Nocs Provisions Field Tube 8x32 review: keep an eye on nature

We get our eye in with the Nocs Provisions Field Tube 8x32 monocular to see how its compact optics enhance our backcountry nature watching

Nocs Provisions Field Tube review: close up
(Image: © Alex Foxfield)

Advnture Verdict

A very neat little unit that’s ideal for bringing magnification to your wildlife watching when hiking or camping. Unsurprisingly, it weighs half of what you’d expect from a pair of binoculars, while it’s also nicely pocket-sized. Of course, general field of vision isn’t as wide as a pair of bins but for a portable device with quality optics, you can’t go wrong.

Pros

  • +

    Grippy, textured design

  • +

    Oversized focus wheel

  • +

    Fully multi-coated lenses

  • +

    Lifetime warranty

  • +

    Great packability for hiking

  • +

    Lightweight and portable

  • +

    Waterproof and fog proof

  • +

    Attractive colors

Cons

  • -

    Field of view not as good as binoculars

  • -

    General viewing quality not as strong as bins

  • -

    Not brilliant for close focusing

You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.

Californian optics brand Nocs Provisions’ range of colorful binoculars and monoculars is split into three families: the beginner-friendly Standard Issues, the all-rounder Field Issues and the sophisticated and more expensive Pro Issues. Earlier this year, I tested the Field Issue Waterproof 10x32 Binoculars and found them to be a very smart pair mid-sized bins. Featuring Nocs’ trademark ridged texture, which is both attractive and grippy; solid clarity; and easy to use features – I was suitably impressed.

The best binoculars are always going to have the edge over monoculars when it comes to overall image quality and field of vision. However, regardless of how you feel when it comes to binoculars vs monoculars, the latter does have the twin advantages of weight and portability, which can be a massive plus if you’re looking for optics to take on outdoor adventures. So, I was intrigued to try what Nocs calls ‘the one eyed complement to the 32mm Field Issue Binocular’, the brand new Field Tube 8x32, a compact monocular designed with packability in mind.

Meet the reviewer

what do the numbers mean on a pair of binoculars: Alex
Alex Foxfield

As a lover of the outdoors, Alex enjoys nature watching. He grew up on the Solway Firth, an important estuary for native and migrating birdlife between England and Scotland and caught the wildlife watching bug from his father. He often takes a pair of binoculars on his backcountry hikes.

First impressions

Nocs Provisions Field Tube: wildlife watching

The textured body of the Field Tube makes it easy to handle (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)
Specifications

RRP: $125 (US)
Size:
128mm x 45mm / 5.03in x 1.77in
Weight: 239g / 8.4oz
Magnification:
8
Objective diameter:
32mm
Field of view at 1000yd:
123m / 405ft
Close focusing distance:
2.2m/7.4ft

The Field Tube features Nocs’ distinctively colorful ‘Rugged Wave Grip’: the ribbed texture that provides a non-slip hold in the hand. I like this bright and modern design, quite at odds with the stereotypical dull colors binoculars often sport. It’s certainly the first thing that jumps out at you when you liberate the Field Tube from its box.

It’s a neat little unit, beautiful in its simplicity. The embossed gold of the Nocs logo and the key specifications on the focus wheel are nice touches that add a bit of class. Image clarity and contrast are good, while the oversized focus wheel makes sharpening things up a doddle. When held in one hand, it’s obviously shakier than a pair of bins, but then there’s enough space on the tube for a second hand to stabilize the image.

So far, so good. Let’s get beneath its ridged skin and take a look at the Field Tube’s features.

The optics

Nocs Provisions Field Tube: in profile

The Field Tube has a magnification factor of 8, ideal for nature watching (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

The Field Tube has a magnification factor of 8, ideal for nature watching, and a 32mm objective diameter, which is fairly standard in compact binoculars and the like. This means it doesn’t greedily gather quite as much light as something like Hawke’s Endurance 8x42 binoculars, which we rate highly for observing wildlife. Nevertheless, considering the Field Tube’s portability, this is to be expected. 

A clear image is achieved thanks to the fully multi coated lenses, which are scratch resistant and provide anti-reflective qualities. To bring those kingfishers and red kites into focus, there’s an easy to operate, oversized focus wheel that’s textured for one-finger adjustment.

The Field Tube boasts the same BaK4 prism as the Field Issue Binoculars. This Swiss-designed porro prism is put to use in many premium optical instruments. If you appreciate how binoculars work, you’ll know the importance of a quality prism and the Field Tube has one.

Feature focus

Nocs Provisions Field Tube review: size comparison

A size comparison with a coffee mug shows just how packable the Field Tube is (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

The whole reason I’d look into investing in a monocular are that they are typically smaller, lighter and more packable than a pair of binoculars. If I’m heading out into the backcountry on a long-distance hike and I’m trying to keep the weight down, a monocular like the Field Tube is a much more tempting option than a pair of bins. They still provide the opportunity to view wildlife up close or take a detailed look at the route ahead, without the weight penalty.

This is because the Field Tube weighs 239g (8.4oz), which is about the weight of an orange. Meanwhile, it’s small enough to stash in a pocket or slot into the mesh side panel of a daypack. It’s just a little over half the weight of its Field Issue binocular brethren and there’s no way I’d be fitting those in my pocket. So, this is very much the USP of the Field Tube.

Nocs Provisions Field Tube review: into the pocket

The Field Tube easily slots into a pocket (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

All this functionality would all be for naught if the Field Tube wasn’t robust enough to take on the backcountry. This is why it’s waterproof-rated to IPx7, meaning it can cope with submersion up to 1 meter for up to half an hour. In other words, a bit of rain won’t hurt it.

It’s also fog proof. No, this doesn’t mean it can magically see through misty conditions – the brand that invents such a device will make a killing among mountain enthusiasts! No, what it means is that it prevents fog building up on the interior of the lenses. It achieves this thanks to nitrogen-filled internal chambers.

Nocs Provisions Field Tube: close up

The Field Tube is waterproof rated to IPX7, so a bit of drizzle won't hurt (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

It can also be screwed onto a tripod or similar for really stable viewing pleasure. To round things off, the Field Tube comes with a lifetime warranty, its packaging is fully recyclable, is printed with soy-based inks and is itself made from 90% post-consumer recycled cardboard. So, a few sustainability ticks there then.

In the field

Nocs Provisions Field Tube: Alex and monocular

The Field Tube is easy to carry around (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

I really enjoyed using the Field Tube when out and about during the test period. Its ability to slot into a pocket, ready for those chance encounters with deer, foxes, peregrines and other wildlife is a real boon and it's a lot more packable than a pair of bins.

One barrel didn't necessarily mean one handed use, as I found that I was able to get the steadiest image with the stability offered by two hands. However, it is possible to hold the Field Tube and adjust the focus wheel with just one. The focus wheel turns smoothly and is really easy to grip thanks to its textured finish. Meanwhile, the ridged design of the body makes the Field Tube difficult to drop. Always handy when exploring steep escarpments.

Nocs Provisions Field Tube: wildlife watching

I found myself using two hands for greater image stability (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

With a monocular, what you gain in lightweight packability you lose in overall field of vision and viewing pleasure when compared to standard bins. Nonetheless, I was impressed with the sharp, clear image I was able to get from the Field Tube. Even when wearing glasses, I was able to adjust the eyepiece to suit.

I'd have liked a strap that could be worn around the neck, like most binoculars have. While the wrist loop gave me the security that I couldn't drop the Field Tube, it's not as though I'd be able to comfortably walk with it swinging from my arm. So, after use, I'd always have to pop it back in my pocket, rather than having it to hand, as it would have been had I been able to strap it around my neck.

Nocs Provisions Field Tube: wildlife watching

I was impressed with the sharp, clear image I was able to get from the Field Tube (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

The close focusing distance is around 7ft / 2.2m, which is pretty decent but not suitable for really getting in close of butterflies, wildflowers and the like. If this kind of thing is your bag, we'd recommend the Kowa BD32-8XD binoculars.

When all is said and done, this is an impressive little unit that's great for a spot of casual wildlife watching on hikes or backpacking trips. Of course, if you're a serious birder or wildlife enthusiast, it won't replace your binoculars, but that's not what it's intended for.

Alex Foxfield

Alex is a freelance adventure writer and mountain leader with an insatiable passion for the mountains. A Cumbrian born and bred, his native English Lake District has a special place in his heart, though he is at least equally happy in North Wales, the Scottish Highlands or the European Alps. Through his hiking, mountaineering, climbing and trail running adventures, Alex aims to inspire others to get outdoors. He's the former President of the London Mountaineering Club, is training to become a winter mountain leader, looking to finally finish bagging all the Wainwright fells of the Lake District and is always keen to head to the 4,000-meter peaks of the Alps. www.alexfoxfield.com