I hope you will agree with me when I say:
A monocular can change the way you look at the world.
Birdwatchers usually look for binoculars to help them explore the hidden details about nature. Monoculars are equally useful and competitive when it comes to birdwatching. Monoculars are better to use and travel with due to their compact size. In addition, they are lightweight and convenient to use.
In addition, some powerful monoculars give an excellent and competitive result when compared to binoculars. What is the most powerful monocular? Read the article to know more about it.
Things to consider before purchasing:
How do I choose a good monocular? Well, there are several key factors that you need to consider to get your hands on the best monocular for bird watching.
- Magnification: This figure represents how much the object would be enlarged compared to its original size. The higher the magnification level, the more detailed view you can capture of the object.
- Lens size: This figure represents the size of the lens. The larger the lens, the better the light transmission. Consequently, you get a clearer, brighter, and sharper image.
- Field of view: This depends upon the magnification level. The higher the magnification level, the restricted the field of view. Field of view represents how much of the field you can view from your monocular set at a specific magnification level.
- Eye relief: It is the distance between your eye and the eyepiece before you lose any view of the field. A long eye relief helps people who wear glasses.
- Portability: A small, compact-sized monocular is ideal for traveling and carrying around. It is good to look out for lightweight monoculars. These are portable and simple to use.
- Atmospheric conditions: Your monocular should provide excellent performance in all weather conditions. It should be fog proof, dustproof, shockproof, and waterproof. These features help the monocular to remain durable and perform well in all conditions.
- Accessories: it is great to purchase a monocular that comes with several accessories. These can enhance the functionalities of the monocular. Accessories can include a tripod, cleaning cloth, lens cap, strap, and so on.
Best Monocular for Bird Watching 2021:
Here are our top picks for bird watching monoculars
| Monoculars | Rating |
| Emarth High Power 10-30X50 | 10/10 (Editor's Choice) |
| Bushnell Legend 10×42 Monocular | 9/10 |
| FEEMIC High Power 8x42 | 8/10 |
| Gosky 12×55 Bird Watching | 8.5/10 |
| Celestron Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope | 8/10 |
| Vortex Optics Solo 8X36 Birding | 7/10 |
| Leica 8x20 Monovid Monocular | 7/10 |
| Suncore Monocular 12x50 | 7.5/10 |
| Hawke 15x50 Nature-Trek | 7/10 |
| ROXANT Grip Scope Monocular | 7/10 |
| Bestguarder 6X50 Night Vision | 7/10 |
1. Emarth High Power 10-30X50 Zoom Monocular
Why do we love it?
- Emarth zoom monocular offers an incredibly long eye relief of 19.5mm.
- Emarth High Power is another best-rated monocular for bird watching that has a dynamic magnification ranging from 10x to 30x.
- The dynamic magnification makes it suitable for each and every occasion from birdwatching to stargazing to scenery to astronomy.
- Emarth is built with excellent optics and a large lens size that displays an incredibly clear, crisp, and sharp image.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Comes with a lifetime warranty | ❌ The strap attachment point is missing |
| ✅ Tough and durable | ❌ Tripod mount is flimsy |
| ✅It is portable and lightweight | |
| ✅ Fog proof and waterproof |
2. Bushnell Legend 10×42 Monocular
Why do we love it?
- The high magnification and huge lens size make it the best monocular for bird watching.
- Bushnell Legend 10×42 monocular offers an excellent 340 feet field of view per 1000 yards.
- Bushnell monocular is the best buy for people who are looking for the perfect balance between functionality and price.
- Bushnell makes use of excellent quality optics that display a crystal-clear image of the object under observation.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Sturdy and durable build | ❌ It is an expensive purchase |
| ✅ Fog resistant lens | ❌ The design of the lens cap can be improved |
| ✅It is a waterproof monocular | |
| ✅ Stable and clear image |
3. FEEMIC Monocular Telescope High Power 8×42
Why do we love it?
- FEEMIC monocular telescope is one of the lightest options available in the market which is easy to use and carry around.
- This incredible birdwatching telescope is excellent to use in low-light conditions. Its light transmission reaches up to 99.9%.
- It has rubber armor that is shock-resistant. The armor has stripes over it that allow an easy grip of the monocular for long period.
- The eyecups of the monocular can be adjusted and set according to the preference of the user.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Budget-friendly product | ❌ The holding case is a little tight for the product |
| ✅ It is easy to use | |
| ✅ Comes with a lifetime warranty | |
| ✅ The package includes a hand strap and a carry case |
4. Gosky 12×55 Monocular
Why do we love it?
- Long eye relief with adjustable twist-up eyecups makes it incredible birdwatching monocular for every person.
- Gosky monocular works perfectly well in all weather conditions since it is shockproof, waterproof, fog-proof, and dustproof.
- The high magnification power and a large lens size make it a perfect monocular for bird watching in the UK.
- Rubber armored body offers increased durability and extra grip on the monocular, making it easy to carry around.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Offers a good value overall | ❌ It is heavy to carry around |
| ✅ Durable monocular | ❌ It is an expensive purchase |
| ✅24 hours friendly customer service by Gosky | ❌ Reduced quality at longer ranges |
| ✅ Stable and clear image |
5. Celestron Ultima 80 Angled Spotting Scope
Why do we love it?
- Features an angled 45- degree viewing angle to make observing through these monoculars more comfortable for the viewers.
- Multi-coated optics used are of high quality for maximum light transmission with minimum distortion and glare possible
- This spotter comes with a 20-60x zoom eyepiece that provides crystal clear images of birds, butterflies, insects, leaves, or any wildlife from a great distance.
- Unbeatable warranty and support by the company. A 2-year warranty is offered by the company with unlimited access to technical support.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅2-year warranty | ❌ Expensive |
| ✅ 20-60x zoom eyepiece | |
| ✅Multi-coated optics | |
| ✅ 80 angled spotting scope |
6. Vortex Optics Solo 8X36 Birding Monocular
Why do we love it?
- A fully multi-coated optic lens provides clear and bright images even in low light conditions.
- Vortex Optics Solo is nitrogen-filled and o-ring sealed to make this monocular waterproof and fog proof in all weather conditions.
- Vortex has sturdy construction with rubber armor that provides an extra grip and durability for the users.
- It has adjustable eyecups which can be twisted up. This makes it easy to use for people with or without glasses.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Lifetime warranty | ❌ The focus ring is a little stiff |
| ✅ It is portable | |
| ✅A compact ideal traveling monocular | |
| ✅ Provides excellent value for money |
7. Leica 8×20 Monovid Monocular
Why do we love it?
- 8x power for magnification and 20mm objective lens which helps you view the smallest details with excellent quality.
- Fully multi-coated options with protective AquaDura exterior lens coating and phase correction coating on the prism which makes it water and dirt repellent.
- Small size and lightweight monocular which makes it suitable for travelers to carry it around and enjoy their wildlife experience to the fullest.
- Includes a close-up accessory lens which allows a minimum focus of 1 ft
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Super high-end optics | ❌ Due to its small size, the quality of view is not so good in low lights |
| ✅ Small size suitable for traveling | |
| ✅Lightweight | |
| ✅ Water and fog proof |
Bonus Products:
We reviewed some bonus products for you so you have a wider range of choices to decide from.
8. Suncore Monocular 12×50
Why do we love it?
- It has a solid construction with impressive durability overall.
- Suncore is the best monocular for bird watching that comes with a multitude of accessories. The package includes a tripod and a smartphone adapter too.
- It performs excellently in low light conditions with the built-in BAK-4 prism and multi-coated lens that enhance the vision.
- This incredible budget monocular, used for bird watching, is waterproof, anti-fog, and shock-resistant to allow comfortable use.
You can get Suncore Monocular on ebay.com.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Incredibly low price monocular | ❌ Phone attachment requires time to install |
| ✅ Lightweight and easy to carry around | ❌ Night vision could be enhanced |
| ✅Has a sturdy, non-slip construction | |
| ✅ Focus distance reaches up to 3000 meters |
9. Hawke 15×50 Nature-Trek Monocular
Why do we love it?
- Hawke 15×50 nature trek monocular is one of the most powerful monoculars with 15x magnification.
- Ideal for any birder wanting some extra reach or observing some predictable birds such as eagle and hawks from a great distance or tress
- The size is very convenient, also known to be handheld. This is a plus point for travelers, hikers, and hunters.
- The substantial objective lens and high-quality optics are used in Nature trek binoculars. Hawke offers incredible prices on monoculars along with quality.
You can get Hawke 15×50 Nature-Trek Monocular on opticsplanet.com.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅15x magnification | ❌ The eye cup does not twist out |
| ✅ Waterproof and fog proof | |
| ✅Twist-up eyecup | |
| ✅ 10 mm of eye relief |
10. ROXANT Grip Scope High-Definition Wide View Monocular
Why do we love it?
- ROXANT monocular has a fully multi-coated optical glass with a BAK4 Prism that delivers excellent image quality with details even in low light settings.
- It has adjustable twist-up eyecups which provide eye relief for people who wear glasses.
- Although a 6x magnification level is not good enough, it results in a stable image. It is ideal for beginners and casual bird watchers.
- ROXANT is made from high-quality materials that make it durable and tough. The rubber armor allows a better grip over the monocular.
You can get ROXANT Grip Scope High-Definition Wide View Monocular on walmart.com.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Compact and lightweight | ❌ Poor 6x magnification |
| ✅ Good image quality | |
| ✅Ideal for beginners | |
| ✅ Incredibly low price monocular |
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11. Bestguarder 6X50 HD Digital Night Vision Monocular
Why do we love it?
- The first and the only night vision monocular available that helps you hunt at night or enjoy the views too.
- Best monocular telescope for bird watching as it helps you view the hard-to-find birds and nocturnal wildlife at any time of day or night.
- 6x magnification and a digital viewfinder and a built-in 850Nm infrared illuminator for up to 1150 ft./350M viewing which helps project illuminated images to viewers at night.
- This monocular also allows you to captures images and videos of your life moments with its 50 mm objective lens that captures HD images.
You can get Bestguarder 6X50 HD Digital Night Vision Monocular on ebay.com.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Night vision capability | ❌ Size is not liked by many |
| ✅ Useful during day and night | ❌ Image quality can be better |
| ✅Captures pictures and videos | |
| ✅ 4 adjustable levels |
Conclusion
We hope you would have gone through the best-rated monoculars for bird watching and selected the ideal one from among them. The perfect monocular can change the way you look at the world. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase a monocular that performs excellently in all given conditions.
Buying Guide
How do I choose a good monocular? A monocular comes with several features. it is important to know how each one of them affects the performance of the monocular.
After examining each feature, it is good to list your requirements down and then lookout for a monocular that fulfills your criteria.
1. Magnification
Have you seen monoculars marked with a set of numbers such as 8×30, 10×42, and so on? I am sure you are familiar with this pair of numbers. However, what do these truly represent? The first digit gives an idea about the magnification of the monocular. An 8x monocular indicates the image would be magnified 8 times while a 10x monocular indicates the image would be magnified 10 times than its original size.
Magnification depends on how far you are trying to zoom in. Zoom monoculars for long distances are ideal for bird watching. The higher the magnification power, the detailed the image you can view.
What is the most powerful monocular for bird watching? A 12x magnification monocular is very powerful for bird watching. A 10x magnification level is also a good enough option. However, higher magnification results in a shakier image. This is due to the zoom of the monocular that leads to an unstable image. You can purchase a tripod to achieve stability.
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2. Lens Size
The second digit on the description indicates the monocular lens size. A range of lens sizes between 20mm to 42mm makes an ideal birding monocular.
Lens size indicates the field of view available to the user. A greater lens size allows a better field of view. In addition, a larger lens allows more light to pass through it, giving a clearer and sharper image than a lens of a smaller size.
3. Field of View
The field of view also depends upon the magnification of the monocular. The higher the magnification, the narrower the field of view and vice versa.
An ideal monocular for stargazing and bird watching should be one with greater magnification and a narrower field of view consequently. This allows you to see the object the detail. On the other hand, if you plan on hiking to enjoy different landscapes, you would require a monocular with a wide field of view.
4. Eye Relief
Do you wear spectacles? If yes, eye relief is one of the most important factors to look out for in a monocular. An ideal monocular for bird watching should include proper eye relief. Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the eyepiece of the monocular that allows you to view a complete image before losing some field of view. Eye relief will give you some space to view the complete image while wearing your spectacles. Eye relief of 14mm is good for monoculars used for bird watching, star gazing, landscaping, and so on.
5. Portability
Are you looking for a birdwatching monocular that is easy to carry and travel with? Choose a great zoom monocular for long distances observance that is portable. Portability is an important factor that needs to be considered before making a purchase. It makes traveling with a monocular easier.
Choose a lightweight monocular for birdwatching that is easy to hold for a longer period. It should be able to fit in your pockets easily. In addition, the monocular must be durable enough to withstand rough atmospheric and usage conditions. Durable monoculars for birding are usually shockproof, fog proof, waterproof, and so on.
6. Atmospheric Conditions
The best monocular for bird watching must have the additional features to keep the monocular safe from atmospheric conditions. Monoculars have to be used in the daytime as well as at nighttime. In addition, they are used in several weather conditions too such as using your favorite monocular on a foggy night. To maximize the use of monocular, make sure it is fog proof and water-resistant. A great bird spotting monocular should work in all given conditions.
7. Accessories
Some people value the accessories that come along with the monocular. These accessories are super helpful and can enhance the functionality of the monocular. A tripod can be super convenient if you have trouble holding your monocular for a long period. For instance, if you have a higher magnification monocular, you would get an unstable image without the tripod. Monoculars that come with a tripod resolve this issue.
A carrying bag and a polishing cloth would make a great deal along with the monocular. The carrying bag helps with the portability of the monocular. A polishing cloth designed especially for the optics makes the cleaning process easier and safer.
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