When you first got into watching birds and wildlife you experienced one challenge: not disturbing nature while watching it. Birds are quite fearful animals, watching them for a long time from a close range is an almost impossible task.
Therefore, you need some gadgets. Monoculars are the best gadgets that keep the budget, performance and compactness ratio at the level of a hobby. Buying a monocular may not be as easy as it seems, you have tons of options, so you have to choose the one that suits your needs.
Best Monocular for Bird Watching of 2020
Features to consider when you buy a monocular:
Magnification Power
The magnification power is the ratio between the dimension of the image and the object. The higher magnification power is the further and more detailed you can see. Generally, the monocular has a magnification power range from 6x to 12x, but you can also find monoculars with a higher magnification power.
As expected, a monocular with a higher magnification power will be more expensive than one with a smaller magnification power. As a bird watcher, you might want to look for an 8x or 10x magnification power that allows you to see as far as two-hundred-foot distance.
Lens Size
Lens size vary between 20 and 50 millimeters sometimes even larger. Usually a monocular with a larger lens will allow you to see a better and brighter image and also you will have a wider view.
The only negative impact of having a monocular with larger lens is that your monocular will be heavier and obviously a bit wider than one with a smaller lens.
Size and Weight
Carrying a lot of equipment in the wildlife is quite troublesome, so most people prefer to buy gadgets as compact as possible. Compared to binoculars, monoculars are more compact, easier to carry and way lighter (as a monocular is half the size of a binocular), usually, monoculars can fit in pockets.
Thus, for the ones that want to be as light as possible while watching birds, choosing a monocular is the best choice due to its compactness. But this feature can affect the performance of a monocular, as smaller monoculars have a smaller lens.
Monoculars weight can vary between 350 grams (0.7 pounds) to 900 grams (1.9 pounds) sometimes even heavier.
Cost
Even if some people that a monocular is “just half of a binocular” sometimes this “half of a binocular” can cost quite a lot. Making a common mistake such as buying an overpriced product is not that hard, and this can happen when buying a monocular as well.
If a price seems to high for its specs you should check carefully because some sellers also include related products such as holders and bags that may be handy, so a higher price is not always unjustified.
On the other side if a price is too low, then you may need to think twice before buying the product, you don’t want to end up buying a toy.
Recognizing the specs
When you are buying your first monocular you may have some troubles looking to its specs such as: not being sure about its magnification power or lens size due to the way that these specs are presented to you.
Sometimes you can’t find them not even in the description but most of the time you can find these details in its title and it is presented as [Magnification Power] x [Lens Size] (e.g. 12×50). So the first number is the Magnification Power and the second one represents the Lens Size.
1. Gosky 12×55 High Definition Monocular
This monocular is the best choice for wildlife and bird watchers enthusiasts. This product’s quality won’t let you down as with a 12x magnification power you will see 12x closer through a 55mm wide lens (having a field of view of around 1000 yds).
Specs:
- Magnification Power: 12x
- Lens Size: 55mm
- Eye Relief: 18mm
- Field of view: 325ft
Size:
- L :2.1 inch
- W: 3.2 inch
- H: 5.4 inch
Weight:
- 1.5 pounds
Pros:
- Design suitable for every kind of weather, waterproof, fog-proof, dust-proof and shockproof.
- Comfortable viewing due to its adjustable eyecups twist.
- Good grip due to its striped rubber armor.
- Suitable for people that use glasses.
- It comes with a Smartphone Mount that can be used to capture amazing moments.
- It is also a perfect fit for hiking and hunting.
Cons:
- May seem a bit expensive if you are an amateur of bird watching.
- Smartphone adapter may not be compatible with all smartphones.
- Larger and heavier than most of the monoculars.
2. Xgazer Optics 10×50 Point View
A perfect monocular for the ones that love watching birds. This monocular comes covered in a rugged rubber armor that ensures a good grip. With anti-reflective lens coating, great magnification power and wide lens allow the user to capture astonishing moments with outstanding clarity from distances of hundreds of yards. The eye-relief with the twist-up eyecup provides a comfortable viewing and makes it a perfect gadget not only for birds watching but also for hunting.
Specs:
- Magnification Power: 10x
- Lens Size: 50mm
- Eye Relief: 18.6 mm
- Field of view: 315ft
Size:
- L :2.8 inch
- W: 3.5 inch
- H: 7.8 inch
Weight:
- 1.2 pounds
Pros:
- Non Slip design.
- Light and compact design.
- Perfect for people that use glasses.
- Waterproof and fog-proof design that also resist to temperatures as low as -45 degrees and as high as +45 degrees.
Cons:
- A bit pricey.
3. SMIZZE Deluxe Monocular
A great combination of quality and price, Smizze Deluxe Monocular is a monocular suitable for activities such as bird watching.
Also, this product is suitable for the ones that do not stop just at watching wildlife but also love to keep these experiences as life-time memories through photos, because Smizze Deluxe Monocular pack includes phone holder and smartphone adaptor.
Specs:
- Magnification Power: 12x
- Lens Size: 50mm
- Eye Relief: 14 mm
- Field of view: 246ft
Size:
- L :2.3 inch
- W: 3.4 inch
- H: 6.7 inch
Weight:
- 0.8 pounds
Pros:
- Rugged design that ensures a good grip.
- Shockproof, fog-proof, dust-proof, waterproof and compact design that makes it suitable for all kind of weather and environment.
- Large focus knob that makes it easy to use while wearing gloves.
- Comes with a pack that includes carrying bag, cleaning cloth, lens covers, neck strap and phone holder.
- Good quality – price balance.
Cons:
- If you wear glasses, using this monocular may be a little tiring as it has an eye relief of 14 mm.
- Smartphone Adaptor may not be compatible with all smartphones.
4. Jizmo Monocular 8×25
If you want to share your passion for nature and bird watching with your children, Jizmo monocular stands out due to its compactness, this monocular is very light and can be a perfect fit for kids. This monocular can be used with and without glasses without causing inconveniences due to its 16 mm eye relief.
Specs:
- Magnification Power: 8x
- Lens Size: 25mm
- Eye Relief: 16 mm
- Field of view: 342ft
Size:
- L :1.8 inch
- W: 2.2 inch
- H: 3.6 inch
Weight:
- 0.35 pounds
Pros:
- Compact design that makes it easy to carry even in pocket.
- Comes with a pack that includes cleaning cloth, hand strap and manual.
- Suitable for kids and people that wear glasses.
- The price won’t be a problem as it is quite cheap compared with other products with similar quality.
Cons:
- The grip may not be as good as expected because it does not present strips, therefore you have a higher chance of dropping it.
- Lens size is quite small.
- 8x magnification is not the best magnification power on the market.
5. Solomark High Power Monocular 12×50
Solomark monocular is a great choice among enthusiasts and would be a great fit for beginners that find their places within nature, watching birds.
If you love taking photos of birds, this monocular may be a great fit for you due to its tripod connector, so if you are worried about the steadiness you can just buy a tripod (unfortunately it does not come with a tripod) and you will be able to capture perfect photos.
Specs:
- Magnification Power: 12x
- Lens Size: 50mm
- Eye Relief: 17 mm
- Field of view: 389ft
Size:
- L :2.1 inch
- W: 2.9 inch
- H: 5.3 inch
Weight:
- 0.8 pounds
Pros:
- Really light and compact design.
- Comes with a pack that includes phone holder, nylon mesh carrying case, eyepiece and lens protection covers, cleaning cloth and straps.
- Suitable for people that use glasses due to its 17 mm eye relief.
- Provides a non-slip grip due to its rubber armor.
- Waterproof, fog-proof, dust-proof and shockproof design, suitable for all kind of weather.
- A perfect quality – price balance.
Cons:
- May not be compatible with some smartphones.
- May not see as far as expected in dark (during the night).
6. Lifella High Definition Monocular Telescope 12×50
Its design makes it worthy to be on the list of “potential acquisition” and at the same time, it can also be part of your “perfect gifts” list.
As a bird watcher, you will fall in love with it, as it is simple to use and offers great quality. It is also a good fit for bird photographers as it has a tripod connector (tripod needs to be purchased separately) and also it can be used with a phone mount (phone mount needs to be purchased separately).
Specs:
- Magnification Power: 12x
- Lens Size: 50mm
- Eye Relief: 16 mm
- Field of view: 246ft
Size:
- L :2.5 inch
- W: 2.9 inch
- H: 6.7 inch
Weight:
- 1.0 pounds
Pros:
- Great and compact design with rubber armor that provides a slip-free grip.
- Comes with a pack that includes a soft nylon carrying bag, lens protection covers, nonabrasive cleaning cloth, hand straps and manual.
- A great choice for people that use glasses.
- Waterproof, fog-proof, dust-proof and shockproof design, suitable for all kind of weather, can be soaked 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes.
- Great quality and durability
Cons:
- The phone mount is not included (but the monocular may be compatible with some phone mounts).
- Heavier than most of the monoculars with similar dimension.
- May seem quite pricey compared to other monoculars.
7. AUCEE Monocular Telescope 12×50
A great monocular for bird watching that comes in a pack with a tripod and phone holder. It is also a good choice for a gift for persons that loves bird watching, hiking, hunting or watching wildlife.
Due to its size and because it comes as a pack with a tripod and phone holder it is a good choice for kids over 8 years old, as they won’t get bored of it for a long time.
Specs:
- Magnification Power: 12x
- Lens Size: 50mm
- Eye Relief: 16 mm
- Field of view: 211ft
Size:
- L :2.1 inch
- W: 2.1 inch
- H: 5.9 inch
Weight:
- 0.5 pounds
Pros:
- Slip free grip due to its striped armor.
- Comes with a pack that includes phone adapter, flexible metal tripod, lens covers, cleaning cloth, cloth bag, hand strap and manual.
- Fog-proof, shockproof, dust-proof and waterproof monocular.
- Really light monocular.
- Can be easily carried in pocked due to its small size and weight.
- Quality and durability that matches its price.
Cons:
- Phone adapter may not be compatible with some smartphones.
- Even if it is waterproof, it can not be used in heavy rain or soaked underwater.
- It may not be as good as expected when used during the night (but it is a good choice if you watch birds just during the day)
- Magnification power can not be adjusted (fixed to 12x).
8. Gosky Titan Monocular 12×50
Another Gosky monocular that ensures us that Gosky knows what he’s doing. As we would already expect from Gosky, this monocular is a good fit for birds watching, hunting and hiking.
This compact monocular has an attractive design and amazing durability which may last a lifetime.
Specs:
- Magnification Power: 12x
- Lens Size: 50mm
- Eye Relief: 17mm
- Field of view: 289ft
Size:
- L :2.4 inch
- W: 3.4 inch
- H: 6.7 inch
Weight:
- 1.1 pounds
Pros:
- Rubber striped armor that provides a good grip.
- Comes with a pack that includes phone holder, carrying bag, eyepiece and lens protection covers, cleaning cloth, handy straps and you can opt for an option that includes handheld tripod (that will cost more).
- Adjustable eye-cups twists that make it suitable for people that wear glasses.
- Fog-proof, shockproof, dust-proof and waterproof monocular.
- Presents durability that does not lack at all.
- High quality product.
Cons:
- Phone holder may not be compatible with some smartphones.
- Quite heavy compared with other monoculars.
- May seem quite pricey for some people.
9. Feeke Monocular Telescope 16×52
A good choice for the ones that are just getting started with bird watching. Its simple design makes it easy to carry around. This monocular is also a good choice for hunting and hiking, or it can be a nice gift for a relative or a friend, even a good gift for a kid.
Specs:
- Magnification Power: 16x
- Lens Size: 52mm
- Eye Relief: not specified
- Field of view: not specified
Size:
- L :2.9 inch
- W: 4.1 inch
- H: 6.8 inch
Weight:
- 0.8 pounds
Pros:
- Its rubber armor provides a slip-free grip
- Comes with a pack that includes carrying pouch, cleaning cloth, extendable tripod, phone holder and manual.
- Fog-proof, shockproof, dust-proof and waterproof monocular.
- Good durability.
- Attractive design.
- Dual focusing.
- Good price.
Cons:
- Phone holder may not be compatible with some smartphones.
- May not be a fit for people that wear glasses (eye relief not specified, its eye relief is less than 16, it may represent a problem for people that wear glasses)
- Field of view unknown.
- The pack does not include lens covers.
- May be quite challenging using it at 16x magnification without a tripod, due to the user’s shakiness.
10. Ceenda Monocular Telescope 12×50
A nice choice for new starters of bird watching, and also a good choice for hiking and hunting. Ceenda monocular telescope is a perfect fit for the ones that love photo shooting birds due to its wireless remote control that helps taking photos.
Specs:
- Magnification Power: 12x
- Lens Size: 50mm
- Eye Relief: 18 mm
- Field of view: not specified
Size:
- L :2.0 inch
- W: 2.6 inch
- H: 5.9 inch
Weight:
- 0.8 pounds
Pros:
- Equipped with rubber armor and diamond shaped pattern for a slip-free grip.
- Comes with a pack that includes carrying pouch, phone holder, tripod and wireless remote control.
- Fog-proof, shockproof, dust-proof and waterproof monocular.
- Its shock absorbing rubber armor slightly boosts its durability.
- Its price is pretty low compared to most of the monoculars on the market.
Cons:
- Phone holder may not be compatible with some smartphones.
- The remote control may run out of batteries and you may miss a perfect shot due to this.
- Field of view unknown.