skibug

TW gave me the same advice, big moves.  I was a little skeptical, not doubting TW, but uneasy about how I would handle it.  Turns out big moves, both fin and binding, helped me get in the correct "zone" for binding location and fin concept, the old debate of long and shallow versus short and deep.  Then little tweaks come into play. 

D3 Neo 2 (rode 66 & 67)

 

Of all the things that had staying power in my bevy of skiing equipment, they were Randy's handles.  I probably had 6 or 7 different rope brands/designs, 5 different boats (2 different brands), probably15 skis (maybe 6 different brands), and 5 different fin designs since I started using Randy's handles.  They are the only piece of ski gear that I have not deviated from.  RIP.

What a shame!  I grew up skiing on Lake Webster (North Webster, Indiana), which is where Bart's is located.   We were literally there, in the store, every weekend of the summer whether we were buying something or not.  They were always great to deal with in person and then later on line.  Customer Service was certainly one of their strengths.  They were so great and so customer focused.  It is difficult to see such a fixture of my childhood and teenage years fade away.  Bart's will surely be missed, but not forgotten!!

@njriverriderI do not think the website is active anymore.  His instructions to me were to use the email in what I have posted.  You can call or text him if you have his number.

For the record I patronize a multitude of BOS advertisers/sponsors on the order of thousands of dollars a year, so I am not doing this to adversely impact the patronage of those companies. But, for those who cherish and are addicted to their US Gear handles, like I am, see below,

This is what Randy sent me late last year.  Sizes and ordering.

Got four of them delivered last week.  Two of my ski partners got 3 & 6, respectively, delivered last week as well.  So.....for now....production is on.  That makes a total of 13 handles between three of us at our ski club.  Randy, admittedly, said he wasn't sure how many or how long he would be able to keep it up, all depended on his health.  Price Randy quoted me included shipping.

@BraceMaker @Broussard at NO time does the toe of the front boot even come close to contacting or displacing water. The advertising would lead you to believe they are staking their claim on hydrodynamics being associated with the front toe. Excuse me, my degree is in Physics, so....maybe I am being nit picky....but probably not!!

I think I may have questioned or commented on a previous version of this....but....they boast that this design in more "hydrodynamic" which baffles me.. For hydrodynamics to even matter, someone would have to be using the binding on the wrong side of the ski. Either that or they are never going more that 5 - 6 MPH. Or maybe that is a benefit for when you are going out the front??

they can be restrung....I have done it. Just pay attention to how it comes apart.

These are some serious changes to the '23 based on the spec sheet

 

 

 

C'mon MC, you preach quality, details, etc....and can't get this right? For the record, I own a 2021 MC Prostar, bought it new; fit and finish are not as good as my 2015 was, IMO. It does drive and ski better.

On a serious note, I have been using my Z-Line for about 6 sets and it is GREAT!!!!! Not too spongy, not too stiff....just right. It is better than the last few versions ML put out IMO. Not sure if it is the raw product or the manufacturing process that deviates from what ML usually puts into their tournament ropes, but they should take note. For the record, I have also skied the S-Line R3 (stiffest) and I feel that rope is very good as well. IMO, both the S-line and Z-line feel better than the ML non-optimized and the ML Optimized 2.0. Just my $0.02

@kc @aupatking.....here at the WF Original numbers

 

FB-same

5.741

2.513 or 2.508 (try both)

1.841

7.5 big wing / 8.0 normal wing

@kc @aupatking SORRY SORRY SORRY....those were the WF Pro numbers

@kc @aupatking as mentioned above, I have wound up with relatively short/deep/fin back numbers on most skis I have ridden.

 

67 ION-S

FB - 29 31/32 (a smidge behind 30", I have a micro adjust), IMO, if you have to error to one side or the other of 30", I would go behind stock. Also, I am a front hard shell and RTP guy, so I am not sure if there are any tweaks if you tide double boots.

 

5.831

2.472

1.732

7.5 with big wing / 8 with regular wing

@kc I will...but I am out of town until Thursday afternoon and my ski log is at home.

@Deanoski, I have ridden the Ion-S with four different fins. Stock, CG, WF, & WF Pro. IMO, the WF Pro has been the best of the four. I was short/deep and way far back om the stock fin, which is mostly my MO for all skis.

 

67 Ion-S

6.920

2.506

0.735

7.5

FB @ 29 15/16

C'MON....is no one riding this ski!!!???

I am demoing the Neo and Ion 2. I am really liking the Neo, more than the Ion 2. I am coming off the D3 Ion-S. Just wondering if anyone else is on an Neo, impressions, and what kind of fin/binding settings might be working....other than stock?

@skierjp it is definitely 38 and 39. Why do you say it is too far away? What is it that you think you are missing? I am just curious. Sometimes, if you are too zoomed in, you can miss some overall perspective of what is really going on.

@jpwhit, Can I ask why you are concerned about the camera angle and zoom? Do you see some major advantage to being zoomed in that close? Additionally, is it the level of zoom that is making your video "choppy"?

@swbca here is a still from the gopro at 38' & 39' off. The image at 38' off was before I was using the 1.3x zoom of the gopro during recording.

 

 

 

 

@swbca I use a ski-doc orbit. The pic above is recorded at 1.3x on the gopro and then I have zoomed in some more on the media player I use. This one (below), from the earlier post, has no media player zoom. I have ZERO issues with the orbit following skiers all the way to 41' off (I have not had the opportunity to have someone try it at 43' off :D ). I am not sure what the issues are for others not having success.

 

@Martin also, you can print out the QR code or use an app on your phone called QRControl. I think GoPro Labs points you there as well.

@Martin yes, speed triggers, just like wake eye. Starts on whatever speed you set and shuts off on whatever speed you set. One caveat, on the trigger, which is in the form of a QR code that is generated, there is a toggle button for "repeat" which you want toggled on. Otherwise it will only trigger on and off once. Repeat will trigger every time the set point are reached.