Need recommendations for budget field monitor

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Imamacuser

Veteran
I’m in the market for a budget 5”-7” field monitor with the essential features of 720P (or better), zebras and focus peaking. Here’s the monitors I’ve narrowed it down to so far:
Lilliput 664/P = $105
Feelworld FW759P = $150
Aputure VS-2 FineHD = $280
iKan DH5 = $350
Blackmagic Video Assist = $500
I know that Blackmagic is good, but has anyone had experience with the other brands, and can you speak to their quality and longevity?
The penny pinching Dutch side of me doesn’t really want to pay anything over $200, but the logical side of me recognizes the saying “you get what you pay for” is generally true. I don’t want to buy junk that will die within a year, but sometimes cheap Chinese products are surprisingly good quality.
 
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If I can offer any advice, I would stay away from Ikan at any cost. I've never used an Ikan monitor that didn't die or malfunction. That goes for damn near most of my colleagues. I would go with Lillput (aluminum body) at your price point. Although you may want to look for a used Manhatten, or small HD, which are both great and built to last.
 
I've got about three Lilliputs and another similar budget monitor. They are junk in comparison to the Blackmagic VA which I also have. I know they are much cheaper but in this case you really do get what you pay for. I haven't found them fragile just that the screens are rubbish compared to the VA. Save up for a VA.
 
Shooting video isn’t my day job, so I don’t need a monitor that’s built like a tank, although it wouldn’t hurt. I’ve read mixed things about iKan, but even worse things about Lillput, have they gotten better? I’ve also read good things about MustHD, but haven’t had success in finding reviews that talk about longevity. I’m willing to buy used, but a lot of the used name brand monitors are sub 720P.
 
Imamacuser said:
Shooting video isn’t my day job, so I don’t need a monitor that’s built like a tank, although it wouldn’t hurt. I’ve read mixed things about iKan, but even worse things about Lillput, have they gotten better? I’ve also read good things about MustHD, but haven’t had success in finding reviews that talk about longevity. I’m willing to buy used, but a lot of the used name brand monitors are sub 720P.
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I have a Lilliput monitor, and just ordered another today. No, they aren't as slick as SmallHD, but they function well and they hold up. The one I have, I purchased used from one of the other mods several years ago. It has help up well and still runs like a champ. I mostly use mine as prompter monitors, and an occasional spare camera monitor in a pinch.

You do get what you pay for in many ways, but as low-cost monitors go I have had no issues with Lilliput.
 
I have a Lilliput and love it. Blackmagic VA is nice too but 5" seems a bit small for my tastes. That's just my preference though.
 
I just looked up Lilliput monitors, I'm now adding the 664/p to my list. Has anyone used one, also, how good is Lilliput's focus peaking in general?
 
If you're on a tight budget, look around for used Marshall 5" HDMI in their DSLR series (like the V-LCD50). They often go for $200 or so on eBay.

The original model used 4xAA's, and you could buy battery clips for all sorts of camera batts (even big Panasonic "video cam" batts). The newer one has replaceable backs (less clunky) and seems most of them shipped with Canon 5D battery backs.

Pros - really really nice screen (it is a Marshall after all). Blue-only, 1:1, peaking & false color, and all functions can be assigned to 4 function buttons. Calibrates well if you have a source of bars (calibrate on your NLE if you have to, I find it holds calibration quite well). Robust rubberized case. Decent hood. No frills, very easy to use.

Cons - only one 1/4 mount point on the bottom. The first-gen battery-clip thing is kind of clunky. Peaking isn't amazing but mixed with 1:1, you can use the Marshall to focus and your camera screen for framing. (Lots of 5" monitors have peaking that picks up on things like aliasing and shows way too much stuff as "in-focus" unless you can punch in to 1:1; Small HD seems to have the best peaking I've seen). No SDI.

This was really the first of the DSLR-centric screens, somewhat bare-bones, but I bought one and have yet to upgrade, it's been a trooper.
 
Michael Carter said:
If you're on a tight budget, look around for used Marshall 5" HDMI in their DSLR series (like the V-LCD50). They often go for $200 or so on eBay.
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Just watch out I think they are very picky about voltage input, it has to be regulated and the voltage rating in the documentation seems a bit ambiguous. I bought one and it died the first time I used it on a job...
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I just ordered a Lilliput 664/O/P off eBay for $110, hopefully it will get me by while I save up for something better down the road.
 
Imamacuser said:
Thanks everyone for your input. I just ordered a Lilliput 664/O/P off eBay for $110, hopefully it will get me by while I save up for something better down the road.
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Be aware that these eat batteries pretty quickly. If you can use a cable to something larger like an IDX or AB battery all the better. Or have a boat load of smaller batteries on hand.

All the best!

Dave
 
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