Home > Consumer Reviews > Carl Zeiss MiniQuick - Monocular 5 x 10 T*

My small binoculars were just a bit too large to casually take along with keys and wallet when I'm popping out the door for a walk. Now the MiniQuick is nearly always clipped in my shirt pocket when I'm on a walk or off to a concert. I hardly know it's there until needed and had a good view of blue herons quite recently. I tried a couple small monoculars that were less expensive and nearly useless. Pay the extra bucks if you're looking for this type of tool and be assured that the Zeiss reputation for quality is well deserved. You won't be disappointed.

Backpackers and fishermen that occasionally need longer views and spotting, this is it. It's is lighter than most pens, so you have no excuse to leave it. Optics are a high quality multi (crisp with negligible edge distortion) with a decent exit pupil and field size for such a small tool. Focus ring is smooth and useful range (I estimate about 5 foot to infinity through a just over 360 degree twist). Shirt clip is small but stout and reliable.

Don't expect to bird much with this small package, but it is great for watching a fishing heron, deer, and landmark spotting. Holding it can be a bit dainty, but I found that by adding a light enveloping fist around the tube after focusing, I can adequately brace against my orbit to stabilize very fine detail. I found that half a very small dropper bottle covers the ocular lens securely on the tapered optics tube, which I think is a good idea since the optics will generally be exposed at the top of your shirt pocket otherwise. With the objective lens down and in my pocket, it is safe.

It is however not waterproof as I found inadvertently in the laundry. I contacted Zeiss service for advice on drying etc., and they graciously replaced it. Quite unexpected, but they have earned my return business.

It's hard not to like this monocular, you will not find a smaller, lighter monocular on the market. Unfortunately, image quality is just fair. I tried about a dozen different monoculars looking for the ideal one, and this one just wasn't it for me.

If size and weight are the most important factors for you, then this is by far the best choice. With it's pen clip you can easily carry this in a shirt pocket. It's just a little bigger in diameter than a ball point pen, and about the same weight. It's also easy to focus.

While there is nothing bad about the image quality, it's nothing special either. I could honestly make out distant objects at the same resolution with an $18 Carson 7 x 18 monocular.

A good alternative to this model would be the Nikon 6x15 Monocular II. While it's certainly bulkier than the Zeiss, it will still slip very easily into a shirt pocket and is still relatively light. The Nikon offers vastly superior image quality in my opinion.

To be honest I thought this item was a bit expensive when I bought it. But after I received it I'd say that it was worth the price. The quality of the optics is great and it is very well constructed.

After trying several other "pocket" scopes over the years I've finally got the real deal, which goes to prove dad's old bit of wisdom; "Buy Cheap, Buy Twice" (or more!)
The Zeiss MiniQuick is a really exceptional blend of form and function.
World famous Zeiss optics in a package the size of a large fountain pen or marker.
So light you don't even notice it in your pocket.
As an every day carry optical aid you couldn't really ask for more.
This little wonder would make a very thoughtful gift for hunters, hikers, fisherman and other outdoor folk. Especially backpackers, kayakers and others who like to travel light.

Here's a tip:
Once you get the focus where you like it, hold your scope slightly recessed in your fist and steady your hand against your eye socket and cheek. Steady, Eddie.