Inexpensive 8x21 monocular?

G

Grouch

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
373
My 10 year old Tasco 8x21 monocular stopped working. It was well worth its $20 cost to me. What should I replace it with? Please don't recommend items in excess of $50.
 
Grouch said:
My 10 year old Tasco 8x21 monocular stopped working. It was well worth its $20 cost to me. What should I replace it with? Please don't recommend items in excess of $50.
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Okay, I won't tell you about what I carry around. :D
 
I was surprised at how well the Simmons 8x21 monocular works for the $10 it cost me at the local sporting goods store.

It has adjustable focus and comes with a belt carrying case. It is covered in camo-colored rubber.

I can't find it on the Simmons web site, but there is more info from one of the dealers here.
 
I recently bought a pair of fairly cheap Bruntons on sale at Lighthound.com
http://www.lighthound.com/Brunton-Echo-Zoom-Monocular-10-30-x-21_p_187.html
They were for keeping in the glovebox of the cars. They are really great for the price. Crazily enough, these are a zoom model 10-30X21. My GF loves zoom models of binos so that is what I usually look for. These at 27.00 were a good buy. They have non zoom ones for even less, but I was pleasently surprised at the clarity of these as zooms are never great for clarity IMHO.
Suposedly they have fully coated optics so that may explain the good light gathering quality.These are the cheapest I have seen advertized anywhere optics are sold, so what the heck. Good luck on your search.
Here is another two they have,
http://www.lighthound.com/Brunton-Lite-Tech-8x22-Waterproof-Monocular_p_190.html
http://www.lighthound.com/Brunton-7018-Echo-Pocket-Scope-7-x-18_p_185.html
 
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I like this one. Shown in yellow below. Link.

maxpeditionEDC005.jpg
 
I own one of these and it is tiny and capable of nice views: (ATN Silvereye price ~$30). It is a classic Japanese design marketed under numerous brands.

opticsplanet_2044_851486803


If I were to buy one with a bit more quality, I would probably go with this Vixen model. Vixen is a very well regarded optics brand; known for making affordable quality instruments for advanced amature astronomers. (price ~$140)

opticsplanet_2046_1730015100


This one has a close focus of only 10 inches.

Anyway, here is a page with monoculars from <$10 to > $5,000:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/s/monocular/hpp~200


n2s
 
ArchAngel said:
I recently bought a pair of fairly cheap Bruntons on sale at Lighthound.com
http://www.lighthound.com/Brunton-Echo-Zoom-Monocular-10-30-x-21_p_187.html
They were for keeping in the glovebox of the cars. They are really great for the price. Crazily enough, these are a zoom model 10-30X21. My GF loves zoom models of binos so that is what I usually look for. These at 27.00 were a good buy. They have non zoom ones for even less, but I was pleasently surprised at the clarity of these as zooms are never great for clarity IMHO.
Suposedly they have fully coated optics so that may explain the good light gathering quality.These are the cheapest I have seen advertized anywhere optics are sold, so what the heck. Good luck on your search.
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Isn't 10+ power too strong to handhold without too much shake?
 
Grouch said:
Isn't 10+ power too strong to handhold without too much shake?
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Not that I have noticed. Any stronger would be an issue but most of my small binos are 10X also. I use a Steiner Predator Pro in 10X26 that I love. No shake issues at all, and these little monoculars seem about the same for me.
No shake issues at all that I ever notice. My GF uses the small ones in that same range and has no issues either.
 
not2sharp said:
If I were to buy one with a bit more quality, I would probably go with this Vixen model. Vixen is a very well regarded optics brand; known for making affordable quality instruments for advanced amature astronomers. (price ~$140)

opticsplanet_2046_1730015100


This one has a close focus of only 10 inches.

Anyway, here is a page with monoculars from <$10 to > $5,000:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/s/monocular/hpp~200


n2s
Click to expand...

Or check out Orion. I carry around the Orion 8x32 wide-angle monocular. List price is $142, but I got mine on an in-store sale for $90. They rock.
 
Grouch said:
Isn't 10+ power too strong to handhold without too much shake?
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I just bought the very same Brunton 10-30X zoom monocular. The 10X is surprizingly steady so long as I hold my hand against my brow - to help steady it. I just hold the monocular like I might hold the neck of a bottle of beer.

Its clear enough to read the larger words on a political sign in a neighbor's yard - maybe 600 feet away - which are absolutely not readable without the monocular. I tend to use text legibility as a good measure of clarity.

The 30X tends to get kind of dark and shakey, but if I prop my elbows on the hood of my truck its not too bad.
 
Marc123 said:
Take a look at the Alpen 10x25. Zeiss makes a cool little monocular but I think the price is around $100.
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I was about to buy the Alpen 10X32 as it's not much more money and will give me more light. Do you own, or have you ever tried, either of these Alpen models?
 
I have used both the Alpen 10x25 and Brunton Echo. Both work well, but I have just used them casually on day hikes. For the price they have held up well.
 
I'm gonna order the same one powernoodle has.
one45auto- those are called pocket organizers, you can get them from Tadgear (specops brand), Maxpedition, and countycomm.
 
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