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New touring bindings questions???

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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
So im in the market for new bindings and i dont trust dynafits in bakers terrain, to much bumping and grinding for those things.

im pretty much set on dukes/tours or i was thinking one of the new bindings being released by salomon/atomic (pretty much same binding from what iv heard) anyone have experience with these? know how they compare to dukes?

thanks
Sep 10 2012 9:27PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Ive heard mixed reactions about the guardian. Some of my local shop techs love it, but others think its nothong special. It has a pretty high price tag on it to. Just my $.2
Sep 10 2012 10:05PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Thanks man, just what i was looking for.
Sep 10 2012 10:10PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
I've been using these two threads on TGR as some input for my own decision making;

www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/248056-Salomon-Guardian

www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/208243-Salomon-AT-Binding

I will not support Marker after the terrible luck I had with Jesters, so I am leaning towards a pair of Guardians this winter unless I find reasons not to pick them up within the next month or so.
Sep 10 2012 10:14PM
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Caucasian_Asian
Posts: 2447 - Karma: 1,665
I've been running Dukes at Kicking Horse for the last few years, on NGPs and 4frnt Turbos lately.  No issues so far. 

If given the chance, I'd give the Adrenalin or Guardian/Tracker a try, but my Dukes haven't given me a reason to yet.


FWIW, I have one pair of Dukes, and six pairs of 916s.  I trust them all equally. 
Sep 10 2012 10:44PM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
If you are touring all day, or doing tours longer than maybe 1-2 miles all the time, the ONLY binding to consider, is one of the Dynafit models. Period.

If you are after a "do it all" binding, the guardian is the only thing I can recommend. It is the best skiing touring binding in existence.

The Marker series has too many durability problems, the fritschi series are getting better, but the binding itself isn't that great. The new Head/Tyrolia touring binding is pretty comparable to the Duke, but I have no idea about durability, hopefully better than marker.

The Guardian however, skied just like a race plate binding. Great power transmission, great ski feel, and not stacked very high. I also liked the touring function.

So yeah, Dynafit, or Guardian.

And if you think Dynafit bindings are not burly enough for you, you are mistaken. They might be small, but they are solid steel/7000 series/titanium on all the load bearing parts. Eric Hjor shreds with them, so you will have no problem.
Sep 10 2012 10:45PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,624
Perhaps we can meet up one day and try for a switch. Just a quick run down CPR or something...If everything works..


From what I've heard about the Guardian, people don't even know they're on a touring binding. Skis like a Salomon binding.
My friend demoed it last year and couldn't notice anything different.

I personally can't wait to be on it. I swear by Salomon bindings, and don't think the Guardian will disappoint.
Sep 10 2012 10:51PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
what is the intended use for these?
everyday? inbounds pow/some touring? all touring? etc.



dukes can be had for pretty cheap
you can tour as far as your pussy will take you

guardians look pretty rad, but pretty pricey

same thing with dynafiddles, keep in mind you'll need compatible boots
Sep 10 2012 10:53PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
I can't speak for everyone, but for the prices I've seen the Guardian at, $450 online and locally, it's a much better deal to me than settling for Dukes. Again, it's just my opinion based on my own experiences, but I trust Salomon bindings way more than I trust Markers.
Sep 10 2012 11:03PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
The only thing with dynafits im really worried about is how forgiving theyre. only reason hoji can ski on them is because he is so damn smooth. now im a solid skier (racing background) but im not always smooth and iv heard thats big with dynafits.

I was thinking of getting dynalook plates but at baker most days include a couple runs inbounds then short hiking so im not sure if dynafits would be the best choice for days that are mixed with arm laps, hemi, blueberry and a few runs in bounds. not sure how they would do with firs laps either..

idk if i would trust dynafits inbounds around baker? i torn my MCL last spring and it should be fine for the season but i want some forgivness. iv got no experience with dynafits so if im wrong here let me know.

most days are like 60/40 inbounds to bc
Sep 10 2012 11:06PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
i'd like to ski them.
i've had no issues with my dukes though, so i would never pay that much for bindings, except MAYBE for dynafits
Sep 10 2012 11:06PM
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.[sanhedrin].
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 932
I use the barons and for what I paid, I can't see a better setup out there. I waited and waited for Dynafits to go on sale - and they never do, ever. Th guardian would have been ideal, but not at full msrp. You can always find barons for less than $200 in the forums. Killer binding at that price point.
Sep 10 2012 11:27PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,686
I've watched a member of this site do a switch 7 on dynafiddle speeds.
Sep 11 2012 1:18AM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
In powder or on hard pack? Either way, that's badass.
Sep 11 2012 1:32AM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
don't buy dyna/look/anything plates. I am coming out with something better in the next couple years.

Keep your eyes open, and watch TGR tech talk.
Sep 11 2012 4:15AM
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Gmart
Posts: 1634 - Karma: 273
It seems like the gaurdian will ski like an sth but to start skiing you don't have to pop out of you bindings like you will on a duke. That being said skins still have to be taken off so I dunno
Sep 11 2012 8:09AM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,686
In the mean time, dynalook plates are sexy.
Sep 11 2012 9:15AM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
do you enjoy swapping out 16 screws when you want to swap bindings?
Sep 11 2012 9:34AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Very well said. Seems like a lot of people neglect to mention how solid Hoji is, and that he only weighs about 60-65kg. I ski Plums partially-locked, never had any problems with them but definitely ski a little cautiously on that setup.

Dukes are fine if you take care to set them up right and make sure to clear ice from your boots and bindings as much as you can.

Guardians? Still untested by the general public (which is where issues may show up), lower than Dukes and should be stronger, but 180g extra weight on your feet is significant (510g heavier than Barons, if those are an option for your weight & style).

If I was in the market for this style of binding this year for freeride with some touring, I'd buy Dukes. If I never took any air, Barons. As a pure touring setup, F12s.
Sep 11 2012 9:52AM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,686
Well it bears working the extra time to afford a second pair of skis (and paying to get them tuned (I don't have a stone grinder)
@$500 a ski($ski - $plates), and $25/hr, that is 1200 minutes I would spend swapping bindings out to justify a new pair of skis, or about 400 swaps.

Or is your product ready for me to use this season. If it is not ready to go, it is sort of a mute point arguing about it right? I have some ideas for awesome touring bindings that would allow the easiest swap between the best alpine binding in the world, and tour on the best touring bindings in the world. Unfortunatly, it is just that, an idea, and I can't ski on an idea.
Sep 11 2012 11:19AM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
there are two protos ready for testing. Just need the snow.
Sep 11 2012 11:36AM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
I can test those out fer ya;)

Im leaning towards the dynalook plates because I really want to drop the extra grams touring, especially this season. im going on a week long hut trip and every extra gram counts.

if i can find a killer deal on dukes i will probably snag those, same for gaurdians. at this point im just bidding my time till mt.baker man can deliver...


you better deliver.
Sep 11 2012 11:44AM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
lol. We are hoping to get early season testing in, then get a couple pairs built and anodized to send to people who are willing to take a chance on something with no rep. Then once that gains traction, we will be able to actually sell them.

Unfortunately, like the Dyna/Look plates, there isn't a jig for these out there, and you can't use them on super narrow skis, so the market is pretty narrow.

TGR will buy them.
Sep 11 2012 11:52AM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,686
If you are trying to save weight, guardians/trackers are not for you. If you primarily care about alpine performance and want to save money on your gym membership, they might just be the ticket for you.
Sep 11 2012 12:03PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Id be interested how your early season stuff goes.

Plop those babies on my caylors and off i go.

will you release info on them once you do some testing?

and im pretty much looking for a 60/40 combo for inbounds outbounds. dukes fit that bill pretty well. dynalooks would do fine.

have any of you guys ridden dynafits? would you recommend the tlt radical as the best dynafit for going down?
Sep 11 2012 12:30PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7480 - Karma: 11,480
Give us a preview? Im interested to see how different it can be from the current plates as well as inserts.
Sep 11 2012 12:31PM
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Chaunceyskis
Posts: 2197 - Karma: 346
the only durability problem i've ever had with my dukes is i lost an AFD plate.
i've been skiing them very hard for about 4 years now.
the new duke is lower profile and wider and i'm really tempted to slap those things on my bentchetlers this season
but i'm also torn between the trusted duke and the guardian
Sep 11 2012 12:53PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,686
Guardian: stiffer, and lower to ski, also a lb heavier than the duke.
Duke: a bit lighter, higher off the ski, and plenty stiff. Can develop some play after a few years.

It is not known whether the Guardian will develop any play.
Sep 11 2012 1:15PM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
My Dukes are looser than a 40 year old whore. It's gross.

I just want a tech binding that I can hit booters on. Is that too much to ask? Apparently. So for now, I'm stuck with Dukes and Guardians.
Sep 11 2012 2:32PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,686
Grant hit 40ft cliffs with his speeds
Sep 11 2012 2:34PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
So im leaning toward the duke.

if i had the extra cash id buy a pair of dynafits and some lighter skis. caylors arent exactly feathers light.

but duke seems a solid baker inbound/bc binding.
Sep 11 2012 4:24PM
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Chaunceyskis
Posts: 2197 - Karma: 346
do you have any experience with the guardian dave?
Sep 11 2012 4:37PM
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