CarsonCF-618 CloseUp 6x18mm Close-Focus Monocular, Grey

Great monocular well made *****Would definitely recommend.

For some reason I expected more for the price but actually it's a handy small mini telescope and it does the job well.

Small enough to slip in a pocket, this monocular increases magnification by x6. It can be used very close up and has no maximum focus range. You have to twist it quite a lot to go from close focus to far focus which means it's easy to get just the right adjustments.

I bought the Carson 7x18 CloseUp Close Focus Monocular for use in art galleries, to get a magnified view of details in paintings. The monocular gives a sharp enough image for this, and acceptable brightness, even in the subdued lighting of a museum gallery. At 7x magnification, and being hand-held, the monocular always has to be held very carefully to avoid noticeable "shake" of the image. It is very useful for limited periods of inspection of details, but I would not find sustained gazing comfortable. At a quarter of the price of a specialist 4x magnification "gallery scope" (which might make shaking of the image a little less) I find the Carson product an attractive balance of cost to usefulness.

Its advertising suggests it's only for close-up viewing, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it can also focus on and magnify distant objects out to the horizon.It's only about a couple of inches long and light as a feather..:)

Exceeded expectations for the price, very useful.

When I first got this I was impressed. It seemed to be quality, a handy size and very useful. Then after a while I would put it in my pocket but when I took it out again it was in a few pieces! It had not suffered any trauma apart from normal walking. I put it back together a few times but did the same thing. Unless I have a poltergeist in my pocket.

Cheap and cheerful entry level monocular. Is small enough to fit in a pocket and comes in its own pouch.