourne Ultimatum? If you have, you remember how Matt Damon made such wonderful use of his monocular. It got him “up close and personal” with friend and foe alike and played a major role in his successful adventures.
Perhaps it is the popularity of that movie and other similar recent flicks featuring heroes and their monoculars which has rocketed that tiny optical device into new prominence. In the last six months, we have had an unprecedented number of inquiries and orders for monoculars at our website, www.obinoculars.com. Most folks are looking for a reliable, effective, compact magnifier with innovative design which will bring the world around them closer and make it more identifiable.
Is a monocular something you might like or need on the trail or in your back yard? Let’s take a closer look (excuse the pun). What is a monocular? Basically, it might be described as half a binocular – how simplistic can you get? It is made up of one optic “tube” – and you use one eye for viewing, like a telescope. A monocular is smaller, lighter and, generally, less expensive than a comparable binocular. I say comparable, because, as with all else in life, high quality will cost more. Like binoculars, monoculars come in a variety of magnifications and sizes… zoom monoculars are also available, allowing you to go from a low magnification, like 6x or 8x normal vision, to 20x normal vision or more. For those seeking night vision optics, a night vision monocular is especially attractive, because it is much less costly than a binocular version. Usually, magnification in a night vision monocular does not exceed 5x, as anything greater than that is not effective.
When is a monocular preferable to a binocular? When you want the ability to take a quick look at distant objects with relative ease. .. when you want your optics to be lightweight, small, easily carried or stowed and …when you want a variety of features at an affordable price. Some of those features include a wide range of magnifications, objective lens sizes (outer lens measured in millimeters), waterproof and fog proof options, and field of view choices.
When is a monocular impractical? When you want to view distant objects for a long period of time, as eye comfort becomes an issue when squinting through one eye… when you need high magnification, as it is more difficult to hold a monocular steady enough to keep images clear and sharp (although some zoom monoculars are tripod mountable)… when you need a larger objective lens (to let in more light) for dawn and dusk viewing and for a wider field of view…and when you need optics for astronomical use.
As for the cost factor, you can get a good quality monocular for $50 to approximately $175, depending on lenses, coatings and other features. Brunton, Carson and Vanguard are among the leaders in this price range. The magnificent Zeiss monoculars are more costly, up to $250, but are a great visual experience. Night vision monoculars range from approximately $150-$275. Night Owl Optics, Yukon and Famous Trails are popular brands with good track records.
Hopefully, this discussion has been helpful to you, as you consider what to pack for your next hiking expedition, drive through the countryside, or undercover “NYPD Operation”. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at support@obinoculars.com . I will be happy to hear from you and give you whatever assistance I can. See you at the next Bourne movie!!
