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Armada JJs, Royal Family Bindings

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ECfreeski3
Posts: 12019 - Karma: 126
What's up everyone, I asked these questions in another thread but it was at the bottom and sort of unrelated so unsurprisingly hasnt seen any action.

anyway, i'm looking to get some rockered powder skis and am pretty interested in the JJs. so a few questions...

1) if im around 179cm, i should def go for the 185s right? do they ski short or long..my guess is they ski short for obvious reasons, and i should definitely go 185

2) have the JJs changed over the past few years? if so, how?

3) any advice where to find some for sale (used)? not having much luck here

4) ive always used look pivots, so i dont know much about recent bindings. can anyone give me some info on the royal family of bindings? ive used a pair for a day but dont know much about them

thanks dudes
Oct 16 2011 6:09PM
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BobYohan
Posts: 3001 - Karma: 375
- definitely 185. im a few cm shorter and thats what i use. skis much shorter on the groomed especially.

- i dont think so

- thats a tough one. in the past demand for JJs usually outmatches supply and they are one of the toughest skis to get a deal on. i gave up and paid full retail a few years back. but if they're producing more per season these days this might have changed.

- i use marker barons and i love them. i dont know where you live and what you ski but i like this setup a lot for its versatility in and out of bounds. way better than messing around with pivots and trekkers. the only problem that ive had is with the slidy bit in the toepiece breaking off. this is a well known problem with marker bindings and they replaced it for me for free with no hassle

JJs kick ass, good luck to you!
Oct 16 2011 6:17PM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
First off, keep in mind that the JJs will run quite a bit shorter. The effective edge is much shorter than the actual length of the ski. So definitely go longer. This will provide better stability at high speed particularly in variable conditions.
Over the past few years, I do not think they have changed much except for the graphic. (not sure so please correct me if not true).
However the one notable difference this year is that they offer the JJ in a 195cm which would be great for stomping cliffs.
Concerning bindings, I have always ridden the Rossy FKS, so I wouldn't be able to comment on the ones your asking about.
Oct 16 2011 6:18PM
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H-Slice
Posts: 529 - Karma: 120
definetly 185 they ski quite short so go with longer always and i have a friend that has one of the royal family bindings and says they work perfectly hope this helps
Oct 16 2011 6:52PM
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ECfreeski3
Posts: 12019 - Karma: 126
great answers so far, thanks dudes

i thought 185 was the choice to make, so im glad to have that confirmed

does anyone know about the royal bindings? are they all mostly for the same uses, but just different levels (din ranges, amount of metal/durability etc)?

and yeah, i got some ARVs recently and it was hard as shit to find a deal on them. really, really dont want to have to drop full retail on these JJs...
Oct 16 2011 11:20PM
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DiscoDean
Posts: 108 - Karma: 29
185 for sure
Oct 17 2011 2:21PM
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uncski
Posts: 101 - Karma: 39
I bought a pair of 185 JJ's by posting a thread in the WTB forums on here last season.  I realize I probably got lucky, but it is possible to find them.  Another good place to look would be TGR, they worship the ski over there.  Anyway, I'm 187cm tall, 180 lbs and like the 185's because I like trees more than cliffs, otherwise 195 is what I would get.
Oct 17 2011 2:29PM
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SlurrP
Posts: 172 - Karma: 26
to reiterate - definitely the 185 if you have to ask. would not go for the 195 unless you're planning on skiing big mountain all the time.

just a quick suggestion with this ski - i have found it works best detuned at both of the nose contact points (where the ski measures fatest). it's a really playful ski and I have found that these points can really catch edge quickly and can initiate without you meaning to, so detuning allows you a little more control there.

good luck finding a pair used - TGR would be your most helpful spot. this ski sells like hot cakes and people tend to hold on to it - a good sign for those looking to buy though!

the royal family bindings are good bindings. you will find a lot of people who despise the brand though and will never ride on them. i have had two pairs of jesters blow out on me (both time the heel plate cracked and the first time the entire heel piece blew up), so now I only ski on tyrolias and sometimes solly.

is there a reason that you are looking to switch from pivots?

hope the rest was helpful
Oct 17 2011 3:53PM
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Pete88
Posts: 70 - Karma: 37
Good luck finding them second-hand in a 185, I for one will never sell my JJs they're an epic ski. They're definitely worth the money, you won't be disappointed and I'd say harder to find cheap than the ARVs.

As SlurrP says, why are you considering moving from pivots. They're great bindings and unless you're wanting an AT binding definitely stick with them! The different markers just the different din levels, so higher din is more metal and more durable and obviously the duke/barons are AT bindings so you can tour with them.
Oct 17 2011 5:20PM
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ECfreeski3
Posts: 12019 - Karma: 126
great fucking answers dudes thanks a lot

to clarify-- i wouldnt switch from my pivots if you held a gun to my head..theyre gonna stay on my ARVs though. i just dont know how likely it is ill be able to find some regular pivots (non PX obviously). maybe i just should get some FKSs cause i know and love them too..probably mad expensive though

it's just i havent paid attention to gear all that much over the last few years and last time i did, markers werent even in the running with turntable heels, at least in my mind, and then i rented a pair of coombacks last year with some royals on them and liked them so was curious about them

thanks again for the answers bro, very helpful
Oct 18 2011 7:27PM
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ECfreeski3
Posts: 12019 - Karma: 126
bros*
Oct 18 2011 7:28PM
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