A monocular is a modified refracting telescope used to magnify the images of distant objects by passing light through a series of lenses and prisms; the use of prisms results in a lightweight telescope. Volume and weight are less than half those of binoculars, making it easy to carry along.

See also

• Telescope
• Spotting scope
• binoculars

Optical devices | Telescopes

Monocular | Cannocchiale