have not used a monocular. would LOVE to have one - if I could find pretty good quality at a reasonable price. I do agree that binocs are way more comfortable on the eyes for long-term use.

I have found that 8x is too low for magnification. I always seem to need to see a bit more. OTOH, 15x is too high. too much vibration. so somewhere in the range 10-12x is about right for binocs. It would be nice to have 50mm lenses, but those binocs are too bulky and heavy. 25mm lenses don't have enough light. so somewhere around 30-40mm is probably a good compromise. hence, 10x30, or 12x40 might be great.

I'm assuming the same applies to the monocular. so looking for something in that range.

Pete

ended up going with small binocs

i used ultra-small binox for years but often even left them behind when i shouldn't have, so went to a monoc.

after trying different ones i carried the modern Zeiss 10x25B "Design Selection" model for a while (second from right in pix below) but even left that behind at times due to being just a tad too large.

it took a few years to find the one i really wanted: the much smaller & straight tapered long-discountined Zeiss 6x20B Classic.

after years of pocket carry, i've never had to leave this one behind.

here's a pix i just took of it:



Zeiss makes a bunch of newer models, and while they don't come cheap, they are worth every penny! because of the ultra-high optical quality, i can see detail you can't with much larger and more powerful optics.

http://www.zeiss.com/sports-optics/en_us/nature/monoculars.html#models



in particular, i like the one close to what i carry, the Mono 6x18 T* (third from left, and re-shown below)

Holy cow is it not cheap! Best price I found was $300. I don't use magnification often enough to justify it right now.

nope, definitely not cheap. but having tried many under-$100 units, none were really worth hauling around.

guess i'm just happy to wear cheap jeans and t-shirts in exchange for owning high quality survival/EDC gear i need, use, enjoy and depend on :-)

That's the one I talked about earlier in the thread. I prefer it mainly because it's close-focus, but it's also a bit lighter and a bit brighter.

great minds think alike Brangdon, and you beat me too it.