Oct 25, 2020 | 02:34 am 24859 0

Monocular vs Binoculars: Which Is Better and Why?

Hunters worldwide continue to seek opportunities to view wildlife and objects beyond the range of the naked eye. Devices like night vision monoculars and binoculars make this possible. Though these two are designed similarly, they still have several differences.

This article will reveal which device is better for outdoor enthusiasts who want to get closer to nature and see images clearly, vividly, and crisply. Are you intrigued? Keep reading.

Key Takeaways

Professionals would use binoculars rather than monoculars because binoculars can handle more pro tasks.
Monoculars weigh less than binoculars, making them more convenient to use than binoculars.
Usually, monoculars have a better price-to-quality ratio than binoculars.
Monoculars are much better for night and thermal vision purposes.
Binoculars are better in the long run because they do not cause eye fatigue.
Binoculars have a more natural feeling of use than monoculars.

Monoculars Overview

A monocular is a small, handy device for viewing and magnifying objects far away. It allows us to see the beauty of our surroundings. Adventurers, hunters, and military personnel use this telescopic device to see distant objects. Unlike other inventions, the monocular was not discovered by a notable individual or scientist but somewhat accidentally by the children of a Dutch optician.

Monoculars are usually smaller and less awkward than binoculars. They are also much more convenient to use, especially if you spend your time actively moving. You can always take a monocular out of your pocket or cover, check whatever you need, put it back and get back moving. Because of this convenience, many hunters prefer monoculars over anything else.

If you want to buy the best monoculars, consider factors such as a built-in compass, image stabilizer, and zoom power. These will make the whole observation process an absolute pleasure!

If you want more from a monocular, look for a night vision or thermal sight option with the above features in a lightweight and compact package. To improve the situation in low-light conditions, choose a multi-coated lens with anti-reflective coatings that provide excellent light-gathering capability.

Pros

Monocular devices have become popular due to their many advantages over other optical devices. First of all, the following stand out:

Compactness
Low weight
Optimal price/quality ratio
Versatility
Easy setup
Additional functions (night vision, rangefinder, etc.)

Cons

Although the monocular seems close to ideal, it has several significant disadvantages. The first is the need to observe with one eye, which is unusual for many users. This creates discomfort and prevents you from adequately examining the object of interest. Another disadvantage is the narrower field of view than binoculars. Because of this, you will only be able to cover a small area of the examined area.

Binoculars Overview

A two-lens device that makes it incredibly easy to observe and scout whatever you want. Almost right after the birth of the telescope in the 17th century, scientists had the idea of mounting two identical telescopes beside each other to make binoculars. Over centuries, binoculars have transformed from the Galilean design, named after the Developer Galileo, to the prism binoculars with high-image qualities that we use today.

Binoculars have their pros and cons. This device is trendy among outdoorsmen and military forces. Binoculars are just as ordinary as monoculars but are easier to find at any price range, size, and variation. Also, binoculars can be much more comfortable because the eyes will not suffer eye fatigue, and you won't get eye fatigue-related headaches even if you use them all day.

Options like independent focus delivers smooth and precise image acquisition. Multi-coated optics enhance low-light performance, resulting in true color fidelity across the entire field of view and improved contrast. Moreover, mounting a binocular on a tripod makes it easy to use the device hands-free.

Pros

Binoculars are no less popular optics than monoculars. They also have many advantages, making them a priority option for users. The main ones are the following:

Ability to observe with both eyes
Versatility
Effective zoom function
Wide field of view
Good optical quality
Ease of use
Large selection of shapes and sizes
Additional options (night vision, rangefinder, etc.)

Cons

A large number of advantages do not make binoculars ideal optics. They have several disadvantages that spoil the impression of this device. The main one is the large size and weight. It is not typical for all models, but in most cases, binoculars are significantly inferior to monoculars in this indicator. Also, the disadvantages include a higher cost. Consequently, binoculars are more extensive devices, have more parts in their design and have broader functionality.

Binoculars vs Monocular: What's The Best for?

So, now you know the features and specialties of each device. To reveal the winner, ask yourself: what is your purpose for buying it?

Hunting

When talking about hunting, it is better to choose binoculars because a monocular might not be able to provide acute details while you pan the area. Furthermore, watching areas in a stationary position over long periods is much easier with binoculars due to their lightweight characteristics.

Birding

If you're a fanatic about serious bird watching, you'll want binoculars because you can glass easily for prolonged periods without eye strain. But a compact and lightweight monocular might be a great choice when you're unsure if you'll catch some butterflies.

Night Vision/Tactical

Monoculars are great for rapid deployment, especially if you want something to see around your campground or ahead of your hiking trail in the dead of night. However, binoculars are always the best choice for hunting and tactical severe uses due to their increased field of view and consistent picture.

Wildlife Observation

Binoculars should be preferred over monoculars when observing wildlife. They offer wider viewing opportunities and allow viewing objects even from a considerable distance. However, monoculars are not worth abandoning altogether. Due to their compactness, they are helpful when observing timid animals that would not notice a larger binocular.

Hiking

For a hike, monoculars are most often the best option. They are more compact, lighter, and easier to use. In cases where a hiker values optical qualities such as broader field of view, depth perception, and clearer images, preference should still be given to binoculars.

Monocular vs Binoculars

To determine the win of the monocular vs. binocular battle, you must compare these devices by five fundamental parameters. This will provide an opportunity to obtain much useful information, based on which you can choose favor of one of the types of optics.

Size & Weight

The former will have a clear advantage if you compare monoculars and binoculars by size and weight. They are always compact, which also helps them achieve minimal weight. A good pair of binoculars is always larger and heavier. This is due to the presence of two objective lenses, eyepieces, and several additional design elements. Compact binoculars also exist, but even in this version, they will almost always be larger and heavier than monoculars.

Image Quality & Viewing Experience

When organizing a binocular vs monocular competition, these devices are always compared by the image quality indicator. As a rule, binoculars have a higher image quality. The exception is budget models, where the quality of the formed picture will be approximately the same. If we compare both types of optics by the impressions received from observation, the winner will also be binoculars. It allows you to see with two eyes, which is more familiar to a person. Even in cases where binocular vision and monocular vision are the same, using larger optics will still be more comfortable.

User Experience

In use, monoculars are more convenient optics than binoculars. They fit easily into a pocket or backpack, are easier to transport and do not take up much space when stored. In terms of versatility, binoculars are the best. They open up great opportunities for the user and become useful for lovers of various activities (bird watchers, hunters, hikers, etc.). When observing, binoculars give a more complete picture and allow you to approach the object being viewed visually. Monoculars also have a zoom function. At the same time, magnification monoculars are still not as large as their competitors.

Robustness

In the battle of monoculars vs. binoculars, the strength and reliability of the device are always compared. Both types of optics show excellent results in this regard. At the same time, monoculars have fewer parts in their design; therefore, the likelihood of their breakage or malfunction is lower than that of binoculars.

Price

The victory of monoculars over binoculars will be evident if we compare the devices by cost. The smaller number of parts easily explains the lower price of monoculars. The result is also affected by the functionality, which is always wider in binoculars. Because of this, these optics are almost always more expensive. The exception is binoculars from the budget price segment, which can cost less than mid-range and premium monoculars.

Conclusion

In the battle of binoculars vs monoculars, there is no clear winner. Both devices will be helpful for specific tasks. In some cases, binoculars will be the best option, and in others, a monocular. It will all depend solely on personal preference and the goals you are trying to achieve.