Jacob MurphyBushnell is one of the leading optic brands around the world, with a reputation spanning decades. The brand has built one of the most efficient and prolific monoculars to date in the Bushnell Night Watch with Built-in Infrared Monocular. It is a simple-to-use monocular with night vision capabilities and long-distance efficiency.
A monocular is a smaller version of the standard binocular that most people know about. However, it is lighter and smaller, making it easier to carry around and use. In this article, we will be looking at the Bushnell Night Watch Monocular. Now, you can see for yourself if it meets expectations and what you need:
Technical Specifications
- Durable body construction with rubber coating
- 5-400 feet viewing range
- Ergonomic shape for easy handling
- 105-field of view
- Includes a tripod mount
- 2X magnification
- 24mm objective lens
- Weighs only 10.7-ounces
- Infrared illuminator for nighttime viewing
Review
The Bushnell Night Watch with Built-in Infrared Monocular is one of the more expensive options you can find, but it has a great build quality that stands out from many other competitors. The interior of the unit is made from aluminum. However, it includes a rubber outer coating to add to the durability. The rubber housing compartment makes the unit shockproof and waterproof.
At only 5.9-inches in total length and width of 3.9-inches, the unit is small and compact. It fits snug into the average hand and should be easy to use. The 10.7-ounce weight does not feel like 10-ounces when you hold it. However, this can be attributed to the design. As mentioned, the ergonomic design makes it easier to handle and less complicated to adjust.
The unit has a field of view that is 105-feet at 1000-yards. Birdwatchers and trackers will have a field day of keep track of their targets, especially fast-moving animals like deer and birds. Once the target comes to a standstill, the 2X magnification gives you decent magnification to get up close and personal with the target. However, it does not compare to the top binoculars.
The objective lens is responsible for regulating the light absorption, and with a small monocular, you don’t need a 40mm objective lens. At 24mm, the objective lens is still larger than most people expect, making it possible for users to use it in low light conditions, without even activating the infrared illuminator.
The infrared illuminator is one of the main reasons why many people will consider buying the unit. Bushnell has included first-generation infrared technology to help illuminate the unit at night and give you something to use. The feature is powered by 2 AA batteries with a decent lifespan. However, they are readily available at any outlet store once they need to be replaced.
If you don’t have the steady hands of many outdoor experts, you might find a little bit of a blur to deal with. However, Bushnell has you covered with a tripod mount being included. The tripod must be purchased separately but can add that needed stability to a unit that will need stability when being used for tracking outdoors.
You don’t need to stick to the 2X unit and Bushnell has also designed one with 4X magnification. To help compensate for the additional magnification, the larger unit has a 50mm objective lens for much better light absorption. However, the additional features make the larger of the two units a little heavier and more daunting to carry around.
As part of the unit, users will also receive a lanyard, with a lanyard hole already made in the monocular. IT enables you to carry the unit around your neck, reducing the weight or space taken up in your backpack or pockets. Yes, the size of the unit makes it possible for someone to carry it in the pockets of their pants.
One of the downsides is the distorted vision from having smaller lenses and optics. However, this is not an issue that is specifically related to this model. We have seen that it can be found in many optics with smaller lenses. You will need to spend some time and play around with the model to figure out how to deal with the distortion.
What We Like:
- It is fairly lightweight
- A big field of view at 105-feet
- Absorbs light efficiently
- Available in 2X and 4X magnification
- Ergonomic design
- Shockproof and waterproof
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has a fair amount of distortion
- Expensive
Is It Worth Buying?
As you know, most top brands are more expensive than unknown brands. The reason for this is all of the technology and great features included. The Bushnell Night Watch with Built-in Infrared Monocular is designed for the serious outdoor enthusiast and will come at an expensive price if you want the best possible quality.
Compared to the standard binoculars, it might not stack up. However, binoculars are far more expensive, especially when you factor in the costs of first-generation infrared technology. A decent field of view makes them perfect for tracking, but this monocular will give you the best results when used at close range.
Wrap-Up
A monocular is one thing that we all can use when outdoors. Since it is small, it can be used at home as well. With all the versatility that one can ask for, it is hard to not give the Bushnell Night Watch with Built-in Infrared Monocular a try. However, we do recommend it mostly for those that spend a fair amount of time outdoors.
To view other night vision monoculars, check out our best list guide.
