.

I believe the 2nd generation Nomics were nearly identical to the 1st generation, minus the griprest issue.  I climbed with both of those and never noticed a difference.  I can't say much about the new version - I've only looked at it in a store.  It felt and looked identical to the older versions but I've never swung them in ice.  

Here's a good comparison article between the 1st and 2nd gen nomic.

http://coldthistle.blogspot.ca/2010/11/old-nomic-and-new-nomic.html

There's two generations of Nomics. I think the only difference between the two are an added spike on the bottom, and the adjustable pinky rest. The other changes noted above are just cosmetic and don't benefit climbing. 

2nd generation requires a spacer to fit the picks which is a pain, but it also allows you to add a hammer; 1st generation no spacer = no hammer or adze attachment without doing some mods.

The biggest difference is the picks. The old cascade Nomic picks are amazing. The new Ice pick, not so much.

divnamite wrote:

The biggest difference is the picks. The old cascade Nomic picks are amazing. The new Ice pick, not so much.

I never used the Cascade picks, but the new Pur'ice pick seems much better than the Ice pick.

Brassmonkey wrote:

All good info, thank you.  Let me clarify my question; on the new generation, only those with orange handles and the adjustable pinky rest, are there any functional differences between any of these axes regardless of the markings and art on the shaft?

no

Brassmonkey wrote:

All good info, thank you.  Let me clarify my question; on the new generation, only those with orange handles and the adjustable pinky rest, are there any functional differences between any of these axes regardless of the markings and art on the shaft?

The gripset on the 1st gen is different.  There are no teeth on the end.  Advantage is that it won't eat your gloves as much.  Disadvantage is that it will skitter on the ice when using it as an ice axe (holding the head in your glove and 'plunging' the grip on the ice).  

Turner wrote:

There's two generations of Nomics. I think the only difference between the two are an added spike on the bottom, and the adjustable pinky rest. The other changes noted above are just cosmetic and don't benefit climbing. 

I thought there were 3 versions.  http://coldthistle.blogspot.ca/2011/10/nomics-1st-2nd-and-3rd-generation.html

swaghole wrote:

I thought there were 3 versions.  http://coldthistle.blogspot.ca/2011/10/nomics-1st-2nd-and-3rd-generation.html

2nd gen was recalled. Mainly due to the pommel.

Aaron T wrote:

I never used the Cascade picks, but the new Pur'ice pick seems much better than the Ice pick.

My friend has the Pur'Ice picks on his Nomics and loves them, big improvement over the Ice picks in regards to ice displacement and easier one swing sticks.  Howey tools now makes a ice pick(as well as a mixed pick) for Nomics, Ergos, and Quarks.  It does not require the spacer, but also does not accept the adze or hammer.  I got the Howey ice picks for my Ergos and so far they are a marked improvement over the Petzl Ice picks on pure waterfall ice.