How to Use A Monocular: Helpful Tips for the Field

In our childhood, we often used to play by closing one eye and looking at an object in the distance with theo other. It was fun to play like that. We would select an item, close an eye, and after a while, we did the same thing with our other eye. The fun part about looking at an object in this manner was that the object appeared to move farther away from us. Sometimes we would try to capture the faraway object in our hand.  It was a fun childhood pastime. What we did not know as children was that this optical illusion had a name. It is known as Monocular. We were doing this kind of function without knowing anything about the science behind it. Today we will talk about how to use a monocular device in the field. This article will help you to find out the best monocular available for the field.

Monocular is one kind of telescope that will help you see an object in the distance using just one of your eyes. With a monocular, you don’t look at the object with both of your eyes. When we see the objects via a monocular, it works from one eye, and we can only see the one-sided view. Helpful tips and uses of Monocular for the field will be discussed later in this article.

1. Find Out the Right Eye

It is important to know which eye is perfect for your far vision, as you will use that eye to look through the monocular.  As a monocular view is about seeing the distant object with one eye, you need to determine which eye is your dominant eye. There is a very easy way to determine that, and it is shown in the short video below.  If you prefer to read how to do so, we have the instructions at the end of this article.  

How to Determine Your Dominant Eye

2.Use your Dominant Eye

After doing the test to determine your dominant eye, use the monocular with that eye. If you are right eye dominant,  use your right hand to hold the monocular. If you are left eye dominant, use your left hand to hold the monocular.

3. Keep your Glasses On

If you normally wear eyeglasses, you can keep your glasses on when you use monocular. Just be sure to keep your eyes about 14mm away from the monocular lens. This range will be easy on your eyes and give you a clearer view.

4. Steady the Monoculars

While monoculars are easy to carry and use, you might need a little practice in using them.  Maintain the angle of the monocular and keep your arm in a steady position, otherwise you will not be able to see out of the monocular.  Remember that the advantage of a monocular is that it is small, lightweight, and easy to carry in a pocket or on a lanyard around your neck.  They are not as bulky as a pair of binoculars, but what you gain in portability is impacted by how you use them. There is no wiggle room with monoculars, you need to hold them straight and steady.  Put the lens as close to your eye as possible, without touching the lens to your eye. Close your other eye, and stand as still as you can. At this point, adjust the focus on the eyepiece until you obtain the clearest view.  

5. Locate your Object

Before looking through the monocular, decide what specific object you would like to view.  Once you have searched the area with your naked eyes and determined that you would like to, for example, look at the path winding up the mountainside, raise the monocular to your dominant eye and look through it.  Remember that a monocular will be giving you the view from a different perspective, as you are using just one eye. Small details will not be present, but you will be able to see larger objects clearly. With a monocular, your field of view is increased, but the depth perception is limited.  Again, the advantage of using a monocular is the portability and using them for a quick view of what is up ahead.

6. Move Your Monocular

If you are trying to see a moving object, move your monocular slowly when tracking the object. If you move the monocular quickly, you will lose sight of your target object. You may also need to adjust the position of your body in addition to the monocular.  Practice with the monoculars and you will be able to grasp the method of how to use them to their best advantage. All it takes is a little practice. 

7.Keep Still

When you are following an object through a monocular, you need to keep your body still. If the objects are not moving, then it’s easy to track them without moving your body. But if the object is moving, such as a bird, then you need to move your body along with the object, but do so very slowly.

8. Keep Safe

As with any piece of equipment, there are steps to follow in caring for a monocular. Make sure to keep the lens of your monocular clean with a soft, dry cloth.  Don’t use paper towels or kleenex, as these are made from wood and will have those fibers in them which can lead to scratching the lens. The type of lens cleaner that is used for eyeglasses is also a good option for cleaning the monocular lens.  Your monocular should come with a lens caps, which will protect them from damage. Keep the caps on the monocular when not using the device. If your monocular does not come with a case, it would be a good idea to purchase one as it will give the device additional protection when not in use.   Do not use any type of plastic case, as this will retain moisture which might damage the unit. 

In Conclusion

A monocular is an optical device to see objects in the distance.  While the monocular might have some limitations when compared to other distance viewing devices, it is popular for its portability, light weight, and ease of use.  While our childhood games might be behind us, we can still use the same principles of yesteryear in today’s world, but with a snazzy version. Here are some of the best monoculars available for purchase. For further details, go to our website to find out more. 

How To Determine Your Dominant Eye

• Extend your arms out in front of you and create a triangular opening between your thumbs and forefingers by placing your hands together at a 45-degree angle
• With both eyes open, center this triangular opening on a distant object, like a clock on the wall.
• Close your left eye.
• If the object stays centered, your right eye (the one that’s open) is your dominant eye. If the object is no longer framed by your hands, your left eye is your dominant eye.