The Coolest Pieces of Gear We Tested This Week

When’s the last time you got yourself up to an epic vantage point and spent some time wallowing in the beauty of the natural world with a good ol’ telescope? We’re guessing that it’ been awhile—It had been for us, too. That was before we got ahold of the Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube 8×32 Monocular Telescope. Trust us, it makes you feel like a kid again—as you explore remote terrain and catch a glimpse into areas that you may not be able to access on foot.

It had been years since we’d gotten our hands on a high-quality optical tool like this, built for real-world application, so we were thrilled to get outdoors and explore. And this thing is so compact that we barely even noticed we had it with us—until we spotted some action in the ocean from the cliff, only to catch a pod of dolphins ambling their way down the coastline. It was pretty epic.

The optics of this little monocular are superb (and this is coming from a self-proclaimed camera nerd who has a deep appreciation for finely crafted optical elements), so visibility is crystal clear and tack sharp. Focusing this thing is a snap, with a very smooth (and impressively well-dampened) focus ring that can get your image in focus with one quick twist of your finger. It’s also water resistant—so no need to stress about inclement weather—as well as being built ultra-durable with a very thoughtfully designed ergonomic grip. This thing is just so much fun to have on all our adventures. From camping on the coast, to hiking in the foothills, to hardcore backcountry excursions, the Zoom Tube is as much of a survival tool as it is a simple pleasure to have with you on small and big excursions alike. At this size, there’s no reason not to have it with you.—Jon Perino, senior editor

[$75; nocsprovisions.com]

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