I have birded since childhood and never used a monocular. After testing the Nocs 8×32 Field Tube, I consider it a companion to my binoculars and a must-pack item on day hikes.
I tested the Field Tube while birding and hiking in several parks. I scanned vistas, observed large wildlife like elk and moose, and watched dozens of birds.
It doesn’t provide as many details as my more powerful (and far more expensive) binoculars. But it’s certainly an improvement on my natural eyesight and a great tool to have on hand. It hits a sweet spot of magnification and field of view in a package that’s too small and light not to carry with you.
In short: The Nocs Provisions 8×32 Field Tube is a waterproof, fogproof monocular that offers impressively clear magnification in a rugged casing for a wallet-friendly $125. It’s been a great birding companion and stays on my person any time I hit the trail.
Nocs Provisions Field Tube 8×32
Specs
- Weight 8.09 oz.
- Field of view 405'
- Close focus range 7.4'
- Eye relief Up to 15 mm
- Magnification 8x
- Objective lens Multi-coated 32 mm
- Prisms BaK-4 roof
Pros
- One-handed function
- Bright optics in daylight
- Lightweight rugged build
- Waterproof/fogproof
Cons
- Clarity suffers in low-light conditions
- 8×32 is better for birdwatching than larger game
Nocs Provisions Field Tube 8×32: Overview
The Nocs 8×32 Field Tube is a step up from the brand’s Zoom Tube. It’s got a more complex lens system that gives it a 405-foot field of view. Otherwise, it’s similar in the build design, complete with the fun grippy pattern Nocs uses on all its optics. (There’s a head-to-head comparison below if you’re familiar with the brand’s original monocular.)
Inside, the Field Tube uses a Bak4 roof prism. This higher-quality glass and prism type is used in optics for a brighter and clearer image from edge to edge. Its job is to flip images between the 32mm objective lens and the 8x power magnification lens.
Furthermore, Nocs uses multicoated optics in the Field Tube. Those prevent visual errors like flares and discoloration while also adding resistance to scratches.
The Field Tube comes with lens covers, a shammy bag, and an attached hand strap for carrying. I found the strap handy when using it interchangeably with binoculars. There’s also a tripod mount on the bottom for more stable viewing or photography.
The construction is fogproof and IPX7 waterproof. It’s able to withstand shallow submersions for longer than you should ever encounter.
Nocs also makes a 10×32 Field Tube. In general, 8x power optics will give you a broader field of view with a brighter image. It’s also easier to keep the subject in focus than it is with stronger power lenses. The 10x power optics may feel more zoomed in. But it will require more frequent fine-tuning of the focus wheel to stay on moving subjects and can seem dimmer in low-light conditions.
What’s the tradeoff, then? Well, 10x power lenses provide a closer, more detailed view, which is often the goal. Ultimately, I chose to test the 8×32 Field Tube because its broader field of view and brighter image were better suited to birdwatching since the subjects are often close.
Ideal for Birding
I tested the Nocs 8×32 Field Tube on its own and as a companion to my 10×42 binoculars. I wanted to experiment and compare the field of view, brightness, and clarity.
What I hadn’t counted on was how much I’d enjoy having both options readily at hand. In essence, it changed the way I bird.
I always bird with a pair of binoculars and choose between my value-level 8×42 and 10×42 pairs based on the weather and light conditions. These are the two most common magnifications for birding. My shorthand has always been that 8x power is good for spotting and following a bird, while 10x was best for a more detailed view — in good light.
Since I bird with 10×42 binoculars, I enjoyed the quick draw of the Nocs 8×32 Field Tube for getting initial eyes on a bird, especially while in flight. Once I followed a bird to a perch, I could bring up my binoculars for a closer look. If the lighting changed, I had a second option that wasn’t a hassle to carry.
Field Performance
I packed the Field Tube along on trips since it was easy to pack in a carry-on. I birded with just the tube in and around Joshua Tree National Park and added several birds to my life list. When the light was good and I could get close, I enjoyed some great views.
Thorough testing helped me hit the limits of these 8×32 lenses. There were cloudy days when I had difficulty focusing on a hard-to-distinguish bird above me in a tree or focusing on the felty rack of a buck 100 yards in front of me. Up close, I didn’t notice any blurry edges until dusk and did have difficulty getting a true focus at long distances.
Below is a cropped photo taken through the Field Tube with a smartphone, which was easier than trying to line up a similar photo with binoculars. These images are more for capturing images for a closer look at home than creating beautiful photographs.
It’s not representative of what you see with the naked eye, but note that the slightest twists on the focus wheel let me adjust my view from the buck to the coyote in the background.
Ease of Use & Durability
The Nocs Field Tube never felt inconvenient because of its light 8.4-ounce weight and ease of use with one hand. On casual walks, I carried the field tube in a back pocket and used it to look closer at movement in a tree. On hikes, I carried it in my backpack’s bottle pocket, which had plenty of room thanks to its compact design.
Hiking with the Field Tube allowed me to scan hillsides for wildlife and observe elk and moose from a safe distance. On one occasion, I used it to confirm a large brown mass far ahead of me on a dark trail was not an animal. On a desert hike, I used the monocular to scan for cairns before hiking halfway up an exposed rock.
The coating around the monocular’s body is easy to grip and adds impact resistance. My favorite aspect is adjusting the focus with one hand via the prominent wheel atop the monocular.
I carried the monocular in my pants pocket, backpack, and car. During that time, the Field Tube was jostled around, bumped, and often caught in the rain. With some love from the included microfiber cleaning bag, the lenses are still as good as new, and there is no condensation inside the tube.
Field Tubes vs. Zoom Tubes: A Comparison
We named the Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube the Best Monocular in our list of the Best Binoculars of 2024 before the Field Tube was released. Hands down, the Field Tube is an upgrade.
The Zoom Tube has an IPx4 weatherproof rating, which translates to its ability to withstand a drizzle. In contrast, the Field Tube monocular is waterproof, with an IPx7 rating, and it’s made fogproof with nitrogen sealed inside behind O-rings. (Birders know that iffy weather can mean great birding, and they usually expect today’s optics to have a waterproof design.)
Both monoculars use a coated BaK4 Prism, yet the Field Tube’s multicoated optics are scratch- and glare-resistant. The Field Tube lenses consist of seven pieces in five groups for a complex range of focal points as close as 7.4 feet. (The Zoom Tube has four pieces arranged in two groups, with its closest focus at 10 feet.) The Field Tube also has a slightly larger field of view.
At $125, the Field Tube is $50 more than the Zoom Tube and is still a better value for anyone who will use it frequently.
Nocs Provisions Field Tube: Who Is It For?
Once you get used to having a monocular on hikes, you’ll integrate it into your enjoyment of nature. It’s a simple way to get a closer and more mindful view of flowers well off the trail, rock formations, and animals. It’s even useful for route-finding. On mountaintops and desert rock trails, I found it easier to search for cairns through a monocular rather than hiking down the wrong path.
Birders who already own binoculars may enjoy a second optics option for a measly few ounces in weight. I would normally recommend binoculars over a monocular for beginner birdwatching. But really, the single lens does eliminate the hassles of tuning optics for both eyes needed for a stereo view in binoculars.
There are smaller monoculars on the market, sure. But they require a second hand to balance and adjust. The shape of the Field Tube and its oversized focus wheel make it a one-handed instrument.
Nocs has figured out how to offer good optics in a smart build without a hefty price. I dare say its monoculars are where they are beating the competition.
