I use a Pentax 7 x 20 monocular (2 ounces). It came with a small leather case, although it usually ends up on a pouch on my backpack shoulder strap where it can easily be accessed. When I was climbing Wheeler Peak (New Mexico's highest point), one of the guys that I went with laughed at the monocular, calling it "too heavy". About an hour later, he was confused about our route and wanted to use it to see above us. Guess what I told him... In fact, he also thought it was hilarious that I carry a Fox-40 whistle and Photon II in my pocket. I'm sure I'll be reading about him getting stranded in the Sierra Nevadas in the not too distant future....