I need to mount a 7" lilliput monitor to a tripod leg or head. I narrowed it down to

Manfrotto Variable Friction Magic Arm 244N (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325444-REG)
Or
Noga CineArm DG (Medium) DG9038CA (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1043734-REG)

The manfrotto is heavier and has 5/8 studs on each end.

I think if you look at both in person you will lean towards the Noga. I regularly use the Manfrotto arms for rigging but they are much too chunky and big to use for such a small monitor. I don't think you will like them for that application.

Thx. I noticed the manfrotto is 3x heavier and was thinking the same thing.

I read a review someone warning to be careful not over tighten Noga because threads are aluminum and susceptible to snapping off. Is this a valid criticism?

It is. Once you overtighten it once you've weakened the metal and it won't hold tight at the joint ever again.

For what it's worth, these "mini" arms are mostly... underbuilt. Secretly I think they're all made in the same factory in China. Then again, 3/4 of my Manfrotto Magic Arms are dead or in the repair bin as well so... you're kind of damned either way. :)

I got the Noga and I'm happy with it. Feels solid but without being large or heavy. Although the clamp it's a little tricky tightening it to hold without damaging the tripod leg.