Bird watching, also known as birding, is a popular hobby that involves observing wild birds in their natural habitats. It requires patience, knowledge about birds and their behavior, and the right equipment. One piece of equipment that birders often consider is a monocular. But is a monocular actually a good choice for bird watching?
What is a Monocular?
A monocular is a small telescope that you hold in one hand and look through with only one eye. It is compact, lightweight, and easy to carry around. Monoculars come in a range of magnifications, typically from 5x to 12x, allowing you to get a close-up view of distant objects. They have objective lens diameters generally ranging from 25mm to 42mm.
Compared to binoculars, monoculars have some advantages and disadvantages:
- Advantages:
- Small and portable
- Affordable option
- Can use with eyeglasses
- Good for viewing stationary objects
- Disadvantages:
- Narrower field of view than binoculars
- Less comfortable to use handheld for long periods
- No depth perception since using one eye
- More difficult to follow moving objects
Is a Monocular Good for Birding Specifically?
Given the pros and cons of monoculars, are they a good choice for bird watching? Here are some factors to consider:
Magnification Power
Most birders prefer binoculars with 7x to 10x magnification. Higher magnification makes images appear closer, but also narrows the field of view. Monoculars often max out at 12x magnification. While you can see a bird’s details at 12x, the narrower field of view makes it harder to locate and track birds.
Objective Lens Size
The larger a monocular’s objective lens (the front end), the brighter the image. A 28mm or 32mm lens is best for low light conditions at dawn and dusk when bird activity increases. Smaller 25mm models may be insufficient at those times.
Field of View
Binoculars offer a wide field of view around 130-150m at 1000m. Monoculars have a narrower field of view at only 90-105m. This makes it more difficult to scan for birds and get them within the viewing area.
Eye Relief
Monoculars usually have an eye relief of around 15mm. This is the optimal distance from the eyepiece to see the full field of view. It can be a challenge to hold a monocular steadily at that distance, especially when trying to locate moving birds.
Portability vs. Optics
The main appeal of a monocular is portability. But the compact body also means smaller lenses and fewer internal optical components. This gives binoculars better light gathering ability and image quality in a similar price range.
When a Monocular Excels
While binoculars are superior for most birding situations, a monocular can be the better choice in certain circumstances:
- When hiking or traveling light – a small monocular easily fits in your pocket
- As a backup to your binoculars
- If you only have vision in one eye
- For young children who can’t handle the size/weight of binoculars
- For viewing stationary birds or nests at a distance
- For low magnification scanning of the landscape and looking at wide panoramas
Tips for Using a Monocular for Birding
If you plan to use a monocular for bird watching, here are some tips to get the most out of it:
- Choose one with the largest objective lens diameter you can afford for maximum light gathering ability.
- Look for a model with a wide field of view, preferably over 100m at 1000m.
- Use a monopod or tripod to stabilize it for extended viewing periods.
- Pick a unit with an eyecup that twists up to block extraneous light.
- Get a monocular with a close focus distance under 20 feet so you can view small songbirds clearly.
- Try resting the monocular against a tree, post, or wall to steady it when viewing.
- Bird in wide open areas or shorelines where birds are easier to locate in a narrow field of view.
Top 5 Monoculars for Birding
Based on optics, ease of use, and price, here are 5 of the best monoculars to consider for bird watching:
Monocular | Magnification | Objective Lens | Field of View | Eye Relief | Close Focus | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vortex Solo 8×25 | 8x | 25mm | 105m | 15mm | 6 ft | $79 |
Celestron Outland X 8×25 | 8x | 25mm | 103m | 17mm | 8 ft | $60 |
Nikon Prostaff 3S 10×25 | 10x | 25mm | 105m | 15mm | 8 ft | $76 |
Vortex Optics Solo Monocular 10×36 | 10x | 36mm | 110m | 17mm | 6 ft | $129 |
Zeiss Terra ED 10×32 | 10x | 32mm | 118m | 13mm | 16 ft | $299 |
Conclusion
For most birders, binoculars represent the best value and performance for the activity. But monoculars can also be a useful option in the right circumstances.
The portability of a monocular makes it ideal for travel, backup, and occasions when minimal weight is needed. For stationary and distant viewing, a monocular’s higher magnifications provide close-up details that binoculars lack. Models with larger objective lenses, quality optics, and flexible eyecups maximize their usefulness for birding.
While they have limitations compared to binoculars, monoculars are worth considering by birders who want a lightweight supplementary viewing tool with different viewing properties than typical binoculars.