Review on Vixen 1122 03 8X20 Monocular by Griselda Monclova

Other reviews of this Vixen 6x16 monocular are older and I would like to update them here. I will also be posting this in the Vixen 8 and 10 model listings as I have some comparative opinions having owned both power binoculars and monos in the past although I have never owned a Vixen model with these capabilities. So if you want to skip my review, do it now). I bought the Vixen 6x16 because I wanted a true pocket monocular. I saw the reviews on a well known camera retailer's New York website and they were excellent for this optical device. In fact, the only negative review I could find for this Japanese-made model was here at Revain. I think the optics are awesome. I don't see any blurring at the edges. Focusing is neat and clean, the focus ring doesn't move too tightly but doesn't dangle either. I don't feel any games or other problems. It looks and feels like a high quality device, like a camera lens. With a diameter of 16mm this is of course not very good in low light conditions. And at 6x it's not as powerful (and not as expensive) as the 8x and 10x monoculars. But with more monoculars than binoculars, I found the 10x magazine almost useless in terms of stability and the 8x magazine barely usable (preferably leaning against a pole). So 6x is perfect for me. I use it for bird watching from a window where the 13 foot minimum distance is far superior to others I've looked at, some of which have a minimum focal length of 25 feet or more. I use Vixen in museums to view ceilings and murals, at ball games to see people in the other stands. I look at the monkeys in the zoo. I study raccoon nests in the trees. Watching a bikini on the beach Zeiss "Pen-Style" Pocket Monocular I thought it was three times more expensive, but this one is plastic (see reviews) and this one is metal. Also, I find it almost too thin (I don't know). It also lets in even less light than that 16mm lens and I don't need less light at all. I have two high-end Zeiss binoculars that I bought for over five hundred dollars each and wanted to stick with Zeiss, but the cons of the Zeiss binoculars outweighed the pros. And while the $500 Leica monocular was a quick consideration, I'd rather spend that kind of money on tripod-mounted binoculars. A few other things: I weighed this 6x16 on the scale, exactly 2.3 ounces. It is just under 3 inches long (including the rubber eye hole). The 8x measures 4.2 inches and that extra inch is too long for my pocket comfort and not worth the extra magazine for me. It comes with connectors for both ends (sensibly the same caps fit on each end) which is a bonus as I noticed many I reviewed (like the Vortex Solo) didn't have lens caps. The Vixen has a simple, non-adjustable neck cord and comes with a vinyl pouch, which is a little better than I expected; I was planning to buy a bag or use a sunglass bag but this is way better than the ones I carry in my pocket myself with loose change and keys. As far as I can see the case for it is the same as for the Vixen 8x20 because it is long enough to fit in a monocular of this size. I like the tiny extra space in the lanyard case and the thin cleaning cloth when it fits into a 6x16 size. Conclusion: I like this monocular. I was thinking of the Vector and Eagle (which I already had) and a few others, but I needed a pocket sized one. I wanted it to be part of my EDC along with my jackknife, wallet and car keys. This short and light model at a reasonable price suits me in all respects. Thanks for reading and I'll help where I can with questions.