Since ancient times, the strongest survived the one who possessed super physical abilities. Since people do not have a natural high visual acuity, for example, like an eagle, they were always looking for an opportunity how to acquire such ability. As far as people had a high intelligence, so they learned to improve their not ideal physical parameters with the help of technology. This is how people got super power - to see at long distances - they invented telescopic means. Monocular and binoculars are the most popular nowadays. The use of these devices has a fairly rich history. But there is still debate about which of the technical devices is better. Let's try to rave about this issue.

Monocular Overview

Monocular is an optical device for viewing distant objects with one eye. This device consists of a lens, an eyepiece and a prism reversing system. Essentially, monocular is an advanced refractive telescope. The monocular is very similar in design to binoculars. In general, we can say that a monocular is the floor of a binocular. Optics and operating principle are identical. With the difference that the monocular consists of one optical tube and therefore gives a two-dimensional image when viewed. Technically, a monocular performs the same function as a binocular. Monocular and binoculars can have absolutely equivalent optical characteristics. At the same time, the cost of a monocular can be significantly lower. Weight and compactness also play in favor of the monocular.

Monocular Bonus Features

You can take photos or videos at long distances. To do this, the monocular can be attached to the camera of a phone or other device. The monocular can be so compact that its size will not exceed the size of an adult's thumb. In this case, the monocular does not draw attention either to the observer or to itself. Yet again an important parameter is weight. Monocular can be very lightweight given the possibility of purchasing very compact models. Another advantage of the monocular is that it is more convenient to use it for people with different visual acuity diopters. The monocle can also be attached to a helmet or mask. The monocular can be equipped with the same additional functions as binoculars. We will consider them below.

Binocular Overview

Binoculars are an optical device for viewing distant objects with both eyes at once. This optical device consists of two telescopes matched and parallel. Thus, the user receives a stereoscopic 3D image.

Modern digital binoculars, like monocular, can be additionally equipped with a digital zoom, video or photo camera, GPS navigator, altimeter, rangefinder, compass, respectively. In some cases, it is worth choosing models with an extended eyepiece. This option makes it possible to use the device even with glasses, since the design allows you to keep the optical device at a certain distance from the eyes and at the same time not lose image quality.

Thermal binoculars, which scan the temperature of surrounding objects, are in great demand. All objects, animate and inanimate, have a certain temperature and thus emit thermal radiation, namely infrared radiation. Thermal imaging sensors read these temperatures. And on the basis of screening due to the temperature difference, an image is built on the screen. The advantage of thermal imaging binoculars is the ability to conduct surveillance at night. An important plus is the fact that such binoculars do not need an additional light source or illumination. Such devices are capable of operating in complete darkness.

Binocular Bonus Features

The advantage of binoculars is of course the stereo image. The human brain is designed in such a way that it receives and analyzes the image, taking the picture from both eyes. Since nature intended that the human eyes are a paired organ, the brain also analyzes information from two organs and collects a single image. Thus, when working with binoculars, we use both eyes. The brain turns on 100% and notices 40-50% more details than if the observation was carried out with the load on only one eye. Again, with long-term observation with two eyes, there is less stress on the nerve fibers, the impulses are distributed evenly. This fact helps to avoid tension headaches. Among the variety of binoculars, there are models with a central focus. In this case, the focus is adjusted for each eye separately. This characteristic is convenient for people with different visual acuity diopters. But there are also simplified models, where focus is on by default and works efficiently in certain ranges. These binoculars can be used due to the physiological accommodation of the human eyes. The advantage of such models is their simplified design, and, accordingly, the pricing policy, as well as weight and dimensions.

Monocular VS Binoculars

When choosing both binoculars and monocular, one should pay attention to such important characteristics as: lens diameter, exit pupil diameter (this parameter is important when observing at night, since the pupil of a person's eye expands in the dark), focus. There is an important point when choosing optics is lens coating. This is a lens processing process to reduce light reflection. The quality and clarity of the image depends on this, since the coating of the lenses increases the light transmission of the optics. High-quality lens coating should be multilayer. Thus, the image quality can be improved by up to 40%.

Thus, no matter how much we compare the technical characteristics and advantages of binoculars and monocular, we will not be able to come to a consensus. Because in this question the most important aspect is not the technical characteristic, but the task set for a specific device. It is very important in what conditions the observation will be carried out, and also an important role in the choice of the device is played by indirect conditions, such as: is it possible to carry additional weight, as well as whether there is enough space for transportation, whether it will be observed in statics or while moving. An important point is the duration of continuous observation. Most likely, the user will be able to find the answer to this question only after feeling the operation of the device in practice.