After working with some Vortex Optics over the summer, I asked them to send their Solo 10×36 monocular for review. I’d been curious about compact optics for range use and general glassing. Spent a couple hours with this thing between the range and just being out and about, enough time to know if the glass is worth the money or if it’s something to skip.
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Specifications: Vortex Solo 10×36 Monocular
The Solo sits in an interesting spot. Bigger objective than their compact 10×25 model, but still pocketable. Ten power magnification in something you can actually carry without thinking about it. On paper, it checks the right boxes. The question is whether it delivers in actual use. Before getting into what it’s actually like to use, here’s what you’re working with:
- Magnification: 10x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 36mm
- Eye Relief: 15mm
- Field of View: 315 feet @ 1000 yards
- Close Focus: 16.4 feet
- Exit Pupil: 3.6mm
- Twilight Factor: 18.97
- Length: 4.9 inches
- Weight: 9.7 oz (with clip)
- Waterproof/Fogproof: Yes (O-ring sealed, nitrogen purged)
- Lens Coatings: Fully multi-coated
- Body: Rubber armored polycarbonate
- Eyecup: Twist-up/down
- Included: Neck lanyard, utility clip, carrying case
The Solo comes in a few different configurations. This is the 10×36 – bigger objective than the compact 10×25, which means better light gathering. They also make an 8×36 if you want a wider field of view and steadier image. The 10×36 comes in at $189.99 but I have seen it on sale fairly frequently.
“From bowhunters to backpackers, the Solo® Monocular delivers powerful magnification in an ultra-compact design that’s made for anyone who needs to pack light. Slip it into your pocket, clip it securely on your pack, and trust it to bring the details closer while standing up to tough field use.”
First Impressions: Vortex Solo 10×36 Monocular
Right out of the box, this thing has some heft to it. Not in a bad way, it just feels more substantial than I expected for a monocular. Gives it a quality feel rather than cheap plastic. The rubber armor is thick where it needs to be, and the whole thing fits in your hand without feeling awkward.
The belt clip is burly. Heavy-duty enough that I’m not worried about it failing, though if I owned one, I’d probably ditch it for hunting. This seems better suited for a pocket or pouch where it won’t snag on brush or gear.
Speaking of the included pouch… I hate it. Open sides, velcro closure. If you’re trying to be quiet in the woods, velcro is about the worst possible choice. This is at least partially marketed toward hunters, right? Why would you put something designed to help you see distant game in the noisiest container imaginable?
One thing that surprised me: the focus wheel wasn’t stiff at all. I’d read complaints about this being a common issue with these monoculars, but this one turned out smooth right from the start. No two-handed wrestling match to get a sharp image. Just twist, and you’re done. If it was an issue its not anymore.
Range Time: Vortex Solo 10×36 Monocular
The glass is good. That’s really what matters with any optic, and Vortex delivers here like they usually do. Center sharpness is excellent, edges stay clear enough that I’m not frustrated trying to pick out details. No weird color fringing that I noticed, no fuzzy spots that made me question what I was looking at.
I tested this mostly in good daylight, so I can’t speak to how it performs in extended real world use at dawn or dusk. The few times a cloud rolled overhead and cut the light, it didn’t shake my confidence. Light transmission seemed fine for what I was doing. The 36mm objective pulls in enough light that I wasn’t squinting or straining.
At 10x magnification, you’d expect some shakiness when handholding. There is some, but it’s very manageable. The weight actually helps here, gives you something to stabilize against rather than trying to hold a featherweight tube perfectly still. I could glass for a few minutes at a time without my arm getting tired or the image bouncing around too much.
The 16.4-foot minimum focus is a bit limiting, but that’s the tradeoff you accept with 10x. If you wanted the extra reach, which is the whole point of 10x over 8x – you’re not trying to examine something 10 feet away anyway. For long-range glassing, it’s not an issue.
I don’t wear glasses when I am out and about, so I can’t comment on the eye relief with eyewear. As far as safety glasses at the range I did not feel stained or limited. Without glasses, it was comfortable. Twist-up eyecup worked fine, stayed where I put it.
One thing worth mentioning: no lens caps doesn’t bother me. The objective end has enough rubber armor that the glass sits recessed and protected. Plus, Vortex has that unlimited lifetime warranty they built their reputation on. If you somehow manage to scratch or crack a lens, they’ll take care of it. That’s worth more than a plastic cap that you’ll lose in a week anyway.
Final Thoughts: Vortex Solo 10×36 Monocular
For around $130 street price, this is a solid piece of kit. The glass quality is what I’ve come to expect from Vortex – clear, bright, no weird issues that make me second-guess what I’m looking at. It’s small enough to toss in a range bag or jacket pocket without thinking about it, substantial enough that it doesn’t feel like a toy. Reviewing something like this is admittedly weird. It’s a tube that magnifies things. There’s no trigger to pull, no recoil to manage, no groups to measure. You’re basically checking if the glass is clear, if it magnifies what you point it at, and whether it’s a pain to use. On all three counts, this delivers.
If I’m being nitpicky, the only thing that caught me off guard was the weight. It’s heavier than I expected for a monocular, though that ended up being a good thing. Makes it feel like quality hardware, not cheap plastic junk. Will it replace binoculars? No. But that’s not the point. This is for when you need to reach out and identify something and don’t want to carry a full set of binos. Range sessions where you want to check impacts without walking downrange. Hiking when you want to glass distant ridges without the bulk. Quick checks in the field when you’re already carrying too much gear.
If I was buying optics in this category, the price would be completely justifiable for what you get. This would go straight into a range bag. I’d take it hunting without hesitation. It’s exactly what it claims to be, a compact, durable monocular with good glass that you can actually afford.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Vortex Optics for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Solo 10×36 Monocular. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think. Do you believe this monocular is worth spending your money on? Would you take this out to the range or in the field? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
The post AllOutdoor Review: Vortex Optics Solo 10×36 Monocular appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.
