hi sorry me again
though the hg hgl are discontinued the are still for sale (& more expensive) & on the chart above they seem to me better than the monarch hg am i missing something i 'm stuck again i'm leaning towards a 10x42 though the relative brightness of the 8x is 'brighter' I don't know what that actually means - i cannot go to a store so its all research.
SO should i buy a monarch hg or the 'older hg' ? thanks to anyone who can bash it into my skull sorry to everyone else
I'd simply choose whichever magnification appeals to you, for me I have a preference for 8x.
If I had a choice I'd get the HG(L) over the Monarch HG although that said, image quality is likely similar. Also of note is the wide FOV with the Monarch.
Bringing the EDG into it, this would be my strong preference.
I don't think you can go wrong with either of these three. To put it into perspective the HG(L) were Nikon's top roofs before the EDG which are their best ever and my personal choice over any "alpha" binoculars. The Monarch HG are now Nikon's "top end" binoculars but are quite a step backwards from the EDG. While they are quite good it seems Nikon have changed tactics, likely for business purposes, with their binoculars. To put this into perspective the Monarch HG, while Nikon's current top offering, are more of a mid tier binoculars and priced accordingly where the EDG for example were designed to be a high end/performing product and also priced accordingly.
Back to the mag thing, if you need 10x then that's what you'll get. It'll have a more narrow FOV compared to an 8x but peer into lower light better simply because the image appears closer if that makes sense to you.
The 8x will be more steady to view through, offer a wider FOV as mentioned and have a larger exit pupil which may offer easier eye placement and available light in dark conditions depending on the dilation of your pupils (this all sounds a bit contradictory of low light viewing as both mags have benefits so I wouldn't choose a mag based solely around this. But essentially I think the closer image of the 10 would trump the exit pupil of the 8x for low light).
Long story short I feel that 8x is the best all round mag.
Budget being a key factor, certainly is for me more often than not, if the Monarch HG appeals most I think you'll be quite happy and have binoculars that provide excellent optics and handling which could be argued are more than anyone really could ask for. I'm spoilt with my EDG.
Hope you get on well with it and please let us know how you go.
