Brunton Eterna 6x30 Waterproof Monocular
Before the Brunton Eterna 6x30 waterproof monocular, we used to split binoculars in half in order to get a waterproof 6x30 monocular. No more! This nitrogen-purged waterproof/fog resistant, full multi-coating, rubber armored 6x30 monocular by Brunton has it all. Well almost all, we add a neoprene sock (no charge) to make it float. Even with the neoprene float on, the monocular will fit in most PFD pockets (i.e. the tall skinny pocket on Kokatat OutFit Tour, ProFit Tour, and Guide PFDs). The ends of the sock float also work well for holding the lens caps when using the monoc.
Higher powered optics (8x to 10x) work fine on land, but tend to be too shaky when used from a kayak. 7x is popular on yachts, but still too high of a magnification for kayaking (unless it is flat calm and you have very steady hands). 6x is the perfect magnification level for use in a kayak.
The generous 30 mm diameter makes this monocular bright and pleasant to look through. Besides magnification and diameter, there are many subtleties to the quality of binoculars and monoculars that make it hard to tell whether one is going to work well until you've tried it in a variety of outdoor lighting conditions. We've tested this Brunton monocular on the water for years now during all hours of the day and night, and can say it's clarity, sharpness, brightness, and overall quality is superb. And we've never had a defect or warrantee return on them.
Because it is a monocular, it's smaller than most pocket sized binoculars (which are typically 8x20 or worse yet 10x20), and yet it is so much nicer to look through! In comparison, compact/pocket sized binocs 8x25 binoculars are dim. The higher the ratio of power to diameter the dimmer they tend to be. So a 6 x 30 monocular is significantly brighter than a similar sized pair of 8x20 binoculars. Brightness helps in low light (rain, dusk, etc.) and in bight light when looking toward the light where the subject is back-lit and to the naked eye appears as a black silhouette -- with the light gathering of a 6 x 30 you can see what color the bird or kayak is. Also at a given distance, say 100 yds, an 8 x 25 will have a much smaller field of view than a 6 x 30. The bigger field of view makes it easier to acquire (find) the object you want to look at.
6x30 binocs would work well on a yacht, but they are just too big to use in a kayak. Also, in addition to being smaller and lighter than a 6x30 binocular, a monocular only requires one hand to use -- this is important for kayakers because it allows you to keep one hand on the paddle for balance.
The main (only?) advantage to binoculars is depth perception -- important for gunners who need to see which target is in front of the other, but do you care which bird is in front of the other? Many birders use monoculars even on land (i.e. spotting scopes often 20x or higher power which need to be used on a tripod to stabilize them).
Brunton is an established quality brand name in optics, compasses, and instruments for mountaineering and outdoor sports, and this monocular lives up to that reputation.
Specifications:
6"x2"x1.875
11.5 oz.
Eyeglass compatable
Waterproof
Fogproof
Nitrogen purged
Lifetime warranty
5mm exit pupil
19mm Long eye relief
341' Field of view at 1000 yds
We will ship this item with free Priority Mail (2-3 day delivery) shipping within the US.
© George Gronseth 2003, all rights reserved.