Pentax VM 6x21 WP Monucular Review - Just Excellent

[@MountainParameters]

When I first got mine, I could not figure out the correct way to place it in the case. In the end, my preferred way seems to be opposite of how it is normally shown, with the objective lens at the top where the loop will fit over it. It seems that no matter which orientation you use, the lens at the bottom is more exposed, but this way with the ocular lens at the bottom it is 'less' exposed than the ocular lens at the top, and the strap seems to loop over the objective lens better than the other way around. Makes me wonder if anyone else has decided to carry this way as well? Even still, I worry that the lack of any lens caps is going to result in unwanted scratches and dirt, and will try to find a small satchel to carry it in when in my pack. But I can certainly appreciate why folks would be looking for some sort of lens caps that might fit this.

[@Big-GVideo]

Yes I had the same worry

[@MountainParameters]

@@Big-GVideo I found a flip-top vitamin bottle cap that fit the objective lens perfectly as a lens cap (many Janieson vitamins all have that cap and it is even a matching green). That means I'm back to the original way of placing it into the harness. Then I cut out a piece of a collapsing silicone funnel to make an eye relief cap that fits over the ocular end. Next I plan to have She Who Must Be Obeyed sew some fabric to the top of the loop of the loop strap that fits over the ocular end so that dirt does not fall into it. While doing all this, I noticed that the lens coating on the inside of the objective lens has a bunch of flecks where it seems it did not adhere, so I also processed a replacement request. If I had not undertaken this exercise, I would probably not have noticed the flaws in the lens coating for months and then it would have been too late to process a replacement request.

[@Big-GVideo]

What a great idea!

[@MountainParameters]

@@Big-GVideo It would seem that a few hours after I have a 'good' idea, I subsequently get a better one. Adding the eyecup then means that the holster loop at the top will not flip over the either end. So now I am back to placing the ocular end into the holster pointing down (with the new silicon eyecup still on it) so debris will not fall into it, and the objective end pointing up where it is protected by my new 'lens cap'. This then means that the top strap that flips over the top of the monocular is too short so the idea of sewing a fabric top onto it will be abandoned, nor would it be needed as the new 'lens cap' is protecting it anyway. As my existing case is also not sewn symmetrically, I'll wait for the new replacement to arrive in the hopes that it is better, and use that for the next modification where I plan to remove the strap and replace it with a piece of shock cord. Given that the lens coatings were flawed, and the case construction is kind of 'off-kilter', it suggests that the quality control on these units that are produced in a Chinese factory may not be up to what we'd normally expect from Pentax. When this is all done, I'm thinking perhaps the best thing would be to do up a KZbin short to demonstrate these DIY hacks.

[@Big-GVideo]

@@MountainParameters Please tag me into the video if you make one. These things are always better to see than to read about

[@wzk921109]

I’d like to have thermal added on.

[@Big-GVideo]

Thanks so much

[@jayrizorbit8969]

Can 37mm lens cap fit to the front lens?

[@Big-GVideo]

There's no filter threads on the lens and it's not really designed for use with a lens cap

[@jayrizorbit8969]

What is diameter size of the front lense?

[@Big-GVideo]

Diameter is 2.8cm

[@MountainParameters]

The ring on the objective lens would require a 37mm lens cap, and the ocular lens seems like it may take a 28 or 29mm cap as mine seems to come in at 28.6mm

[@youranonymous931]

Just curious, between this and a Nikon p1000, which would you go for? I'm considering this but since it's almost 1/3 the price of the p1000 in my country, I'm thinking to get the p1000

[@Big-GVideo]

The VM 6x21 is a great monocular. The P1000 is a camera. They are for different things.

[@youranonymous931]

@@Big-GVideo yeah but if you could go for one, which would it be?

[@Big-GVideo]

@@youranonymous931 Oh the Pentax VM for sure

[@joansmith7649]

Unfortunately, the images do not appear sharp at all with this monocular. I hope in actual use the image is razor sharp.

[@Big-GVideo]

Thanks for commenting. I can say that the image is clear and sharp when you use this monocular. However, conveying this in a video is difficult. I hope you understand

[@jayrizorbit8969]

How about at night? What can you say?

[@Big-GVideo]

There’s no additional light gathering abilities with this, but I don’t see any issues at night

[@User-sssss-543]

Your pictures which were taken with monocular are very unclear, that’s too bad!

[@Big-GVideo]

Thanks for your comment