Help,need new binos or monocular

[Cyclops]

I have an old pair of Helios 8x30s that i've had since I was 16 but one of the eyepieces fell out today and is gone,probably into the water with the ducks! Now i can only see thru one eye,hence my name on here so a monocular would possibly do. Unfortunately the only monos i come across are cheap nasty 8x30 or smaller. Is there somewher offering decent choices for us one eyed birders out there?
Cheers
Larry

[Tero]

If they sell the Leupold Yosemite 8x30 over there, might be good solution. Pretty light compared to big porros.

[normjackson]

Larry, try an advanced search on "monocular" in the Binoculars forum and you're sure to find some threads of interest. There are good quality monoculars out there from makers such as Zeiss, Nikon & Docter. Opticron have a selection of models with good specs :
http://opticron.boson.posiweb.net/pages/page14.html
Seems quite a few folks can't get on with them though finding them uncomfortable to use and difficult to hold steady. A low power binocular with a wide field of view might be a preferred choice. Maybe the 6x30 version of the binocular mentioned by Tero would be even more comfortable to use and is available from good UK retailer :
http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/detail.php?id=1502

[Wuchak]

You might find the Brunton MacroScope 7x40 Close Focus Monocular interesting. I looked through one at the Discovery store and was impressed with the clarity. The close focus distance of 18" makes it more versatile than a regular monocular. Some specs:
-Bak-4 prism
-full multicoating
-nitrogen filled
-tripod mountable
-FOV 336'
-15 mm eye relief

Article about the development (http://home.gci.net/~jeff/infinity/adnarticle.htm?)

Brunton Macroscope (http://brunton.binoculars.com/products/brunton-macroscope-7x40-close-focus-monocular-21813.html)

I have the 7x18 Echo model from Brunton that focuses to 13". It's a fun little pocket scope that has a nice clear image edge to edge.

-Wuchak

[Cyclops]

Thanks guys. I would like to try out a monocular for size,i suppose its just like a small scope really. I'm not totally blind in my left eye,but not good enough vision to see with normally- a bit like seeing something out the corner of your eye you know? And i can tell that the left eyepiece is now missing which is annoying! I don't have 3D vision so judging distances is not the same for me as for most people(tend to walk into things at times!) but I do have an advantage over many as i can look thru my scope without having to squint! I don't have a lot of money so I wonder if it would be easier just to get a cheap pair of binos instead,i'd like 10x50.(have never seen that spec in a mono!)

[Tero]

10x50 is a pretty heavy pair to carry. Try some 8x25 pairs, something will fit. Maybe some little Opticrons. If you have a scope, you are ahead of the game, even the 6x30 Yosemite will be enough. Not terribly expensive.

[Cyclops]

Indeed i do have a scope,my opticron IF 75 but i hardly take it out with me these days as i tend to have my young kids with me in pushchairs. I can hand hold that scope tho,its deliciously lightweight! I just wish i could get 10x50 like that! But then again i wonder what mag do most recommend for woodland birding?

[elkcub]

I'm not totally blind in my left eye,but not good enough vision to see with normally- a bit like seeing something out the corner of your eye you know? And i can tell that the left eyepiece is now missing which is annoying!

I think you're better off with biniculars of low power, a wide field of view, and very good depth of field. Sticking with an 8x30 porro seems reasonable, but better optics than you had. I'm not really up to speed on the best low cost models nowadays.

My reasoning is that you use your good eye differently and need to optimize its capabilities. Your other eye does provide some support so there is no point not using it at all, even if only for peripheral vision.

A friend of mine with one eye prefers an old Canon 6x30, which also has the advantage of a 5.0mm exit pupil.

Blue skies,
Ed

[Cyclops]

Well i wouldn't say my left eye supports my right at all,i wear glasses but the glass on the left is just plain glass(well,plastic). I can tell if there's something on that that lens but that's about it. I do think its a possiblity that binos might be more comfortable than a mono,just wish i could test it out! Thanks for everyone's help BTW,this place seems really friendly!

[Cyclops]

If they sell the Leupold Yosemite 8x30 over there, might be good solution. Pretty light compared to big porros.
Tero, I did a google search last night for Leupold(never heard of that name before) and only found one pair of small roofies, at £899!!!

God if I had that kind of money I'd get Leicas or Zeiss already!

[Tero]

Yes, the Leupold roofs are a little overpriced for what you get. The 6x30 seems to sell for around 80 pounds
http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/categories.php?type=binoculars&sup=leupold
but even the Opticron 8x32 is 129 pounds
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/index.asp?binsandscopes/binoculars/opticron.html

Also there Opticron Savanna is 59 pounds, but is not nearly the same class of binocular, for size and handling, as the Yosemite.

By the way, if you wear glasses for your good eye, eye relief may be an issue. The smallest binoculars me be poor for that. So try in person if you can. Fold or screw in eye cups at the store.

[Cyclops]

Yes that is a problem when wearing specs. My old Helios are still sharp even tho theyre cheap russians, but I have to remove the plastic eyecups and put some sticky felt down as I couldnt see the whole image.
I couldnt justify spending £££s on binos, want something under £50.

[normjackson]

Thanks for everyone's help BTW,this place seems really friendly!Now that's unjust. If called upon, I'm sure we could easily find you some eejit whose only guiding principle is one-upmanship (cue the furtive glances) 3:-)

May be worth speaking to www.actionoptics.co.uk who do sales and repairs. They have lots of models to fit your budget and will know all about your Helios 8x30 (I think I have a vague recollection of a story on their website about how well one survived after being lost overboard thanks to the excellence of the Russian grease |:d| )

[Cyclops]

Now that's unjust. If called upon, I'm sure we could easily find you some eejit whose only guiding principle is one-upmanship (cue the furtive glances) 3:-)

May be worth speaking to www.actionoptics.co.uk (http://www.actionoptics.co.uk/) who do sales and repairs. They have lots of models to fit your budget and will know all about your Helios 8x30 (I think I have a vague recollection of a story on their website about how well one survived after being lost overboard thanks to the excellence of the Russian grease |:d| )Thanks for the link norman

[Cyclops]

Helios Nitrosport water proof 10x25 £26
http://www.actionoptics.co.uk/nitro8mono.pngHmmmm!

[ceasar]

Minox makes a small monocular/telescope they call a Macro Scope. You can check it out on their website. www.minox.com. It's an 8 x 25 Porro Prism monocular with a 342' FOV. Deutsche Optik sells it here in the USA for $199.00.
Bob

[normjackson]

Monocular selection here including Bob's (bit over budget) suggestion :
http://www.sherwoods-photo.co.uk/homepage.htm

You have a local shop which stocks Minox and Optical Vision (Helios et al). They may have or be able to get in something for you to try :
Darlington Photo Centre
16 Post House Wynd
DARLINGTON
DL3 7LU
Tel: 01325-359744

[Cyclops]

You have a local shop which stocks Minox and Optical Vision (Helios et al). They may have or be able to get in something for you to try :
Darlington Photo Centre
16 Post House Wynd
DARLINGTON
DL3 7LU
Tel: 01325-359744[/QUOTE]
Oh yes i've bought a few photo items from them,the owners run the local branch of the camera club. I might have to pay them a visit,they always have scopes and bins in the window.