Optics Solo Monocular 10x36 - Utility Clip, Adjustable Eyecup, Fully Multi-Coated Lenses, Rubber Armor, Non-Slip Grip, Fogproof, Waterproof - Unlimited, Unconditional Warranty

I have two of these. I have one at home and use it to watch birds, deer, ducks, foxes and other wildlife on my property. The second one, I use for work inspecting utility poles. It’s light enough to carry without lugging me down and slip right into and out of a pocket with ease. The 10x magnification and stability is great for reading the names and numbers on overhead tags. It’s easy to use and pretty rugged with the rubber exterior. It is difficult to fog up and the optics are crystal clear. They are pricey but if you’re looking for a quick, rugged, clear & compact optic, this one works really well!

I purchased this item in February 2021. I carry this when I hike or travel on my motorcycle. I use it mainly to observe wildlife. I like that it is light weight and that I can see clearly thru it. It has survived in temperatures between a little below zero to above 120 degrees. I keep it in the carrying case unless I take it out to use it. Three weeks ago I could not get it to focus. I got onto Amazon to order another and discovered it has a lifetime warranty. So went to Vortex website and contacted them about what happened. I received an email the next day with instructions and a label to send it in for repair or replacement. A new monocular arrived yesterday. I have purchased four Vortex rifle scopes, one Vortex binocular, and this monocular over the last five years. I am very pleased with the quality of their product. I had no idea there was a lifetime warranty with their products. Vortex is a great company and they produce a great product for my needs. I will definitely purchase more from this company.

Used for wildlife/bird watching. Better than binoculars? Nah. But it's a nifty scope in a small package that you can take with you everywhere. The build quailty is excellent and Vortex service and warranty are the gold standard. American made. Really appreciate the light weight and compact size. The focus ring takes a little practice. A great tool for those looking for a handy optic that is less cumbersome than binoculars. Seeing more birds because it's small and easy to have on hand whenever I'm outside.

This is my first monocular, not my first experience with optics. After an extensive online search and gathering of information this one made it. About the product: I went for the 10x36. The feel in hand is very good, hard rubber gripy and sturdy in general, it seems well made, with good fit and finish. No protective caps is good for practical carry and quick use, bad for storage, transportation or for people who cares about maintaining gear in good condition, I personally miss the caps, not only for scratch protection but for keeping the glass clean of fingerprints, it's really annoying having to be careful at handling. I don't use the pocket clip so I dismounted it but it's good to have the option, it works. The eye relief is good with or without glasses. It works perfectly with Vankey cellphone adapter, it allows using the focus wheel while mounted. The focus wheel is a little stiff as I see in other reviews, it's true, it's a 2 hand operation but works well, although when turning the wheel all the way to both sides I can hear a "sanding" sound, like it's fragile, but this is an assumption. The optical experience is good, I'm glad I went with the 36 objective because the light gathering is better than I expected. I can see a clear an very defined image, with just a bit of blue glare at the edge of objects, but it's really hard to notice, not something that I consider a negative at this price point, moreover this happens only when the object is with heavy bright contrast at the background. Up to 100m the focus is excellent, past that distance the focus is very hard to find, it always seems tiny bit off focus, this is the main negative I've experienced so far. The second negative is a very very short range of focus, my guess is about 2m. I constantly find myself having to refocus. Personal experience: The first time I use the cellphone adapter the eye relief plastic piece made a "crack" sound and came off. I red this in another review and it happened to me too. I found myself with the eye piece attached to the adapter in one hand and the monocular in the other with the glue exposed at the eyepiece, I thought it was over, but put it back together and it's like nothing happened. It's a very sticky soft glue I think that allows for this to happen but beeniusing it 2 weeks after that and it works fine. There is no tripod mount but the monocular it's so light that I rather use the tripod attached to the cell phone adapter instead when digiscoping and works well. I own a pair of old Simmons binoculars 7x50, I believe they are from the 90s, these binoculars deliver exceptionaly good optics, a great field of view and very generous range of fucus, I could say 100m range of focus, so I'm used to that experience, that's why I can't enjoy the short range of focus of this monocular. The only downside to my binoculars is the weight. General information: My options where between unknown (or barely known) Chinese brands and very expensive known and established brands. The expensive Leica and zeis where out of range mainly because I don't want to babycare gear, so I started looking at these chinese ones. It seems that all brands are the same, same factory, same quality control, etc. Only the marketing changes. Too many "top 10 best monoculars" videos that are obviously paid advertising. Product reviews by doubtful channels and lame or inexistant socialmedia presence. That doesn't give me so much confidence. In a deeper subject I red on a forum that chinese BAK4 is not really BAK4 and that there are not really any standards in the optics industry for using that term or the famous "fully multi coated". I'm aware Vortex are produced in China but there are some standards by well stablished brands. At least there is customer service and warranty. So I recommend to dig into this matter of optics specs and marketing schemes if you are really into optics.

Used these during archery deer and rifle elk this year. The glass used in these are incredibly clear for what you pay and are durable. I used the built in utility clip to attach them to the waste band of my pack. Not being use to having them on my pack I dropped the pack onto rocks twice but they took no damage. They were great for quick glassing for game as we moved from spot to spot. Perfect size and power magnification for hunts where you want to glass an area quickly.

Excellent optics. 200 meters I can see 223 holes on white paper. Works very well in low light condition. Lenses must be of high quality and have very good AR coating. This is the only way for the device to work this well. I have been using various optical devices over years and this one is impressive. Good job Vortex.

Very handy for hiking in New Hampshire. Helps me to see the high mountain features. Also great for watching rope climbers on the cliffs. Very light, I wear it around my neck. Perfect for birdwatchers as well. Very simple focus ring. I highly recommend Vortex products.

Not a bird watcher, but rather a infantryman veteran that wanted something compact and easy to pack that's high quality. I'm not doing bounding overwatch, but handling it seems rugged enough for my purpose. It's really easy to use and even though some had trouble adjusting the focus one handed, I had no trouble at all. The image quality is pretty good, and it's quite powerful for it's size and weight. I haven't tried it in low light situations yet, but so far I really like it. I do wish it had some lense and eye cup covers, but that's my only gripe so far.