If you love the great outdoors and indulge in activities such as hunting, hiking, birdwatching, etc. that needs long-distance viewing, then you definitely need a high-quality optical device. And, nothing can beat a monocular considering the comfort, ease of use, night vision and portability that a monocular offers.
A monocular essentially is a small telescope that makes use of a single lens. The handheld device is usually held in the hand, while you view it with one eye. You can easily store your monocular in your pocket or backpack and carry it wherever you go. With a monocular, you can see far away objects, animals, a concert stage, etc. with absolute ease and apart from just viewing things, if you also like to capture photos and videos then you should look for the best monocular for cell phone.
So, if you are planning to buy the best monocular for cell phones, then you have come to the right place. We have researched various monocular scopes in the market and put together a comprehensive buyer’s guide and reviews of the best monocular for cell phones to make your buying decision easier.
Best Monoculars for Cell Phones
Here are our cell phone monocular reviews.
1. Vivreal Monocular Telescope with Smartphone Holder & Tripod
Best Overall
First on the list of best monoculars for cell phones is the Vivreal Monocular Telescope. This compact device is very small and fits easily into your pocket or backpack allowing you to carry it around conveniently. The best part is that the monocular can be attached to a tripod or to any smartphone that enables you to click photos or record videos in HD that you can share with your family and friends.
- The monocular has a 50 mm objective lens and 12x magnification that delivers clear and bright images.
- The monocular is equipped with a fully multi-coated lens and BAK-4 prism that guarantees around 99.5% light transmittance and brightness.
- The device is nitrogen filled IPX7 waterproof with a fog-resistant coating and features optics that have sealed O-rings which prevent any dust, debris or moisture from entering.
2. Gosky Titan 12X50 High Power Prism Monocular with Smartphone Holder
Editor’s Choice
The Gosky Titan 12X50 High Power Monocular is a great buy for any outdoor enthusiast. The monocular has a solid rugged construction and delivers hi-res images and accurate color reproduction. It allows you to view your subject with true-to-life details. The Gosky Titan comes with a smartphone adapter that is compatible with most smartphones and lets you take photos and videos of the distant world and share it with your loved ones.
- The device has a 12×50 high power magnification that allows you to have a clear and bright view of the world around you.
- The device has a fully multi-coated lens and a large BAK-4 prism that offers excellent light transmission and brightness for clear and crisp images.
- The monocular’s rubber armor and solid framework makes it durable and helps to withstand the toughest weather conditions.
3. Occer 10X42 High Power Monocular Telescope
Best Value
The Occer Monocular Telescope features a large eyepiece and features a BAK-4 prism and multi-coated lens that offers up to 99.55% light transmittance and bright images. The lightweight device is extremely portable and ideal for you to carry for all your outdoor activities. The large objective lens offers a long range of view of up to 1,000 yards and sharp images.
- The monocular scope features a 42 mm objective lens with 10x magnification that allows you to see brighter and clearer images.
- The device features an HD dual focus that makes the viewing clearer.
- The monocular has a wide field of view of 419 feet (1,000 yards).
4. Gosky SkyHawk 12×55 HD Monocular Telescope & Smartphone Holder
The Gosky SkyHawk Monocular Telescope offers hi-res images and accurate and bright colors, and allows you to view your target in great detail. The monocular is 100% sealed and nitrogen filled, which makes it waterproof, shockproof, dust-proof and fog-proof. The device comes with a smartphone adapter that lets you take photos and videos of the beautiful world around you.
- The monocular telescope has 12×55 magnification that allows you to see objects more clearly.
- The device has a 55 mm green film FMC objective lens that allows greater light transmission.
- The rubber armor and solid framework of the monocular make it durable and help to withstand the toughest weather conditions.
5. Ceenda Monocular Telescope with Phone Adapter
The Ceenda Monocular Telescope is a versatile scope suitable for a wide range of applications such as hiking, fishing, hunting, surveillance, birdwatching, etc. The high-quality monocular has a fully multi-coated lens and a large BAK-4 prism that offers excellent light transmission and brightness and delivers clearer brighter and crisper images. The in-built night vision allows you to see objects in dark and low-light conditions. The monocular telescope comes with a tripod and cell phone adapter that is compatible with most of the phones on the market.
- The monocular features 12×50 magnification that delivers a clear and bright range of view of a distance of up to 1,000 yards.
- The 50 mm lens of the monocular allows you to view things 12x closer.
- The HD monocular device is waterproof and fog-proof and is built for any type of weather.
Buying Guide – Things to Look for in the Best Monocular for Cell Phone
If you’re planning to buy the best monocular for cell phone and are not really sure about your choice, then here is a guide that can help you look for factors that the best monocular for cell phone should have.
Magnification
When you’re considering the quality of the monocular, you must consider various factors such as the lens size, magnification potential and how much light the lens can gather. In the case of monoculars, magnification is expressed in 2 numbers. For instance, ‘5×29’, where 5 is the magnification power, while 28 is the size of the objective lens that is measured in mm (millimeters).
Size and Diameter of the Lens
The size of the lens will affect its function. A larger size lens will gather more light, which will deliver high-quality images; however, having a larger lens also means that the optic will be bulkier and heavier.
Prism
Monocular scopes use 3 types of prisms to deliver clearer and better images – Porro prisms, roof prisms and Galilean prisms. Roof prisms are good for long-range distances, while Porro prisms are better for short to mid distances and Galilean prisms are excellent for short ranges.
Lens Coating
Typically, a monocular lens comes with some coating. These coatings should be water repellent and offer better visibility, while some may be anti-fogging. There are different types of coated lenses – simple coated, fully coated, multi-coated and fully multi-coated.
FOV (Field of View)
The FOV is essentially the diameter of the subject when viewed from different magnification power levels. As you increase the level of magnification, the range of view decreases.
Inert Gas-Filled Monoculars
Expensive monoculars are usually sealed completely and filled with inert gases, which prevents water and dirt from entering. The gases in the atmosphere distort the light when it passes through the device. When an inert gas is filled in the tube, it delivers a clearer image as there is no splitting, reflection or refraction of light.
Waterproof
It is a good idea to choose a monocular device that is waterproof. If water or moisture gets into the device, then it will get damaged. Look for the IP rating of the device, which is a measure of water resistance. The IP is usually followed by 2 numbers. The 1st number from 1-7 is the protection from dirt or dust, while the 2nd number from 1-9 indicates the protection from water.
Focus Adjustment
This is the focus ring that lets you adjust the focus. While some models may offer 1-hand adjustment, other models may need two hands.
Eye Relief
This is particularly important if you wear glasses or prefer the lens at a greater distance from your eye. Eye relief refers to how close or far the eye should be from the lens in order to see the perfect image.
Accessories
Apart from viewing, if you want to click photographs and record videos then it is a good idea to look for a monocular device that has a smartphone adapter that will allow you to attach your mobile phone to the scope. Having a tripod attachment is also beneficial.
Now that you have read our reviews and buying guide for the best monocular for cell phones, you know that it is very important to consider the essential factors before making your final selection. However, the most important considerations while making your choice of the best monocular for cell phones are your requirements and preferences. Evaluate these before making your final choice and buy a monocular that works best for you.
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