Lately, the popularity of monoculars has been on the rise especially for nature lovers who prefer to have a quick view of something rather than engage themselves in activities that require extensive viewing sessions. Vortex Solo Monoculars popularity also continues to rise because of their exceptional performance and value for money.
Unlike binoculars or spotting scopes that are heavy and tiring to carry around, monoculars offer two-dimension views single-handedly with one eye being able to view the images at a time. They are easy to use and ideal for all nature activities.
When it comes to optical devices, you can never go wrong with optics from the Vortex brand. The Vortex solo monoculars are no exemption. They are ranked among the best monoculars available on the market today.
Apart from being lightweight and compact, these optics offer excellent functionality to outdo most of their competitors. Combined with excellent durability and overall built quality, vortex solo monocular make the perfect monocular for every avid nature lover, hiker, or camping enthusiast.
Advantages of Vortex Solo Monoculars
- Lightweight, compact and portable. You can easily slip a monocular inside your pocket and carry it around without feeling like it is weighing you down.
- Single hand operation.
- Built to last.
- Relatively affordable compared with binoculars or spotting scopes.
- Work well for multiple outdoor activities.
5 Best Vortex Solo Monoculars
If you are looking for the best monoculars to buy, below is a review of the best Vortex Solo Monoculars worth buying.
1) Vortex Optics Solo Monocular 10×25
Every avid nature lover knows that a good optic makes their nature trip more fascinating. This 10×25 solo monocular is the best addition to your traveling gear. Weighing just 5.6oz, this instrument is lightweight, easy to pack, and great for backpacking and traveling.
Its 10x magnification is ideal for viewing targets at both close and long-range while the 25mm objective lens delivers the optimum light needed for bright and clear target views. Combined with excellent durability and overall built quality, you are assured of great value for your money.
Additionally, this optic is equipped with shock-absorbing rubber armor which not only enhances durability but also provides an anti-slip grip even during wet weather. Apart from the superior low light performance, this monocular has its lenses fully multi-coated to enhance light transmission to produce bright and crystal-clear image views.
Well, that’s not all. This optic features an adjustable eyecup that allows for snug viewing with or without eyeglasses and its nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed to prevent fogging under extreme temperature changes and lockout any dust or moisture. Simply slip this optic into your travel backpack or pocket and enjoy marvelous nature views.
Key Features
- Excellent image quality.
- Wide field of view.
- Lightweight, packable, and great for travel.
- Intuitive and easy-to-use focus dial.
- Extremely durable and shockproof.
- Waterproof and fogproof.
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- 10x magnification.
- Rubber armor that provides a secure, non-slip grip.
- Adjustable eyecup to accommodate eyeglass wearers.
- Perfect for backpacking, camping, and hiking.
- Close focus: 16.4 feet.
2) Vortex Optics Solo Monocular 10×36
Vortex is a big name in the world of optics and looking at the Vortex Solo Monocular 10×36, it is easy to see why. Built to last a lifetime, this monocular is crafted from high-quality materials that are both durable and sturdy enough to withstand rough outdoor impacts.
The ergonomic design of this solo monocular allows it to be used not only for tactical operations but also for adventure. It features a versatile 10x magnification and a 36mm objective lens which ensures brilliant image views even under low light conditions.
Shock-absorbing rubber armor with a diamond-checkered grip enhances durability and also provides the user with a secure, non-slip grip even under wet weather conditions. By being lightweight, compact, and portable, it becomes the ideal optic for backpacking and travel.
Compared with similar items, this instrument comes with a versatile, multi-position utility cup for quick and simple attachment on any equipment or clothing. Furthermore, its lenses are fully multi-coated to enhance light transmission and deliver bright and clear images full of color contrast.
It’s also O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to deliver reliable waterproof and fog-proof performance. Overall, this scope is reasonably priced and perfect for a wide range of outdoor adventures.
Key Features
- Extremely durable and sturdy.
- Perfect for both tactical and adventure applications.
- Cost-effective.
- Lightweight, compact and portable.
- Easy to use focus wheel.
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- Fully waterproof and fogproof.
- The diamond checkered grip provides an ergonomic, non-slip grip.
- Shock-absorbing rubber armor enhances durability.
- Adjustable eyecups.
- Versatile multi-position carry clip.
3) Vortex Optics Solo Monocular 8×25
The Vortex Solo 8×25 monocular has a lot to offer at a reasonably affordable price. Ideal for beginners and professionals alike, this optic is not only easy to use, but also offers the best price/value ratio.
This monocular provides outstanding 8x magnification backed by a 25mm objective lens which offers excellent clarity and resolution even when viewing small-sized targets.
Being lightweight, this top-quality optic is portable and ideal for backing or any other outdoor activity that requires you to pack light. The fully multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission to deliver bright and crisp clear target views regardless of the lighting condition.
For maximum durability in different outdoor environments, this optic is sturdily and ruggedly made and has shock-absorbing rubber armor which also provides the user with an ergonomic, non-slip grip even when wearing gloves.
Additionally, its nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed to deliver reliable waterproof and fog-proof performance. Also included is an adjustable eyecup which allows for a snug view of targets with or without eyeglasses.
Key Features
- Cost-effective.
- Single-hand operation.
- Lightweight, small-sized and great travel.
- Intuitive and easy to use.
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- Ideal for beginners and professionals alike.
- Fully waterproof and fogproof.
- Ergonomic, non-slip grip.
- Shock-absorbing rubber armor enhances durability.
- Adjustable eyecups.
- Easy to handle even when wearing gloves.
4) Vortex Optics Solo Monocular 8×36
If you are always on the go and in need of a small and lightweight optic that you can easily slip in your pocket or travel backpack, Vortex Solo Monocular 8×36 is a great option for you.
Weighing less than 6 ounces, this optic proves to be the lightest and easiest to pack optic. With Mother Nature always unpredictable, this monocular comes with O-ring seals to lock out moisture and any other debris.
Additionally, its body is nitrogen-filled to prevent internal fogging brought about by rapid changes in temperatures. The 8x magnification is quite stable at hand and does a tremendous job bringing those far-away targets close by.
Well, that’s not all. This monocular offers a wide field of view of 393 feet per 1000 yards and has its lenses fully coated to enhance light transmission. The eyecup is adjustable to accommodate all users, with or without eyeglasses.
Lastly, it has shock-absorbing rubber armor which provides a non-slip grip even when wearing gloves while also enhancing durability. With all these impressive features, you can never go wrong with the Vortex Solo Monocular 8×36.
Key Features
- Adjustable eyecups.
- Versatile, multi-position carry cup.
- Extremely durable and easy to handle.
- Ergonomic, non-slip grip.
- Ideal for backpacking, camping, and hiking.
- Wide field of view of 393 feet per 1000 yards.
- Shock-absorbing rubber armor.
- Fully multi-coated lenses.
- Budget-friendly.
- Fully waterproof, fogproof, and dustproof.
- Lightweight and perfect for backpacking.
5) Vortex Optics Solo R/T 8×36 Monocular
This is an excellent-looking vortex monocular suitable for a wide range of outdoor applications. Right out of the box, you can tell that this optic is sturdy because it is crafted from high-quality materials. One impressive thing about this optic is that it’s a heavyweight performer with a lightweight and portable design.
With 8x zoom power and a 36mm objective lens, you get a reliable optic suitable for observing targets at both close and long ranges. Its lenses are fully multi-coated to enhance the light transmission needed to produce bright and clear image views regardless of the environment or shooting conditions.
Moreover, a flared eyecup folds down to accommodate users who put on eyeglasses, blocks glare when viewing during broad daylight, and protect the objective lens from mechanical damage. Like any other Vortex optic, this monocular is O-ring sealed and nitrogen-filled to make it fully waterproof and fog proof.
It is also equipped with shock-absorbing rubber armor which enhances durability whilst providing a secure non-slip grip. Also included is a multi-purpose utility clip that you can easily attach to your clothes or belt for easy and convenient access while out in the field.
Key Features
- Versatile, multi-purpose carry clip.
- Extremely durable and shockproof.
- Rubber armor that provides non-slip grip.
- Lightweight, easy to handle, and carry.
- Fully multi-coated anti-reflective coatings.
- Large and smooth focus wheel.
- Remarkable low light performance.
- Waterproof and fog proof.
- Flared eyecups accommodate users with eyeglasses.
- Suitable for a wide range of outdoor applications.
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Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vortex Solo Monocular
Now that you have detailed information about different vortex solo monoculars, here are some of the important factors to consider which should guide you in picking a monocular that will work best for your needs.
Magnification
Just like in binoculars, the basic designation of monoculars is represented by the two numbers. The first number represents magnification while the second one shows the size of the objective lens.
While a majority of people think that the higher the magnification the clearer the image views become, this is not always the case. The clarity of your image views mostly depends on the quality of the objective lens.
Monoculars with the highest magnification power might not be the best for those on the go. This is because, at the highest magnification, images start to become impaired by the movement of the monocular even with the clearest lenses. A slight shake or twinge at a high magnification setting causes image shakiness or even loss of target.
Lens Coating
Never overlook the quality of lens coating in the monocular you intend to buy. Lens coating is important in improving image brightness as it improves the lens optical capability.
The coating on monoculars can either be a single coating that offers glare reduction or fully multi-coated to enhance optimum light transmission for bright and crisp clear image views.
Low-end monoculars feature single-lens coating while the high-end counterparts feature fully multi-coated lenses. Vortex monoculars also feature Armortek coatings which protect the lens from scratches, dirt, and fingerprints.
Eye Relief
The other important factor to look out for is the eye relief offered especially if you put on eyeglasses. Eye relief refers to the maximum distance from where you can comfortably hold the monocular from your eye and still be in a position where you can have a full view of your image. Look for a monocular with an adjustable eyecup and an eye relief that’s at least 15mm.
Durable Construction
A majority of outdoor activities both tactical and adventurous require you to move from one location to the other. Since you’ll be carrying the monocular in rough and uneven terrain especially when hiking or camping.
Chances are that you might occasionally bump or accidentally drop the optic along the way. This calls for a monocular that’s rugged and sturdily made to withstand shock and impact without sacrificing its performance.
All of the vortex monoculars listed above feature shock-absorbing rubber armor to enhance durability. To ensure reliable performance in all weather conditions, make sure that the monocular is fully waterproof and fogproof.
Portability
If you plan to engage yourself in activities that regular movement from one location to another, go for a monocular that’s both lightweight and easy to carry around. A lightweight monocular is also easy to pack and ideal for traveling and backpacking.
Prism
Monoculars have prisms to magnify images. The common prisms used in monoculars are Porro prism, Roof prism, and Galilean prisms. All three prims have their pros and cons. However, the Porro prism design is far more common in monoculars.
They offer better 3D sharpness and they are more affordable than their roof prism counterparts. On the other hand, Roof prism monoculars provide brighter color image clarity even under low light conditions.
However, they tend to be more expensive. Galilean prism system offers less magnification, small field of view and that’s why you’ll find it difficult to get any monocular using it.
Built Accessories
Different monoculars are equipped with different accessories which make them more convenient to use. While every monocular comes with a lens cap, how the lens cap is designed varies from one model to the other.
Some have the lens cap in-built while others have removable ones. Some models come with a tripod for better image stability while others only have a tripod mount and you’ll be required to purchase a tripod separately.
Best Vortex Solo Monoculars FAQs
Q: Which is Better, Binocular or Monocular?
A: This depends on the activity you intend to use the optics for. Both are available in different sizes and their prices also differ from one model to the other. For birding and landscape viewing, binoculars are the optics to go for. However, they are larger, more expensive, and heavyweight. On the other hand, monoculars are compact, lightweight, reasonably priced, and ideal for hunting and fishing.
Q: Can I Use a Monocular as a Scope?
A: While some monoculars have high magnification power, one can be tempted to use it on top of a rifle either for hunting or tactical shooting. This is not allowed. Unlike scopes, monoculars aren’t designed to handle the shockwave that scope handle from high-powered firearms. Using your monocular as a firearm scope will likely cause it more harm than good. The monocular can end up being permanently damaged and no one would want that.
Q: How Do I Clean Monocular Lenses?
A: Taking good care of your monocular is important in ensuring durable and reliable use. Use a specialized lens cleaner to avoid damaging your monoculars lens. These cleaners should be applied and removed with a microfiber cloth mostly provided with the monocular or a soft cotton cloth.
Q: What is the Ideal Monocular Size?
A: Generally, size doesn’t matter so much when it comes to buying a monocular. Majorly, monoculars are small in size, lightweight, and easy to fit inside your pocket or pack in a backpack.
Q: Which is the Ideal Magnification for a Monocular?
A: Monoculars with high magnification power are great for viewing long-distance objects. For general-purpose, monoculars with 8-10x magnification are good to go.
Conclusion
The overall optical performance of vortex solo monoculars is one to be admired. These optics are equipped with superior optical systems ideal for different lighting conditions. These optics are also built from high-quality materials to ensure many years of reliable performance. They are the best monoculars for multiple outdoor activities, both tactical and adventurous and we hope that you get to love them too.