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Message: <blockquote data-quote="HighNorth" data-source="post: 3569757" data-attributes="member: 128566">Hi! I think both Nikon bins will serve you well. My first bin was an 8x42 Nikon Monarch 7, and I still use it at times, even though I also own high-end Swarovski and Zeiss bins, as well as several Canon Image Stabilized (IS) binoculars. Some plusses for the Nikon M7: not only does it have great optical quality for the price, but it is also extremely light and compact compared with most other 8x42 binoculars. As for the HG, I haven't owned or tried it, but it looks like a step up from the Monarch 7 in almost every way (including price). I think both would serve you well for many years.If you are into IS binoculars, I can heartily recommend the Canon 10x42L IS WP (which I own). It's easily the cream of the crop of IS binoculars available to civilians today. However, as always, try before you buy to ensure that the binocular fits you the best.Cheers, from HN, who graduated from a Nikon Monarch M7 to a Swarovski SV, and then to Zeiss Victory SF and Canon IS binoculars in little more than three years! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></blockquote>