Your cart is empty.
Your cart is empty. The Monovid 8 x 20 with 8 x magnification fits in your jacket, shirt, or trouser pocket. It is light, robust, and brilliantly easy to use, making it the perfect take-anywhere companion.
Thanks to its accessory close-up lens, you can view objects at distances as close as 10 –12 in which is perfect for viewing butterflies and insects. Simply screwing this accessory to the front lens produces a macro effect that lets you identify even the finest structures.
The Monovid can be used as a mini-telescope, 1/2 a binocular, or a macroscope. Its light, small, stealthy, and quite luxurious - whether you're scoping a performer on stage, birding, or investigating the insects - you'll be glad you didn't leave home without it.
When not in use, the lens can be safely stored in the leather case provided. Inside the Monovid's elegant leather carry case there's a special pocket for a very special attachment - the close-up lens. Installing this accessory onto the monocular allows viewers to achieve 8x magnification at distances as close as 9.8"/ 25 cm - this macro-effect viewing is excellent for observing the finest details that are often impossible to see through larger optics.
Naturally, it is also a choice among all who appreciate elegantly designed, high-quality optics.
Main features
Exit pupil: 2.5 mm
Twilight factor: 12.7
Eye-relief: 15 mm
Objective angle of view: 6.3°
Close focusing distance: 1.8 m
Close focusing distance with close focus lens: 25 30 cm
Eyepiece for eyeglass wearers: yes
Watertightness: to a depth of 5 m/16.5 ft
WyoRiparian
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2020
Nothing like a Leica! Most beautiful monocular ever.....lightweight, easy to hold and focus, screw-out adapter for glasses or no glasses. Interesting leather case that provides a cushion instead of a lens cap on one end.At first I was put off by the wrist strap design - thought I wanted a neck strap - but after using it in the field, realized I really didn’t want it banging around my chest while hiking. The case provides total protection and easily fits in a pocket. The wrist strap keeps me from dropping it.As good as it gets!
DS777
Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2018
I have medium sized hands and this item fit perfectly with the right amount of tension on the focus knob. Perfect design and superior optics. There is an included lens for short focus. Screws on seamlessly. I would consider this a level above the Zeiss or Specwell/other monoculars. For 8x power scope, you probably will not find much better than the Leica. Ultimately, however, I would typically seek a scope with a bit better value. In other words cheaper. SOME of those cheaper scopes DO fall completely apart after moderate use, tho. These things should last a good ten years with plenty use.
Curmudgeon
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2018
I bought the Leica monocular as a replacement for a lost Zeiss 10x25 monocular that I used for many years. The 10 power Zeiss is a bit hard to hold still and the field of view is a bit narrow. Based on Amazon reviews and wanting 8x, I went with the Leica.Comparing the two, the Leica wins hands down because of better eye relief and field of view.The Leica misses the mark with the case, strap and lens caps.Typically you see people wearing binoculars or monoculars with a neck strap. The Leica monocular comes with a wrist strap.Actually, the strap is a bit too long for a wrist strap, and not long enough for a neck strap.The Leica case is better than needed and is a bit too large in diameter. The case has a belt loop, but my belt space is already allocated for a cellphone case.(The Zeiss monocular has a thin zippered case with a neck strap going through a case grommet. In use, the zippered case is slid a few inches down the strap, and after use of the monocular it is returned to the case by sliding the case down the neck strap. Thus the need for lens caps is eliminated. )Focus could be done with one hand if the focus ring had been at the top. With the Leica monocular, the focus control is near the bottom and thus two hands are required for focus. The focus knob seems a bit stiff and hopefully will become smoother with use.The Leica comes with a top lens cap. A bottom cap is not that important if the monocular is normally carried in the case.Personally, I use the monocular with a bottom lens cap bought at a sporting goods store. I use a neck strap salvaged from an old GPS handheld unit.I leave the monocular case in my camera bag.Optically, the Leica monocular is terrific. I dinged it a star because of the strap and case usability.Pros:Great optics, eye relief and FOV for a small monocularCase is very well made.Cons:A bit priceyI'd prefer a neck strap and two lens caps or a slide on case.Belt loop only case is not convenient for my use.
kd
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2015
Crisp, clear, compact, so easy to take it with you everywhere and love that it is waterproof. Pricey, yes, but it is so nice to have such a quality instrument. I very much enjoy the close-up lens that easily stores in the carrying case. Speaking of which I like the case design and how the monocular pops up as the lid is opened. It makes access so much easier. The close up lens screws into the case lid inside the case and it is protected. Putting it on a whole new world opens up. It's focal length is very small. Keeping it about 12 inches away from an object it is like having a high power, quality microscope to observe nature. On one walk there was a 1/4" jumping spider on a surface. I put the close-up lens in and the detail and colors of the spider where surprising. To see all the eyes and the greenish fangs was amazing. Yes, this costs more, but I will never have to buy another monocular f in my lifetime. Thanks Leica.
Gcassn
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2014
I bought this monocular in 2013. It is the best one on the market. Granted, it is pricey, but you get what you pay for. In this case the optics are wonderful and the design is great. It is solidly built. I love it!!The image is clear from edge to edge. No outer distortion. Focusing is easy. The focus ring is a little stiff at first, but after some use it loosens up. It is compact.The case is nice, but to bulky to fit in a pocket. There is no front objective lens cover, but that is easily corrected. You can go to a sporting goods store and get a rifle scope boot cover. This allows you to leave the carrying case in the car and carry the monocularin your pocket with both lenses covered.I use it mainly for bird watching. Sometimes I get to see deer or other small critters.A great item. It will last. I take it everywhere.
Nick Carrigan
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2013
Okay so I splurged but it's really surprising that there are not many 'quality' monocular devices in that medium price range. I'm willing to pay for higher quality (instead of the cheapy $20 models) but they don't really exist. There are a few with large, bulky or funky designs but why put in $200 to a 3-star product. Why not make a simple-to-use, tubular monocular with high quality optics? Well, the only two I could find are the Zeiss 10x25 and the Leica 8x20. Both are known for their excellent optics with perhaps a slight lean toward Leica. Both designs are excellent but I decided to splurge and go for the top-of-the-line model. There isn't much else to say. If you prefer truly high-quality craftsmanship, a buttery-smooth focusing ring and very sharp, edge-to-edge optics then you gotta pay to play. It also comes with a quality leather tubular case. It's has a neat magnetic closure. This model also includes a screw-in lens that converts the monocular for close-up viewing. (I measured 12" here.) It is a shame that Leica doesn't provide a lifetime warranty (it's 3 years, non-transferable) but I can understand their position. I also was expecting the Monovid to be on the heavy side but it's very light. It's only 4oz! The most important point to the device is its optics. The optics are perfect and sharp as a tack. I really can't find any faults in this product. It will last my lifetime and will very likely get passed down for generations to come.
Recommended Products
