Hunting monoculars – Buying guide & Comparison
If you just want to find what the best monocular for hunting is, this short paragraph should be able to help you get the product you need. After some extensive analysis, we have concluded that the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 191142 is the best because of its quality and numerous features. You will be glad to know that this model offers some of the best images you can get with the help of the quality optics that provide a breathtaking HD clarity to help you see even the tiniest object. The 10x magnification is ideal for using when hunting as it allows you to see better without affecting your peripheral view, which means that it will be easy to keep track of what you are observing. As a plus, this option also comes in a sturdy body which is built to last. If the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 191142 is unavailable, we recommend the Gosky Titan as your second option.
Comparison table
Our Top Choice
This roof prism monocular offers excellent performance for the price. The 10x magnification offers a good compromise between reliable performance and the need to spot your prey at various distances, while the 42mm lens objective is ideal for performing well in daytime, as well as poor light conditions. The fully multi-coated optics contribute to the value offered by this model, as they ensure the image you will see is bright and clear.
While it is portable, it is not as compact as other models, and not that easy to carry around.
Built with durability in mind, this rugged model will serve you well in any field conditions.
2nd Best
The light gathering capabilities of this 50mm monocular make it stand out, as does the 12x magnification power it comes along with. On the inside, the BaK-4 prism does its job of offering outstanding performance, while the fully multi-coated optics guarantee that the image you will see will always be bright and clear. The rubber armor provides good protection for damage that might occur by dropping the unit. Also, the stripes offer a good grip.
The phone holder provided seems to be tricky to use and not completely serve its purpose.
This monocular is built with durability in mind, and it can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Also To Consider
If you’re looking for a waterproof monocular at an unbeatable price, you should stop at this model. In case the IPx7 waterproof rating is not enough to convince you, the argon-purged construction that ensures excellent performance even in foggy weather just might do that. The center knob for focusing on details as you see fit is very easy to use and comfortable. The non-slip exterior ensures great durability for this product.
The eyecup does not come with a lanyard, so it can become easy to lose, as some buyers say.
Equipped for rough weather conditions, it is a must-have for hunters and bird watchers.
Finding a good monocular for hunting is no easy task, you have to be aware of the features you require and that can need some research. Add to that the fact that the market has a lot of options available for sale for you to choose from and you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed. You can take a look at our comprehensive buying guide, and see if our information won’t save you some precious time.
The right magnification matters quite a bit
When looking to buy a monocular for hunting, choosing the proper magnification of your device is crucial. It can help you be more efficient and catch more game, whereas a bad purchase can have the opposite effect. This is why you mustn’t let yourself influenced by the idea that the bigger magnification equals to a better device.
You do want a good magnification, but you don’t have to go to extremes and pick a 50x magnification device. We have found that a 20x magnification is pretty much the limit of what a good product should have, while most customers are satisfied with a magnification strength of 10x.
The reason why we don’t recommend going for an alternative that can offer big magnification levels is that when hunting you need to be aware of your surroundings. A lower magnification can get you a closer look without affecting your peripheral vision. If you go from a 50x magnification and back to normal viewing, you will find it difficult to locate the exact spot you were observing.
Because when hunting time is the most important factor that can make the difference between catching and losing your prey. A lower magnification can make you more aware of your surroundings, leaving you more alert and ready to strike the killing blow.
Durability and features
Consider the fact that hunting is no easy activity; it may take you on diverse terrains and varied weather conditions. You need a product that is able to face these challenges without showing any signs of giving up. Durability is a fundamental factor that needs proper care because you don’t want a product that can easily break and isn’t able to keep up with you.
Depending on your needs, you have to choose an option that can adapt to different terrains and weather conditions. The one feature that you should be sure that your product has is shock resistance. Make sure that your choice has a durable and shockproof body.
Another feature to consider is waterproofness. When using a product in the wild, you should expect it to get in contact with a bit of water, be it rain or just a puddle. Similarly, a fogproof design can guarantee that you will always get the best view, without your scope getting fogged.
Optics quality
Last, but definitely not the least, make sure that your option can provide you with a quality experience that will help you notice every detail. You must make sure that the product uses good optics that are made of high-quality glass.
You won’t have to fear that going for a cheap hunting monocular will automatically mean that you will get a bad viewing experience. While a more expensive option will certainly make for a better experience, affordable options that deliver great quality can also be found.
If possible, you should test your product before committing to purchase it. This is the best way of choosing between two or more products that have similar specifications.
5 Best Hunting Monoculars (Reviews) in 2024
To make it easier for you to decide, we have compiled a list of some of the best monocular for hunting below. Besides sifting through some of the most popular monocular for hunting reviews and consumer ratings, we have also considered the reliability, features and overall quality of the products. Give it a look if you find the time.
Contents
1. Bushnell 191142 Legend Ultra HD Monocular
If quality is what you seek, then the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 191142 will make sure that you have one of the best devices on the market. The optics of this device are built to provide a quality experience that will help you observe objects in beautiful HD clarity.
The 10x magnification offers a good ratio that will help you see things closer without affecting your peripheral vision in any way. When using the device, you either do it by using your hand or if you require greater stability, you can mount it on a tripod.
With a fully waterproof and fogproof construction, you get a product that will be able to withstand a variety of challenges successfully.
It’s not just these nifty features that add to the durability of this option, but also the quality materials that have been tested extensively in order to give you a monocular that is built to last.
Pros
In terms of optics, this monocular provides a quality experience and it offers great HD clarity.
When using it, you will be able to observe all the details of an object. It offers a 10x magnifying rate that will help you see distant objects without reducing the peripheral vision.
It’s light enough so it can be operated only using one hand and if that is not enough for your tastes, you can also use its tripod for a more stable observation.
When discussing durability, this monocular is prepared for all kinds of weather because it’s water-resistant and has a sturdy construction.
Cons
The lens caps are made of a hard plastic and that has a bad effect on the rubber covering the monocular. After intense use, these caps start tearing up the rubber and bring an unpleasant look to the device.
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2. Gosky Titan 12X50 High Power Prism Monocular
The Gosky Titan is a versatile product that combines technology with usability in a masterful and straightforward way. It comes with a high power magnification of 12x that together with the 50mm objective can give stunningly clear images of your outdoor adventures.
It also comes equipped with the Gosky newest quick alignment smartphone adapter. This adapter is compatible with the most popular smartphones on the market and is designed to allow you to capture pictures and videos.
Seen something worth sharing? With this product, it will be easier than ever to let your friends and family experience a part of your adventure.
The large BAK-4 Prism and the fully multi-coated lens will guarantee that you will get the best light transmission and brightness, making your view crisp and rich in details. The build of the product is rock-solid as well, the Gosky Titan has a design that is waterproof, dust-proof and shockproof.
Pros
Coming with a large BAK-4 prism, this monocular offers great light transmission, and it makes the view brighter and clearer.
With the help of the fully multi-coated lens, you can obtain excellent images from this model.
What makes it special is the smartphone holder that offers a quick alignment and is suitable for a large number of phones.
The monocular is covered in a rubber armor and it’s shock resistant, things that make it impressively sturdy.
Stripes can be found on the rubber covering and they help with keeping the monocular comfortable and ensuring it doesn’t slip from your hand.
Cons
One of the drawbacks of this model is that the phone holder doesn’t work as well as expected. Sometimes you will have the problem that the clips that should support the phone do not align properly, while other times it simply takes too much time to set them up and you can miss some good shots.
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3. Svbony 10x50mm
If you’re looking for a device that has a truly compact design and that is easy to carry with you at all times, the SVBONY Compact Monocular is the choice for you.
It offers a magnification of 8x that is augmented by the 32mm objective in order to provide you with bright and clear images that do not suffer from distortions.
The body of the product is lightweight, weighing just 13.6 ounces, a feature that makes it extremely easy to carry and use. The outside of the device also features a non-slip design that is covered with high-grade rubber which makes it impossible for the device to slip your grip while remaining comfortable to the touch.
The IPX7 waterproof rating adds durability to your product. This feature combines with the fogproof design that makes it convenient to use the device in the outdoors without any change of moisture getting inside the product or on the lenses.
Pros
Because it only weighs 13.6 ounces, this model is very easy to carry around.
The outside of it is covered in rubber that features a non-slip design. This makes for a comfortable experience while using it and at the same time ensures you can hold it firmly.
It offers a fast focus system, using a turning knob placed on the monocular. With this feature, you are ensured to quicker and easier target objects that are moving.
This model is argon-filled and has the ring sealed so it’s waterproof and doesn’t get foggy.
Cons
Although the build quality is generally good, some users have complained that the lenses of some of these monoculars are badly misaligned and this can result in the focal plane being tilted.
At closer distances, the monocular focuses on the left side closer than it does on the right. However, this is not something that happens with every monocular produced.
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4. Bushnell Equinox Z Night Vision Monocular
Do you want more from your device and don’t mind spending a little more cash for those useful features?
You won’t be disappointed by the Bushnell Equinox Z 260140 as this alternative features a digital night vision monocular that is a must for the most skillful of hunters. It features a magnification of 4.5 as well as a digital zoom of up to 3x.
The built-in infrared illuminator can make the night come to life, the night vision will allow you to view objects in the night up to a distance of 750 ft. Of course, you can use the Bushnell Equinox Z 260140 during the day just as well without suffering any drawbacks when it comes to quality.
To make things even better, this gadget comes with video and image capture capability built-in. In order to record or take pictures, you are going to have to buy a Micro-SD Card to store the files on, if you don’t have one already.
Pros
If you have been looking for a product that is particularly made for night use, this is the one. It has an infrared sensor to detect and track animals at night.
What makes it even more efficient at night is a built-in IR illuminator that provides light to distances of up to 100 feet.
If that’s not enough, you can attach another, more powerful illuminator, to the side railing of the model.
Using a Micro SD card with a capacity of 32GB that can be bought separately, this device is capable of capturing images, sound and videos.
The model is effective at recording images at a distance of up to 750 feet.
Cons
The biggest concern that you might have with this monocular is the fact that it consumes batteries really quickly. When using it during the night, you will notice that you won’t be able to operate it for too much because of this issue.
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5. Miluo Tech 16×52 Dual Focus Monocular
For people that don’t want to spend a lot of money on their product but still want a quality monocular, the Miluo Tech LYSB01IQXH3FC offers an alternative worth considering.
It comes with multi coated optics that guarantee great light and brightness transmission, as well as clear and sharp images.
The 16x magnification is aided by the 52mm objective which means that you will be able to see distant objects without sacrificing clarity. The Miluo Tech LYSB01IQXH3FC is a powerful yet extremely lightweight product that can be easily operated using a single hand.
Storing it is also no problem, in fact, you will be able to carry it in your backpack constantly as it won’t take a lot of space, nor add a lot of weight for you to worry about. Don’t let its small size and lightweight design fool you, this device is rubber armored which makes it perfect to use in the outdoors intensively.
Pros
This device is compact and light enough to fit in a small bag and be carried with ease.
Due to its design, it can also be handled and focused using only one hand and it’s effective at longer distances.
The 16x magnification power is very impressive, particularly when it is aided by a 52mm wide objective.
You can adjust the focus from the front and back lenses too. This means that distant objects can be observed in very bright and clear conditions.
The multi-coated lenses also offer help in this department.
Cons
Despite all the qualities that this model offers, the build quality of the monocular doesn’t feel great. The fact that it’s made mostly of plastic can offer a sense of cheapness. And because the device isn’t covered in a protective rubber coating, it can be a bit too delicate.
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