Nikon HG 8x30 dissection (2 Viewers)

[Scott98]

Everyone has their expectations and claims, but I am completely satisfied with Monarch HG 8x30 construction. I really like its classic look, but also the optics and mechanics! I even think that, with this superb Monarch HG, Nikon occupies a unique place in the binoculars market, shared only with Leica binoculars. Instead of looking like many other binoculars, it has a luxurious finish and we can feel this in our hands. From my point of view, the concept of this binocular is welcome in the world of common binoculars with boring utilitarian design. This Monarch HG, it's like a classic Porsche. Monarch HG is a very successful design object besides the fact that it is also a good optical instrument!
The monarch:

You sound like a man who needs to try a 42mm EDG binocular Maybe you already have. I think you'd love them. I was very impressed with the improvements in the outer covering and overall design and build of the EDG series compared to their prior HG/LX/Premier series of binos.

To me the current EDG have the most luxurious feel of any bino on the market. There is a bit of weight penalty to be paid over the Monarch HG however. And nothing that compares to the compact size of those 8x30's. And I think you have 10x42 SF's, they're nice too, so not much reason to add the 10x42 EDG.

 

[dorubird]

Scott98​

I don't have an EDG but it's definitely a fantastic pair of binoculars. I don't feel the need for a Nikon EDG, thanks to the superb Zeiss Victory SF 10x42, just like you say. My Monarch HG 8x30 makes a very good team with my Zeiss SF 10x42. MHG is small (the smallest of the 8x30 family) and SF is very long but very comfortable and perfectly balanced. If I had to choose only two binoculars, these would be the ones!

For this MHG 8x30 I sold three binoculars, because this small MHG successfully replaces all of them: Nikon HGL (Premier) 8x32, Nikon E2 8x30 (last version) and Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25. All three of these are reincarnated in this single Monarch HG 8x30 binoculars.

From Zeiss VP borrowed some ADN of small dimensions, but brighter and more comfortable. From Nikon E2 it borrowed something from the enormous FOV ADN, but with greater edge clarity. And from Nikon Premier borrowed something from ergonomics and comfort ADN, but with a much smaller size.
The "King" HG 8x30 has no rivals when it comes to optical performance/size ratio!

 

[Paultricounty]

Scott98​

I don't have an EDG but it's definitely a fantastic pair of binoculars. I don't feel the need for a Nikon EDG, thanks to the superb Zeiss Victory SF 10x42, just like you say. My Monarch HG 8x30 makes a very good team with my Zeiss SF 10x42. MHG is small (the smallest of the 8x30 family) and SF is very long but very comfortable and perfectly balanced. If I had to choose only two binoculars, these would be the ones!

For this MHG 8x30 I sold three binoculars, because this small MHG successfully replaces all of them: Nikon HGL (Premier) 8x32, Nikon E2 8x30 (last version) and Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25. All three of these are reincarnated in this single Monarch HG 8x30 binoculars.
View attachment 1576169
From Zeiss VP borrowed some ADN of small dimensions, but brighter and more comfortable. From Nikon E2 it borrowed something from the enormous FOV ADN, but with greater edge clarity. And from Nikon Premier borrowed something from ergonomics and comfort ADN, but with a much smaller size.
The "King" HG 8x30 has no rivals when it comes to optical performance/size ratio!

Except the true king of performance/size ratio, the Leica Ultravid HD+. 😉✌🏼.

View attachment 1576168

 

[dorubird]

Yes, Leica Ultravid 8x32 would have been "the king" for me too if I didn't wear glasses for astigmatism. And, if it still has a very small eye relief, it have been good if Ultravid had at least a larger FOV in compensation. Also, I would have liked it to be a little lighter for a hiking binocular, and it was better to have shorter focus distance, because in nature there are many beautiful situations to see close up. But I know and understand that, for many others, this Ultravid is the "real king" of performance/size ratio

 

[Scott98]

I agree on those 8x30's, I may end up with a pair eventually, specifically for something I can hang around my neck while walking two large dog-animals. You want the smallest mass possible, even my 19-ounce 7x35E porros feel clumsy and large bouncing around on my chest. But the various 20's and 25's are too small for my liking. The MHG's still feel like normal binoculars in your hands but are very small.

Someone asked me which EDG to buy if someone wanted to check out that line, I said the 7x42, it best embodies the good things about the 42mm EDG design. But I think you have Habitch 7x42. I guess if you ever wanted something a little wider-field or smoother focuser you could try the EDG there.

 

[MiddleRiver]

We've owned the 8x30MHG and yes, they are lovely. But if looking at 30's, I recommend including the SFL's in sampling. They are both excellent but different in subtle ways - diff folks and all that!

 

[Paultricounty]

Yes, Leica Ultravid 8x32 would have been "the king" for me too if I didn't wear glasses for astigmatism. And, if it still has a very small eye relief, it have been good if Ultravid had at least a larger FOV in compensation. Also, I would have liked it to be a little lighter for a hiking binocular, and it was better to have shorter focus distance, because in nature there are many beautiful situations to see close up. But I know and understand that, for many others, this Ultravid is the "real king" of performance/size ratio

I agree, the eye relief is one of its shortfalls for eyeglass wearers.

 

[William Lewis]

Depends what you want your 8x30 for. It's a great format, the smallest size I'll use with purpose.

As an only binoculars I'd choose the Leica or Zeiss sfl - the Zeiss if you get on with the focus position and wear glasses, the Leica if not. I'd have the Leica, it's one of the reasons I'm putting off having an eye test, not bright but so sharp.

The mhg is nice but if I wanted an all weather, i.e tough binocular I'd want rubber armouring.

The eii is by a margin still the cheapest of all the 8x30's mentioned above and does all I need of an 8x30 when it's dry.

 

[Shemster]

I'm using MHG 8x42 currently and is thinking about getting Swav NL Pure 8x32. Anyone has experience moving from MHG to NL and care to share your thoughts?

 

[Paultricounty]

I'm using MHG 8x42 currently and is thinking about getting Swav NL Pure 8x32. Anyone has experience moving from MHG to NL and care to share your thoughts?

The NL is one of the best binoculars on the market today. The NL’s are a clear step up from the MHG and all the other MHG price range options. Other options on the NL level are the Swaro EL’s ( great bargains right now), the Zeiss SF’s and the Leica Noctivids, all of which have their own beautiful characteristics. The only way to find out which one you would like the best, is to try them. Size and weight between the MHG 42 and the NL 32 would be similar. If size and weight is not much of a concern, I would go with the 42’s, in my opinion its the best compromise in size and weight for an all around do everything pair of binoculars that anyone would ever need.

 

[dorubird]

 

[dorubird]

A small binocular with a huge FOV: Nikon HG 8x30

 

[lmans66]

I haven't read this thread in detail but I can see the love for the MHG shining thru.... especially the 8x42. I know I had a 8x30 MHG and it was a great bin but I did end up selling it in the end for various reasons. But I can also remember the adversity that the poor 8x30 suffered thru in the early beginnings as many people downplayed it initially. Now, it appears to be seen in better light

 

[dorubird]

Yes, I also noticed many adversity with this 8x30. But personally, I congratulate myself for choosing this MHG 8x30, because if I were to follow the dissatisfied people, I would no longer enjoy these wonderful binoculars. It is truly a binocular that follows the extremely compact philosophy of the 8x30 class (not giant like the new 8x32, which are actually not much smaller than an 8x42). This Nikon HG 8x30 is very compact, as its class should be!!! Yes, like any binocular in this class, the 8x30 has compromises. But it is important to choose our compromise. Zeiss SFL and Leica Ultravid are still so small, and they also pay with their compromise, but depending on everyone's compromise preferences, they are also worth buying. So MHG 8x30 it has very few compromises, but for me these weaknesses pale in front of the advantageous points. For me, if I had to characterize in a few defining words this MHG 8x30 would be:
it is a small size and beautiful bino,
a comfortable pair of binoculars,
with a very large field of view,
a pleasant color palette,
with a very calming and natural overall image.

 

[lmans66]

Yes, I also noticed many adversity with this 8x30. But personally, I congratulate myself for choosing this MHG 8x30, because if I were to follow the dissatisfied people, I would no longer enjoy these wonderful binoculars. It is truly a binocular that follows the extremely compact philosophy of the 8x30 class (not giant like the new 8x32, which are actually not much smaller than an 8x42). This Nikon HG 8x30 is very compact, as its class should be!!! Yes, like any binocular in this class, the 8x30 has compromises. But it is important to choose our compromise. Zeiss SFL and Leica Ultravid are still so small, and they also pay with their compromise, but depending on everyone's compromise preferences, they are also worth buying. So MHG 8x30 it has very few compromises, but for me these weaknesses pale in front of the advantageous points. For me, if I had to characterize in a few defining words this MHG 8x30 would be:
it is a small size and beautiful bino,
a comfortable pair of binoculars,
with a very large field of view,
a pleasant color palette,
with a very calming and natural overall image.

Total agreement with you..... one of the best looking series (MHG in total), ....and all else you say is just spot on. Now, this begs the question as to why did I sell it? I thought about this for the past few years and this is what I came up with.

I sold it for purely intangible reasons as opposed to the positive reasons you mentioned. I felt the 8x30MHG was more like a toy, a dinky binocular and for me, (whether photography with cameras or binoculars), I need to feel good about having them in my hands. With the MHG, yes, they felt good in my hands but they didn't feel good in 'me' (what ever part that is) about birding with this miniature little pair of bins. I came into each birding trip/day with feeling like I was holding a toy. I can remember walking around with this little thing on my neck and just thinking to myself...what am I doing?

Realistically it is not that much smaller than my Meopta 8x32 or my Leica Retro which might even be the same size!!!! But someplace within my brain, I had that 'toy/dinky' interpretation playing a game in my mind, thus I sold. I would like to think I can repurchase and change my thinking, but I am guessing not.

 

[Central CO Mark]

Granted, the HG is a terrific little 8x30, but is it worth twice as much as the M7 8x30?
Perhaps, if diminishing returns don't matter too much. I want small and those two are high on the list.
And by now, I think I've seen enough images of the HG 8x30 to last me a lifetime. I know it's good looking...but.

 

[dorubird]

Granted, the HG is a terrific little 8x30, but is it worth twice as much as the M7 8x30?
Perhaps, if diminishing returns don't matter too much. I want small and those two are high on the list.
And by now, I think I've seen enough images of the HG 8x30 to last me a lifetime. I know it's good looking...but.

Nikon MHG 8x30 is a completely different pair of binoculars than the M7 8x30. MHG is better in all optical and mechanical aspects with the exception of chromatic aberrations, where the difference was not so noticeable. MHG 8x30 is definitely superior to M7 and for me worth twice as much the M7 8x30!

I directly compared Nikon Monarch HG 8x30 (M HG ) with Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 (M 7)
View attachment 1467814

Mechanics and ergonomics
The weight and dimensions are very similar. The focus wheel moves similarly and very accurately and pleasantly in both binoculars, also ergonomics. But this is where the similarities between them ends. So, M HG finishes are at least a class above over M 7. The coating is different: prisms of M HG has purple coating and M 7 green coating, and M HG objectives has green coating and M 7 blue coating. It is also noticeable that, at the level of the exit pupil, there are stronger reflections in M 7
View attachment 1467815


Optical performance
The resolution on the center is better at M HG (tested on the resolution chart)
The resolution on the edges is also better with M HG. As an extension of the clarity, they both have about 75% of the FOV, but the last 25 percent of M HG are not so blurred compared to the center, still being able to discern details. But at M 7, the difference in clarity between the center area and the edges (last 25%) is very very big, on the edges you can practically no longer discern any detail.
Contrast is noticeably better at M HG
The brightness is a little better at M HG
Field distortion is lower at M HG
Glare resistance is obviously better at M HG. In certain situations, even with not very strong light, only through M 7 was there a foggy crescent on the edge of the FOV that decreased the contrast of the image. It is also observed in M HG, but only in much more extreme situations of strong lighting.
The rendering of the white color is a bit pale pink in the M 7, but visible only in comparison with the M HG, which has a more natural rendering.
Chromatic aberrations are similar in both binoculars and present on the edges.
View attachment 1467816


Conclusions
The optical performance is better in all chapters except for chromatic aberrations, where they are similar. In my opinion, the differences are due to the better coating and the better quality of the glass of M HG. Even they are similar in size, the quality of mechanics and finishing materials is better in M HG.
Monarch HG 8x30 is clearly superior to Monarch 7 8x30.
View attachment 1467817

 

[Central CO Mark]

Thanks for that. I would rather spend the money and be happy than wish I had later.

 

[Maljunulo]

……. everyone's compromise preferences ……

What a brilliant choice of three words, to perfectly sum up the whole process of selecting a binocular.

Bravo, Dorubird!

 

[Central CO Mark]

Okay, I did break down and bought almost new HG 8x30s, bypassing the M7 and hoping for the best as regards eye relief. The view is great but the eye relief is right on the edge, using my forehead until I consider adjusting or changing eyepieces a bit. If the eye cups came out 2mm more I probably would be perfect. But, the optics, size, and weight are so good.

But on the sample I bought, the focuser is very stiff despite what may have been reported. It seems smooth but it is a lot of work. Totally unexpected on this model based on what others have reported. In comparison the focuser on my EDG 10x42 is smooth with a very light touch needed, worlds apart. But even my inexpensive Oberwerk 8x32 and my dirt cheap SvBony SA 205 8x42 both are far better brokers in my estimation, and are more enjoyable to use.

To any of you in the know, will the focuser on the HG 8x30 always be very stiff? Is there any chance over time it will get a bit softer to use? If not, I may need finger exercises... Thx!