Nocs Provisions Zero Tube 10x25 waterproof monocular review

The Nocs Provisions Zero Tube 10x25 monocular is the lightest iteration from Nocs Provisions. Its unique design and multiple colorways stand out amongst the market's standard black, gray and white monoculars.

It boasts quality with fully multicoated ED BaK-4 glass, is waterproof and fogproof and has twist-up eyecups to give eyeglass wearers a comfortable viewing experience. The image is pleasingly clear and because it is incredibly light (7.2 oz / 205 g), it can be held to your face for long periods without muscle fatigue.

We reviewed the Nocs Provisions 8x32 field tube earlier this year and loved its design, durability and sharp and colorful views. Pleasingly, we can confirm the Zero Tube 10x25 reviewed here is Nocs Provisions' most recent, compact and rugged monocular to date, featuring a truly palm-sized build (110 mm x 40 mm). It is, personally, the first thing I grab when I want to go observing stars or wildlife when hiking or camping, replacing my old pair of binoculars. That's why we have named it one of the best monoculars, among the best models we've ever tested.

Nocs Provisions Zero Tube 10x25 waterproof monocular review

Nocs Zero Tube: Design

★★★★

• As rugged as it gets
• Carry clip to attach to belt/backpack
• Ultra portable

Compact doesn't even begin to describe this monocular. At just 110 mm long and 40 mm wide, the Zero Tube is barely larger than a pocket flashlight, yet it packs 10x magnification into that minimalist body. It weighs a mere 205 g / 7.2 oz (7 oz), so it is truly pocketable. We've taken it out in our trouser pocket on numerous occasions and it feels no different (if not lighter and smaller) than carrying your smartphone in your pocket.

The ribbed rubber housing provides exceptional grip, even in rain or after being submerged in water — this monocular has been specifically designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind. The rubber surround also absorbs impacts and, while we haven't purposefully dropped it, we feel confident that if we did, it would be absolutely fine. We've had our young family members "helping" us write this review and we didn't have to worry about fragile optics breaking during 'play'. The Nocs Zero Tube is rated IPX7 against water and dust. It can survive full-on immersions in up to 3.5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Rain or splashes from the surf are no bother at all.

You can choose from three colors for the Nocs Zero Tube. Off‑Piste Red, Ultramarine Blue (this was our review sample) and Bone Gray. We feared that the playful colors might make the monocular look a little childish but we were pleasantly surprised that it still looks and feels like a premium product. Tell that to our Labrador Retriever, though, who thought it was a dog toy every time we pulled it out of our pocket!

A built-in clip allows you to attach the telescope to your backpack or trousers (or any other item of clothing you choose) for easy access. A small carry pouch and a woven wrist strap are included in the box but we found this tiny monocular portable, robust and comfortable enough to carry around without them.

Nocs Zero Tube: Performance

★★★★★

• Razor sharp views
• Impressive level of magnification for a tiny unit
• Excellent color fidelity

We review a lot of monoculars and binoculars and there is usually something that we can comment on that would knock top marks off the image quality. However, we struggled to do this here. The views from this tiny monocular are seriously impressive and the image is clear from edge to edge. We used this for wildlife watching, bird spotting and even took it to a festival to get a closer view of the stage.

The 10x magnification and 25mm objective lens bring distant subjects into sharp focus. We couldn't fault the color fidelity, despite trying it in various weather and lighting conditions. If we're splitting the tiniest of hairs, there is minimal chromatic aberration when looking at a very dark object against a bright blue/white sky.

The twist focus mechanism is easy to use with two hands, offering a good amount of resistance, allowing for precise adjustments. The focus stays in place once set. One-handed operation is possible but due to the good level of resistance, it feels a bit stiff. Users with bigger hands might find this easier than we did.

Overall, we're delighted with the performance of the Nocs Zero Tube.

Nocs Zero Tube: Functionality

★★★★★

• Very close minimum focus (4.9 feet, or 1.5 m)
• Twist up eye cup (16.3 mm / 0.64 in eye-relief)
• IPX 7 water and dust rating

We've already mentioned some of the features of the Nocs Zero. It's lightweight, rugged, portable, waterproof and dustproof, with a handy carry clip for taking on all sorts of outdoor adventures.

The optical specs are equally impressive. The extra-low dispersion (ED) glass lenses are fully multi-coated, helping to minimise ghosting, reduce lens flare and control chromatic aberration for cleaner, sharper images. Is it effective? Absolutely.

The marketing of the Nocs Zero Tube speaks of Smartphone Compatibility: 'Nocs were built to make snapping a photo with your smartphone easy.' While this might be true when you purchase the 'Photo Rig Smartphone Adapter' accessory, it is pretty difficult without it. Especially given that there is no tripod adapter to let you hold the monocular still enough to line up your smartphone and take wobble-free photos.

The Zero tube features a nitrogen-filled, O-ring-sealed interior, ensuring fog-free viewing even when transitioning between different temperatures, making it perfect for early risers or night owls.

One thing we were really impressed with is the very close minimum focus, just 4.9 feet. We could still find ways to enjoy this monocular in our tiny back garden, for example, getting close-ups of birds less than a couple of meters away from us.

The twist-up eyecup provides around 16 mm of eye relief. Throughout our review, we used the Zero Tube with and without various types of glasses. For example, we used them with sunglasses and even swimming goggles. We never felt frustrated by a disproportionate black ring around the field of view, as there wasn't one.

User reviews of the Nocs Zero Tube

The Nocs Zero Tube is still fairly new to the market, so there aren't many reviews on the likes of Amazon. The ones that are there align with our feedback, having used this monocular for the past month or so. Exceptional optics, easy focusing (with two hands), extremely portable and rugged. One user called it 'epic'. Another wished a better carrying pouch had been included but as we mentioned earlier, this little monocular is so rugged and portable, we didn't even bother taking the pouch.

Should you buy the Nocs Zero Tube?

If you're in the market for a small, excellent-quality monocular to take anywhere, we highly recommend this one. We've been using it for months now and it has become a must-pack item on camping trips, festivals and dawn and dusk walks. Plus, we automatically put it in our pocket while out walking the dog in case we stumble on anything we want a closer look at.

Because of its unique design and striking color, it's always a conversation starter, too. Curious friends were just as impressed with the quality of the views, at any time of day, as we were.

If the Nocs Zero Tube isn't for you

If the Nocs Zero Tube isn't for you, try the easily pocketable Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42. Like the Nocs, it is nitrogen purged and waterproof, with multicoated lenses and offers clear and sharp images. It is a touch heavier with 8x magnification instead of 10x magnification and is a little cheaper.

A more expensive option, though justifiably so, is the Bushnell Legend 10x42 Ultra HD. We thought it was an excellent all-rounder in our hands-on review, giving pin-sharp images with a rugged magnesium body with rubber armor. One reason not to choose this one, however, is the Picatinny rail, which we found got in the way somewhat.