When I got the offer to review the Opticron DBA VHD+ 10×42 monocular I must admit I didn’t think it would be as easy to use as it was. After receiving this compact 10×42 and using it for a couple of weeks, I realised I was using it more than my binoculars!
The field of view and the depth of field are both fantastic. The depth of field allows you to focus on subjects that are further away and closer without having to change the focus. This characteristic means most of the time I only have to use the monocular with one hand. This is especially useful on bird surveys for work when I am already holding a clipboard and pencil or ipad to record what I see. Another benefit of the excellent field of view is that once you see a subject with your naked eye it is pretty much always going to be in focus when you look at it through the monocular. This allows you to get onto your subject quicker, giving you a better chance of getting a clear ID.
Key Features:
- Compact, lightweight roof prism design
- Textured rubber armouring
- Nitrogen gas filled waterproof (5m/16ft depth)
- VHD+ optical system incorporating a high quality ED glass objective system
- Phase corrected prism unit with Oasis prism coating
- 4-stage twist type retractable eyecup
- Close focus to 1.5m/4.9ft
I find myself holding the monocular to my left eye more than right despite both of my eyes having 20×20 vision. If you are someone that does have one eye stronger than the other this piece of kit would be perfect. As a person who doesn’t wear glasses, I need to have the retractable eyecup screwed out which is easy to do. The monocular is also really light and not once have I thought of it as being heavy to hang round my neck or hold.
The focus wheel is quite stiff and this has been mentioned by friends and family that have used it, but as I don’t have to use it much, it isn’t a significant negative. I guess the lack of use may be the reason it requires a bit of force to turn. Other than the focuser, reactions from friends and colleagues have been positive.
The strap accompanying the monocular is padded where it lies at the back of the neck, which allows for comfortable wearing. For me, the strap is a bit too long, and unfortunately doesn’t have a way of adjusting it. I am 5ft 3” and the monocular comes to just below hip height. I would prefer it to be at chest height. The Opticron DBA VHD+ 10×42 monocular also comes with a lens cap for the eyepiece which is a separate piece to the main body of the monocular. I have found that this comes off a bit too easily and therefore often don’t take it with me into the field for fear of losing it. There is then the worry that the eye lens might get scratched or have rain drops fall on it. A lens cap that is attached to the monocular, like the one on the other end would be preferred – as long as it doesn’t get in the way!
The monocular also comes with a padded case which it just squeezes into and is easy to store the monocular in with the strap still attached.
After a few weeks with it the Opticron DBA VHD+ 10×42 monocular has genuinely become my go-to optic to use while bird watching, which is a hobby and something I do in a professional capacity. I would thoroughly recommend this product to both beginner and more experienced birders.
