Telescopes are terrific for stargazing, but they tend to be bulky and difficult to set up. Plus, it can be tricky to find what you are looking for. Monoculars are a terrific alternative because they allow you to see distant objects much clearer without wasting any time on the setup. They are small enough to take with you on hiking expeditions and will provide a much better view compared to your standard binoculars.
In this guide, we will help you find the best monoculars for stargazing by comparing the top 5 monoculars for your next stargazing expedition.
Comparing The 5 Best Monoculars for Stargazing
There are quite a few different types ofmonocularsavailable on the market and some are much pricier than others. More expensive models often include a wider range of advanced features like a higher waterproof and shockproof rating, a wider objective lens, and a higher level of magnification.
Sincestargazingneeds differ from one person to the next, we took some time to seek out and shortlist high-quality monoculars that fall into different categories in terms of features. Here is a quick look at some of the best ones to include in your stargazing or camping kit.
1. The Goky High Definition Monocular – The Overall Best Monocular for Stargazing
The Goky monocular is our top pick because it is a sturdy device with all the necessary features to give you a great viewing experience.
This monocular has a large objective lens of 55 inches that draws in a lot of natural light so you can get a crisp clear view of distant objects. The 12x magnification and 20-millimeter eye lens are great for enhancing the size and clarity of distance objects, although you won’t get quite as much clarity for stargazing as you would from a telescope. It is very easy to adjust your view or level of magnification because you only need to turn the dial positioned at the top of the monocular.
This army green monocular can be used for much more than just stargazing. The rubber casing is shock absorbent and the chamber is created with a waterproof seal to keep the nitrogen contained inside the device. With this sturdy telescope, you can enjoy all sorts of sports and activities including water sports, and you can even use it along with eyeglasses since the soft rubber eyepiece is very comfortable.
The Goky doesn’t include a tripod, but it does include a couple of additional accessories like a smartphone mount, lens caps to keep the lenses clean, and a hand strap. It is recommended to get a tripod or stand with a 1/4 inch thread if you want to take clear photographs or you could have a tough time with some handshaking.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 3.25 x 2.12 x 6.95 Inches
- Weight: 15.9 Ounces
- Color: Army green
- Lens coating: Multi-coated
- Magnification: 12x
- Waterproofing: 100% nitrogen waterproof armor
- Objective lens size: 55 Inches
- Eyepiece: 20 millimeters
- Field of view: 325 Feet
- Tripod: Not included but 1/4 inch thread compatible
- Included: Monocular, smartphone mount, carry case, hand strap, lens caps, and cleaning cloth
Pros
- The monocular is waterproof so you can take it along for watersports
- The 55-inch objective lens captures plenty of light for a clear view
- The 12x zoom will give you a better view of the moon and stars
- Compact size for easy portability
- A smartphone mount allows you to take great pictures
- Compatible with tripods
- Affordable price range
- The hand strap makes it very easy to hold
- Easy manual zoom function
Cons
- Shaking hands can make it hard to take a good picture
- Tripod not included
2. The Roxant Monocular – The Best Pocket Monocular for Stargazing
The Roxant monocular is a perfect investment if you need a tiny monocular that can easily fit into your pants or jacket pocket.
This small monocular has a compact design of just 2 x 5.5 inches, and it is very light, so you can easily carry it with you wherever you go. The 30mm objective lens won’t let in quite as much light as some of the other telescopes on our list, but it will still give you a good view thanks to its multi-coated optics. The little monocular only has 6x magnification, which isn’t a lot but is still much better than trying to spot something with the naked eye.
This tough little monocular is water-resistant but cannot handle too much impact since it is fitted with real glass lenses. These glass lenses offer great clarity and durability but can break if the monocular has a bad fall. The retractable eyepiece also makes this a practical tool for spectacle wearers.
The small telescopic device comes with a carry pouch and a wrist strap to keep it protected when not in use or to secure it around your wrist.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 2 x 2 Inches
- Weight: 7.8 Ounces
- Color: Black
- Lens coating: Multi-coated
- Magnification: 6x
- Waterproofing: Yes
- Objective lens size: 30 millimeters
- Focal length: About 5 inches
- Field of view: About 35 yards
- Tripod: Not compatible
- Included: Carry pouch, wrist strap, monocular, and cleaning cloth
Pros
- Extremely small and portable
- Good magnification for such a small telescope
- The 30mm lens is bright for a small device
- 20-25 mm eye relief is great for people who wear spectacles
- Good value for money
- Gives a good view of the night sky
- It can easily fit into your pocket
- The compact monocular is water and impact resistant
- The zoom is easy to manipulate
Cons
- No phone adapter
- No tripod and not compatible with one
- No dust caps included
- Not as bright as some of the other monoculars on our list
3. The Adasion Monocular — The Best Monocular Kit for Star Viewing
If you are looking for a quality monocular kit that allows you to take great pictures of wildlife or the moon, then you should consider this kit by Adasion.
This quality monocular has a large objective lens of 56 millimeters, which means it will give you a very bright view. The 21mm eyepiece has a 12x zoom and the short focal length gives you a wider field view of 325 feet.
The monocular is also very tough thanks to its rugged textured shell, and it has anIPX7 waterproof rating so you can take it along when enjoying water sports.
This set includes a smartphone adapter so you can set up your phone to take brilliant close-up shots of distant objects. It also comes with a small but functional tripod that will keep the monocular nice and secure as you try to take great-looking photographs without shaking.
All of these accessories fit snugly into a carry pouch that keeps everything together, so you can easily grab your kit every time adventure calls.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.58 x 6.67 Inches
- Weight: 15.85 Ounces
- Color: Green
- Lens coating: BAK prism
- Magnification: 12x
- Waterproofing: IPX7 Waterproof rating
- Objective lens size: 56 Millimeters
- Eyepiece: 21 Millimeters
- Focal length: 21 Millimeters
- Field of view: 325 Feet
- Tripod: Included
- Included: Monocular, tripod, phone adapter, hand strap, and storage case
Pros
- The large objective lens offers lots of light transmission for a clear view
- The 21mm eyepiece has up to 12x magnification
- Affordable price range
- The soft rubber eyecups are perfect for people who wear glasses
- The smartphone adapter makes it easy to take great photographic images
- Its compact size and ideal for traveling
- A tripod is included, so your arms won’t get tired of holding the monoculars all the time
- It has a solid design with a good waterproof rating
Cons
- The tripod could have been better
- Carry case not included
4. The HD360Pro Monocular – The Best Budget Monocular
If you need a quality monocular that gives you a great view but you’re shopping on a tight budget, then the HD360Pro monocular might just be your best option.
For its price, this monocular has quite a few surprising features. It has a large 50mm objective that offers a clear and bright view and the 20mm eyepiece can bring objects 12 times closer. The lenses are treated with multiple coatings to enhance your view, and the monocular has a sturdy design that is splash-proof, fog proof, and shockproof.
This affordable monocular also includes various accessories. It comes with a smartphone adapter so you can connect your phone with the monocular as well as a tripod that allows you to get it set up for blur-free images. The set also includes a small storage case for the monoculars, caps to keep the lenses clean, and a wrist strap so you can maintain a secure grip on your device while you are out and about.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 5.91 x 2.24 x 2.83 Inches
- Weight: 11.87 Ounces
- Color: Black
- Lens coating: Multi-coated XLT
- Magnification: 12X
- Waterproofing: Splash proof, fog proof, and shockproof
- Objective lens size: 50 Millimeters
- Eyepiece: 20 Millimeters
- Tripod: Metal tripod included
- Included: Monocular, protective cover, cleaning cloth, carry case, tripod
Pros
- The little tripod is great for keeping the device steady
- The set includes a smartphone adapter so you can take great pictures
- The large 50-millimeter objective lens creates a bright image
- 12x zoom view is great for getting a better view of the moon
- Very easy to set up and use
- It is splashproof and quite durable
- Ideal for viewing a wide range of scenes
- Caps are included to protect the multi-coated lenses
- Affordable price range
Cons
- Can be tricky to properly mount on the tripod
- Some find it a bit tricky to steady out for photography
5. The Aurora Optix Monocular – A Good Alternative Monocular for Watching Stars
The Aura optics is another affordable alternative to get if you need something compact yet functional.
This telescope has a 42 mm objective lens that won’t offer the same clarity as some of the others on our list, but it still gives a pretty good view for its compact size. The monocular only has 10 times magnification and it offers a narrower field due to its short focal length.
The little monocular is pretty tough since it is designed to be water-resistant, dustproof, and shockproof.
It is also pretty easy to set up and use, and it comes with a couple of additional accessories like an adjustable tripod stand and a smartphone adapter.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 5.94 x 2.17 x 2.8 Inches
- Weight: 14.7 Ounces
- Color: Black
- Lens coating: Multi coated
- Magnification: 10X
- Waterproofing: Water-resistant, dustproof, shockproof, and fog proof
- Objective lens size: 42 Millimeters
- Tripod: Included
- Included: Monocular, tripod, phone adapter, lens covers, cotton storage bag, cleaning cloth, and strap
Pros
- The set includes a tripod and phone adapter
- The device is water-resistant and has a durable design
- It is nice and compact so you can fit it in your pocket
- Very easy to use and set up
- The focus or zoom is easy to adjust
- Ideal budget monocular for a wide range of activities
- The device gives a pretty good view of the night sky
- 10 x zoom is good for viewing distant objects
Cons
- Not as bright as some of the monoculars on our list
- Doesn’t zoom in quite as much as some of the monoculars on our list
Final Thoughts
We are confident that any of these monoculars would be very handy to have on your next camping trip, cycling adventure, or hiking expedition. We hope that our guide has helped you find the best monocular for stargazing! If you are also in the market for other quality stargazing or astronomy equipment, then you should have a look at some of our other guides. Check out Stargazing Studio for the latest and best astronomy gear to get right now.
