Stealth/Fogman Setup

[mbrann]

Hey all. Hoping to get some insight from those running a connelly stealth or Fogman setup. I just recently picked up a stealth system from h20 after a knee blow out from only one leg coming out of my animals. Anyhow, I got the gear but I am underwhelmed by the instructions. The adapter plates are no longer available and the instructions do not provide dimensions for mounting the release units. This system seems like it would be very sensitive to releases being mounted correctly. I would love to find a prophecy with stealth mounts, but it looks like I will most likely be mounting these to a homemade plate for my HO. Anyone know what the nylon blocks supplied are for?

[LeonL]

Nylon blocks? Do you mean the small 1"X 3"X 1/8" spacers that are meant to set proper spacing when installing? I had a complete set of instructions once. I'll look to see if they're still around somewhere.

[rfa]

Attached is the Fogman manual from 2007. not sure this answers all your questions but it's a start. the 1/8 in. spacing between the release units and the mounting plate is critical. I assume that the nylon blocks are the spacers that @LeonL mentioned. Whether you use them or make very accurate measurements to mount the release units, is your choice as long as the 1/8 in. spacing is held.

I have posted in the past that for me, the Fogman system has fortunately been very good/safe (10+ yrs user). The one fall due to a pre-release occurred when the spacing of one of the release units was off by 1/16 in (i.e. 3/16 instead of 1/8)

 

[rfa]

@mbrann, my ski partner uses the Stealth system but drilled/mounted the release units directly on the ski. he has a G10 adapter plate that he has not used for a long time. I have no idea if he would sell it, but can ask if you would like

[mbrann]

Great input guys. I appreciate the file @rfa. Do you know if it is the connelly unit or something homemade? Skip reached out to me after seeing this since we had been in toucharge from SIA. He pointed out that my nylon blocks are used to set the spacing of the releases from the binder plate. Makes sense now, but I could not visual it before. Sounds silly but I have been experimenting with different mounting positions on a 2x6. The setup is very sensitive to how these are mounted. Going to test it with using the nylon blocks to space it out and see how that goes.

[rfa]

The g10 plate my friend has is pre-drilled for the exact location of the release units...this removes the concern about that critical measurement as well as not having to drill into the ski.

[mbrann]

Here are the blocks supplied and my understanding of how they should be positioned (with the pins removed). These blocks set the spacing from the release units and then I reinstall the pins and springs. Does that seem correct? I might have a line on a prophecy, but I'm on a tight budget after the medical bills and binders. What would be a fair price for a 13/14 68" prophecy?

 

[rfa]

@mbrann attached is my friend's g10 i mentioned. used with a Connelly stealth system.Yes, the spacer blocks are to be used as you're showing.

 

[mbrann]

Here is the final setup. Happy with the way it turned out. Skip located a Prophecy for me and I mounted some older hardshells to the stealth plate. The stealth boots were pretty terrible when I tried them on.

 

[swerveit]

anyone got a adaptor plate they want to sell?

[rfa]

@swerveit see my post and photo above...if you are interested I can ask my friend if he wants to sell it.

[swerveit]

@rfa

yes please, I'm in orlando for another 10 days, so I am keen to get another one while I'm here..please feel free to email me swerveit@gmail.com

[lpskier]

FYI, you have Connolly release units and plate, but those are not Stealth boots. What you have is closer to a Fogman set up, though they are not Fogman boots either. With some adjustment on the boots, and some binding rotation as needed, you'll have a great set up. If you email me your phone number after Wednesday next week, I'll help you tune your boots and ski. I ride the same set up, except I have Fogman boots. wilkins@northnet.org

 

Intended to post this yesterday. I see you are in Orlando. I'll be there Wednesday. Touch base Wednesday and if you like you can meet me at LaPoints Thursdsy.

[rfa]

@swerveit ...sorry haven't been on BOS...just gave my friend your email. I assume he'll follow up with you

[mbrann]

Pretty disappointed in my initial outting. I blew out my hardshells. They were old and must have been brittle. Had to hack up the stealth boots. I have all the tendons in my toes released due to a bad ankle break. I couldn't get into the the front stealth. I know look rough, but taking out some of the carbon fiber structure in toe area let's the boot flex more. Haven't tried them out yet. I am interested in looking for some size 11 fogman boots if anyone has some lying around.

 

[swerveit]

@mbrann - having used Stealths for a few years now I strongly advise you use the carbon tongue. on two occasions they have saved me going to the hospital to the extend I sheered the carbon lower into two pieces yet managed to walk away unhurt.

[lpskier]

The Stealth tongue alone can be used on a Fogman boot if you want a stiffer forward flex or if you think it will provide a degree of safety. One of my ski partners used a tongue on his Fogmans and then used it on a Reflex this summer.

[wtrskior]

I cringe at stuff like this. Unless you are a very accomplished skier (and even then I still cringe but hold back saying anything), messing around with out of date, non-production, custom brewed bindings is a recipe for, at the very least non-productive skiing... likely worse.

 

Contact the 3 or 4 independent binding manufacturers and explain your story and buy one of their products, then focus on your skiing.