7" monitor

The Hague ones are ok, Optex are more expensive because they're built to withstand professional use (i.e. daily, slung anywhere, dropped, trodden on.....). I don't think you'll get a significantly cheaper product that will do the job, it isn't the lcd that costs, it's the packaging/controllability/connectivity.

Alan from what you've just said, am I right in thinking that the actual components are repackaged in stronger cases?

I doubt they're the same components if they come from different suppliers. It's just that Optex is a major supplier to the pro/broadcast/film industry and carries the appropriate stock for them. Hague manufacture for the consumer/prosumer market, where kit generally gets much less use, and is much better looked after by owner/operators. For example, I'd expect to have only BNC connectors on Optex kit (maybe with phono as well), but I'd expect the Hague stuff to have phono connectors. That sort of thing.

We have the ones from Haugue http://www.b-hague.co.uk/Monitors%20&%20Btackets.htm and to be honest I dont rate it for the simple fact that the viewing angle is very critical. You have to view it striaght on or you do not get a true picture. The spec of the viewing angle is +15 to -35 degrees vertical and +40 to -40 degrees horizontal.

Those do, indeed, define a narrow viewing angle; I'd not be happy with that.

I use a mid-priced (about £700) 7" 16:9 LCD with my jib. It is a Nebtek based on the Panasonic and though it is a fairly high-res unit, it's great for framing but don't rely on one for focussing! It's almost impossible to focus quickly and accurately with a colour LCD, even a good one like mine. I find my Pana 5" mono CRT bought for £35 off eBay is a better bet when there is an electricity supply and you are not restricted to batteries.

What I do find the LCD good for is mounting on the top of the camera and using to frame quickly when focussing has already been done using the vf.