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Nature is best enjoyed when it is undisturbed, but this presents a dilemma. How can we possibly clearly view the wild birds and natural ecosystems that we love without being right next to them?
Sure, iPhone and smartphones boast impressive zoom capabilities cameras, but to use it clearly you may still need to be close enough to disturb the animals you are viewing.
A high-quality camera will do the trick, but those are very expensive and often more difficult to use than they appear.
If you have debated this dilemma in the past then you have likely come across the idea of turning your phone into a higher quality camera. This solution makes it easy to access your photos and convenient to capture stunning sights at a moment’s notice.
While clip-on lenses designed for smartphones have flooded the market, promising affordable solutions, the quality of many of these lenses often leaves us disappointed. After years of exploring various clip-on lenses, I was disheartened to find that they didn’t always fit my phone’s camera properly, failed to focus clearly on images, and simply didn’t meet my high standards.
But worry not, fellow adventurers! My quest to enhance my phone’s photo-taking capabilities led me to a game-changer: monoculars with smartphone adapters. These ingenious devices emerged as the ultimate solution for observing and photographing natural wonders from a comfortable distance, all while preserving crystal-clear image quality. These versatile tools are compact enough to carry with ease, providing images that rival those taken with professional cameras, and they can even be used without your cell phone for real-time wildlife viewing.
Best of all, monoculars tend to be very affordable despite their quality, making them the perfect assistant for seasoned bird watchers and amateur nature enthusiasts alike.
It can be difficult to choose and understand a new piece of technology, so here is a curated list of the top monoculars for iPhone:
- Best Rated Monocular for iPhone: Gosky 12x55 High Definition Waterproof Monocular
- Best Compact Monocular: Roxant Falcon 10x42 High Definition Telescope
- Most Affordable: Sawmax Monocular Telescope 12x50 With Smartphone Adapter
- Best Long Range Monocular: Pankoo 40X60 High Power Monocular
- Best Lightweight: Gosky Titan 12X50 High Power Prism Monocular
All of their perks and weaknesses will be discussed below so you can choose the perfect fit for your needs.
Take your photography and scenic gazing to the next level with these spectacular monoculars!
In this Guide:
Best Rated Monocular for iPhone
Gosky 12x55 High Definition Waterproof Monocular and Smartphone Phone Holder
The Gosky 12x55 is a powerful monocular that falls slightly on the larger and more expensive side. While those points may be considered weaknesses, they are the price we pay for a number of benefits.
This model has an exceptionally strong build that can take a beating, making it perfect for hikes, hunting, and other extreme physical activities. Its wide multilayer crystal prism glass lends itself to a remarkable magnification, offering expansive and crystal-clear views of distant wonders. As with all of the monoscopes on this list, a smartphone adapter is included and it fits almost every smartphone. The Gosky 12x55 also comes with a firm strap for comfortable holding and the eyepiece is adjustable for individuals with or without glasses.
Where the Gosky 12x55 truly shines is in its broad compatibility with iPhones, spanning from the iPhone 7 to the latest models like the 13 Pro and the 14 Pro. So, whether you have an older iPhone or the newest one, you can rest assured that this monocular will work seamlessly with your device.
Overall, this monocular is great for any individual who is looking to both see images and take pictures from really far away without sacrificing the broadness of their view. However, this product does not come with a tripod, so for increased clarity of images, it is suggested that you have your own, which should fit into its universal tripod port.
Gosky is an excellent brand that offers great value for money. They have a range of products suitable for different purposes, including this 12x55 monocular, and the best part is that all of them can be easily attached to a smartphone.
Best Compact Monocular
Roxant Falcon 10x42 High Definition Monocular
If you want all the accessories, a monocular for your phone, and a comfortable price, then the Roxant is a good option. This scope may be on the smaller side and have a smaller sight, but those are its only notable weaknesses.
This monocular comes with a hand strap, tripod, iPhone adapter, cleaning cloth, and a holster that conveniently loops onto any belt. As soon as this monocular arrives you will be ready to head out and capture some stunning sights. To top it all off, a lifetime replacement guarantee will make sure that this monoscope lasts.
Individuals who are new to outdoorsing and photography could greatly benefit from all of the extras condensed into this item, and the lifetime replacement guarantee is great for those who will be putting the integrity of this product to the test in harsher environments.
Most Affordable Monocular
Sawmax Monocular Telescope 12x50 With Smartphone Adapter
Surprisingly, an increase in size doesn’t always correlate with a price increase when it comes to monoculars. The Sawmax 12x50 falls on the larger side, and would not be considered pocket-size to everyone. However, it is also one of the cheapest monoculars for iPhones on this list.
The Sawmax comes with a pouch, a hand strap, a detachable wrist strap, a cleaning cloth, the classic iPhone adapter, and a simple tripod. While this monocular shares a lot in common with the others on this list in terms of view quality, its biggest boast is night vision which is accomplished through a high-light penetrating lens. Keep in mind that this isn’t the full night vision you see in movies, but a heightened view in low light conditions.
Its larger size makes this monocular best suited to staying put in a car or near a window that you regularly birdwatch from, just make sure to test it for satisfaction before the 60 day return period is up!
Best Long Range Monocular
Pankoo 40X60 High Power Monocular
The Pankoo 40x60 is the monocular with the highest magnification capabilities on this list. All of this viewing power is so compact, that the entire monocular with smartphone adapter is actually under a pound in weight and easily handheld. Quality lenses and a strong weather-resistant build make this a perfect on-the-go sightseeing tool.
Aside from the cell phone attachment and tripod, this monocular doesn’t come with any other goodies, like hand straps. However, the tripod is of good quality and has adjustable heights, so it is well suited for use on a monocular for iPhones. The only major drawback to this item is the amount of stability needed to enjoy its maximum viewing capabilities.
More magnification means any shaking is intensified, so this monocular is best suited to activities where you need to see rather far but can remain relatively still or leave your setup on a tripod.
Best Lightweight Monocular
Gosky Titan 12X50 High Power Prism Monocular and Smartphone Holder
In many ways, this Gosky Titan 12x50 is a slightly smaller version of the first monocular on our list. For mildly reduced magnification, a lower price is gained. The quality of this product is on par with other Gosky monoculars. A shock-absorbing rubber casing and waterproof dust-proof design help this monocular last.
This model comes with a soft pouch for transportation, a wrist strap, an iPhone adapter, a cleaning cloth, and a tripod adapter. While this monocular does not come with its own tripod, it should suit most if you already have your own, making it a stable monocular for iPhones.
This monocular is best suited to monolensed iPhones and is considered to be very comfortable for viewing things in real-time, like wildlife.
Tips To Choose The Perfect Fit for Your iPhone
Purchasing the perfect monocular for iPhone use is no easy task, but hopefully, this list has helped you get a clear focus on what you need. When choosing a monocular it is important to keep in mind that they will all have a black ring around the image, which will appear in a circle. This is a result of the magnifying process and it is completely normal.
Take some time to consider where your monocular with a smartphone adapter will be used most, the intensity of the environment it will be kept in, how far you are planning to carry it, and what subjects you plan on using it for. If pictures are your priority it is always best to have a tripod on hand to prevent shaky images. If this is your first monocular for the iPhone, it can be best to purchase a product that comes with all of the accessories you need.
The natural world conceals wonders beyond what our naked eyes can see. A monocular connected to your phone becomes the most accessible gateway to both actively view and permanently capture the stunning scenery around us.
