Do Monoculars Work Well For Birding? (Python Range Master Monocular Review)

I unbox and review the Python Range Master UHD Monocular Telescope to see how it works for birding. The Range Master is a 12x52 monocular, and is currently selling on Amazon for around $300.

Gear Links (As Amazon Associates we do earn from qualifying purchases)

Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera
Used for most bird videos) - check credits as we do source some photos/videos elsewhere which is noted in the description

Cayer FP2450 Fluid Head Tripod, 75 inches Aluminium Tripod
Derek's lighter tripod

Andoer Video Tripod Aluminum Alloy 67 Inch
Derek's heavier tripod

Nikon D5300
Derek's vlogging and macro camera

Rode VideoMicPro Compact Directional On-Camera Microphone
Derek's external microphone for Nikon D5300

Connect with us!

Thanks to Terry Sohl for allowing us to use his range maps

All other photos and videos by Derek and Ryan Sallmann

#Birding #BirdWatching #BadgerlandBirding

[judyheim]

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! I use a monocular almost exclusively for birding. I have a lazy bum eye and it's challenging to focus binoculars. I often put duct tape on one of the eye pieces of my binoculars. Monoculars don't give the range of vision of binoculars so it is harder to locate birds. But for me the frustration factor is so much less than it is with binoculars. Plus the monocular I use is lightweight and fits in a waist pack for casual walking in the park--or my purse when I'm out and about. Again, thank you for the review. I'm definitely going to give the Python a look.

[YuasBirds]

I used to use a monocular for both spotting and taking pictures, it worked fine, not nearly as well as a camera though

[dunringill]

Nice review.
*Eye Fatigue Tip:* If squinting your other eye while looking through any monocular / spotting scope / telescope is causing you too much eye fatigue, and you don't mind looking like a pirate - you can get yourself an eye patch.

[garymeredith]

Derek as soon as you showed this ( monocular ) thing I figured the best thing to do with this is to turn this into a small spotting scope and that's exactly what it should be .

I think this company might have even designed it this way because how many binoculars do you see with a tripod mount and this one has a tripod mount .

[trinidadscorpion]

Good review along with answers to monocular questions that I had wanted to know. Not sure that I would give up my binoculars but new toys are always fun to have. Thanks for the video.

[litalewis]

This sounds like a great product since many times I look through binoculars with only one eye due to eye fatigue. Thank you!

[Revelationscreation]

This would be perfect me as I have a right eye that’s generally quite poor… however it’s dominant so actually binoculars end up being more effective.

I use my weaker eye when using the scope as the other way actually makes I more difficult for some reason.

[UPLINKUSA]

I use a Vivitar monocular. It's very small. No markings on it except the name. It was probably a free gift with something i bought.
However I was suprised at how well it works for quick bird ID. 🐦

[jimwalsh]

Vortex solo 10x25 carried in a shoulder strap on my pack. Quick and easy, not a burden to carry. Takes some time to get used to aiming

[kim.in.nature.]

That is super cool!
I have lasik in 1 eye (monovision) so this would work perfectly for me!

[pattycurley]

I'm a beginning birder who relies a lot on Merlin's photo ID. The photos I take with my phone are much too pixelated to be of any use to Merlin, so I got a monocular several months ago. However the phone adapter that came with it makes it almost impossible to use. The weight of the phone causes it to constantly move off of the monocular's lens. I just watched another one of your videos where you reviewed the Move Shoot Move adapter. I think that might solve my problem so it is going on my Christmas list. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I can't wait to watch the rest of your videos! :)

[BirdingwithChris]

Cool! I have a monocular and its very good! Like a mini spotting scope! Congrats on 26k subs!! Amazing work! Good luck for big day!

[ShepStevVidEOs]

I needed one of these for the western tanager I was following around a park today. It did not want me to get close.

[Illinoisoutdoorsvids]

I used an Adasion monocular for everything including photos for the past 3 years and zooming in on the iPhone screen helps a lot for picture quality and I was able to take some great shots despite chromatic abberation. However I recently got a Panasonic LUMIX FZ300 long zoom camera and it is well worth it.

[neeleyfolk]

I bought a monocular to keep in a hiking bag. Works well, don't like that there is no easy way to hang around my neck. Mine does not have the hand buckle. I do have a waist water bottle holder it will fit in that I'll sometimes use.

[goodvibes]

I have been seeing a lot of people using the monocular/ tripod set up recently

[timjozwiak]

Im blind in one eye. Glad to see this review. Looks promising

[wheeling]

Hi Sallmann brothers! I'm going to Ireland this spring and dont want to bring my camera to make room in the suitcases, but i still want to get good pictures. Do you have any recommendations for an adapter for my binoculars so i can take pictures with my phone? Thanks!

[yaboi]

As a broke border in their early 20s I use a monocular and phone mount to get pictures of birds further away that can at least be used for an id

[AlainSTO]

Monoculars are great for when you're in the car and you just want to spot something quick before actually committing.