Home Nikon Nikon Monarch 7 vs Monarch HG, the FACE OFF #47

Nikon Monarch 7 vs Monarch HG, the FACE OFF #47

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Optica Exotica
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The MASTERCLASS:
The BASIC Class:

Get the Optica Exotica binoculars VIDEO collection–two video classes of multiple short videos to choose from to watch according to your pace and needs.

The MASTERCLASS:
Many videos to choose from here to watch for fun and knowledge, this includes the BASIC class’ videos and much more comparing Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski, the best binoculars for birding/hunting/travel, important differences between brands and models, care and tricks for confidently buying and inspecting binoculars, plus ocean reviews and head-to-head comparisons of top tier bins.

The BASIC Class:

What are the best binoculars for $1000, $500, $250? These videos detail what you can choose across prices, and what to expect in terms of quality.
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Comparison between the Nikon Monarch 7 and Monarch HG, binoculars. This is an in-depth field review, with fine views. Each has plenty of sharpness, detail, contrast, and brightness, but there ARE differences between these bins in terms of image quality and ergonomics.

Which of these binoculars is right for you? The Monarch HG is a fine binocular, good for birding and wildlife observation, and it is light enough for travel and hiking. The Monarch 7 is a fine binocular good for these things as well.

The real question here is which binocular is best for your needs? Price matters–the Monarch 7 could be called the best mid-level binocular in the world, but can the Monarch HG be added to the class of best binoculars for $1000? Watch this and find out if these are the best binoculars for the money.

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42 COMMENTS

  7. Great review, as always.
    I sent a Nikon Premier 8×32 to Nikon for repair and they reported back they would not repair them but they gave me a $1500 credit at the Nikon store to honor the warranty. Impressive. But, now I have a new pair of 8×42 Monarch HG that my wife is using, AND a new Monarch 7 ATB 8×42 that I have no use for. Guess I will sell them.

  11. Thanks for the review, I have seen it several times now🤗. I am planning on buying the HG’s, I don’t like what you say about alignment.. Isn’t that important for binoculars? I can save about 100 euros buying it from Amazon in Germany, but worry if Nikon speculate in selling bad editions from the assembly line on Amazon… Am I paranoid or?😬😊(I read something somewhere on a forum)

  14. After ordering numerous optics I’ve finally settled on the Monarchs, but in the 8×30 configuration. The wide FOV along with the sharp almost edge to edge clarity, brightness and lightweight portability makes these a clear winner for me.

  18. You just gotta ask yourself if it’s an additional £400 worth it?
    The differences you’ve highlighted aren’t enough for me to go for the HG, especially not with my budget. Maybe if money was no object then I would, but for the average Joe looking for a good quality set of binoculars to take out once a week the Monarch 7 is the one for me, just gotta figure out between the 10×30 or the 10×42.
    I like to do wildlife photography, any suggestions?
    Mark🇬🇧

  21. Monarch 7 is extremely finicky, I've tried the 8×30 and had to return it. I'm not sure what it was, but it wasn't very easy to get focused sharp either the diopter or some other issues, and I tested two copies. The HG and the Prostaff 7s (although much cheaper) were very easy to use and sharp. Sadly I really wanted to keep the Monarch 7 because of the lower cost and wide FOV, but the HG is well worth it.

  24. Hi Optica went for a pair of monarch 7 8×42 , silly me ordered on-line to save a trip into Sydney . They arrived and think I got bad one, sharpness didn’t seem to be there and lens caps, oh dear didn’t even fit.
    So took them back, not much in binoculars left but had a delivery of the Nikon HG. 8×42 came away with them, And the lens caps fitted , image nice and sharp.
    Only thing the case , no strap for the case and no way to put on your belt.

  26. I've owned a Monarch 7 for a couple of years, and regularly get to compare them to an HG used by a birding buddy. Overall your review is excellent and represents the differences between the two binos very well. HG is better, Monarch 7 is a much better deal for the price, and since I wanted to spend less than $500, there was little debate – and the Monach was light years better than my previous 40-year old Nikon 7×30 Porro prism pair.

    BTW, I've noticed you use Point Arena in some of your reviews. Circa 1961 we used to go camping there, probably near Manchester. There were no facilities, regulations, or trails – we parked in a wide place in the road and walked for a mile +- through empty rolling grassy dunes to camp on a vast empty beach jammed with driftwood above the high-tide line. My recollection was that there was little or nothing there, and it was common not to see anyone else for a whole day. Different today, I suspect:)

    Just purchased. Vortex Razor scope, partly based on your review, thanks.

  30. The HG seems to be mich better but it costs twice as much. The monarch 7 is probably the most I would like to spend.

    But now I consider buying the monarch 7 8×30, it's cheaper, it's more light weight,
    … we'll c

  32. I bought the Nikon Monarch HG 8×42 as my very first own pair of binoculars.
    Your tests and field reviews here where a great help to narrow down the choices. Good work, keep it up.
    My Nikon HG 8×42 arrived today and I am happy with the overall quality and optical performance – great value for the money. Moreover, it totally outperforms my Nikon Spotting Scope (33×80) for USD 300 in terms of image sharpness, contrast and clarity. I plan to replace the scope now with something that deilvers the same quality as the HG but has a higher magnification, probably a better scope with a zoom lens.

    Any recommendations?

  38. Hello, what would you think is the best binocular option for me?. I whant to use it for watching animals, birds in my trecks. My budget is 300 – 400 euros. I like to have somthing light so I take it with me in my
    excursions, but also good quality.
    Thank you from Spain !

  39. Watching this and crying with my Monarch 5.

    On serious note, glad i bought Monarch 5 10*42 as my frist real binocular. Originally planned to get a211 aculon 10*50. Went to shop and tested em all found Monarch felt better with me after tested it as i am wearing glasses. Tested Monarch 7 too which is even better.

    However, i decided that will go for 5 as it i have maxed up on my fund (remember i originally planned to get a211). And being beginner i may not appreciate the additional advantage offered by the 7 too. The size played important part as i will be planning to carry this around (a211 10*50 is too big). Since then no regrets buying it and enjoy using it 👍 not sure if you reckon the 5 will good for beginners (assume they willing spend that much)

    Bins are niche item in this part of the world. They do sell those Leica/Swaro/Zeiss but those are too high end. Even i need to wait for the dealer to special order for me as i do not want the test unit at the dealer where i tested those (as per above).

    Look forward to explore more this hobby. My next target will be 20*56 Monarch 5 😂 to complement my 10* 5.

    Ps. Is HG made in Japan? Also can you share what your preferred bino strap when i go about.

  40. I love that your doing these comparisons with showing the difference in price point in same company. This is teaching a rookie like me what to expect when buying these binoculars. But why the huge price difference between them if theres not huge difference in them from the $500 to the $1000? Keep up the great job. I look forward every day seeing if you have a video uploaded.

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