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Discontinued Nikon EDG bino. Why? (1 Viewer)

SzimiStyle said:
I have found this interesting note on B&H website. Anyone has an idea why such a fresh product has already discontinued?

Cheers, Szimi
Click to expand...

It is probably because there is now a new version of the Nikon EDG. This will eventually replace the version you're referring to. I live in Sweden and have had the new version of the EDG for some weeks now. Great binocular!

Click on the link below and you'll see the new version of the EDG..

http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/uploads/products/nikon_edg_7x42.gif
 
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Some digging in older threads should bring up quite some discussions about this.
It seems that the reason for the open bridge EDG being sold only in the US and now being discontinued and replaced by a new version (same optics new housing) has something to do with patent issues (probably with Swarovski).
 
[email protected] said:
Probably because of the ghosting problem.
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Dennis,
You seem determined to continue this matter of "ghosting" as an inherent problem in the EDG which means that you are accusing Nikon of designing the lenses in the EDG poorly and using inferior coatings and baffleing.

Henry Link explained what "ghosting" is in the link below at thread #32.


I refer you once again to thread #35 in "EDG Here it Comes!" Where Kimmo asked you to describe PRECISELY what you saw when you saw the alleged ghosting. He did this after you emphatically stated in your response to Henry in thread #34 that what you saw was ghosting.

http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=180663&page=2

I don't believe you have responded adequately that request yet. Please do so now. Describe PRECISELY the light conditions under which you saw it and describe in a precise manner the ghosting you saw.

You should be able to do this. You have stated that you have examined over 50 different binoculars.

Bob
 
For whatever it's worth, I've examined several different models of EDG and their control of stray light, including ghosting, was excellent to state-of-the-art. No binocular is perfect in this regard, and I think the Zen-Ray 7x36 rollout shows I'm as sensitive to glare as anyone, but this is a strength of the EDG line, not a weakness, IMO.
 
Omid said:
My guess: Patent conflict with Swarovski (the open-bridge concept). I haven't found the relevant patents though. Maybe the patents are European?
Click to expand...

Omid,

Somebody else on BF said this before, and it keeps getting repeated, but I don't think it's ever been substantiated, so it might just be a rumor (like the "fact" that the third digit of the SE serial # is sequential by year :).

Why would Nikon be singled out for patent infringement when a number of other companies are using the open bridge design, some even before Nikon? ZR, Bushnell, Pro Optic, Promaster, Hawke, Vixen, Atlas Optics, Leupold, Minox and so on. For a while there, a new one was popping up every few months.

Bushnell, Minox, etc. would be banned from selling in Europe too if it were a patent issue.

The new EDG design looks almost identical to the SLC-HD. So why not sue over that too?

However, there must be some good reason for the change rather than it was time for a design change for design change's sake, because that's not the way Nikon usually operates.

So the mystery continues...

The new version looks good. Now that I can see it w/out the objective covers, I think that those "bumps" where the front bridge used to be (like vestigial evolutionary limbs) not only serve to anchor the covers (though apparently not very well from one report) but they also seem to act a "backstop" for your fingers.

The nice part about the EDG's double bridge was that the front bridge helped anchor my fingers so that the bin wouldn't sway side to side like most closed bridge roofs do for me, particularly those with poor thumb support.

You can rest your fingers against the inside of the "stubs" on both sides for greater support. Good design in principle, I'd have to get them in my hands to see how well they work for me personally.

Then they would have to be discounted half price for me to want to buy one. :)

B.
 
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Brock,

You have very valid points. I too don't have any substantial evidence that proves that it has been a patent issue. I deduced from the evidence (double-bridge --> single bridge) that this must the most plausible answer. Think about it: Taking a lot of leagal cost and sueing 10 companies like Vortex, Minox etc.. would nod return any extra sails for Swarovski, but if Nikon EDG is not there, then it makes a difference. That can explain why Nikon was singled out.
 
Maybe it's because the Objective covers keep falling of the North American version and somebody got the bright idea to cut them off and leave a little nub to use as an anchor for them. There are complaints in Eagle Optics reviews that the EL's objective covers also fall off too easily.

Fix the problem early before too many of them are made. Sell the old ones at discounted prices and include a free camera as an incentive (as only Nikon among the big 4 can do) to get them in user's hands as soon as possible and use them as a form of advertising. Whether this will work or not, I don't know.

I can tell you from 2 months of hands on use and numerous comparisons that my 10 x 32EDG is optically and ergonomically better than my 10 x 32 LX L and brighter and ergonomically better than my 10 x 35 EII. The latter 2 Nikons saw a lot of use over the years.

Bob
 
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ceasar said:
Maybe it's because the Objective covers keep falling of the North American version and somebody got the bright idea to cut them off and leave a little nub to use as an anchor for them. There are complaints in Eagle Optics reviews that the EL's objective covers also fall off too easily.

Fix the problem early before too many of them are made. Sell the old ones at discounted prices and include a free camera as an incentive (as only Nikon among the big 4 can do) to get them in user's hands as soon as possible and use them as a form of advertising. Whether this will work or not, I don't know.

I can tell you from 2 months of hands on use and numerous comparisons that my 10 x 32EDG is optically and ergonomically better than my 10 x 32 LX L and brighter and ergonomically better than my 10 x 35 EII. The latter 2 Nikons saw a lot of use over the years.

Bob
Click to expand...

Bob,

I noticed you didn't say that the 8x32 EDG was better optically than your 8x30 EII. How do those two bins compare optically?

Brock
 
Anyone has an idea why such a fresh product has already discontinued?
Click to expand...

I just got a message from Nikon today saying that the new, redesigned EDG will be available in the US starting tomorrow, October 1. Not all models at first, and they didn't say which ones would come out first.

Diane Porter
www.birdwatching.com
 
Fireform said:
For whatever it's worth, I've examined several different models of EDG and their control of stray light, including ghosting, was excellent to state-of-the-art. No binocular is perfect in this regard, and I think the Zen-Ray 7x36 rollout shows I'm as sensitive to glare as anyone, but this is a strength of the EDG line, not a weakness, IMO.
Click to expand...

I had trouble with ghosting or veiling glare in mine or whatever you want to call it so maybe they made some optical changes as well. It doesn't make sense they would come out with a new model for no reason and now it explains why they close out all the old model 8x32 EDG's for half price. I really feel they rushed the new EDG to market too soon before they had the bugs out of it. So now they come out with the new model with all the problems ironed out. It's as simple as that. It might work to peoples advantage who want an EDG because there could be some discounted older models hitting the market now once the new model becomes available. From say Doug at Cameraland for example. Alot of times he buys out all the older models and then sells them at deep discounts.
 
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