Birdwatching monocular

[Deb London]

Hi folks,

Does anyone have any advice when choosing a monocular suitable for birdwatching?

The OH refuses to use bins (apparently they are not cool enough, LOL) and it will be used by him mainly, but it should be light weight, so I can slip it in my bag sometimes.

8 x ? or 10 x ?

Make?

Anything else?

Any input appreciated.

Thanks.

[captaincarot]

DBA Oasis Monocular


8x would be the best choice

[tcvarlh]

Originally Posted by Deb London

Hi folks,

The OH refuses to use bins (apparently they are not cool enough, LOL) and it will be used by him mainly, but it should be light weight, so I can slip it in my bag sometimes.

I see he is getting you trained properly. Has to be a cool item which the distaff member of the couple carries. Like it!

8x is probably best as mono are a flighty item. 10x I found you spend time hunting around too much for your subject. There are buckets of manufacturers out there Deb, try Barska, they are well made and decently priced.
Or Visionary 8-16x25.
I use these folks : Discount Binoculars Telescopes Night Vision Online Shop - Binoculars UK

h

[Jim Ford]

I bought a monocular from these people some years ago. They have a huge choice:

Fernrohre, Fernrohr, Monokulare, Teleskope, Beobachtungsgläser, Profigeräte für alle Anwendungen

Jim

[Deb London]

Thanks ever so much for all your ideas, CC, h and Jim.

Originally Posted by tcvarlh

I see he is getting you trained properly. Has to be a cool item which the distaff member of the couple carries. Like it!

8x is probably best as mono are a flighty item. 10x I found you spend time hunting around too much for your subject. There are buckets of manufacturers out there Deb, try Barska, they are well made and decently priced.
Or Visionary 8-16x25.
I use these folks : Discount Binoculars Telescopes Night Vision Online Shop - Binoculars UK

h

I used to carry everything, alas it is true. That was the best way to get him out into the muddy fields with the least amount of fuss. A woman learns quickly in these sorts of situation. But after a few choice phrases here and there on my part, and innovative engineering skills on his, he can now wear the 'nerdy' rucksack with pride. As long as he is buckled into his harness creation.

Who's training who.

[tcvarlh]

Originally Posted by Deb London

Who's training who.

He's best left in ignorance so don't show him this site!

h

[Deb London]

Oh goodness, yes. That would be wildlife overdose, at this stage.

Softly, softly catchee monkey.

[Tringa]

Bins aren't cool enough. Geez!

Only one solution - ditch the OH and then buy some decent bins.

Dave

[wint]

I did use an Opticron DBA 8x42 for a short while. The optical quality was fine but it was absolutely useless for locating birds compared with a pair of binoculars!

Also had an Opticron Gallery Scope (8x20) with a close focus of 30cm for dragonfly work but once the Pentax Papilio binoculars came out ditched the Gallery Scope.

Assuming OH has two usable eyes I'd work on persuading him to get binoculars

[tcvarlh]

Gotta admit I don't get the 'cool' bit myself, Monocs always smack of Nelson to me.
Yeah, OK, I s'pose the way he went was ultra cool, chest full of bright shiny medals, French sniper's' delight.
Yep, I can see it now I've had a thunk.

Musta hurt tho'!

h