Pack light and take in bright views through the fully multi-coated optics of the redesigned Vortex Solo monocular. Once you see the viewing power Vortex has packed into this 5.6 ounce monocular, you won't leave home without it! Protected by waterproofing, fogproofing, and the Vortex VIP warranty, customers are guaranteed a monocular that will last for generations.
Optical Features
| Fully Multi-coated Lenses |
Increase light transmission with multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces. |
| BaK-4 Prisms |
Optimize light transmission. |
Construction Features
| Rubber Armoring |
Provides a secure, non-slip grip. |
| Adjustable Eyecup |
Twists up and down for comfortable viewing with or without eyeglasses. |
Design Features
| Waterproof |
Optics are sealed with O-rings to prevent moisture, dust, and debris from getting inside the monocular. |
| Fogproof |
Barrels are filled with nitrogen gas to inhibit internal fogging. |
Nice monocular, with a few minor annoyances
-
07/16/2009
by
WolfSoul from Tucson, AZ
First off, the important stuff. Optics. I think the optical quality of this monocular is quite good, actually. At 75 yards or so, the text on a neighbors work van was quite crisp, even at twilight. The image wasn't as bright and the colors not as vibrant as looking through just one side of my Pentax WP 10X42s, but that's to be expected, as the Pentax is much better glass and has a larger objective lens.
While I'm reasonably impressed with the optics (especially for the price), I do have a few minor gripes about the overall package. First off, there is no protection for the glass. Front and rear lens caps would be a welcome accessory, especially since the soft case that the monocular comes with isn't a fully enclosed case. It's more like a cellphone case with a strip of elastic on the side and a gap on the sides at the bottom and top. So dirt can EASILY get into the case, and there are no lens caps to offer protection when (not if) it does. I immediately went out in search of a better carrying case, and have yet to find a great solution, though I have at least gotten something that won't let dirt in as easily. I want to get lens caps for it as well, though I suspect it may be hard to get one to stay on the front due to the not-quite-round design of the body.
My other gripe is that, while the focus wheel has nice high bumps spaced every so often to make it grippy, the movement is quite stiff, making it difficult to comfortably focus. I'm hoping it will loosen up with time. I find it easier to hold the focus ring still and rotate the monocular body to adjust the focus. I find that I can, without too much difficulty, hold the monocular and rotate the focus wheel one direction all with one hand, but it's hard to rotate the focus wheel back the other way one-handed. The stiffness of the focus wheel really makes using the monocular a two-handed affair.
I guess those are my only real gripes. It's comfortable in the hand, and the eyecup is nice and comfortable.
All in all, I would buy this again. I really wanted a 10X32mm monocular, but couldn't find a decent one for a reasonable price. This monocular does a fine job for what I want it for though, which is to have ultra-compact optics for looking at birds when I'm riding my bike or I'm out working in the yard. I can easily slip it in a pocket and keep it close, where any pair of binoculars would simply be too bulky.
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