|
Alpen Model # 116 Monocular
Daniel James Hendricks Editor/Publisher
Horizontal Bowhunter Magazine
SINGLE VISION IS COOL!
Alpen Outdoor Products Monocular
This past fall, I ventured into the field with a monocular around my neck in lieu of my trusty Alpen Pro Series 8 x 42 binoculars. Now before you ask, “Why in the world would someone do that?” let me explain. I do have what I believe to be some very good reasons for doing so.
The first is that the monocular that I used is also manufactured by Alpen. Alpen is a rapidly blossoming company that makes three different monocular, all of which I own. One unit to stow in the truck, another for the car and, of course, one to carry, while romping in the wild. And as with the Alpen Pro Series binoculars that I have been using for years, their monocular are built to endure the toughest of conditions while providing great viewing in a compact, lightweight size.
As a bowhunter, I sometimes weary from all of the gear that most of us feel is necessary to carry into the field, especially when the late fall chills and then freezes into winter. Optics are certainly a necessity, but they can be cumbersome and add unwanted weight to one’s load. A monocular, especially an Alpen model, is lightweight and can be easily squirreled away in a pocket or may simply be worn around the neck with such comfort that it will be totally forgotten until needed. The compact size makes it easy to use and keeps it out of your way when its time to drop the glass and raise your weapon.
Yet with a good Alpen monocular, you get a good crisp picture when the need arises allowing you to accurately count the points on that distant buck with little or no effort. You also get the benefit of enhanced light capabilities with a monocular, the same as you would with a pair of field glasses. Remember that when choosing optics, the higher the second number (10 x 32) the better the light gathering ability of the glass. For most of the season, I personally used Alpen’s 119, 10 x 32 monocular because of its superior light-gathering ability.
 And perhaps the best benefit of all is that a monocular is very reasonably priced. Alpen’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $15 for the 116, $18 for the 117 and $28 for the 119. Very fine optics for at an unbelievably affordable price. If one is lost, stolen or destroyed, its owner is not out an arm and a leg, just a little finger.
Alpen’s 116-8x21 Monocular has 8 Power magnification, is approximately three and half inches long, weighs only two and a half ounces and has an objective lens diameter of 21 mm. The 117-10x25 Monocular has 10 Power magnification, is approximately four and a half inches long and weighs only three ounces and has an objective lens diameter of 25 mm. And the Poppa Bear, the 119-10x32 Monocular has 10 Power magnification, is approximately five and a half inches long and weighs in at a whopping four ounces with an objective lens diameter of 32 mm. There was a distinct advantage to using the 119 when the weather got colder in Minnesota as its larger size made the unit easier to manipulate with heavy gloves on.
All three models focus with the eyepiece, have a roof prism and 10 mm eye relief. They all also have coated lenses and come standard with nylon neck cord and case. The bodies are rubber coated making them more durable and easy to handle. Focus is simple and can be done with ease by holding the eyepiece with the anchor hand and turning the monocular body to adjust point of convergence.
Even if you insist on carrying your binoculars into the field, it is my humble opinion that every hunter, traveler and outdoors person should have an Alpen monocular stashed in his or her pocket or in their gear for backup. I, on the other hand, will continue to use one on a regular basis. As one of my hunting partners commented this past fall when I mentioned that I scoped an animal out with my monocular, “Oh, well of course, why would you need binoculars, you’re blind in you left eye.”
How tacky is it to bring that up?
|
