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Binding Comparison Spreadsheet

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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
I've noticed over the time I've been on NS, there's been a number of guys suggesting and wanting to make a binding comparison spreadsheet. This was mainly to avoid the sheer number of threads asking what 12 din binding they should buy.

I contributed quite actively in the threads discussing these spreadsheets, and went away and thought what I personally would have found helpful a few years back when choosing bindings seemed overwhelming. I think it would be important to include a balanced, fair and ever-changing rating system. So far all the ratings are composed of combined averages across various different sites. However I would really like to see some NS input so either post up your ratings below, pm me or comment on the picture on my profile. I don't mind where, I'll pick it up and update averages once a week. A rating system isn't the only feature, I've also included the following:

-DIN Category (I have chosen to list bindings by category rather than brand)
-Brand and Model (kind of to be expected though, right?)
-DIN Range
-Toe Piece
-Heel Piece
-Stand Height
-Rebrand
-MFD Compatable (Y or N)
-AT Mode (Y or N)
-Rating /5 (as mentioned above)

It is important to note the spreadsheet is not designed to tell you what din binding you need, it's designed to offer advice what binding to chose in the din range suitable to you. If an individual wants advice regarding their din range they should refer to DHogg's sticky: https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/481906/

Unfortunately I was unable to fit one solid screenshot of the screenshot in a thread. So I had to split it into three screenshots, thats why the images below might seem like they don't fit together. I assure you they do, I you want to see a solid screenshot, head over to my profile and look at my pics.

So the spreadsheet:
Click for larger image
Click for larger image
Click for larger image

Also if you know what information to fill in place of the dashes please pm or comment like you would a rating submission and I'll put it in for next time. And if you guys think there are any glaring issues with the presentation, content or nature of the Comparison Spreadsheet just pm and I'll do my best to get it sorted.

Cheers, Joey

Dec 22 2012 5:18AM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 237
I feel this is quite stupid. most people dont care about those numbers or the names of the toe piece and heel piece. they just want reviews. Where did you get your ratings from? the squire higher then the griffon? the jester higher then the pivot 18? the duke higher then the guardian?
Dec 22 2012 10:46AM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,885
You forgot the Dynastar rebranded Looks and all the 4FRNTs are rebranded Tyrollia's.

Ryan...while most people won't know what those numbers mean, they do actually mean something quite important so it's not a bad idea to have them on the list. The ratings were probably from website/magazine...it's not like he's rating them. Honestly, when compared to other 11 DIN bindings, the squires are probably the best ones. You can't compare the ratings of the squires to the griffons because they're two completely different DIN ranges, therefore on two completely different levels of quality...that's like comparing Marker Free 10s to FKS 180s, it doesn't make sense.
Dec 22 2012 11:19AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
As stated the ratings are currently taken from backcountry.com and evo.com. However I think the rating may be more beneficial to those on the site here, if there was more NS input. And the processes for individuals to have said input are mentioned above.
Dec 22 2012 2:11PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
Ok, I think the most important point regarding this, is to bear in mind, it's not designed to compare every binding on the market to each other. Rather, it is to compare bindings on a similar DIN range to each other in order to facilitate pre-purchase decision making. The Jester and P18 are in two different categories on the sheet so, the above rule applies. With regard to your squire griffon query, that may be due to a classification error on my part. Although I have classified the two binding in the 12 and under DIN category, they cannot be put up for straight comparison as the are distinctly different bindings. The griffon is a lower DIN entry level adult binding, whilst the squire is more of a junior binding. I thought perhaps by stating the toe and heel pieces ,the different target skier 'groups'/demographics could be seen. However if there is a need to make the difference between the Squire and the Griffon clearer, I can do this.

With regard to the Duke EPF and Guardian. It is your personal opinion that the Guardian is a superior binding to the Duke EPF, and this may be the case. I have skied neither the Duke EPF nor the Guardian, so for me to say either way would be purely unfounded. And since both bindings are new to the market for the 12-13, I chose to consult the usually semi-reliable rating systems of backcountry.com and evo.com. And on average testers, reviewers and everyday users across the two sites rated the Duke EPF higher than the Guardian. Maybe, as it seems your suggesting, the difference in skiing style between the average evo or backcountry tester, reviewer or user may be different to that of newschoolers.com user, I don't know. But I would be more than happy as stated in the OP to add ratings out of 5 from NS users to the average in order to best serve newschoolers.com. Since after all that is who the spreadsheet is designed for.

I hope we are now somewhat clearer,

Joey
Dec 22 2012 2:44PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
I think you should incorporate user reviews and compile data on durability and how they are to use out on the hill every day.
Dec 22 2012 3:17PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,885
This would be very now to see. Probably pretty difficult to obtain good info, but it would be the most helpful part of the spreadsheet.
Dec 22 2012 3:41PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
^agreed ... imo standardizing durability testing would be the most difficult part of it.
Dec 22 2012 3:55PM
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.RYAN66
Posts: 5381 - Karma: 237
it would be impossible, you would just have to sort out good reviews.

what needs to be done is another binding thread with links to the review section of good reviews of the said binding. this is where an edit function would be great so that way if you see another review you can add it to the op.
Dec 22 2012 5:24PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
This is what's needed, what would be the best type of file to save it as? Maybe a PDF?
Dec 22 2012 6:48PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Why did you save it as 3 different images? You could make it editable by anyone on newschoolers(assuming of course it's optional that you approve the edit).
Dec 22 2012 6:54PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
I couldn't post it as one whole image in the thread without making the whole thing too small. I thought three constituent images would not have the same problem but the y did. If you want to see the sheet at a decipherable size take a look at my picture uploads.
Dec 23 2012 7:00AM
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