The Cornell Lab Bird Academy › Discussion Groups › Birding Tips › Monocular

    • STEFAN
      Participant
      Chirps: 6
      Hello,

      I have some quality Binoculars that I chose through the Cornell article on best binocs.

      I'm looking for an inexpensive Monocular that I can put in my pocket when I hike.  I love my binocs, but they slow me down when I'm hiking every morning.

      But sometimes I want to magnify a bird I see.  I know an inexpensive Monocular WILL NOT BE THE SAME as my binocs.  But, I've taken the binocs enough times to know that I don't want to do my morning walk with them.

      I haven't found a legit review of inexpensive monoculars anywhere.

      What do you think of these:

      https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQWP4944/?coliid=I1V3JBQ7R5B01V&colid=2G78XJVL7NFMP&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

      70 bucks.  They seem pretty light and good pocket size.

      Thanks in advance for your help!

      Stefan
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    • Aline
      Participant
      Chirps: 4
      Hi, I have an 8x32 monocular from the brand Nocs, and I'm happy with the clarity of image, size, and weight.  I know what you mean about lugging the binos around, but I still want to see the bird, or whatever I'm looking at, and I'm willing to pay a bit more for optical quality.  It's more expensive than the ones you have the link to, and you'll probably have to pay for shipping.  And it's not as compact.  But you have 30 days to figure out if it's what you want and the return shipping is paid by the company.  Good luck.
      • STEFAN
        Participant
        Chirps: 6
        Thanks

        I looked at those.

        Do you know what the difference is between the ZOOM tube and the FIELD tube by NOCS?

        I bought that other one, but I am returning it.  I can't see much.
      • Aline
        Participant
        Chirps: 4

        @STEFAN Sorry about the other one, at least you could send it back.

        The Field tube is enhanced for being in the elements, and it's larger (I know it doesn't look bigger in the photo, but it is bigger).  It's waterproof and fog-proof as opposed to just water resistant like the Zoom.  It's scratch-resistance coated, and seems to have plugs so you can close up the lenses.  I say seems because I can't tell from the product website if it has two plugs -- my own does.

        I have both, due to a mistake I made.  The optics are the same (very good), and I haven't had them long enough to know how well each one wears.  But I use both at the shore, which can get spitty-rainy, sandy, plus the air is always salty and humid, so I expect the Field will hold up better.

        Good luck, happy holidays, and happy bird-spotting.

        IMG_0925

      • Carolyn
        Participant
        Chirps: 10

        @Aline Hi Stefan & Aline,

        This thread is exactly what I've been looking for. I took a look at (and through) the NOCS Zoom tube today and have been wondering about how happy actual birders are with it. My problem is my eyes don't quite work together. To most people they appear to work together just fine, but when I try binoculars it becomes really obvious that they don't.

        The Field is a little out of my price range, but the demo I saw today had plugs like yours does Aline, so I'm guessing that's standard.

        Anyway, thanks to both of you!