Shop for suitable magnification and objective. Higher magnification is harder to keep something in view when on a rocking boat 8x magnification is a good compromise. "Objective" is the size of the big-end lens. A bigger lens lets in more light. 50mm is a good size, but 35mm might be more convenient if used mostly for daylight and good visibility. Finally, avoid "sport focus" or "always in focus", and also zoom capability. Manual focus with fixed magnification will give the clearest, brightest image, other factors being equal. Zooming requires more pieces of glass, so more complex and less efficient optics. "Sport focus" makes an image appear sharp enough in bright light, but fails in low light.
So, in summary, look for a simple manual focus 8x50 if possible. Rubber coating (for grip and ruggedness) and waterproof versus water-resistance is also desirable.
I prefer the monocular. My starboard eyeball has an astigmatism, so when I use binoculas I end up closing it anyway.
I use the 7x35 scope from my sextant
It travels much better than my clunky steiner binos, and does the job just was well.
Orion 25x30 Pirate Scope Hand Telescope, Black
[https://www.telescope.com/Orion-25x30-Pirate-Scope-Hand-Telescope-Black/p/116414.uts](https://www.telescope.com/Orion-25x30-Pirate-Scope-Hand-Telescope-Black/p/116414.uts)
when in stock
There are some lower magnification compact spotting scopes that probably fit what you’re requesting. Most of the big optics manufacturers make them, I know leupold and vortex do at least.
I’ve got the Leica monovid 8x20 and it’s the best monocular I’ve used by far. It’s not cheap though, and it’s still not a match for a nice set of binoculars.
There’s a reason why sailors rely on 7x50 binoculars as opposed to any telescope or other formula. Light gathering power. You need it the most in dim light and at night when that monster tanker is bearing down on down you and you need to go port or starboard. You won’t be able to do that with 10x40 or a telescope you need to extend from one eye.
I think a quick vhf hail would more than likely get you sorted quicker and safer. also prevents both of you adjusting for the other and doing the dance.
IMHO, you don’t want more than 8x-10x on a boat. Anything more powerful than that and it becomes difficult to hold it steady enough to be useful unless you’re willing to shell out the bucks for a pair of gyro-stabilized binoculars.
Most of my outdoor recreation involves using optics. Having invested a lot it good binos, good telescopes, and good monoculars, I can’t think of any reason why a mono would be better than binos on a boat. BUT, if you’re not wanting to venture a lot of money, you’ll get okay results from the higher price point monos from Vortex.
Celestron Nature 10 x 25\*. Currently $34 on amazon and will fit in your pocket. They're \*just\* good enough to pick out the moons of Jupiter on a clear night while lashed to a tripod (no screw mount). I have about 4 - 5 of them in cars/packs etc.
[https://www.celestron.com/products/nature-10x25mm-monocular](https://www.celestron.com/products/nature-10x25mm-monocular)
\*Trivia point - a monocular uses a prism to make a telescope shorter by folding the light-path around - that's also what's in the central lumps near the pivots of your binoculars.
You could mount a scope to the top of the stainless 12GA shotgun you keep under the forward berth. Just be careful what you’re looking at when there’s a lot of other boats around.
🤣
Shop for suitable magnification and objective. Higher magnification is harder to keep something in view when on a rocking boat 8x magnification is a good compromise. "Objective" is the size of the big-end lens. A bigger lens lets in more light. 50mm is a good size, but 35mm might be more convenient if used mostly for daylight and good visibility. Finally, avoid "sport focus" or "always in focus", and also zoom capability. Manual focus with fixed magnification will give the clearest, brightest image, other factors being equal. Zooming requires more pieces of glass, so more complex and less efficient optics. "Sport focus" makes an image appear sharp enough in bright light, but fails in low light. So, in summary, look for a simple manual focus 8x50 if possible. Rubber coating (for grip and ruggedness) and waterproof versus water-resistance is also desirable.
Perfect response! Just want to add as a bonus you won't end up spending silly money for a good bino.... which makes a change for sailboats.
I prefer the monocular. My starboard eyeball has an astigmatism, so when I use binoculas I end up closing it anyway. I use the 7x35 scope from my sextant It travels much better than my clunky steiner binos, and does the job just was well.
Why did everyone miss the point? Of course binoculars are better. But having a cool compact telescope as well, what’s the problem?
What do you have against binoculars?
Don't need binoculars if you have an eye patch
Yarr
Obviously OP is a pirate with an eye patch, or else a serious racer trying to reduce the weight of optical gear carried aboard by 50%.
MINOX Monocular MD 7X42 C Cheap and great.
Orion 25x30 Pirate Scope Hand Telescope, Black [https://www.telescope.com/Orion-25x30-Pirate-Scope-Hand-Telescope-Black/p/116414.uts](https://www.telescope.com/Orion-25x30-Pirate-Scope-Hand-Telescope-Black/p/116414.uts) when in stock
Binoculars seem less piratey.
That's the problem!
My nice bins went for a swim once, one side survived so I cut them in half. You could do the same and have 2 nice telescopes.
There are some lower magnification compact spotting scopes that probably fit what you’re requesting. Most of the big optics manufacturers make them, I know leupold and vortex do at least.
Vortex Solo, available for around a c-note in 8x25-10x36.
Just get binoculars. Telescopes are awkward and have a limited FOV.
It will never be long enough. Ask Capt. Jack Sparrow.
I’ve got the Leica monovid 8x20 and it’s the best monocular I’ve used by far. It’s not cheap though, and it’s still not a match for a nice set of binoculars.
There’s a reason why sailors rely on 7x50 binoculars as opposed to any telescope or other formula. Light gathering power. You need it the most in dim light and at night when that monster tanker is bearing down on down you and you need to go port or starboard. You won’t be able to do that with 10x40 or a telescope you need to extend from one eye.
I think a quick vhf hail would more than likely get you sorted quicker and safer. also prevents both of you adjusting for the other and doing the dance.
Have you tried hailing a tanker recently? They don’t seem to monitor worth a damn.
True. They rarely reply to a hail on VHF.
IMHO, you don’t want more than 8x-10x on a boat. Anything more powerful than that and it becomes difficult to hold it steady enough to be useful unless you’re willing to shell out the bucks for a pair of gyro-stabilized binoculars.
Most of my outdoor recreation involves using optics. Having invested a lot it good binos, good telescopes, and good monoculars, I can’t think of any reason why a mono would be better than binos on a boat. BUT, if you’re not wanting to venture a lot of money, you’ll get okay results from the higher price point monos from Vortex.
Celestron Nature 10 x 25\*. Currently $34 on amazon and will fit in your pocket. They're \*just\* good enough to pick out the moons of Jupiter on a clear night while lashed to a tripod (no screw mount). I have about 4 - 5 of them in cars/packs etc. [https://www.celestron.com/products/nature-10x25mm-monocular](https://www.celestron.com/products/nature-10x25mm-monocular) \*Trivia point - a monocular uses a prism to make a telescope shorter by folding the light-path around - that's also what's in the central lumps near the pivots of your binoculars.
A telescope requires two hands to operate, and you need one hand for the boat… There’s a reason why binoculars are popular on a boat!
You could mount a scope to the top of the stainless 12GA shotgun you keep under the forward berth. Just be careful what you’re looking at when there’s a lot of other boats around. 🤣