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Message: <blockquote data-quote="John Dracon" data-source="post: 3335049" data-attributes="member: 14799">Rath - In response to your question, most monoculars cannot compete with the current alpha binoculars, unless several variables  are included: weight, size, intended purpose, etc.  A past thread discussed extenders, which are just another form of a monocular.  And so are spotting scopes, a sophisticated kind of monocular.  The monocular thread dealt with those extenders, roof, porro, and Galilean which are fixed on one barrel to give a modest increase in magnifcation, 2x, 2.5x, and 3x.Our informed Henry Link referenced his experience with Zeiss's 3x12 B, a very small monocular.  So I bought one and found that it is every thing Henry said it was: versatile, superb optics, very compact and useful.Looking at monoculars today we find a bewildering assortment being offered the public - cheap and sometimes very expensive.  What ever fancy humans need to satisfy, the market place will fill.At my large bay window overlooking the north fork of the Smith River with hay meadows and mountains for a backdrop, a panorama which is truly remarkable, stands a tripod rigged for spotting scopes, binoculars, and extenders.  Sometimes there are two tripods set up and on occasion, three, when I'm doing some comparisons with the optical instruments I have gathered over the years. As I find myself in what we call our declining years, I yearn for simplicity, not compexity,   Monoculars help fill that gap.  Whether it is returning to my youth where every circumstance was a form of adventure, I'm not sure.  Perhaps it is.  I have a B&L 7x35 monocular and case.  It has the proper coatings, although it is not the Zephyr.  When an extender is attached, it is a superb instrument, comparable to any alpha of similar powerMy favorite monocular is the Zeiss 8x30 B, discontinued many years ago.  These can still be found at bargain prices.  The Zeiss being a porro is ergonomically delightful to use.  In what way?  Gripping the Zeiss fills the right hand allowing the thumb to rest against the cheek bone and the forefinger against the eye brow.  The left hand can do the focusing.  Or vice versa.  The steadiness created is astounding.  Try holding a roof monocular the same way.  It doesn't work.  When Zeiss discontinued that model, they abandoned a classic.  It is beautifully finished, and the optics are more than decent.  Moreover, it is highly dust and water repellant.   A real optical gem! Find yourself one, Rath, and give it a try.John</blockquote>

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