Observation gear?

[NH Shooter]

Remaining observant (aka situational awareness) is something we all appreciate the value of. It is something that we practice (to various levels) as part of our every day routine, especially while carrying.

While our immediate environment can be observed with the naked eye, I have had times when I wanted a closer look at something further away. It was at these times that I thought a small, hand-help magnified optic that could be carried in a pocket would fill such a need. Since most binoculars are not so easy to EDC, I began to look at monoculars. The one that has captured my attention is the Vortex RECCE Pro (http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-recce-pro-hd-8x32-monocular), which appears to be high quality, range estimating capable, designed to be carried on a belt or perhaps in a cargo pants pocket.

Does anyone here carry (regularly or occasionally) some kind of observation device, or perhaps just keep one handy in their vehicle?

27302

[BobM]

Before I kept a cell phone in my uniform shirt pocket, I kept a small cheap monocular in it. Came in handy a few times but it didn't have the same view as a quality pair of binoculars

[blues]

I keep an inexpensive pair of folding binoculars in the console safe. It's a holdover from my surveillance days.

[BobLoblaw]

Cell phone works for me. New ones have up to 6x zoom plus recording capabilities.

[Totem Polar]

I use the same monocular that Kieffer used in "24." I only know that because I was once reading some online article about jack bauer gear—being more interested in Sig and Microtech—and they had a link to his kit. The mono was a brunton of some sort, and I think it was maybe 20bucks.

Ah, got it: the echo.

https://www.amazon.com/Brunton-Echo-Pocket-Scope-Monocular/dp/B001MYKQXO


If you can stomach the color, the blue is only 13 bucks.

I was at the Seattle art museum for an Andrew Wyeth retrospective, and I’m using Jack Bauer’s mono to check out the brushwork on Helga. A docent comes by with a security person to see what I’m doing. Meanwhile, I’ve noticed that there is very small writing in the part of her hair. "I’m checking out the letters in the part, right here..." I tell them.

So my wife and I move on. 30 minutes later, we pass back by the same painting, and there are a bunch of suits and people in museum uniforms, and they are all gathered around the painting with a couple of magnifying glasses.

:D



https://i.pinimg.com/originals/87/58/93/875893e66f1ccccdb468d7c1b86e9dfe.jpg

[theJanitor]

I use an old IOR 10x monocular. It's got the same mil reticle as my 2.5x10 riflescope, so "spotting" and shooting yield the same picture. Also, since I'm blind in one eye, Binos seem like a waste ;)
Sidheshooter - where's the writing?

[Duelist]

10x32 Vortex binos. Relatively light and compact for how effective they are. If I’m hiking far, I use these. I’ve used them hunting. If getting serious about looking at small stuff up close, or hunting Coues whitetails, I get out the 15x50 set. I’ll carry either set in the car.

[Cypher]

I use the same monocular that Kieffer used in "24." I only know that because I was once reading some online article about jack bauer gear—being more interested in Sig and Microtech—and they had a link to his kit. The mono was a brunton of some sort, and I think it was maybe 20bucks.

Ah, got it: the echo.

https://www.amazon.com/Brunton-Echo-Pocket-Scope-Monocular/dp/B001MYKQXO


If you can stomach the color, the blue is only 13 bucks.

I was at the Seattle art museum for an Andrew Wyeth retrospective, and I’m using Jack Bauer’s mono to check out the brushwork on Helga. A docent comes by with a security person to see what I’m doing. Meanwhile, I’ve noticed that there is very small writing in the part of her hair. "I’m checking out the letters in the part, right here..." I tell them.

So my wife and I move on. 30 minutes later, we pass back by the same painting, and there are a bunch of suits and people in museum uniforms, and they are all gathered around the painting with a couple of magnifying glasses.

:D



https://i.pinimg.com/originals/87/58/93/875893e66f1ccccdb468d7c1b86e9dfe.jpg

I can't see it

I have a no name pair of binoculars in my work backpack. I mostly only ever used them to look for my pet fox at work.

[underhook]

I have the Vortex Reccee. I keep it i my car and have the pouch on my pack when hiking. It also clips well on the belt and has a hand lanyard.

Great quality glass, just the right magnification for distance in the PNW. I like the monkey simple range finder. The form factor is a lot easier than a pair of binos.

[NH Shooter]

I have the Vortex Reccee. I keep it i my car and have the pouch on my pack when hiking. It also clips well on the belt and has a hand lanyard.

Great quality glass, just the right magnification for distance in the PNW. I like the monkey simple range finder. The form factor is a lot easier than a pair of binos.

Thanks for your input on the Vortex! The combination of quality, form factor, adjustable diopter for the reticle and range estimation capability looks like a great blend of features. I'm closer to getting myself talked into one...

[ViniVidivici]

Good topic, and an often overlooked piece of kit.

While I wouldn't carry on optic on my person in daily out-and-about/at work, I do keep 10x25 binos in the glove box, 8x20s in the "always-bag" that goes with me everywhere, and an 8x25 mono stays in my GP pouch on my 2nd line.

[HCountyGuy]

Interesting topic. I’m curious as to the practicality in an urban environment.

I imagine you’re bound to attract some attention if you just whip out your telescope on the sidewalk (phrasing...)

[Totem Polar]

Sidheshooter - where's the writing?

I should clarify; that wasn’t the specific painting. The Wyeth/Helga artist/model relationship was... obsessive. He did a ton of paintings of her; I just grabbed one that was online. The painting in question was more like this:

[jellydonut]

Interesting topic. I’m curious as to the practicality in an urban environment.

I imagine you’re bound to attract some attention if you just whip out your telescope on the sidewalk (phrasing...)

Yeah if you're walking around glassing people and places with a monocular you're going to be noticed by everyone and chalked down as a massive nerd, at best.

[nalesq]

Interesting topic. I’m curious as to the practicality in an urban environment.

I imagine you’re bound to attract some attention if you just whip out your telescope on the sidewalk (phrasing...)

Out of habit from my soldiering days, I still keep a small monocular in my travel bag. But so far I’ve mainly used it to play a more advanced version of “I Spy” with my children when out and about but stuck somewhere for a while. I figure it’s good “hip pocket” training for a rainy day, at least.



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[BN]

Ah, got it: the echo.
https://www.amazon.com/Brunton-Echo-Pocket-Scope-Monocular/dp/B001MYKQXO
If you can stomach the color, the blue is only 13 bucks.

Hey, it's only 13 bucks. It'll be here tomorrow. ;)

[drummer]

I bought one of the Vortex Solo R/Ts probably 6 to 7 years ago when NYOptics had them on sale for under a hundred. I keep it in the door of my g ride for low pro eyeballing. I find using it with one hand gives less of a visual signature than using a pair of binos. If I want to get out and snoop around somewhere, it clips easily to my pocket or fits in a cargo pocket.

It has decently good optics and I like the mil rangefinder. I'm sure the Recon Pro is even better but wasn't around when I bought the Solo.

[secondstoryguy]

The little Vortex monoculars are a required piece of patrol gear for me. They are priced right, the glass is decent and the clips are very handy. I like a monocular over binoculars for patrol work because they seem to be easier to use one handed and I can use them more covertly(from a distance it just looks like you are resting your hand on your temple with your elbow rested on the edge of the door)

[ragnar_d]

I've got a cheapo pair of Tasco 8x Binoculaurs (http://www.tasco.com/products/index.aspx?ClassID=14&FamilyID=173&ProductID=2471) in my little Maxpedition bag that is with me anytime I hop in the car. They've come in handy a time or two, both times the wife or whoever was around has asked me "Is there anything you don't have in that bag?"

I do like those little Vortex monoculars, I might have to check them out.

[FNFAN]

Interesting topic. I’m curious as to the practicality in an urban environment.

I imagine you’re bound to attract some attention if you just whip out your telescope on the sidewalk (phrasing...)

An old coot who used to do sneaky stuff in LA from my old workplace always recommended a smaller monocular for general used backed up by some big honkin' bino's for more overt stuff. He contended that the monocular drew much less attention than binoculars. I think his reasoning was pretty good. I have a celestron 8x25 that has worked well for me for being a < $100. item.

[Joe S]

Interesting topic. I’m curious as to the practicality in an urban environment.

I used to always have one if I was carrying a bag of any size, as a just in case thing (NYC resident). You have a lot of opportunities to gain elevation and look down straightaways, as well as counter-observation on someone else in those spots. From a long city block away, you'll be able to tell a lot more about that clump of people (what they're wearing, what their signs say, etc.) than unaided. I figured it was peace of mind in case of an emergency (9/11, the blackout in '04, Sandy, I and a lot of folks I know ended up doing more walking than normal). It was also handy when some cute young thing wanted to see fireworks a little better.

It has since moved into the BOB. But for twenty bucks...

[TCB]

I’ve been using a Vortex Solo R/T 8x for the past 5 years on duty...they are awsome.

[That Guy]

What is the difference between the Vortex Solo R/T and the significantly more expensive Vortex monoculars?

I currently carry a cheap monocular in my bag. I've mostly used it during my short day hikes. The field of view of my current monocular sucks and without any sort of reticle I find it surprisingly difficult to gauge dimensions in a non-built up environment. I know a place that sells the Solo R/T for quite a nice price, so I'll probably upgrade to that, but now I'm curious as to how much difference there is between the cheap and expensive monoculars.

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[NH Shooter]

What is the difference between the Vortex Solo R/T and the significantly more expensive Vortex monoculars?



Glass and overall build quality. The RECCE Pro is made in Japan, I believe the lower cost models are from China.

[That Guy]

So... How big of a quality / clarity difference are we talking about? Nuances, or a night and day difference? Anyone done any side by side comparison?

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[NH Shooter]

So... How big of a quality / clarity difference are we talking about? Nuances, or a night and day difference? Anyone done any side by side comparison?

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Can't say for sure as I have not handled either. Maybe the same difference between a Vortex Strike Eagle and the Razor - but that would be 100% speculation.