When you are out on a backpacking trip, there are a few different essentials that you need to carry. While a torchlight, medications, food, etc, are some of the more obvious things that you need to carry on a backpacking trip, a monocular is also essential that will make your trip worthwhile. With a monocular, you can make a hiking trip, a camping trip, a birdwatching trip, and more, even more enjoyable.
A good monocular for a backpacking trip should be compact, lightweight and should slip right into your pocket with great ease. The following are some of the six best monoculars for backpacking. The reviews are then followed by a buying guide on how to pick a monocular for backpacking.
Best Monoculars for Backpacking
Here are our backpacking monocular reviews.
1. ROXANT High Definition Ultra-Light Mini Monocular Pocket Scope
Best Overall
The Roxant high-definition ultra-light mini monocular pocket scope is a compact and powerful instrument. It has a high-definition optical glass and comes with multi-coated optics. You can also use the monocular underwater for marine watching and for water sports, which is a rare quality.
- The monocular has a variable magnification from 7x to 18x and it is compact enough to fit comfortably in your pocket.
- The multi-coated optics allow the right amount of light and produce a bright, sharp and clear image.
- The monocular comes with a carry pouch, a neck strap, and a cleaning cloth, making it ideal for backpacking.
2. Vortex Optics Solo Monocular 8×25
Editor’s Choice
The Vortex Optics Solo Monocular has a 25 mm objective lens that produces a sharp, concise image. It has a fully multi-coated lens that transmits the best possible light. The monocular is also lightweight and perfect for carrying on a backpacking trip.
- The monocular has a magnification of 8x and the objective lens of 25 mm produces a crisp image.
- It has a rubber armor that gives the user a non-slip grip and makes the monocular durable.
- The monocular is waterproof, fog-proof and dustproof as it has been nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed.
3. Occer 10X42 High Power Monocular Telescope
Best Value
The Occer high power monocular telescope has magnification from 10x. The monocular is waterproof and fog-proof. It has a cover made with environmental rubber and therefore, extremely durable.
- The monocular has a wide field of view of 1,000 yards and also has a high-definition dual focus.
- The monocular has an adjustable eyecup which is great for someone who is wearing spectacles.
- The lens has high color reduction which ensures that the image you see is a reflection of real colors and of the real world.
4. Gosky 12×55 High Definition Monocular Telescope
The Gosky high-definition monocular telescope is a great monocular to use in the outdoors. This is a high-powered monocular that offers a bright and clear image. The monocular telescope is also waterproof, fog-proof, shockproof and dustproof.
- The monocular has a variable high magnification from 12x to 55x that allows for a great image in the outdoors, especially thanks to the 55 mm objective lens.
- It has a long eye relief and an adjustable eyecup that is great for someone who wears spectacles and is a good way to find a comfortable viewing position.
- The monocular is argon-purged which makes it waterproof, fog-proof, dustproof and shockproof. The rubber armor also lends to its durability.
5. Authentic Roxant Viper 10×25 Pocket Scope with Rubber Armor
The Authentic Roxant Viper is a compact pocket scope with rubber armor. The monocular is small in size and is perfect to simply slip into your pocket when you leave for a backpacking trip. The monocular is also weatherproof and is ideal for use in the outdoors, which is the criteria you are looking for.
- The monocular has a high-definition optical glass that produces a great, bright and crisp image.
- The monocular is lightweight and compact, ideal for taking on a backpacking trip.
- It has a durable and weatherproof exterior that ensures you get a solid grip and the instrument does not slip out of your hands.
6. Odyseaco Compact Monocular for Adults
The Odyseaco is a compact monocular that is ideal for use by adults. The monocular is also lightweight, which is great for making it portable and useful for taking on a backpacking trip. It also has a high-powered magnification that allows you to see a great distance with ease, ideal for birdwatching on a backpacking trip.
- At 0.35 lb, this is an extremely lightweight monocular that can slip right into your pocket with great ease.
- It has powerful magnification — from 8x to 24x, allowing you to see a great distance as well as closeups.
- It has a durable cover and the grid lines on the exterior ensure that you get a solid grip.
Finding the Right Monocular for Backpacking for You
A monocular is a great instrument to bring along with you on a backpacking trip. With a monocular, you will be able to see a great distance, you can observe nature and also be able to use it on a hunting trip or while fishing. A good monocular for backpacking is one that is compact, lightweight and can be fit into your pocket or backpack easily. You should be able to carry it around with ease but it should also be useful for seeing into the distance clearly and getting a bright, crisp image. The following are some of the factors that you may want to consider before buying the right monocular for backpacking.
Size/Weight
The size and weight of a monocular are of the utmost importance. A monocular that is good for using on a backpacking trip needs to be small in size and also needs to be lightweight. If a monocular is too bulky, it will only make your backpack heavier. Similarly, if the size is too large, you will not be able to carry it around as easily. All the monoculars that have been picked above are both compact in size and lightweight.
Lens Size
The lens size of the monocular is also an important factor to consider. A bigger lens will allow you to have a wider field of view and a brighter image. But a bigger lens also means that the monocular would be heavier which does not make it suitable for a monocular for backpacking. A smaller lens will have a smaller field of view, but you will also be able to carry it around with greater ease because it will be lighter. A good monocular should have a lens size anywhere between 20 mm and 42 mm.
Field of View
The field of view of a monocular, as has been explained above, is related to the size of the lens, among other things. If the lens is large, you can also enjoy a larger field of view. But depending on what you need the monocular for, you should pick a field of view accordingly. If you are using the monocular for hunting or birdwatching, you may require something with a larger magnification. The greater the zoom magnification, the smaller the field of view might become. Accordingly, you should be able to pick a field of view for your monocular.
Accessories
For a monocular for backpacking, there are certain accessories that you may want to consider. For example, the monocular should come with a carrying case of its own which makes it easier to take it around. It should also come with a neck strap which allows you to wear it around your neck with ease when you are out backpacking. These accessories make a monocular more portable and easier to carry around, therefore more suitable for backpacking.
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