Viking ED monocular (1 Viewer)

[keithdrengen]

Maybe I´m buying these, but I dont know the brand and the quality, despite the good specifications. What do you think?

http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/viking_monoculars/viking_monocular.htm

Best
CJ

 

[etudiant]

Keith,
I'm sure they will be quite good optically.
My only issue would be that these are big units. I used to have a Zeiss West 8x30 monocular, but sold it because it was as much to carry as a regular set of binocs.

 

[keithdrengen]

Yea got the same thought. Looking at an Orion eagleeye 8x32 mono now, down at 200g. Expensive though.

 

[Kevin Purcell]

I looked through one of these (not Viking branded but I'm sure its from the same Chinese OEM) and was very impressed by the view like the Chinese ED bins. Very, very nice. They control stray light very well.

That said they're still a monocular and I think they had a helical focuser that was a bit difficult to quickly focus whilst keeping the bin steady.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

That said they're still a monocular and I think they had a helical focuser that was a bit difficult to quickly focus whilst keeping the bin steady.

I suppose, strictly speaking, the abbreviation should be mon. It doesn't sound right though, does it? Viking is a respected optics retailer and I am sure the monocular will be good. I can't really see the advantage over a good pair of compact bins though.

Ron

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Good point, NSC, for some reason my fingers just typed "bin"

 

[keithdrengen]

It boils down too that a good pair of compact bins doesnt exist in my experience, good optics yes, painful ergonomics. Monocular = 4mm exitpupil at 200 gram.