Optical Hardware Visionary Scopes

I’ve previously written/ reviewed a selection of monoculars and binoculars from specialist optical company Optical Hardware and I remember being impressed by the quality of ‘spotters’ tested. This time around I was allowed to pick and mix from their expansive range of optical hardware, choosing to highlight three monoculars I feel many shooters will find useful.

First up is the Visionary ZM-X 7 – 21 X 25 ‘Ultra-Close’ Focusing zoom monocular – both the zoom and focus ring operate very smoothly and the fast focus ocular at the eye-piece has a ‘turn-down’ rubber eye-cup – ideal for spectacle wearers. A useful feature of this unique monocular is it’s designed so the front section of the outer casing can actually be ‘slid’ forward along the ‘barrel’ of the ‘distancemarked’ body tube. This allows you to ‘inspect’ objects at very close range (approximately 30cm) and still use the magnification range. This makes it very handy for checking pellets, potential damaged areas of your combo – breech seals and such like. Measuring 4 5/8 inches in the closed position and 5¾ inches when fully extended, the rubber armoured body casing has an outer diameter of 1¼ inches plus a stainless steel lanyard point. In normal use (closed) it can focus from infinity right down to 0.5 metres.

For quick field ‘observation’ and close-up magnification, this monocular is very versatile and couldn’t be easier to use.

A Kind of Magic

Next up is the Illusion 7 X 35 monocular, ‘Illusion’ being the name given to the division of company products including binoculars, telescopes, monoculars and accessories that are ‘un-branded.’ All are available off-the-shelf for companies to purchase and rebrand accordingly. They also available for any individual to purchase direct from the company.

All monoculars in this range follow a familiar offset eye-piece to objective lens design and the rubber armoured ABS casing measures 5¼ inch long x 2 6/8 inches at the widest point. It has an integral elongated lanyard hole and a small square shape protruding pillar that’s threaded for tripod mounting. The eyepiece extends away from the main body casing and has a rubberised outer ridged focus adjuster. Despite appearances the unit feels good in the hold and is very easy to use onehanded – the body cupped/ held in the palm of your hand, while adjusting the focus ring using your thumb and forefinger. This is one of three various fixed magnification models in the range that can be bought with or without a mini-tripod.

 

Tip Top

Last but not least is the top of the range Visionary VM-Z 10 – 30 X 50 monocular/spotting scope and is the only zoom model amongst five various specification fixed magnification options – all have 50mm objectives and come with a mini-tripod.

Measuring 7½ inches long x 3 inches deep x 2 3/8 inches wide at the objective housing, it features Bak4 Prisms, multi-coated lenses and is fully waterproof. It has a fast focus ocular and a generously sized zoom ring which has a ‘dot grip’ rubberised outer for ease of use. The focus dial is positioned just forward of this on top of the unit and has deep ridging to aid operation in the wet or with gloved hands. The ABS fixed height 6½ inch ‘fold-out’ design mini-tripod with QD head plus lockable ‘tilt and pan’ function is a very useful and practical addition. For practice and dedicated ‘bench-rested’ target shooting I found it ideal to have next to me on my shooting table for helping check groupings and setting zero.

Fold the legs back together and it forms an ergonomic ‘handle’ for use on-the move, dedicated observation or ‘nature’ watching. There’s also an integral hand lanyard attached to the tripod itself.

Prices are: Visionary ZM-X 7 – 21 X 25 ‘Ultra Close Focusing’: £49.99; Illusion 7 X 35: £34.99 (to include mini-tripod add £5); Visionary VM-X10 – 30 X 50 Monocular: £89.99. All come with Nylon carry case, lens caps, cleaning cloth, neck or hand lanyard (where applicable) and have a 10 year guarantee.
T: 01226 203 275 www.opticalhardware.co.uk