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Best Monocular Telescopes
Binoculars are the obvious choice when you need to view faraway subjects in detail.
They work great, but they aren’t your only option. Sometimes binoculars are just too bulky. That’s where monoculars shine.
Compared to binoculars, monoculars are much more compact. They’re perfect for one-handed use and small enough to fit in a jacket pocket.
Like binoculars, monocular telescopes come in all sorts of styles. And today’s monoculars are far from old-fashioned.
They’ve gotten smaller, sleeker, and more powerful over the years. Optics quality has improved a lot, and the viewing experience keeps getting better.
That said, not all monoculars are equal. If you want to make sure you’re getting the right one, keep reading to see how five of the most popular options compare.
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
The Bushnell Equinox Z2 is a solid pick if you want to try night-time wildlife spotting.
It’s water-resistant, so you can use it in a variety of outdoor conditions. The 6x magnification ratio is higher than what you’ll find on most monoculars with night-vision capabilities.
It also has a 50mm lens for strong light collection.
This monocular sits at a higher price point, but it does come with built-in WiFi. That lets you stream video live to your phone or tablet, which is a pretty cool bonus.
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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 budget-friendly price, you might expect it to feel cheap. It doesn’t. This thing is surprisingly tough.
The rubber coating makes it comfortable and easy to grip during extended use.
Image quality is bright and clear thanks to a BAK-4 prism and a multi-coated 55mm lens that boosts light transmission.
It’s also nitrogen purged to resist moisture and fogging, so your view stays sharp even in humid conditions.
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 8×25The Hawke Endurance ED 8×25 is a mid-priced general-purpose monocular that weighs just 5.3 ounces. Great for travel.
It’s well-built, offers a wide-angle field of view, and delivers a solid 8x magnification.
Light transmission produces bright, clear images. The ED glass keeps color fringing to a minimum and pulls out fine detail.
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The focuser has just the right amount of resistance, so fine-tuning your view feels natural and precise.
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
Buy a handmade Leica product and you expect top-notch build quality with a touch of style. This Monovid doesn’t disappoint on either front.
The nitrogen-filled aluminum housing is strong but still light and portable. It prevents internal fogging at any temperature.
And the waterproof design lets you submerge it in water up to about 5 meters deep without worry.
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 best monoculars out there for anyone who wants sharp optics in a portable package.
As a “BGA” monocular, the Opticron BGA WP gives you a viewing experience close to what you’d get from a pair of medium-sized roof prism binoculars, but in a device that fits in your pocket.
It’s nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging and waterproof to a reported depth of up to three meters. That makes it a great option for outdoor use in all kinds of weather.
Optically, it’s very clean 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
There’s no shortage of monocular telescopes on the market. Whether you’re picking one up for birdwatching, concerts, hiking, hunting, or even sports events, this roundup should point you in the right direction.
