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Best Monocular Telescopes
Binoculars are the go-to solution when you need to enlarge your vision and view faraway subjects in amazing detail.
No doubt they are fantastic, but they aren’t the only option. Sometimes binoculars are just too cumbersome, which is where monoculars reign supreme.
Compared to binoculars, these small devices are far more streamlined, making them ideal for one-handed viewing and allowing them to fit into your pocket.
Like binoculars, monocular telescopes come in a variety of styles. Today’s monoculars, however, are not relics of the past.
They’ve shrunk in size, gotten sleeker, and more powerful, with superb optics quality and a fantastic viewing experience.
But, this does not imply that all monoculars are the same. So, if you want to be sure you get the best monocular, keep reading to see how some of the most popular options stack up.
Best Monocular Telescopes Include:
| Best Monocular Telescopes | Lens Size | Closest Focusing | Field of View | Magnification | Resistance Rating | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushnell Night Vision Equinox Z2 | 50mm | 1500cm | 10m | 6x | Waterproof | 7.52 x 3.86 x 2.52 in. | 26.88 oz. |
| Gosky 12x55 HD Monocular | 25mm | 250cm | 99m | 12x | Fogproof and Waterproof | 3.25 x 2.12 x 6.95 in. | 15.9 oz. |
| Hawke Endurance ED 8x25 | 42mm | 500cm | 119m | 8x | Fogproof and Waterproof | 5.6 x 3.2 x 2.8 in. | 5.29 oz. |
| Leica 8x20 Monovid | 20mm | 25cm | 110m | 8x | Fogproof and Waterproof | 1.4 x 3.85 x 1.4 in. | 3.95 oz. |
| Opticron BGA WP 8x42 | 42mm | 200cm | 110m | 8x | Fogproof and Waterproof | 5.4 x 1.8 x 1.7 in. | 9.9 oz. |
1. Bushnell Night Vision Equinox Z2
Best Monocular Telescopes – Bushnell Night Vision Equinox Z2
If you want to try night-time wildlife spotting, the Bushnell Equinox Z2 Monocular is a good choice.
It’s water-resistant for usage in a range of outdoor settings, and it has a magnification ratio of 6x, which is more than a lot of monoculars with night-time capabilities.
It also has a 50mm lens for an excellent light collection.
This monocular is relatively pricey for those on a tight budget, but it does come with built-in WiFi, which allows users to live-stream video directly to their smartphones or tablets.
Key Specifications
- Lens Size: 50mm
- Closest Focusing: 1500cm
- Field of View: 10m
- Magnification: 6x
- Resistance Rating: Waterproof
- Dimensions: 7.52 x 3.86 x 2.52 inches
- Weight: 26.88 Ounces
2. Gosky 12×55 HD Monocular
Gosky 12×55 HD Monocular
Given the Gosky 12×55’s relatively low price, you might expect it to be frail; however, it’s an astonishingly tough piece of hardware.
Operating the Gosky 12×55 is comfortable and enjoyable, thanks to the rubber protection.
Image quality is rather bright and clear thanks to a BAK-4 prism and a multi-glazed 55mm lens that enhances light transmission.
This monocular is also nitrogen purged to efficiently resist factors such as moisture, ensuring that observations are not hampered.
Key Specifications
- Lens Size: 25mm
- Closest Focusing: 250cm
- Field of View: 99m
- Magnification: 12x
- Resistance Rating: Fogproof and Waterproof
- Dimensions: 3.25 x 2.12 x 6.95 inches
- Weight: 15.9 Ounces
3. Hawke Endurance ED 8×25
Hawke Endurance ED 8×25
The Hawke Endurance ED 8×25 is a mid-priced general-purpose monocular that weighs only 5.3 ounces making it great for travel.
This well-built piece of equipment offers a wide-angle field of view and a reasonable 8x magnification.
When viewing various subjects, its light transmission delivers bright and clear pictures, while the incorporation of ED glass prevents color fringing and delivers excellent detail.
The focuser isn’t overly stiff, and it gives just enough resistance to allow you to fine-tune your sights.
Key Specifications
- Lens Size: 42mm
- Closest Focusing: 500cm
- Field of View: 119m
- Magnification: 8x
- Resistance Rating: Fogproof and Waterproof
- Dimensions: 5.6 x 3.2 x 2.8 inches
- Weight: 5.29 Ounces
4. Leica 8×20 Monovid
Best Monocular Telescopes – Leica 8×20 Monovid
When you purchase a handmade Leica product, you expect unrivaled build quality, as well as a dash of flair and elegance; this Monovid offering delivers on both counts.
The nitrogen-filled aluminum housing of this monocular is sturdy yet portable and lightweight, preventing internal fogging at any temperature.
Meanwhile, the waterproof design allows viewers to immerse it in water up to almost 5 meters deep.
Key Specifications
- Lens Size: 20mm
- Closest Focusing: 25cm
- Field of View: 110m
- Magnification: 8x
- Resistance Rating: Fogproof and Waterproof
- Dimensions: 1.4 x 3.85 x 1.4 inches
- Weight: 3.95 Ounces
5. Opticron BGA WP 8×42
Best Monocular Telescopes – Opticron BGA WP 8×42
The Opticron BGA WP 8×42 is one of the greatest monoculars for people who crave clarity and mobility.
Being a ‘BGA’ monocular Opticron BGA WP delivers a viewing experience comparable to a pair of medium-sized roof prism binoculars but in a pocket-sized device.
It is nitrogen-filled to minimize fogging and waterproof to a purported depth of up to three meters, making the Opticron BGA WP ideal for outdoor usage in a range of settings.
Moreover, this monocular is optically sound, with minimal color fringing.
Key Specifications
- Lens Size: 42mm
- Closest Focusing: 200cm
- Field of View: 110m
- Magnification: 8x
- Resistance Rating: Fogproof and Waterproof
- Dimensions: 5.4 x 1.8 x 1.7 inches
- Weight: 9.9 Ounces
Final Thought
As you can see, there are plenty of monocular telescopes on the market. Therefore, if you are getting a monocular telescope for birdwatching, concerts, hikes, hunting, or even sports games, this review will be quite helpful.
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