BruntonLite Tech Monocular

Can't give 5 stars on principle. That being a monocular should be 8x and 25mm or better with at least a 3mm exit pupil and clear, weather proof optics. This Brunton Echo is 7x, 18mm, and with a 2.6mm exit pupil... but it weighs less than 2 oz and fits almost anywhere.I'd give 5 stars to the Bear Grylls (Bushnell) 9x32mm monocular, which is about $40, much larger, and about 5oz, and so doesn't break the bank for a high quality optic (prices skyrocket after this one)... if you like the sound of the Grylls, get one quick, I understand they're discontinued.So enough whining...The Brunton works for my needs. When you're hiking or backpacking, you sometimes want to "see who or what" and a monocular is just the thing for that occasional need, since it's small, light, and given that, why not?7x is just enough (8x would be better, more than 9x you can't hold steadily enough for a stable view).18mm is just enough (25mm would be better, 32mm even better yet but getting heavy and bulky).2.6mm exit pupil gives just enough light (3mm would be better, more than that is again comes with being heavy and bulky).The Brunton comes in bright colors - helping with "where did I set that down?".Like any optic, take care of it, don't bang it or drop it.It's good enough and priced right for those who can live with good enough. (Still looking for a small 8x25mm in the $30 range, though.)

Disclaimer, this is a $17 monocular... that being said I like to make these reviews realistic. For that price this is a 4 star product, if it would more expensive the value aspect would go down. It feels sturdy but it is on the lighter side so some people may not like the lack of heft. I use it for hiking and climbing so it sees use in relatively harsh environments. The case is lacking, I would trust it to hold up but I just replaced that no big deal. All in all my son has one for boy-scout trips and I have one for hiking its a nice little tool.

During a super cheap sale on the orange ones I got four of them to toss in the car, pack, etc., and found them to vary widely in optical quality. One was junk, but still useful for a basic quick look. One was mediocre, one was "good", and one was pretty darn sharp. It's such a pity they have ZERO quality control as far as actually looking through them goes because they apparently have the potential to ALL be as good as the best I received. For the sub-par ones I imagine the prisms are assembled by ham-handed factory workers with greasy fingers..Fit and finish was good on all, they're light as a feather, very compact and both focusing and holding can be done with one hand. Close focus is under two feet and can come in handy for lots of things just out of reach. But like I said, the optics are a gamble. So, you'll love it.. IF you get lucky.

This is great thing for mountaineering, where the weight is the clincher. Just 1.8 oz! And there are bright colors, I picked up the orange one, should help me keep this thing in place. Not the best optics though, and 18mm doesn't give comfortable view like the 36mm, sure not, and it is not sealed and filled with inert gas, so after while you will find a dust inside and in the cold morning there will be condensate as well... BUT at such LOW WEIGTH there is no other option of similar quality, especially under 20 bucks. And the built quality is not bad at all, not perfect, but better than expected for this price, no issues. I would not recommend use it in low light conditions, but it is related to any optics in this range. In mountains especialy above snow line there is too much of sunlight, so this thing works pretty good giving promissed x7 zoom.

I was very impressed with this. The monocular itself seems to be built well and has a good magnification for a pocket scope. I could have gave it 5 stars but the case is a little cheap (but you must take into account I only gave $15). It is focusable up to like a foot, but if it's a foot away you probably don't need it. All-in-all much better than expected for the price. Would definitely recommend it. PS the case was black I just hit it with some matte paint to dull it up.

I'm giving this 3 stars because it does what I need, but barely. And it seems practically useless otherwise. I wanted a magnifier that would allow me to read the small display on my internet radio without getting up to peer at it closely. This scope enable me to do that from where I usually sit at the breakfast table, about 6 feet from the radio. But when I move farther from the radio the magnification is too weak to do the job. I had hoped to be able to read a rain gauge at a distance of about 15 feet, by viewing it through a window. (I now do this with binoculars.) The markings on the rain gauge are visible through the scope, but the magnification is so weak that it's hard to tell (for certain) the level of water in the gauge.

Lots of value for money; the image is bright and very clear, focusing is pretty easy. The bright orange color makes it easier to find.

Takes a little adjusting to focus but worked fine for what I wanted it for.

I purchased this back in 2016 for canoeing and camping. Since then, I haven't been without this monocular while outdoors. It has gone on many a river trip with me, and has never dissapointed.This thing is tough. I have dropped it more times then I can count (onto the great Canadian Shield no less) and everything is still tight and true. It even survived a serious dunking into some hairy rapids down the Madawaska river this year.It comes with a fantastic belt sheath, so it can always be on hand for when you need to get a closer look at something. Also has a nice little microfiber cloth that fits nicely in the sheath so you can give the lens a quick wipe.The image is super clear and easy to focus (if not the most super magnified for you bird veiwers)A no-brainier at this price. It will most likely outlive you.Edit :I have had this for a year now, and there are two more things I'd like to mention. I dropped it in the river this past weekend, and it floats! (thankfully)It's not waterproof, so there was a lot of condensation on the lenses. After fiddling with it, I discovered that the lenses are easily removable so you can wipe them all down. The wrist strap is actually a little tool to pull out the inner lense. Awesome!

The nocular Is small enough you hang on a lanyard around your neck you won’t even notice it there. Are use it for looking down the road can’t see too good great device would would highly recommend and good value for the money sharp clear picture.

As has been reported by many others, my monocular is incapable of focusing to a clear image. I can see more clearly through the naked eye than with the monocular. Advise you pass on this one, save a bit more money, and purchase a better one.

Impossible to get a clear image at any magnification. Elements seem to be fogged out of the package. Absolutely useless.

Item was quickly shipped and received. Great little article that's lightweight for lazy people who want to know what that little thing back there is, but don't always want to be weighted down with full size binoculars.