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Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter chaplainlarry
- Start date
tenex
reality-based
When people disagree about "brightness" comparisons, I wonder whether something besides transmission may be involved. Do EDGs have high contrast? (I haven't tried one, but did think SFLs had, FWIW)
Paultricounty
Well-known member
I definitely agree with that. I think it’s the red spectrum leaning on the EDG, more than the MHG. In bright sunny conditions you can’t see any difference in brightness. The MHG can be to bright on white objects, i did side by side observing swans, it washes out some detail where the EDG show’s excellent wing structure and even different shades of the white. But when clouds roll in or deep forest treks the MHG’s do have an edge. Light transmission is very close between these two. Contrast is better in the EDG, colors and detail pop a bit more, imo.
Paul
Yes, I suspect this "brightness" thing I read in these forums is something different than what I consider "brightness". It sounds more like color tone. In astronomy when we want brighter we increase aperture. Going from a 91% transmission lens to 92% is not doing much. Assuming there actually is a difference in transmission 
It's almost woodcock season and that means my 56mm's are coming out
It's almost woodcock season and that means my 56mm's are coming out
OK are they made in China or Japan?
The Nikon MHG binocular is Made in Japan and always has been. I don't know where that rumor started about them being Made in China, but it is false. I emailed Nikon and asked them where the Nikon MHG was made, and this was their email response. Not only that, but I also just purchased a new pair of Nikon MHG 8x42 binoculars from Amazon.com, and they definitely say 'Made in Japan' imprinted right on them.
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I agree. I prefer the HG's over the SFL also for similar reasons. Not only that, but I also saw the BROD in the SFL, which I didn't care for at all.
The focuser on my HG is quite smooth and with perfect tension. It is not quite as fluid as the EDG, but nothing is. Not even an NL.
The reason the EDG focuser is so smooth is that it is loaded with grease to make it smooth, which will probably affect its performance in low temperatures.
Overall, though, I prefer the HG over the EDG. I really like the 8.3 degree FOV of the HG compared to the puny 7.7 degree FOV of the EDG. IMO, the slightly sharper edges of the EDG do not make up for the considerably smaller FOV.
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Exactly. I feel the EDG is not as bright as the HG, heavy and getting long in the tooth. I recently bought a brand new one and returned it after comparing it to the HG.
The heavy, thick rubber armor is not needed unless you are really rough on your binoculars. The objective covers and rain guard are outdated and are overly heavy also.
The EDG reminds me of an older car with big unnecessary heavy chrome bumpers and skirts, and the HG is like a new lightweight Corvette. The HG is an updated and slimmed down EDG IMO.
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The HG is a much lower quality binocular optically and mechanically and for only $200 less money than EDG
I doubt very much that the MHG is much lower quality than the EDG . The EDG no doubt is a better binocular but doubtful that it is much better .
I have no experience with the EDG so I may be talking out of my butt a bit but I have compared my MHG to a 8.5x42 EL and the differences were subtle .
You can take what I said with a grain of salt if you like but I'm sticking with it
.I compared my MHG 8x42 with a Swarovski EL 8.5x42 also, and I preferred the MHG also. The MHG has a bigger FOV, and it is much smaller and lighter than the EL. It doesn't have the PIA FP strap system and the armor won't crack either. I returned the EL the next day. The armor also looked like it was beginning to crack by the eye cups also.I doubt very much that the MHG is much lower quality than the EDG . The EDG no doubt is a better binocular but doubtful that it is much better .
I have no experience with the EDG so I may be talking out of my butt a bit but I have compared my MHG to a 8.5x42 EL and the differences were subtle .
You can take what I said with a grain of salt if you like but I'm sticking with it
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I think you are confusing quality with weight. The EDG is heavier and bulkier than the MHG because it is old in the tooth, but that doesn't mean the MHG is lower quality. It is built just as well as the EDG in reality just lighter and more modern without all the heavy rubber armor that you don't need.
Optically, I will take the 8.3 degree FOV of the MHG over the puny 7.7 degree FOV of the EDG any day. The MHG is way brighter than the EDG also. The EDG is one of the dimmest binoculars I have ever seen for a 8x42.
Weight wise, the EDG 8x42 is an overweight fat dinosaur compared to the MHG. At 31 oz. it weighs almost 7 oz. more than the modern svelte 24 oz. MHG. With the MHG, you are getting a much brighter and lighter binocular for less money that Nikon can still fix instead of replace for an MHG if something happens to it.
Let's face it, the 7.7 degree FOV of the EDG is a caveman size FOV compared to the newer alphas like the NL and SF which are all over 8.5 degrees now and is significantly behind in technology.
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Should I bother to refute your latest absurdist narrative? OK, I will
MHG - lots of violet false color that extends all the way to center of FOV. EDG - one of the best corrected binoculars for CA ever made, none visible, even at extreme EOF in 7x42
MHG - field stop is larger than EDG, but lots of blurriness in outer FOV. EDG fov virtually sharp to extreme edge, much larger sweet spot than MHG
MHG - chronic blackout troubles throughout the line for non-eyeglass wearers. Eyecups don't come up high enough. EDG - one of the best on the market for eye placement and lack of blackouts. Eyecups perfect positioning.
MHG - cheap-feeling body, armor, and eyecups. EDG - luxurious Rolls-Royce feel
MHG - spongey, mushy-feeling focuser feels cheap. Stiff action. Inferior to Nikon LXL design from 20 years ago. Greatly inferior to EDG, even inferior to Nikons' M5 and M7 series focusers IMO.
Good points of MHG - 3 ounces lighter. More open bridge with longer space on barrels for hands.
The Zeiss SFL matches the mechanical quality of the SF's but has more CA and edge blur. The MHG is the same way relative to EDG, except it also has lower mechanical quality.
dries1
Member
It is obvious from this thread how important facial structure is for one to obtain the most from specific glass. What is best for one is not necessarily good for another. I find enjoyment from both the EDG and MHG, eyecups on both work fine for me, but I understand they might not work for others - (when a feature such as an eyecup not fitting ones eye socket can induce imperfections in the view). Goes to show when one shells out the cash, best to try before you buy.
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No, the best corrected binocular for CA was the Zeiss FL. The MHG has some CA on the edge, but the EDG does too and is only slightly better in reality.Should I bother to refute your latest absurdist narrative? OK, I will
MHG - lots of violet false color that extends all the way to center of FOV. EDG - one of the best corrected binoculars for CA ever made, none visible, even at extreme EOF in 7x42
MHG - field stop is larger than EDG, but lots of blurriness in outer FOV. EDG fov virtually sharp to extreme edge, much larger sweet spot than MHG
MHG - chronic blackout troubles throughout the line for non-eyeglass wearers. Eyecups don't come up high enough. EDG - one of the best on the market for eye placement and lack of blackouts. Eyecups perfect positioning.
MHG - cheap-feeling body, armor, and eyecups. EDG - luxurious Rolls-Royce feel
MHG - spongey, mushy-feeling focuser feels cheap. Stiff action. Inferior to Nikon LXL design from 20 years ago. Greatly inferior to EDG, even inferior to Nikons' M5 and M7 series focusers IMO.
Good points of MHG - 3 ounces lighter. More open bridge with longer space on barrels for hands.
The Zeiss SFL matches the mechanical quality of the SF's but has more CA and edge blur. The MHG is the same way relative to EDG, except it also has lower mechanical quality.
The EDG has sharper edges than the MHG, but it should, with only a puny 7.7 degree FOV compared to the 8.3 degree FOV of the MHG. The MHG has a more gradual drop off also, so the edges are not as noticeable.
The MHG without a doubt still gives you a feeling of a much larger AFOV. I have never had blackouts with the MHG 8x42. Blackouts depend on how deep and wide your eye sockets are and can vary from binocular to binocular. In fact, I personally had more blackouts with the EDG.
The MHG may look cheaper than the EDG because it is not covered with all that heavy rubber armor that adds 7 oz. of weight to the binocular. I personally would not rather carry that extra weight around my neck.
Your right an EDG is a heavy Rolls-Royce and a MHG is a lightweight Lotus. Which one would you rather carry in the field all day?
The MHG focuser is not spongy or mushy. It is very smooth with no backlash. If anything, the EDG focuser is more spongy or mushy.
The EDG focuser feels smooth because it is loaded with big gobs of grease in it that will freeze up when it gets cold. It is not due to any mechanical superiority of the focuser. I know people who have dissembled the EDG, and they said it is loaded with grease. That is exactly why Leica's use a greaseless focuser.
When Nikon discontinued the EDG they knew one of the number one priorities for most people buying a binocular is weight and size, but most people want the performance of a 42mm aperture, especially for hunting so they trimmed the fat off the EDG and developed the MHG which is essentially the EDG Light.
They cut 7 oz. of weight off the EDG, made it brighter and gave it an 8.3 degree FOV instead of the puny 7.7 degree FOV of the EDG and cut the cost by almost 1/2, so more people could afford it. A brilliant idea, really. There is no other 8x42mm binocular that compares to it in weight and size and FOV for the money.
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I just bought a pair of 8x42 Nikon HG Monarchs from LL Bean and they’re made in Japan. I’d be careful about who said they were going to be made in China, I saw the thread and Nikon have two answers. I do love them and find them to be as enjoyable to use as my 10x42 Zeiss Conquest HD’s. Great build quality and a very nice view! I had a lot of Bean dollars and bought them for $191 and some change!
The thing I like about the Nikon MHG 10x42 over the Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 is the bigger FOV, smaller size, lighter weight, better objective covers and sharper edges.
You flatter me! 😁
