Compact monoculars

[good_egg]

My trusty little compact monocular has broke after maybe 10 years of service. You know the sort of thing. 8x25, rubber armoured, cost about a fiver. So i want to replace it, but was wondering if i could get something the same size but a step or two up in quality?

I've read some of the posts on binoculars etc, so i can hear you all laughing at my choice of optics. But the reality is, ive never been birdwatching in my life. I live in the country, work on farms. and everything i see is through being in the right place but for unrelated reasons. Had i some posh 8x42s then they would be sitting in a drawer at home, wheras my tiny little monocular sits in my pocket, maybe not even seeing the light of day more than a few times a week, but its always there, or was til it broke.

Does anyone know a manufacturer of similar but better quality monoculars? sadly even compact folding binoculars are a bit too much of a brick in my pocket

[Hobjob]

I have one that I bought from Viking Optical - see web.

I think it is opticrom.

I use it as a hand held magnifier rather than as a mini telescope
as it focusses down on insects and flowers without getting as close as
is necessary with usual x10 hand held magnifying glasses.

Give them a ring - their web-site is partially down at the moment.

They give good advice, but they are also close to me so I usually
pop in when I need to to.

[good_egg]

Thanks for the reply hobjob. I have been looking online at various items. there seems to be loads around the £10-£20 mark, very similar to the one i had. Theres also a few much more expensive. I found an 8x20 zeiss priced at £165, which seemed expensive, although ive probably never experienced the benefits of quality optics.

One particular instrument that caught my eye is something called the Minox Makroskop. its not cheap (by my standards) around £140, its a 8x25 but also focuses to close up objects. Its waterproof, rubber cased, etc. Has anyone seen or maybe handled one of these?

[good_egg]

I found one single online review for that minox thing, and it werent a goodun, something to do with internal glare and reflection.

Not to worry, today i went into Southwest Optics, in Truro. Nestling between the Swarovskis and Leicas, i found an Oregan 8 x 21 monocular for £15. perfect!

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by good_egg

I found one single online review for that minox thing, and it werent a goodun, something to do with internal glare and reflection.

Not to worry, today i went into Southwest Optics, in Truro. Nestling between the Swarovskis and Leicas, i found an Oregan 8 x 21 monocular for £15. perfect!

Ockham's razor. The simplest solution is most likely the best. Or something similar.