For those of you who don’t know, Barr & Stroud started making optics for the Royal Navy over 100 years ago and since then they have played a leading role in the development of modern optics. The Sprite is based on the popular Bresser monocular of the same name. The 10×50 Barr & Stroud Sprite Monocular is basically a binocular cut in half and is therefore ideal for those people who still want the performance of a larger objective lens binocular, but where space is at a premium.

It has been designed to be used single handed, which works really well or with a tripod using the standard tripod thread, meaning that it will work with most tripods. The Sprite does come with a small table-top tripod that works really well, so well in fact that during my review I had mine set up on the windowsill in my office, perfect for taking a quick glance at that Great spotted woodpecker feeding on some peanuts that I left out in the bird-feeder!

The Sprite monocular is ideal for anyone looking for a powerful and bright optic, where space is at a premium. I can see it being used by anyone going travelling, but especially those going camping, backpacking or cycle touring. It would also make a great optic to take to most sporting events or for anyone wanting to view birds or nature, where you either have to carry other equipment, like a camera or just want to keep at least one hand free. I also feel that combined with the table top tripod, it is perfect for leaving on pretty much any windowsill that has a view.

Full Review

Waterproof, fog-proof, a tough exterior and with good quality optics, this compact piece of kit, that weighs only 420g and is available for around £50. You can read my full review of the Barr & Stroud 10×50 Sprite Monoculars here.

I have also discovered golf, for me it is an excellent way to get outdoors and get a little competitive with some friends and have also seen plenty of wildlife on our local course, from the Great spotted woodpecker, to deer and even foxes and so always carry my pair of compact Steiner 10.5×28 Wildlife Pro Binoculars with me.

This along with this years exciting Golf Open Championship held this year at the Ailsa Course at Turnberry, got me thinking about Golf Binoculars.

Golf and Optics combine in so many ways, besides the way I use them to spot the local wildlife:

• Golf Spectator Binoculars
  Almost essential is a good pair of binoculars for golf when you go and watch a tournament and so any general use binocular that is good for watching outdoor sports will do, but a compact pair with a good magnification is ideal, something like my Steiner 10.5×28 Wildlife Pro Binoculars.
• Golf Scopes and Monoculars
  With an internal distance reticle, they are used to work out the distance to the flag. >> Bushnell Golf Scope.
• Golf Laser Range Finders
  More accurate than scopes (and more expensive), they are also used to work out the distance to a target on the course. Bushnell produce some of the finest Golf Rangefinders available, take a look at my guide to the Bushnell Golf Range Finder.