Vortex Solo 10x25 Monocular

A fab little product, bought it straight after using one belonging to someone else at a shoot - was surprised at the time how clear and well defined the view was so immediately decided to get one for myself. Very steady view compared to binoculars, and incredibly easy to use, quicker to set up for obvious reason of using only one eye. Carrying it also much easier than binoculars, just clip on your belt, weighs very little and doesn't weigh down your neck. In summary, clarity of view and ease of use makes it a highly recommended product

Can’t wait to use it hunting

I purchased at Bass Pro three days prior to writing this review. I haven’t had the opportunity to use the monocular for which I purchased it, hunting. However, I am in Gatlinburg, TN at the mountains and it proves itself already. Crystal clear viewing with ample magnification. One note, I asked is there one of the three monoculars sold at bass pro that you would eliminate right off...to clerk. He said I would go with the vortex or oculus for their lifetime warranty. So if u take a chance on the other, more bulky one that is a 10x42 that only has 1 yr warranty. Good luck. I read warranty on vortex. Only one built since 1960’s in the United States. Lifetime warranty, no need for receipt or anything. Unconditional repair or replacement. My friend that is a warranty. ... MoreI purchased at Bass Pro three days prior to writing this review. I haven’t had the opportunity to use the monocular for which I purchased it, hunting. However, I am in Gatlinburg, TN at the mountains and it proves itself already. Crystal clear viewing with ample magnification. One note, I asked is there one of the three monoculars sold at bass pro that you would eliminate right off...to clerk. He said I would go with the vortex or oculus for their lifetime warranty. So if u take a chance on the other, more bulky one that is a 10x42 that only has 1 yr warranty. Good luck. I read warranty on vortex. Only one built since 1960’s in the United States. Lifetime warranty, no need for receipt or anything. Unconditional repair or replacement. My friend that is a warranty. Some people say buy American! Well if all companies who would build their products in the US and back it up with that warranty, then I would buy those in a second also. I’m proud of my purchase. By the way my vortex was like $65 out the door. The Oculus was more expensive $70’s plus tax best I remember ..both are 10x25. Great case, lanyard and lens cloth

Decent for the price

I had a pair of bushnell binoculars that cost about the same as this monocular. I lost them in the field right before black powder season and had to buy a replacement. I saw this monocular and decided it would be nice to have something smaller and all the vortex products I have bought in the past have been great. This monocular does a very poor job gathering light, has pretty poor image quality, and a horrible eye relief. It definitely doesn’t stand up to the other vortex products I own. So, for the money you’re better off getting a set of bushnell binoculars for the same cost.

Excellent monocular for the price!

I got this as a gift from my wife for Christmas. I have had it for about two weeks now and find my self using it more than I thought I would. As a firearm enthusiast I thought I would use when I go out shooting as a quick spotting option to my Vortex 12x50 binos and spotting scope (I forget the brand but it s an inexpensive one from Cabelas). I find myself using this monocular fairly often in my truck to look at or read things that are distant. Its small and its easily obscured by my hand so I dont draw attention to myself. And no I'm not some weirdo, but I have used to look at birds, helicopters, and other objects I was curious about and to read signs at a distance (never while the truck is moving!). Anyway, again at this price range, the glass is really good and ... MoreI got this as a gift from my wife for Christmas. I have had it for about two weeks now and find my self using it more than I thought I would. As a firearm enthusiast I thought I would use when I go out shooting as a quick spotting option to my Vortex 12x50 binos and spotting scope (I forget the brand but it s an inexpensive one from Cabelas). I find myself using this monocular fairly often in my truck to look at or read things that are distant. Its small and its easily obscured by my hand so I dont draw attention to myself. And no I'm not some weirdo, but I have used to look at birds, helicopters, and other objects I was curious about and to read signs at a distance (never while the truck is moving!). Anyway, again at this price range, the glass is really good and the focus ring works well. My only complaint might be that the focus ring is too close to the eyepiece and that makes it a little difficult to focus in on things while I'm looking through it. I have several Vortex products and this one also does not disappoint. I have dropped it once when I opened my truck door from about 5 feet and it was fine. It seems to be very ruggedly built and the outer shell is very grippy.As far as cons I go, aside form the focus ring issue i mentioned above which isn't a big deal, I wish it had a tripod mount on the bottom. I'm not sure if any of the larger versions have it but my 10x25 does not. I get thats its small but still would have been nice to be able to able to use it on a more stable platform like a tripod or mono pod even. Last thing is I wish it came with is lens covers to protect the glass. The included case is decent but lens caps would have been a nice add to protect the glass when the monocular is not in the case.All said and done, at this price point for Vortex quality its a smokin' deal!

Good Range

this is a highly adequate little optic. A- Very compact in the hand and the pouch whilst carried and made with good materials on the exterior for comfort and grip. it has weight but not much due to size and it is not cumbersome. Its well made - good solid build quality and solid feel to the moving parts. nothing loose. nothing weak. lenses are exposed but protected against anything short of careless direct protruding impact by design. Optic Visuals - good magnification and field of view. 4'' Sign writing invisible as a blur at 200yds is easily read with a steady hand. Shapes completely out of view at 800yds (almost half a mile) can be distinguished in 50% daylight. a grey car / a motorcycle / a motorway sign with arrows viable, unlit street lights, so on that front ... Morethis is a highly adequate little optic. A- Very compact in the hand and the pouch whilst carried and made with good materials on the exterior for comfort and grip. it has weight but not much due to size and it is not cumbersome. Its well made - good solid build quality and solid feel to the moving parts. nothing loose. nothing weak. lenses are exposed but protected against anything short of careless direct protruding impact by design. Optic Visuals - good magnification and field of view. 4'' Sign writing invisible as a blur at 200yds is easily read with a steady hand. Shapes completely out of view at 800yds (almost half a mile) can be distinguished in 50% daylight. a grey car / a motorcycle / a motorway sign with arrows viable, unlit street lights, so on that front it is most impressive for the size and price. Colors on the red side are not vivid at range and the image is not solid around the edge of the field of view past 500yds - appears 20/30% darker also - but up to 500yds its crystal and blues are spot on and contrast is good and crisp once focused. Focus is very tight, but will loosed with use.

Small Viewing Scope

This product is reasonably well designed and built especially considering the price. This monocular is perfect when you don't want to bring bulky binoculars. It is simple to adjust focus and has accommodation for those who wear glasses. It comes with a neck strap and carrying case. The only thing that could be added is a lens cover to keep the eyepiece clean when not in the case.This is perfect for hiking, walks in the woods and parks and a visit to the concert hall.

Small and Compact, Seems Well Built, Poor Case

I was waffling between binoculars or a monocular, but the lower price and smaller pocketable size of a monocular won out. This one seems well built, and has good, clear optics (in my novice opinion, at least). I've used a friend's Vortex binoculars before and was impressed with them, so I was leaning toward this brand.So far I've used them for hiking (they fit nicely in the pocket of cargo shorts), and plan to take them hunting as well. The 8x25 magnification is handy for hand-held spotting in bright to decent lighting. I don't wear glasses, so I either have to leave the spin-out eye relief cup in the out position, which only makes it slightly longer over all, but still just enough that the case lid no longer smoothly closes over it, or I have to extend it each ... MoreI was waffling between binoculars or a monocular, but the lower price and smaller pocketable size of a monocular won out. This one seems well built, and has good, clear optics (in my novice opinion, at least). I've used a friend's Vortex binoculars before and was impressed with them, so I was leaning toward this brand.So far I've used them for hiking (they fit nicely in the pocket of cargo shorts), and plan to take them hunting as well. The 8x25 magnification is handy for hand-held spotting in bright to decent lighting. I don't wear glasses, so I either have to leave the spin-out eye relief cup in the out position, which only makes it slightly longer over all, but still just enough that the case lid no longer smoothly closes over it, or I have to extend it each time I use it. For pocket use I just leave it in the out position.Speaking of the case, it's overall functional, but I'm not a fan of it. It's bulky and well padded, which is either good or bad depending on your needs, but the annoying part is the hook-and-loop closure (Velcro, that is). If you're using it for hunting or hiking (you know, as the monocular is advertised for), at best you're alerting whatever you're trying to spot to your presence, at worst you just scared it away with the loud SCRRRAAAPPE of the Velcro when you open the case. A silent magnetic closure would have been much nicer, and also more in line with the quality feel of the monocular itself.In summary, I like the monocular; it's a handy size and seems well built with clear optics, but I'm meh toward the included case that no avid hunter, hiker, or bird watcher would have chosen for this application.

Solo Monocular

The Solo monocular is exactly what I wanted. It provides great clarity when viewing wildlife and is so compact, I can always take it with me.My only disappointment is the lanyard which became unthreaded on first use. I tried to rethread it, but the hole is so tiny that I cannot pass a needle through it. I'd really like to use the lanyard.

Solo Monocular is the perfect size and clarity

Bought the Solo to take on my varmint hunting and sight seeing trips. Some types of hunts don't require binoculars. Too much weight around the neck if you have calls, radios, etc. If your hunt requires extended periods of glassing, this is optic is not for you. But for a quick peak to verify game or to identify something of interest, this optic in 10X32 is the perfect magnification, excellent clarity with adequate field of view. The only negative feedback is no lens caps are provided, especially given the insignificant cost. Lens protection is a must in inclement weather and just good all around practice. Secondly, the strap is guaranteed to break ending the day with a lost optic. DO NOT trust this cheap strap. The Solo comes in 2 sizes, don't bother with the ... MoreBought the Solo to take on my varmint hunting and sight seeing trips. Some types of hunts don't require binoculars. Too much weight around the neck if you have calls, radios, etc. If your hunt requires extended periods of glassing, this is optic is not for you. But for a quick peak to verify game or to identify something of interest, this optic in 10X32 is the perfect magnification, excellent clarity with adequate field of view. The only negative feedback is no lens caps are provided, especially given the insignificant cost. Lens protection is a must in inclement weather and just good all around practice. Secondly, the strap is guaranteed to break ending the day with a lost optic. DO NOT trust this cheap strap. The Solo comes in 2 sizes, don't bother with the smaller 25mm optic, it'll give you eyestrain and probably a headache. Vortex lens clarity is not in the Swarovski category, but at this price, you are 95% there. You won't be able to tell the difference unless you're an "optics snob".

great value

I think after having received this monocular that it shall suit my needs perfectly. I needed a smaller more compact way to see distant objects while hiking and kayaking with out risking damage to my high dollar binoculars. image is sharp and easy to focus monocular is small and light weight. I feel they are a good value for what i paid. Shipping was fast. Convenient neck strap and belt pouch included. And comes with a great warranty. Got what i expected. And am pleased.