Vortex Solo 8×36 R/T – Monocular with Reticle

A monocular is a compact and lightweight tool to see, recognize, or assess things at a distance. For a long time, I had a small, inexpensive monocular until I lost it during a close-quarters exercise. Now I wanted to try something more refined and came across the Vortex Solo 8×36 R/T (Recon / Tactical). Although I would have preferred 10x magnification, it isn’t available with a reticle. So, I opted for the 8x magnification with a reticle instead.

Modern Telescope with MRAD Reticle

• Objective lens diameter: 36mm
• Magnification: 8x
• Fogproof and waterproof (though no standard is specified)
• Coated lenses
• With nitrogen filling
• Included accessories: Case, neck strap
• Close focus distance: 5 meters
• Field of view at 1,000 meters: 130.86 meters
• Angle: 7.5 degrees
• Eye relief: 18mm
• Length: 12.46 cm
• Weight: 290g

Nice and compact, the Vortex Solo 8×36 R/T is a reliable companion. The monocular is rubberized on the outside and textured for a secure grip.

It is designed to fit perfectly in the right hand.

And the belt clip does not interfere.

The belt clip is attached with two screws.

The belt clip allows you to easily attach the tactical monocular to your gear or clothing.

Of course, it’s advisable to secure it with a lanyard to prevent loss.

There is also an eyelet for a lanyard. I created an ultra-light adjustable strap using 3mm elastic cord and a cord stopper

This way, it hangs within easy reach on my chest. I just need to make something to protect the ocular lens from raindrops. The eyecup is adjustable and helps block out distracting light from the sides.

When using the monocular with glasses, you can fold down the eyecup to get closer to the eye.

Folding down the eyecup can wear out the material over time, so it’s better not to keep it folded down permanently unless necessary.

The compact dimensions make it easy to store the monocular. For example, I keep it readily accessible in a waist pouch during some trips.

Adjustments

The monocular allows you to adjust the focus and fine-tune the sharpness of the view. The narrower of the two adjustment rings is for the reticle’s sharpness.

The wider ring is for the general focus.

Reticle and Magnification

I photographed through the monocular with my phone, which slightly distorts the quality. However, with the naked eye, the reticle is fully sharp and clear. The reticle features an MRAD scale both vertically and horizontally, in 1 MRAD increments from 0 to 60. The thick lines at the bottom and left are each 0.5 MRAD thick. Additionally, there are outlines of man-sized targets for distances of 300m, 400m, 500m, and 600m. This allows you to calculate distances or dimensions using the formula (Target size in meters / Measured MRAD x 1,000 = Distance in meters).  

Here are excerpts from the VORTEX product manual (link to the product manual on VortexOptics.com). The image quality is difficult to capture with a phone. A comparison with an inexpensive monocular might be helpful. I will therefore add more information on this topic.

With 8x magnification, you can work quite well. Here is a rough estimation. The photo was taken with an iPhone 12 mini at 1x magnification.

Conclusion

I have been using the monocular for over a year now and am impressed with its performance for the relatively affordable price, according to optical standards.
Included Accessories
The package included a black, somewhat long case and a neck strap. I did not use either and thus do not include them in this review. Light Transmission
During the day, there are no issues. As twilight approaches, you notice that it lets in quite a bit of light. However, cheaper monoculars often provide a brighter view. Even just before dark, you can use the magnification to complement your natural vision. Unfortunately, I could not find a twilight rating.
Outdoor Use
In outdoor sports, it can be used as a navigation aid on hikes since it is relatively lightweight. The reticle allows you to measure the width of snowfields, etc., at known distances and adjust your route planning accordingly. For example, I calculated a snowfield at 17 meters wide at a distance of 6 km (measured with Google Earth) and based on that, chose to use trail running shoes instead of mountaineering boots. While ice climbing, we often assessed the icefall the night before to judge its condition. The reticle also helps with estimating sizes and distances.
Tactical Use
The reticle can be used to measure buildings and structures if the distance is known. Alternatively, you can use known techniques with the reticle. Particularly at dusk, it helps in recognizing outlines of terrain sections without needing binoculars directly at hand. It can also assist in target acquisition thanks to the reticle.
Night Vision Use
When observing a lit area at night, the monocular can still be useful before using a night vision device. The focus needs to be adjusted accordingly. However, the brightness of the image was insufficient under ambient light.
Final Thoughts
It is a highly handy optical tool. Certainly not a replacement for a proper pair of binoculars, but due to its size and weight, it is easy to pack and bring along.