High magnification monoculars - features and advantages. The most powerful binoculars in the world Monocular characteristics

Levenhuk Wise monoculars are compact monoculars with variable magnification. Due to their small size and weight, they are convenient to take with you on the road, for a walk or on a trip. They are useful for studying wildlife, urban architecture and remote objects. Multi-layer coating of optics will allow you to conduct observations even in low light conditions.

Bresser monoculars are reliable and functional optical devices that convey the beauty of the surrounding world without distortion or flare. These lightweight and compact monoculars will not burden you on the road and will become faithful assistants in the study of wildlife and urban landscapes. Bresser monoculars are an excellent choice for tourists and travelers and an excellent replacement for bulky binoculars.

Celestron monoculars come in a variety of models for everyday use. The most popular monoculars are presented in the Outland X, Oceana, Nature and UpClose series. In them you will find classic models for studying urban landscapes, and all-weather optical instruments for studying wildlife.

Veber monoculars are a harmonious combination of reliability and affordable price. They are great for studying wildlife during the day and will be a real boon for naturalists and ornithologists. The package already includes carrying and storage cases.

KOMZ monoculars are created in Russia at the Kazan Optical-Mechanical Plant. They are distinguished by excellent quality optics, reliable design and low cost. All optical elements of monoculars are coated and transmit images with high clarity and contrast. KOMZ monoculars are suitable for travel, tourist trips, attending sporting events and walking in the fresh air.

We invite you to buy a monocular in the online store

Our online store offers a wide selection of monoculars from famous brands. From us you can buy a monocular for observations of any level of complexity: from exploring distant objects in daylight to studying wildlife in extreme conditions. To buy a monocular in an online store, you just need to add the model you like to your cart and fill out the order form. If you are in doubt about your choice, our consultants are ready to answer your questions online or by phone.

From us you can buy monoculars from Veber, Celestron and other world brands

Choosing a monocular is not difficult. If you plan to study very distant objects in detail, a high magnification monocular is suitable for you. And for landscape observations, it is better to choose a monocular with a wide field of view and low magnification.

Compact and lightweight, Celestron monoculars are perfect for studying wildlife. The brand's range includes tourist models for daytime observations and professional monoculars for working in extreme conditions. One of the most popular monoculars produced by Celestron is the Celestron Outland X 6x30. This model provides 6x magnification and allows you to focus on objects just 2 meters away. Coated optics create a clear and contrasting image, and the rubberized body protects the monocular from moisture, dust and dirt.

Veber monoculars are the best monoculars for exploring nature and urban architecture. They are small and lightweight and great for travel, hiking and camping trips. Distinctive Features monoculars of this brand: reliable design, affordable price, high quality of the transmitted image.

A monocular is the “half” of a regular prism binocular that produces a direct image and is used to view distant objects with one eye. With such “pocket” optics, you can, without attracting attention, watch animals or birds while hunting, fishing or traveling, follow a game on a sports field or action on a theater stage, study exhibits in museums or exhibitions. And models with focusing from 0.25 m can even be used instead of a magnifying glass.

Compared to binoculars, a monocular:

• Easier to use and configure.
• Lighter and more compact. Even a powerful model does not strain your hand and fits easily into the pocket of a jacket, bag or backpack.
• It is more convenient in situations where you need to quickly and competently look around. The device can be carried in the hand and, if necessary, instantly applied to the eye.
• Attached to a pocket using a “clip”, mounted on a sports helmet or forehead strap.

How to choose a monocular

Close

Monoculars are compact, lightweight and inexpensive optical devices for observing objects at a distance. The products are easy to use, so they are suitable for fishing, hunting and travel. Monoculars perform the same functions as binoculars, but differ from the latter in design - they are equipped with one eyepiece. The wide range of products presented in the catalogs of online stores in Moscow and throughout Russia makes the choice difficult. We'll tell you what parameters you need to consider when purchasing and help you compare different models.

Monocular appearance

The body of the device consists of polycarbonate with a rubberized surface. The body color is most often black, but some models are available in other colors: white, green, khaki or red. The weight of the monocular depends on its size: from 110 g to 1 kg. Small size and lightness allow you to carry the device in your pocket or around your neck without feeling heavy. Manufacturers have created a number of accessories: neck cord, case, belt clip. Some models also have a tripod socket.

Basic parameters of the device

Before you buy a monocular, you need to decide for what purposes you will use it. The device should be selected taking into account its technical characteristics: magnification, lens diameter, field of view, clearing of optics, focusing, prism type. Magnitude is an indicator that determines how close an object is visually when viewed through a monocular. The higher this setting, the better you will be able to see distant objects. Using the magnification control, you can change the magnification level.

The size of the field of view of the device, as well as the amount of light collected and the brightness of the picture depend on the diameter of the lens. But it is worth considering that glass reflects only half of the light, which is why the image is transmitted worse. To reduce light fall, an anti-reflective film is used, which improves clarity, color rendition and contrast. There are three types of focusing: central, split and auto. Using central focusing, you can easily focus on an object, but separate focusing is more accurate, in addition, it is suitable for people who wear glasses with different diopters.

Additional features

Thanks to parameters such as twilight factor and relative brightness, the equipment allows you to see in low light. The minimum twilight factor must be no lower than 11. The image quality and, consequently, the price of the monocular directly depend on it.

To protect and extend the service life, the devices provide protection from humidity, shock and dust protection. For users with visual impairments, models with diopter adjustment are available. It allows you to adjust the eyepiece so that the observer sees a clear image without wearing glasses. An additional advantage of the device will be a built-in rangefinder or compass.

1. Monocular or binoculars?
2. Manufacturers
3. Bushnell 16x52
4. KOMZ MP 15x50
5. Veber Sport BR 12×32
6. Sturman 10x40 monocular
7. KOMZ MP2 8x30
8. LEVENHUK Wise PLUS 8×32

A monocular is a device similar to binoculars, but designed for only one eye. Thanks to this, in comparison with binoculars, it is more compact and lightweight, while being almost as functional. Today we will look at some of the most powerful monoculars so that you can make the right choice.

Monocular or binoculars?

Each type has its pros and cons. The most obvious advantage of binoculars is that they have a wide viewing angle. But in the case of a monocular, this can be solved by simply turning your head in the right direction.

Here are the advantages of monoculars:

• low price;


• light weight, compact;


• resistance to falls and shocks;


• well suited for shooting use.

The quality and power of monoculars are influenced by parameters such as lens diameter, magnification ratio, and type of optics. Also, some models are filled inside not with simple air, but with nitrogen, which prevents the lenses from fogging up.

Manufacturers

The niche of monoculars in the world and Russian markets occupied by the following manufacturers:

1. Levenhuk. Specializes in compact devices whose magnification can be adjusted.


2. Bresser. Produces reliable and functional monoculars for travelers.


3. Celestron. This brand produces the most different models, suitable for household use.


4. Weber. They have the best price-quality ratio.


5. KOMZ. Russian company located in Kazan. She manages to combine good quality and reasonable prices for your products.

Now it’s time to find out which models have the most power.

The most powerful monocular – Veber Monty 18×70

The marking means that the diameter of the lens of this monocular is 70 mm, and it also has 18x magnification.

An impressive device that not only has an outstanding degree of magnification, but also a considerable weight - 800 grams. Despite the fact that such a device is difficult to hold near the eye for a long time, the image quality still outweighs this drawback, according to buyers.

Many, on the contrary, consider it a virtue. After all, the Veber Monty 18×70 comes with a tripod, and its large weight and dimensions make the whole structure stable. The coating on the lenses is very high quality and has a greenish tint. The device transmits 87% of light.

The image is quite sharp and does not have pronounced astigmatism. In the evening, it perfectly conveys the lighting and makes it contrasting.

As for the shortcomings, they are mostly structural. The monocular is made of two halves, which can lead to dust getting in and, accordingly, reducing its service life. However, this does not prevent it from confidently occupying the position of the most powerful monocular on this list.

Minimum price – 4000 rubles

Bushnell 16x52

Perhaps the most worthy representative of all Chinese monoculars. The manufacturer is quite well known in the professional optics market. The Bushnell 16×52 supports magnification and lens adjustment, allowing for very precise adjustments to suit individual vision conditions. The lenses are slightly recessed into the body, this is made for comfortable use in bright sunlight

Unfortunately, there are defective copies. Some have a slight double image, which should not happen. For others, the image is cloudy (but you need to check it at room temperature and not immediately after frost).

KOMZ MP 15x50

According to buyers, the model is excellent for running hunting, for example, for game in the fields. It magnifies well and fits in a bag or pocket.

The disadvantages include the not very conveniently made eyepiece, which rests on the eyeball instead of resting on the bone surrounding it. The design of the device seems simple to many.

Minimum price – 3900 rubles

Veber Sport BR 12×32

A very small and lightweight monocular, but with good power. Allows you to enjoy a good image even in the evening due to sufficient aperture. Supplied with a convenient protective case.

Disadvantages: you will not be able to see distant landscapes - focusing does not reach further than 2 kilometers. The monocular is not designed to withstand falls at all - it is made of plastic and has a fragile lens. Also, the sharpness adjustment wheel rotates a little stiffly.

Minimum price – 800 rubles

Sturman 10x40 monocular

Very compact (only 17 cm in length), but at the same time powerful and easy to use. The body is made of aluminum and rubberized. By rotating the eyepiece you can adjust the focus.

The model is distinguished by the fact that it produces a very clear image of not only static, but also moving objects. The optical design is based on Roof prism technology - this means that the image is projected straight and not upside down.

Minimum price – 1100 rubles

KOMZ MP2 8x30

The model boasts 8x magnification and high clarity of the resulting image. The ratio of magnification and lens size is chosen very well. Focusing can be easily adjusted to suit your needs. A durable protective case is included. The monocular itself is made entirely of metal and weighs 270 grams.

Disadvantages: The equipment is incomplete. For example, there are no rubber eyecups. The lenses are not coated everywhere, and if there is, it is very weak. The eyecup on the eyepiece is too low, making it not very convenient to use.

LEVENHUK Wise PLUS 8×32

Eight-fold magnification and a high-quality coated lens make this monocular one of the leaders on the market. It has a body completely protected from water, filled with nitrogen from the inside.

There is a comfortable soft rubber eyecup. The body is also rubberized, which makes it shock-resistant. The package includes a case, a cloth for cleaning the optics, a strap and a cap for closing the lens.

Minimum price – 4500 rubles

Celestron Outland 6×30 Monocular

Despite the fact that the magnification of this device is not the greatest, it has good field view and viewing angle, so I got a lot positive feedback even in comparison with more expensive models.

The device gives a high-quality, clear and contrasting picture without distorting it from the edges. The eye relief can be adjusted. The monocular is made of rubberized plastic and weighs about 220 grams. Includes a cover made of woven material.

Minimum price – 2500 rubles

How to choose a good monocular?

In order not to make a mistake with your choice, you need to look not only at the degree of magnification, but also at each of the other possible parameters. Let's look at them in more detail.

1. Multiplicity. The number of times a monocular can magnify an image is directly related to the complexity of its operation. Professionals consider a magnification of 5-6 to be optimal, because such devices usually stabilize well and do not weigh too much.


2. If the magnification is more than 8, problems with image stabilization already arise. There are also monoculars with adjustable magnification, but this raises the question of the reliability of such a device.


3. Lens diameter. The parameter directly affects the degree of aperture of the device. The larger the main lens, the heavier the weight of the monocular. 20


4. Field of view. If you imagine that in front of you there is a fence 1000 meters long, then with a monocular linear vision of 113 meters out of 1000 you will see a fragment of this fence 113 meters long. The higher the magnification factor, the lower this figure will be.


5. Gas filling. The parameter indicates whether the sealed housing is filled with any inert gas to prevent condensation.


6. Optical clearing. This is the main criterion if correct color rendering and image brightness are important to you. The best monoculars are multi-coated, while the cheapest monoculars only coat one layer of the lens. 21


7. Depth of field. This parameter determines how much the distance can change before the focus needs to be adjusted again.


8. Exit pupil removal. In other words, it is the distance in millimeters between the eyepiece and the eye. It should be comfortable and not degrade the quality of the visible image. A person wearing glasses must pay attention to this criterion. There are two options here - either take off your glasses while using the monocular, or not. In the second case, a model with a distance of more than 14 millimeters is required.


9. Waterproof. Required function for those who need the device for hunting or use near water. If you plan to use the monocular only at home, then regular splash protection will be enough.

As for quality, you need to pay attention to such points as:

• lenses are fitted tightly;


• the glass in them does not dangle;


• the adjustment functions as expected.

What is a night vision monocular?

The device differs from a conventional monocular in its increased lens diameter, special protection against flare, and automatic brightness control. Night vision is usually provided by infrared illumination.

A night vision monocular can be relevant both for hunters and fishermen, as well as for travelers, military personnel, and intelligence officers. It takes up little space, so you can take it with you anywhere.

What is a monocular? Monoculars are conventional magnifying lenses that often come with additional electronic features. Monoculars are more similar to rifle scopes than to binoculars. However, unlike scopes, they can be mounted on a person's head or simply held in their hands.

According to their classification, monoculars are similar to binoculars. At the heart of such devices are the same optical systems, on high quality which it is undesirable to save. However, monoculars are often used as night vision devices.

Keep in mind that a wide variety of monoculars can be used for a wide variety of purposes. For example, the use of some night-time devices may be completely useless during the day, while conventional devices are poorly suited for night time. However, some (perhaps even a large number) of such devices can function both with and without lighting.

Thus, monoculars can be passive - capable of functioning exclusively in conditions of natural (albeit minimal) light levels, as well as active - using IR illumination. Moreover, active equipment can function in conditions of complete absence of external lighting.

Advantages of modern monoculars

Before choosing night vision monoculars, for example, for hunting, it is worth considering all their specificity. Despite their simple design, the devices have many advantages, including:

• Compact size;
• Affordable price;
• Ability to use as sights;
• Possibility of connection to binoculars;
• Light weight;
• Small dimensions;
• Low power consumption;
• Wear resistance;
• Long service life;
• Fixation on masks or helmets.

In contrast to night sights, monoculars are usually always on hand. Moving in the forest at night, peering into the sights of guns, will be extremely inconvenient for any hunters. However, when a person holds a lightweight and compact device in his hands, with the help of which he will be on guard all the time, moving through the forest becomes much safer.

Basic performance characteristics of monoculars

First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with:

• Multiplicity is a characteristic indicating the level of proximity of objects. In model descriptions, the multiplicity may be indicated as the first digit before the “x” symbol. To better understand this, you can use the example of a monocular, which has a tenfold magnification (10x). Thus, when objects may be 1000 meters away, the observer will be able to see it as if they were located a hundred meters away. For devices with variable focus, numbers will be indicated using a hyphen;
• Diameter. In lenses (in millimeters), this will be the image of the second digit following the “x” symbol. Thus, the larger the lens, the wider the field of view will be;
• Coated optics. Typically, glass lenses transmit some of the light through them, and the other part of it is reflected. Accordingly, not all the light manages to reach the eye, and as a result, objects are not displayed as well. To get rid of this imperfection, several or even one very thin film is applied to the lenses; most often they have their own wavelength. Lenses with films applied to them are called coated lenses;
• Filling with argon or nitrogen. These types of gases do not have the ability to accumulate water vapor, so if a sudden change occurs temperature regime lenses do not fog up on the inside;
• Dioptric adjustment. We have to admit that not all people have good vision, because of this, many of them are forced to use glasses, which can sometimes interfere with the use of a monocular. In order to avoid this, the ability to adjust diopters is built into the eyepiece itself; as a rule, this occurs in the range of ±5D.

It should be taken into account that these were only the main of many important points in the performance characteristics of monoculars.

How monoculars are priced

The cost of monoculars depends on a number of important factors, but pricing is mainly influenced by:

• Manufacturer brand;
• Magnification ratio;
• Availability of additional electronic functionality of the monocular.

In addition, the presence of additional functions can become a fundamental factor in the process of determining the final cost of the monocular, which can fluctuate in a wide variety of values ​​in the range of 15-7000 US dollars.

Classification of quality monocular models

Based on the capabilities and quality of the electron-optical converter, monoculars are divided into four classes. So, to the third and fourth grade(the most advanced devices) are almost impossible to approach; they cannot be bought at the nearest electronics supermarket. Devices of this level are mainly used in special units and law enforcement agencies.

The domestic monocular market is filled with models from the following manufacturers of optical equipment:

• Carl Zeiss;
• Sturman (optics of this brand are simple amateur equipment for tourism or nature lovers);
• KOMZ (from the Kazan Optical-Mechanical Plant);
• Refinery (from the Novosibirsk Instrument-Making Plant) is a manufacturing plant of Russian, but quite high-quality equipment, a manufacturer of optical equipment.

Choosing the best monoculars

As already mentioned, there can actually be a lot of characteristics by which you can choose the necessary device for yourself, and they will be considered to some extent in the process of reviewing the most popular models. While choosing a monocular isn't actually that difficult, deciding what purpose it will be used for will be much more difficult.

Veber Sport 12x25 BR ($20)

This model can be presented as a prime example of a conventional monocular. With its low price, light weight and high-quality optics, this device has gained great popularity. Many people use them in everyday life, watching sports competitions and theater performances.

There is nothing special about this monocular, but experts note that its main advantage is the presence of coated optics and a waterproof body. The weight of the device does not exceed 100 grams, thanks to which it began to be called the “pocket version”.

KOMZ MP 15×50 ($70)

Such monoculars belong to a higher class than the previous ones, and are much more suitable for outdoor activities. Some hunters use these monoculars for hunting and there are good reviews about them in this regard.

A distinctive feature is that the axes of the external lenses and eyepieces have a certain disconnection, and besides, all this was done for a specific purpose. When people use two eyes, they immediately determine the middle of the visible image. However, when one eye is closed, the view of the middle shifts, and people become lost in space. Monoculars with staggered axes allow you to orient the lenses as if between the eyes (like the mythical Cyclops). As a result, the image viewed even with one eye will be correctly centered.

Among other things, this monocular has one more advantage. This is one of the few models where the body material is metal, rather than the usual plastic, and the price is not so high. The monoculars are equipped with coated optics and have a real angular field of view of 4.4°. Although this is not a budget purchase, it is still a fairly high-quality purchase.

Yukon NVMT Spartan 2×24 (NVD, $190)

Such monoculars are no longer monoculars, but more night vision devices made in the monocular form factor. The purpose of these devices is already clear from their names, but high-quality performance you can stop. In fact, Yukon in the world of optics can be compared to BMW in the auto world. It also has its own “supercars”, but the Yukon remains the Yukon. They have everything done right high level: rubberized cases with a soft coating, thoughtful mounts for tripods or helmets.

The implementation of night vision is based on infrared illumination and operates at a distance of up to 150 m. However, the most remarkable thing is that special photo adapters can be purchased for these monoculars, after which the devices also become camera lenses. The likelihood of using monoculars with cameras brings them to high quality new level, the same prospect of night photography and video can only be underestimated. Today, there are amateur video cameras that have a night shooting function, but the approximation of the range in them is completely different, while the ability to take pictures even in the daytime at a distance of 200 meters can be extremely useful.

Minox MD 6×16 A ($250)

These monoculars are considered the best travel options in their class. However, when people talk about tourist ones, they don’t always imagine what kind of species they are and how, for example, tourist ones can differ from hunting ones. However, there is a difference. Hunting devices are designed to be handled unpretentiously; they can be dropped, drowned, dirty, etc. Hunters are usually strong men, and the extra weight of half a kilo is unlikely to play a special role. Whereas for tourists, the weight of luggage can be very significant, because they value the versatility of things more.

In terms of their optics, these devices do not stand out in anything special, but they have quite decent parameters characteristic of such devices, and their advantages. IN metal cases with very compact dimensions and an unusual bar-type configuration for optics, there are altimeters, thermometers, clocks and stopwatches. They are suitable for mountain lovers, trainers of a wide variety of winter species sports or for sport shooting.

Dipol D126H Pro ($2150)

An interesting variation that may remind you that all modern monoculars were produced primarily for the military. In the process of manufacturing this particular device, the task was set to create not so much a lightweight version of binoculars, but devices that could be attached to sights, sighting modules, lighting and photographic devices. In military affairs, entire complexes, the so-called “day-night”, are considered especially popular. These are monoculars that can be almost instantly attached to other devices or even to folding ones. It is clear that the requirements for devices for military or weapons purposes can be very high.

The described monoculars actually belong to such an uncompromising system. They are also night vision devices with a good range of infrared illumination and the ability to connect another infrared module to enhance the effect. The case has all moisture-, dust- and dirt-proof properties. The optics themselves were performed at a very high level, like a “long-range gun” with a tracking distance of 500 m. Not many people will be able to appreciate this device; only a reflecting telescope can be better than it.

Brief conclusions on choosing a monocular

After familiarizing yourself with most monoculars, you may get the impression that binoculars are not needed at all. Yes, with proper handling of one or two monoculars you can observe almost like using binoculars.

Industrial production provides a solution to almost all problems faced when choosing monoculars, but the main thing when choosing, as always, is the quality of the optics. High-quality optics are recognized by specific iridescent tints, sensations of depth and multi-layered lenses. You should know that high-quality lenses are heavy in weight. Cases with such lenses can be made of different materials, but they should not have backlashes, cracks, traces of glue, or scratches.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them