Carson Optical X-View XV-732 Monocular
- Binoculars Type: Monocular
- Max Magnification: 7x
- Zoom Ability: Without Zoom
- Night Vision: Without Night Vision
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A quality alternative to bulky optics
Pros
very portable. versatile. easy to use. clear bright optics. great for glasses wearers.
Cons
not water proof. magnification may be a bit low for some purposes.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Due to its versatility, size, and performance, the Carson 7x32 monocular could displace other optics in variety of settings. I recommend it.
SPECIFICATIONS
------------------------------
Magnification: 7x
Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
Eye Relief: 15 mm
Field of view at 1000 yds: 381 ft
Prism Type: BAK-4
Lens Coating: Fully Multi-Coated
Weight: 7.5 ounces
Close Focus: 18 inches
WHY A MONOCULAR?
------------------------------
As I see it, the primary reasons for choosing a monocular (vs. binoculars) are portability and convenience. A monocular fits into a purse or glove compartment easier. Most fit into a vest, jacket, or pants pocket. Monoculars also costs less than binoculars. From what I've seen, I'd say any given monocular costs 66-75% of its binocular counterpart.
Monoculars have some disadvantages as well. Viewing things with both eyes allows us to interpret distance and depth better than if we use just one eye, so binoculars would have an edge in this respect. Another disadvantage stems from the monocular's lighter weight. Less mass means a monocular is more prone to move with every minor tremor of your hand and can result in less stable viewing. This is more noticeable in higher power optics, because movement is amplified in direct correlation to the magnification level. A 5x monocular will seem twice as stable as a 10x monocular of the same size.
From this point on, my comments will refer specifically to the Carson 7x32 Monocular...
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
------------------------------
Since I've stressed the importance of size and weight of monoculars, I'll start there. The Carson 7x32 monocular is listed at 7.5 ounces (binoculars with similar specs will weigh about three time this much). It's about 5" tall with a diameter of 2" at its widest. That's about the height of a soda can, and when I wrap my hand around it, the tip of my thumb just covers the tip of my index finger. This is larger than most monoculars and won't fit in pants or shirt pockets as nicely, but it will be fine for backpacks, purses, fanny-packs (if anyone still uses those), and larger clothing pockets. Also, the monocular's carrying case can be attached to your belt for easy transportation and quick access.
The exterior is rubber coated and grooved, so maintaining a good grip and adjusting focus is easy even with gloves. The rubber also helps soften any bumps or jolts the monocular may incur. A tripod mount sticks out the side of the monocular but does not interfere with handling. As a minor plus, this knob could prevent the otherwise cylindrical monocular from rolling away if set on a slant.
FUNCTION AND USE
------------------------------
A big selling point of the Carson 7x32 monocular is its ability to focus on objects as close as 18 inches (most monoculars/binoculars do well if they can focus as close as 10 feet). Suggested uses for such close viewing are butterfly watching or examining paintings in museums--things you can get close to, but maybe not as close as you'd really like. I haven't done either of these, but I have tried it around the house looking at plants and other random objects. Simply put, it functions as advertised.
That said, I use this monocular primarily for middle to long distance viewing. Fortunately, it can handle long distance focusing as well as short, making it very versatile. The key to this versatility is its two focusing rings. The first focusing ring is near the eyepiece. This one adjusts the focus from about 13 feet to infinity. The ring turns about 120 degrees to adjust from the shortest focus to the longest. This seems to produce a good balance of speed and sensitivity when trying to focus.
The second ring is by the objective lens and controls the close focus (13 feet down to 18 inches). This ring turns about 430 degrees, allowing very precise focusing. Both rings are firm enough that they won't shift on their own.
The only other movable part on the monocular is the rubber eye cup--the part you put against your eye. The use of the eye cup relates to eye relief. This monocular has longer eye relief (15 mm) than most other binoculars/monoculars. This simply means the monocular is designed for your eye to be further away from the eyepiece lens, which is advantageous for glasses wearers. Going back to the eye cup, it can be raised up or down by twisting it one way or the other. Glasses wearers simply leave it down. Non-glasses wearers twist it up.
I'll note that the eyecup on my monocular seems to twist too easily and may move when I'm adjusting the nearby focusing ring. Not a big deal, but it means I have to take a second to twist it back it again. *(see update below)
I mentioned that monoculars tend to be less stable than binoculars because they have less mass. In this area, the Carson 7x32 monocular is not a complete exception, as it weighs roughly a third of comparable binoculars. However; compared against other monoculars, it is twice as heavy as most. Plus, its relatively modest 7x magnification doesn't pronounce twitches too badly. As indicated earlier, the monocular can be attached to a tripod, which would nullify the stability issue in some situations.
OPTICAL QUALITY
------------------------------
OK, talk of portability and nice rubber grips and easy focusing is all well and good, but if the view is dim and hazy, it's all for nothing. When one talks of quality, things start to become more subjective, but I'll keep it as objective as possible...
Binoculars/monoculars use prisms to transfer the images from the objective lens to the eyepiece. The better the prism, the sharper and less distorted the transferred image. Prisms are generally made of two kinds of glass, Bk7 or Bak4. Bak4 is the better, more expensive of the two. The Carson 7x32 monocular uses a Bak4 prism.
Larger objective lenses gather more light than small objective lenses. Dividing the size of the objective lens by the binocular/monocular's magnification gives you the "exit pupil", which basically refers to the amount of light passed to your eye. More light means a brighter image. This is especially important in dim conditions. A higher number means more light. 4 to 5 is common for full size optics. 2 to 3 is more typical of compact optics. The Carson 7x32 monocular has an exit pupil of 4.67 (32 divided by 7).
Most binoculars/monoculars have lens coatings on them. These are chemical coatings that generally enhance image brightness and contrast. Lens coatings are broken into 4 categories: coated, fully coated, multi-coated, and fully multi-coated. I have listed them in ascending order. They range from a single coating on some lenses to multiple coatings on all lenses. The Carson 7x32 monocular is fully multi-coated.
Statistically, it seems the Carson 7x32 monocular has about the best of everything, but there is room for variation in prisms made of the same material, objective lenses of the same size, and coatings used on multi-coated lens. This monocular cost me $60, including S&H. I don't expect it to hold up against Swarovski optics. Still, it should outperform optics I'd find at Wal-Mart.
As for an actual comparison, I have a pair of 7x35 Bushnell binoculars that cost me $50--similar cost, lens size, and power. Compared to the Carson 7x32 monocular, the binoculars seem nearly as bright, but the monocular has noticeably sharper images with better contrast.
EXTRA NOTES
---------------------
•
The monocular's field of view is very typical for optics with its approximate lens size and magnification.
•
This monocular is NOT designed to be waterproof. Minor moisture shouldn’t be a problem, but I’d be careful if I took it duck hunting or fishing.
•
As you focus in on extremely close objects, the objective lens will slide forward as far as an inch and a half, making the monocular’s total length closer to 6.5”.
•
The included carrying case is soft but holds its shape. It is made of black fabric, can be worn on your belt, and fastens with Velcro (I would have preferred a snap closure).
•
The monocular has a tripod mount, but the tripod is NOT included.
•
The monocular itself has no strap and no loops for attaching one. *(see update below)
FINAL EVALUATION
---------------------
In the end, comparisons of other monoculars and binoculars aside, what matters is whether the Carson 7x32 monocular is worth the money spent on it. I can gladly say that its convenient size, versatility, and ease of use will make it very handy for vacations, sporting events, hiking, hunting, museums, etc. And it's equally assuring to know that when I do use it, I'll be happy with its optical performance. I believe it's a good value, and would gladly buy it again.
* UPDATE (4/12/07)
---------------------
I recently took my monocular out one morning, and the eye cup came right off. It appeared that whatever adhesive was used came undone. After a few quick emails, I had a return authorization number and mailing address. I sent the monocular back to Carson Optical, and got a new replacement within a week at no cost to me.
The replacement improved upon two of my minor gripes regarding this monocular. First, the eye cup on the new one turns more firmly yet still smoothly. Second, the replacement monocular came with a strap and a strap loop. The strap loop just screws into the tripod mount, and screws out when you want to use a tripod. I'm not sure why these strap accessories didn't come with the original monocular. It's possibly because the first monocular came from an optics dealer and not directly from the manufacturer.
It's unfortunate that I had the eye cup problem, but I was very happy with the customer service, and the replacement was even a little better than the original, which I gave 5 stars.
------------------------------
Magnification: 7x
Objective Lens Diameter: 32 mm
Eye Relief: 15 mm
Field of view at 1000 yds: 381 ft
Prism Type: BAK-4
Lens Coating: Fully Multi-Coated
Weight: 7.5 ounces
Close Focus: 18 inches
WHY A MONOCULAR?
------------------------------
As I see it, the primary reasons for choosing a monocular (vs. binoculars) are portability and convenience. A monocular fits into a purse or glove compartment easier. Most fit into a vest, jacket, or pants pocket. Monoculars also costs less than binoculars. From what I've seen, I'd say any given monocular costs 66-75% of its binocular counterpart.
Monoculars have some disadvantages as well. Viewing things with both eyes allows us to interpret distance and depth better than if we use just one eye, so binoculars would have an edge in this respect. Another disadvantage stems from the monocular's lighter weight. Less mass means a monocular is more prone to move with every minor tremor of your hand and can result in less stable viewing. This is more noticeable in higher power optics, because movement is amplified in direct correlation to the magnification level. A 5x monocular will seem twice as stable as a 10x monocular of the same size.
From this point on, my comments will refer specifically to the Carson 7x32 Monocular...
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
------------------------------
Since I've stressed the importance of size and weight of monoculars, I'll start there. The Carson 7x32 monocular is listed at 7.5 ounces (binoculars with similar specs will weigh about three time this much). It's about 5" tall with a diameter of 2" at its widest. That's about the height of a soda can, and when I wrap my hand around it, the tip of my thumb just covers the tip of my index finger. This is larger than most monoculars and won't fit in pants or shirt pockets as nicely, but it will be fine for backpacks, purses, fanny-packs (if anyone still uses those), and larger clothing pockets. Also, the monocular's carrying case can be attached to your belt for easy transportation and quick access.
The exterior is rubber coated and grooved, so maintaining a good grip and adjusting focus is easy even with gloves. The rubber also helps soften any bumps or jolts the monocular may incur. A tripod mount sticks out the side of the monocular but does not interfere with handling. As a minor plus, this knob could prevent the otherwise cylindrical monocular from rolling away if set on a slant.
FUNCTION AND USE
------------------------------
A big selling point of the Carson 7x32 monocular is its ability to focus on objects as close as 18 inches (most monoculars/binoculars do well if they can focus as close as 10 feet). Suggested uses for such close viewing are butterfly watching or examining paintings in museums--things you can get close to, but maybe not as close as you'd really like. I haven't done either of these, but I have tried it around the house looking at plants and other random objects. Simply put, it functions as advertised.
That said, I use this monocular primarily for middle to long distance viewing. Fortunately, it can handle long distance focusing as well as short, making it very versatile. The key to this versatility is its two focusing rings. The first focusing ring is near the eyepiece. This one adjusts the focus from about 13 feet to infinity. The ring turns about 120 degrees to adjust from the shortest focus to the longest. This seems to produce a good balance of speed and sensitivity when trying to focus.
The second ring is by the objective lens and controls the close focus (13 feet down to 18 inches). This ring turns about 430 degrees, allowing very precise focusing. Both rings are firm enough that they won't shift on their own.
The only other movable part on the monocular is the rubber eye cup--the part you put against your eye. The use of the eye cup relates to eye relief. This monocular has longer eye relief (15 mm) than most other binoculars/monoculars. This simply means the monocular is designed for your eye to be further away from the eyepiece lens, which is advantageous for glasses wearers. Going back to the eye cup, it can be raised up or down by twisting it one way or the other. Glasses wearers simply leave it down. Non-glasses wearers twist it up.
I'll note that the eyecup on my monocular seems to twist too easily and may move when I'm adjusting the nearby focusing ring. Not a big deal, but it means I have to take a second to twist it back it again. *(see update below)
I mentioned that monoculars tend to be less stable than binoculars because they have less mass. In this area, the Carson 7x32 monocular is not a complete exception, as it weighs roughly a third of comparable binoculars. However; compared against other monoculars, it is twice as heavy as most. Plus, its relatively modest 7x magnification doesn't pronounce twitches too badly. As indicated earlier, the monocular can be attached to a tripod, which would nullify the stability issue in some situations.
OPTICAL QUALITY
------------------------------
OK, talk of portability and nice rubber grips and easy focusing is all well and good, but if the view is dim and hazy, it's all for nothing. When one talks of quality, things start to become more subjective, but I'll keep it as objective as possible...
Binoculars/monoculars use prisms to transfer the images from the objective lens to the eyepiece. The better the prism, the sharper and less distorted the transferred image. Prisms are generally made of two kinds of glass, Bk7 or Bak4. Bak4 is the better, more expensive of the two. The Carson 7x32 monocular uses a Bak4 prism.
Larger objective lenses gather more light than small objective lenses. Dividing the size of the objective lens by the binocular/monocular's magnification gives you the "exit pupil", which basically refers to the amount of light passed to your eye. More light means a brighter image. This is especially important in dim conditions. A higher number means more light. 4 to 5 is common for full size optics. 2 to 3 is more typical of compact optics. The Carson 7x32 monocular has an exit pupil of 4.67 (32 divided by 7).
Most binoculars/monoculars have lens coatings on them. These are chemical coatings that generally enhance image brightness and contrast. Lens coatings are broken into 4 categories: coated, fully coated, multi-coated, and fully multi-coated. I have listed them in ascending order. They range from a single coating on some lenses to multiple coatings on all lenses. The Carson 7x32 monocular is fully multi-coated.
Statistically, it seems the Carson 7x32 monocular has about the best of everything, but there is room for variation in prisms made of the same material, objective lenses of the same size, and coatings used on multi-coated lens. This monocular cost me $60, including S&H. I don't expect it to hold up against Swarovski optics. Still, it should outperform optics I'd find at Wal-Mart.
As for an actual comparison, I have a pair of 7x35 Bushnell binoculars that cost me $50--similar cost, lens size, and power. Compared to the Carson 7x32 monocular, the binoculars seem nearly as bright, but the monocular has noticeably sharper images with better contrast.
EXTRA NOTES
---------------------
•
The monocular's field of view is very typical for optics with its approximate lens size and magnification.
•
This monocular is NOT designed to be waterproof. Minor moisture shouldn’t be a problem, but I’d be careful if I took it duck hunting or fishing.
•
As you focus in on extremely close objects, the objective lens will slide forward as far as an inch and a half, making the monocular’s total length closer to 6.5”.
•
The included carrying case is soft but holds its shape. It is made of black fabric, can be worn on your belt, and fastens with Velcro (I would have preferred a snap closure).
•
The monocular has a tripod mount, but the tripod is NOT included.
•
The monocular itself has no strap and no loops for attaching one. *(see update below)
FINAL EVALUATION
---------------------
In the end, comparisons of other monoculars and binoculars aside, what matters is whether the Carson 7x32 monocular is worth the money spent on it. I can gladly say that its convenient size, versatility, and ease of use will make it very handy for vacations, sporting events, hiking, hunting, museums, etc. And it's equally assuring to know that when I do use it, I'll be happy with its optical performance. I believe it's a good value, and would gladly buy it again.
* UPDATE (4/12/07)
---------------------
I recently took my monocular out one morning, and the eye cup came right off. It appeared that whatever adhesive was used came undone. After a few quick emails, I had a return authorization number and mailing address. I sent the monocular back to Carson Optical, and got a new replacement within a week at no cost to me.
The replacement improved upon two of my minor gripes regarding this monocular. First, the eye cup on the new one turns more firmly yet still smoothly. Second, the replacement monocular came with a strap and a strap loop. The strap loop just screws into the tripod mount, and screws out when you want to use a tripod. I'm not sure why these strap accessories didn't come with the original monocular. It's possibly because the first monocular came from an optics dealer and not directly from the manufacturer.
It's unfortunate that I had the eye cup problem, but I was very happy with the customer service, and the replacement was even a little better than the original, which I gave 5 stars.
