Nocs Provisions’ Zero Tube is a piece of gear you can use whether on vehicle-based adventures, two-wheeled adventures, paddling, hiking, and virtually anything while exploring outdoors

Before taking the Nocs Provisions Zero Tube 8×25 on a weekend backpacking trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I honestly thought it might end up being more of a hassle than it was worth. I have never carried binoculars because of their size, even though I have always enjoyed getting a closer look at birds, wildlife, and things farther down the trail. I figured the Zero Tube would be one more piece of gear bouncing around, getting in the way, and taking up room in my pack for something I would only use once or twice.

I clipped it onto my backpack’s shoulder strap, and after a few minutes, I hardly noticed it was there. It stayed out of the way while hiking but was always right where I could grab it. That ended up being much more useful than I expected. Instead of digging through my pack whenever I wanted a closer look at something, which I am too lazy to do anyway, I could pull it off the strap, take a quick look, and clip it back on. I found myself using it much more often than I expected.

I also put it through the kind of treatment my gear normally gets. I am not easy on my equipment, and I left the monocular clipped to my pack for the entire trip. I regularly dropped my pack without thinking twice about it, and the Zero Tube took it like a champ. Nothing came loose, the lenses did not get scratched, and I did not have any fogging issues. The outer design seems to do a good job of protecting the optics, and it has a secure grip when your hands are wet, cold, or dirty.

My only real complaint is the included strap. It feels a little short, and I would have liked more adjustment options. Otherwise, the small size is part of what makes this monocular so useful.

It is not going to replace a full-size pair of binoculars or a spotting scope like the kind you would use for elk hunting or serious birdwatching. For longer viewing or low-light use, larger optics will still be better. But if you are like me and prefer to pack light, this is really the only option that makes sense. It is small enough to forget you are carrying it, but useful enough that you will actually use it.

Looking ahead, I am especially excited to take it canoeing. I plan to attach it to my life jacket in a similar spot to where I kept it on my backpack, so it is easy to reach. I can see it being helpful for spotting portage trails, finding campsites from farther away, and checking out birds or other wildlife along the shoreline.

While researching for this review, I also found that Nocs makes a phone attachment for taking photos and videos through the monocular. I have not committed to buying one yet, but it definitely interests me. Being able to take a closer photo of wildlife without carrying a larger camera lens would be a nice addition to an already useful piece of gear.

I am a big fan of gear that can do more than one thing, though that usually comes with a tradeoff. Most of the gear I actually reach for when packing for trips is useful in several ways but is not necessarily the best at any one thing. To my surprise, the Zero Tube might be something I reach for on my next trip.

Learn more and pic up a pair by visiting www.nocsprovisions.com.

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