The armoring on the original EDG I was thicker and heavier than the covering on the current EDG II. It was also prone to bubbling and working loose from the metal frame. The covering on the EDG II is quite a bit lighter, tighter and smoother than the covering on the old EDG I was.
I wonder if there are any EDG I binos around, I would like to see one next to a EDG II.
A.W.
The EDG I had a rather thick double hinged metal frame. There was a rumor that it resulted in a patent squabble with Swarovski over the double hinges but it was pretty clear that the Swarovski binoculars were much better looking than the Nikons were and Nikon was wise to drop that format. The coverings on the objective tubes of the EDG I did not fully surround them which may have contributed to the bubbling problem which appeared where the coverings met the metal tubes on my binocular. At any rate, the EDG II is a much more attractive binocular.
Bob