В Монтане спорят: монокуляр или бинокль лучше для наблюдения за дикой природой

Taking a closer look: Monocular vs. binoculars Here in southwestern Montana, the opportunities for outdoor recreation are seemingly endless. From wildlife spotting and hunting to hiking and mountain biking, a weekend or afternoon after work is full of possibilities. But what good is getting out there if you can’t see the wildlife or the flora you encounter? Enter a quandary posed to dozens of recreationists before you: To be or not to be, to monocular or binocular? “There’s no right or wrong way when it comes to optics,” said Melba Coleman, owner of Optics Yellowstone LLC in Gardiner, a business specializing in binoculars and spotting scopes. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all recommendation, Coleman said the best tool depends on a variety of criteria, all hinged on the activity at hand and the user themselves. Generally, monoculars are smaller and lighter than binoculars, optimal for people looking to cut weight and maximize portability. Binoculars are often favored by hunters and avid wildlife watchers, offering a leg up on monoculars during low-light times of the day. Monoculars Davis Ashley, a Bozeman resident, REI retail associate and avid bird watcher, said monoculars are ideal for users looking for a lightweight optic and those who are planning on sharing the tool. Often, stabilizing a monocular is easier than its bifocal counterpart due to its light weight. “I recommend them to kids or elderly people who might have tremors or lack wrist and arm strength,” Ashley said. He said he bought his wife a Nocs Provisions Zero Tube for bird watching. At 7.2 ounces, the monocular is easy to hold. With a single focus ring, setting up the monocular is easy and requires minimal calibration. “A lot of times, I recommend a monocular for kids,” Ashley said. “You can check out bugs, wings, leaves, gemstones — any cool stuff you find on the trail.” He said he brought his monocular on a recent trip to Glacier National Park, where he wore it clipped to the strap of his backpack. “It’s good for backpackers or thru-hikers who are hoping to cut weight but still want something to see animals through,” Ashley said. Additionally, a monocular can be a good option for people who wear glasses. When using binoculars with glasses, the user must fold down the rubber eyecups before pressing their glasses to the eyepiece. “The monocular can actually work pretty well for a guy like me with glasses,” Ashley said, twisting the Zero Tube, causing the eyecup to extend and lie flush with the lens of his glasses. “And I can just designate one eye or the other for viewing.” Binoculars For Coleman, who has been running Optics Yellowstone for eight years, binoculars are her go-to. “I’m more comfortable because I’ve got both hands on them,” Coleman said. She said the extra stability provided by a second hand can make binoculars more attractive to children. With two lenses, binoculars can be calibrated to a user’s specific vision. The first step involves adjusting the eyecups and center hinge to fit the user's face. Once that’s been completed, the right lens is covered, and the center wheel on the top of the binoculars is used to focus the image for the left eye. Once the left eye is calibrated, the left lens is covered and the diopter ring is adjusted to calibrate the right lens. Generally, binoculars are more popular than monoculars with sportsmen, said Tim Hinkins, a sales associate at Bob Wards Sporting Goods. “I personally prefer binoculars because it's easier for my brain to perceive what I'm looking at,” Hinkins said. “When I look through a monocular, I’m closing one eye and I'm just trusting the perception in that one eye.” While he conceded that the monocular is generally lighter and takes up less space, he said having both eyes working to gauge perception and process the image is invaluable when it comes to hunting. He said he opts for the Vortex Razor 10x50 binoculars. When measuring binocular strength, the first number represents the magnification power and the second number is the millimeter measurement of the lens diameter at the front of the binos. “They’re small enough to compact, but with the 50-millimeter lenses, it lets in a lot of light, so if it’s near dawn or dusk, you don’t lose a ton of performance,” Hinkins said. — Personally, I prefer the monocular for its light weight and easy packability. I keep mine strapped to my day pack so it’s always there when I encounter wildlife on the trail. That being said, I also keep a pair of binoculars in the center console of my car, ready for whenever I may need them. They have proven handy several times, especially on weekend trips through Paradise Valley and down into Yellowstone National Park. Regardless of the optics you choose, there really isn't a wrong option. The best decision boils down to personal preference and circumstance. Whether it’s a lightweight monocular clipped to a backpack for a backpacking trip or a pair of binoculars for a morning spent glassing for wildlife, both can bring Montana’s outdoors a little closer.