The good, the bad, and the ...ok - Vortex Solo Tactical RT 8x36 Tactical Monocular w/ Ranging Reticle

I've wanted one of these for a long time and finally pulled the trigger and got one. I opened the box, took a look through the lens, and put it straight back in the box and found the return information. There was a big blob of dirt inside it, on one of the internal lenses. I called Vortex who were more than happy to help, but Optics planet sent me a return and ten days later, I had a replacement. Very simple quality control seems to have been missed at Vortex, it shouldn't have been made badly, and they should have caught it if it was. Enough about that.
The unit feels very solid and well made, the glass is very clear and the ranging reticle is great... IF you can hold it still! I gave it to one of my 25 year old employees as I thought he would have steadier hands, and he couldn't hold it still enough to read the scale either. So a rest or tree, or something may be needed to hold it still. It lives in my range/shooting bag. Very handy, very cool.. spoiled a bit by shoddy build control and bad quality checks.