Vortex 8x25 Monocular advice/review

[Oldbloke]

I reckon the 8x25 would be great value.
Abt $60 cheaper. ($120)
Abt 90 grams lighter.
But just wouldn't be too good in the evenings.

Actually wondering if I should have got that one.

[bigpete]

I just received my 8x36 solo today.
Bloody impressed tbh.
Small,lightweight, and clear.
Easily operable focus ring one handed,and clips easily to the strap on my markhor wapiti sling pack. Only wish it had lense caps but then that would detract a little from its ease of use. Has an interesting little lanyard clip that I'm not sure I'll use but I'll leave attached as it isn't a problem and may actually be handy. Probably won't use the pouch it comes with. If I'm not using the monocular it will go in my pack rather than the pouch as the Velcro opening is too loud to risk. The clip attached to the unit is plenty strong and securely attached via 2 Allen key headed screws. I'll be using this for a few hunts over the next week and report back more but for now all I can say is I'm pleased with my purchase,as I have been with my other Vortex optics ( even the scope,which I only got rid of as it was heavier than my leupold ).

View through the monocular at a tree roughly 100m away

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Nice and compact

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Clipped to my chest strap ready for use

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[Oldbloke]

Regarding noisy Velcro. My solution was to
cover one side of the Velcro with a small piece of Velcro.
Then made a small hook that I sewed in place. Piece of elastic holds the flap down.

I'll be on the range on Friday with luck. Up to now I havnt had the opportunity, but hope to compare the optics with a leupold 3-9×40 scope.

There are plenty of reviews on youtube.

[Oldbloke]

Oops, forgot the pic.

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[bigpete]

Its 7.53pm SA time and I'm testing the 8x36 solo monoculars against my 15x56 vortex diamondbacks and they're comparing quite favourably

[bigpete]

15x56 diamondback

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8x36 solo

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[bigpete]

Continued testing till around 8.30pm,well into dusk when people have to use their headlights,and the monoculars continued to impress. I believe they will work well on my up and coming hog deer hunt.
The only thing I found I didn't like was the fact that I tend to close one eye when I use them,and because eyes aren't 100% these days,it causes them to be blurry for a little while afterwards, something I don't get when using binoculars. That's ok,it'll force me to slow down extra lol

[Oldbloke]

I got to the range today and compared the vortex against a Leupold 3-9×40 scope set on 8x

Bit difficult to be precise as difficult to hold
the monocular steady.

However my best judgement is the Leupold has the edge but SFA in it.

[Oldbloke]

Sitting here using the solo with the aid of shooting sticks watching two foxes high up on a Ridge. Very open grazing country.

They must be at least 500 yards and seem to be hunting mice or insects in grass.

They look very clear, I'm very impressed.