EzLounging

Foxpuppet wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 6:57 am After all my research on Spark vs Explorer (pin vs no pin) Union go and drop the new charger binding… not due here until next year

Get Sparks, they are the absolute best, their simplicity and reliability is second to none.

coleslawed wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 9:21 am availability has been an issue for the made in USA brands these last few seasons.

It will be better this season. Last year Spark was late to production because they were making masks for the medical community. This year they are back to a normal production schedule.

pow_hnd wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 9:25 am

Foxpuppet wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 6:57 am After all my research on Spark vs Explorer (pin vs no pin) Union go and drop the new charger binding… not due here until next year

Get Sparks, they are the absolute best, their simplicity and reliability is second to none.

coleslawed wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 9:21 am availability has been an issue for the made in USA brands these last few seasons.

It will be better this season. Last year Spark was late to production because they were making masks for the medical community. This year they are back to a normal production schedule.

I just keep seeing the union explorer etc have much better riding feel than anything else by spark or Karakoram. But I was reluctant to go for it with the pin style interface. The charger seems to resolve this issue. The riding action seems more important to me than the split functionality as my touring terrain here won’t be too crazy.

Long time love for union and C3, don’t get me wrong - but on that note, what I’ve said about splits is if it’s not a good tool in the first place, it doesn’t matter if it’s a little better on the way down. I would rather have a slightly “lesser” feel in ride-mode and have a great touring experience, even though I’m not picky. Usually I’m referring to choosing camber, as rocker is simply bad for skinning.

Generally speaking, other than stuff that’s obvious trash, these differences are pretty mild to most people. So, in your case, maybe you take the ride-mode advantage? Keep in mind it’s all very personal and subjective, though.

Personally I would also recommend Sparks. Also use spark pucks, and get the padding kit.

Foxpuppet wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 10:24 pm
I just keep seeing the union explorer etc have much better riding feel than anything else by spark or Karakoram.

Mmm. I’d say who’s saying that. Union people? Park kids? I splitboard a lot, with a lot of people, with people who are on the Union program. I know absolutely no one that uses the Union split bindings, and never see them out in the wild.

Maybe their new interface will change that, but it’s doubtful.

pow_hnd wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 10:39 pm

Foxpuppet wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 10:24 pm
I just keep seeing the union explorer etc have much better riding feel than anything else by spark or Karakoram.

Mmm. I’d say who’s saying that. Union people? Park kids? I splitboard a lot, with a lot of people, with people who are on the Union program. I know absolutely no one that uses the Union split bindings, and never see them out in the wild.

Maybe their new interface will change that, but it’s doubtful.

That was a bunch of reviews both written and video on the Union pin system. The good ride guys (I know take it with a grain of salt) we’re pretty strong on that viewpoint so I though it worth taking into account. Same with T rice (team rider though)

But I’m happy to take that onboard even as a bit of a Union fan. I can get sparks pretty easy here at the moment.

If someone sends me some I'll try them and give the official verdict

C.Fuzzy wrote: ↑Wed Sep 07, 2022 1:53 pm If someone sends me some I'll try them and give the official verdict

My most trusted partner who's on the Union program was sent a pair and tried them one day ( not the new ones ) and continues to use Sparks...

pow_hnd wrote: ↑Wed Sep 07, 2022 1:55 pm

C.Fuzzy wrote: ↑Wed Sep 07, 2022 1:53 pm If someone sends me some I'll try them and give the official verdict

My most trusted partner who's on the Union program was sent a pair and tried them one day ( not the new ones ) and continues to use Sparks...

So what you're saying is you know of a pair to send

I see two use cases:
1) You'll be spending 95% of your time touring and 5% of your time riding (and maybe you can afford multiple setups)
2) You'll be spending 95% of your time riding and 5% of your time touring (and maybe you don't want to drop on multiple setups)

Get the binding that is most robust for that 95% of the stuff you do. I haven't used the Union system so I can't comment, but I have been on the Spark setup. Not perfect (no binding is), but it pretty straight forward for the 95% of the time touring. There were some durability issues w/ straps and ladders; and the pucks and screws on the Sparks, but I figure they've fixed that. I'm on neither Sparks or Unions, and I'm currently running Plums.

If you wanted just one binding to rule them all, perhaps the current iteration of the Unions would be the way to go if you're also doing a ton of resort riding. I mean if anyone was going to do something major, it'd be Union imho.

I want to know how to get on that 95% riding program when splitting

I have a hard time believing the union pros who say they use the split bindings actually do, other than for promo shoots. And although I definitely dig Travis and all, I don’t buy a word of it when it comes to promoting products, hah. But, certainly understand why he does it.