I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t prefer “easy”—easier meal prep, easier commutes, easier shopping experiences. I could probably name a hundred more. Consequently, the act of digiscoping also applies. Whether you’re surveying a distant ridge for an elk or checking in on a nearby bird feeder for new visitors, the fun of drawing images closer and capturing them is easy. It requires only a love of the outdoors, your favorite optics, a smartphone, and a simple Phone Skope digiscoping kit.
However, there’s a little secret that countless outdoor photographers and adventurers don’t know: digiscoping can be even easier when you use a simple monocular.
In simple terms, monoculars are a type of telescope that is compact, lightweight, and designed for portable use. As such, they’re ideal for many outdoor activities, ripe for capturing faraway images, from hiking and vacationing to hunting and birding. Like any other optic, they come in a variety of powers and price points. As for the latter, moderately priced monoculars are more than adequate for the outdoor enthusiast who likes to acquire images on the go.
Usually overlooked, these little marvels are a sweet spot for many viewing functions. While they often don’t offer the strongest magnification, they still enhance your viewing success by rendering more detailed images of distant animals and other objects quickly and easily.
Lightweight and small in size, monoculars are also a fantastic alternative for digiscoping. Luckily, Phone Skope offers custom adaptor kits for them, as well as their popular universal adapter, making them a viable alternative for outdoor enjoyment. Using monoculars as part of my digiscoping repertoire has proven to be paramount to my success on several fronts.
Here are just a few good reasons and applications for digiscoping with a monocular.
Dynamite Comes in Small Packages
Let’s start with the aforementioned size and weight of monoculars. It’s no surprise that a digiscoping adapter kit is minimalist by nature, with the biggest component (the phone case) matching the dimensions of your smartphone. Pairing it with a basic monocular means you have an ultra-small digiscoping kit. There are no binoculars around your neck or spotting scopes to lug around. My Vortex Solo 10×25 monocular is about 5 inches long and fits in my shirt pocket. This means that it’s perfect for digiscoping freehand, as opposed to using a tripod or other brace.
Fully assembled, a digiscoping setup powered by a monocular is forgiving when on the go.
Birding Made Simple
I’m no expert at birding, but over the years, I’ve become increasingly interested in capturing the native and migratory birds that visit my backyard and the ranches I hunt. While it makes me feel old, I even enjoy birding on random vacations to locations both near and far. My small and lightweight monocular is a breeze to grab on the go and attaches to my digiscoping adapter in seconds. As much as I enjoy my amateur birding sessions, it’s a lot more palatable to do it with such a turnkey solution.
Magnifying the Travel Experience
If you like to chronicle your travel memories via still images and video, utilizing a monocular is a no-brainer. Heck, considering it easily fits in your carry-on bag, glove box, or pocket, there is nothing to lose and a lot to gain when it comes to capturing memories. Pair it with a digiscoping adapter, and you can enjoy faraway images for years to come—with a set of gear that likely weighs no more than a pound. Travel light, my friends.
At the Range
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a monocular’s place at the shooting range. This lightweight optic, along with a small neck strap or lanyard, is a great companion when checking shot accuracy on targets between shots. Put simply, you don’t need a bulky 2-pound set of binos around your neck or in your shot bag to complement your shooting routine.
For the Hunter and Scouter
Monoculars are a great digiscoping alternative for hunting and scouting.
It’s no secret that a minimalist digiscoping setup is specifically ideal for hunters. With your smartphone secured in the Phone Skope case and the adapter affixed to a monocular, digiscoping on the fly is a seamless and stealthy endeavor. While it’s easy and effective to use in a blind or tree stand, it’s extra handy for spot-and-stalk and still-hunting applications. Still, for the former, taking a small monocular into a tree stand is just easier. Note: These little wonders are extra useful for bowhunters who often hunt in tighter spaces.
Using a monocular for digiscoping is a great alternative for hunting.
Counting Ounces
Regarding monoculars, you can’t overemphasize the benefits of size and weight. While the term “counting ounces” is usually considered along with mobile hunting and hiking in backcountry settings, understated gear is attractive for any outdoor undertaking. When contemplating any wilderness adventure, there are a few key factors to consider above and beyond weight and size, including minimalist design and a symbiotic relationship with the other components you pack.
A digiscoping setup that includes a monocular is small in size and big in utility.
Whether you’re casually glassing, stalking, or simply marveling at a sunlit ridge, combining a monocular with a digiscoping kit is a smooth, lightweight option. For digiscoping, the comfort and portability afforded by such a setup are unsurpassed. As a frame of reference, my monocular weighs in at about 7 ounces. While lightweight binoculars are available, monoculars are typically lighter than binoculars. For many excursions, less is indeed more.
Durability
Like any other optics available today, monoculars are designed for outdoor activities. Consequently, they are constructed with shock- and fall-resistant materials, which allow them to be used for an extended period. Some models are even waterproof and dust-resistant. That’s a lot of sturdiness in such an unassuming piece of gear.
If you enjoy capturing outdoor images and memories, take it a step further and record them via digiscoping. Moreover, the traits and features of a monocular add up to a righteous digiscoping experience. For these and other reasons, it’s a great idea to add a monocular to your digiscoping mix when visiting the backyard, back forty, or next vacation destination.