Best monocular telescopes - Being an astronomy geek, you often want a great telescope to accompany you everywhere. But big binoculars are quite difficult to carry around all the time.
Compact and lightweight monocular telescopes are an easy solution to this issue. But what to choose from the myriad products out there?
No worries, we have shortlisted two of the best monocular telescopes that provide a closer and better look at the lunar objects without making you unhappy with your budget.
Best Monocular Telescope – Our Top Picks
1. Opticron Explorer WA ED-R
Opticron Explorer suits stargazers who want an affordable and lightweight telescope for exploring nature. It is a pocket-size telescope with a 5.43-inch length, 2.13-inch diameter, and weight of 11.3 oz.
The best thing about this equipment is its roof prism design which allows the high resolution to explore the high-held sky objects.
This telescope comes in three variants, 10x42, 8x42, and 8x32, offering thicker objective lenses than most other monocular products on the market. With its 10x magnification and precise focus, you can view the moon and other celestials more closely.
Its wide-angle eyepiece with a retractable eyecup allows you to get the best gaze even if you wear spectacles. The eyecup has a multi-stage adjustment feature, and you can set it according to your ease.
Also, you need not worry about blurry and distorted views in foggy weather because the Opticorn monocular is water-proofed with nitrogen gas-filling that keeps its lens clean and moist-free.
You can order this wild field monocular from Amazon for only $168.
Pros
- High-quality roof prism design
- Multi-stage retractable eyecup
- Fog and water-proof with nitrogen filling
Cons
- Lacks phone adapter
- Focus-ring is somewhat stiff
2. Vortex Optics Solo Monocular
Vortex Solo Monocular makes it to our best monocular telescope list owing to its compact size, user-friendly design, and budget-friendly pricing.
It is as compact as 4.41 inches long and 1.97 inches in diameter and weighs just 8.8 oz. So, you can easily carry around this small, lightweight monocular.
Coming to its optical features, it contains multi-coated lenses to provide high resolution and light transmission. You can choose from 8x25, 8x36, 10x25, and 10x36 variants. Hence, it gives you a wide field of view up to 315 feet.
With quality optics, Vortex Solo design also helps you get the best views. It features a non-slip rubber grip exterior so you can hold it steady in your hands.
Moreover, it has a focus wheel around the eyepiece to help you adjust the focus for distant or nearby objects accordingly. The eyecup is also retractable, making it a comfortable gazing tool with or without glasses.
Nitrogen water-proofing keeps the Solo’s optics detailed at all humidity levels. Plus, it has o-ring seals to maintain the anti-fog over time. That is why you will find most users happy about its longevity.
It is available from Amazon at a minimal price of $79.
Pros
- Wide field of view (315 feet/1000 yards)
- Nitrogen gas water-proofing
- Rubber armored non-slip grip
Cons
- Close focus ability is only 16.4
- The focus wheel position is too close to the eyepiece
Conclusion
Features like 10x magnification, high-quality prism, and comfortable eyecup make Opticorn Explorer WA ED-R our top pick for the best monocular telescopes. Its precise focus ability provides you with crisp and clear views for both closer and distant gazing.
Alternatively, Vortex Solo provides a more affordable option. This water-proof telescope will help you view the moon half covered with clouds or birds flying on a rainy day. Its non-slip design makes it useful when you don't have a tripod to ensure a steady view.