Replying to Line Blend

I've been looking at getting  a pair of Line Blend and can get a pretty good deal on the 09 model, would probably be getting some Griffon bindings on them. But I've been looking at the new Line Blends with the earl rise and I could splash out a bit more and get them with cheaper bindings ie. the Squire or even add quite a bit more and get them with the Griffons too. The rockered early rise tip on the new ones doesn't seem that pronounced so I was wondering how much of a difference this spec actually makes and if I should pay the extra cash for it. Thanks.