chadx

Hi all, Not sure how many guys do back country hiking/boarding, but I'm selling off one of my GPS. I guess this is getting into a bit of a grey area in regards to it being "snowboard related equipment", but I guess the moderator gods will strike me down if this is too far of a stretch. Until that time, here is my sales pitch... Brunton MNS GPS - Multi-Navigator™ MULTI-NAV Used four times (twice in yard and twice in vehicle. Not carried hiking or boarding). I have another GPS that I use for all that since I already had accessories for it. Note that this has way more features than just GPS, like True-Magnetic electric compass that works independently of GPS (read: works with GPS satellite tracking shut off to save battery), Weather Predictive barometer, Altimeter, etc. Note: This type of GPS does not give "driving directions" and "street addresses". I originally paid $399. They have since some down to around $300 - $350. I’m selling for the low, low price of $189.99 + shipping (remember, this is a sales pitch and it's a well known fact that everyone thinks they are getting a better deal if I say $189.99 rather than $190.00). If no offers, as the week goes on, I'll be more open to offers. I'm selling to buy motorcycle parts (unless another board, that is a 'must buy' comes along). Note that Brunton is well known for customer support. They are great! And, as noted above, you are getting SEVERAL tools in one. Not only a GPS. Thanks for looking and my Bomber mail is enabled so you can email me through here. From Bruntons literature... Features include: Dimensions · 170x61x30mm (6.7x2.4x1.2"); Display size: 6.1x4.4mm (2.4x1.7") · Weight (excluding batteries): 227g (8.0oz) GPS Receiver · 12-channel parallel receiver · Position update rate: 1 time per second when in continuous navigation mode · Accuracy: 10 meters RMS · Averaging · Time to Fix: First Time is approx. 1-2 minutes, Cold (no navigation for 4 hrs) is approx. 45 seconds · Reacquisition (lost satellite reception) is approx. 0.1 seconds · Built-in patch antenna · Waypoints: 1000 w/8-character name (stored w/barometric pressure based altitude) · Routes: 10 reversible routes w/up to 100 waypoints each · Track logging: 5000 additional track log positions. Automatically records your track by time or distance and stores for display using mapping software · 109 map datums · 16 grid systems including UTM, MGRS, Swiss, Australian, New Zealand, Swedish and United Kingdom grid systems Navigation · StraightHome™, a simple one button find your way back home, for the simplest navigation · Data I/O: NMEA 0183; Out · Nexus point to point in/out · DGPS ready TrueMagnetic™ Compass · Accurate to 2° w/1° resolution · Automatically compensates for Earth's local magnetic declination and points you in the direction of a stored waypoint, without moving · MagniPointer™ fast "point & press" waypoint creator · Extended battery life when using the TrueMagnetic compass with GPS receiver off StormWatch Barometer · Current pressure (units: inHg, mmHg, mbar, hPa) · Displays rising, falling & steady · Barometric pressure range: 300 to 1100 mbar (9.00 to 33.00 inHg) · 36 hour pressure history · 12 hour weather forecast (Display: sunny, partly cloudy, cloudy, rainy, storm warning) · Logging performed when power is OFF Altimeter · Accurate down to 1 meter (3 ft) immediately after calibration · Altitude range: -700 to +9200 m (-2,300 to +30,000 ft) · Memory: minimum and maximum altitude revisited · Displays rate of change plus minimum & maximum Battery Life · Typical compass navigation: up to 60 days (using compass with GPS receiver off) · Typical compass & GPS navigation: up to 1000 hours (one GPS update per hour with compass navigation every 5th minute, continuous barometer logging) · Continuous GPS navigation: up to 10 hours Miscellaneous · Optimal operating temperature range: -25° to +70° C (-13° to +158° F) using Lithium batteries · Waterproof: IP65 · Display: 24 character, high-contrast, backlit LCD · 9 button backlit keyboard · Internal power: 2-AA batteries (LR6) · External power: 8-30 VDC · Flash memory: upgradeable software · Operational in 13 languages (English, Swedish, French, German, Italian, Hungarian, Spanish, Finnish, Norwegian, Czechoslovakian, Portuguese, Dutch, Estonian) · Compatible with these major mapping software programs (MNS-CABLE required): iGage, DeLorme, Maptech, Fugawi

Per your last line of your first post "somewhat thinking of selling...", I'd definitely be interested in the TD2 step-ins. I have bomber email enabled so you can email me through here. Thanks, Chad

I just got back from this years Big Sky trip and yes, half of Ambush was used for a half pipe (the terrain park is actually over on another run over by Calamity Jane under the Swifty Lift). Since it was my first time switching from two blanks to hardbooting on one, I wasn't ready for Ambush, but my girlfriend (GREAT skier) was disappointed because Ambush was everyone's favorite run before it was divided to make part of it into the halfpipe. Wish they would/could have put that on some other run. We'll be heading back out in March and we might take a day or two to run Bridger Bowl. I might contact some of you guys to find out what runs are good before I go. Thanks.

Hi Robert, I saw your offer, under my Big Sky topic, only after I returned. Sorry I missed you. We'll be back out in the middle of March, though, and it would be fun to get together. We've been skiing Big Sky for a few years, now, so I know the mountain, but this was my second time snowboarding and first time hardbooting. I had a blast. I felt fairly prepared after all the reading on here. then Jay, from here, met me the first day and gave me tips to work on all week. By the end of the week, I felt fairly comfortable. I can't wait to head back out in March. Kathy, from another MT mountain, was talking about coming down, too. Would be fun to get some people together. I'll start a new thread (date specific) as the time approaches.

I finished mine yesterday. The most helpful tip in the whole process (besides turning the oven OFF as you stick them in) was covering the liner with 'man-ty hose' before slipping it, and my foot, in the shell. Between that and the duct tape, it slipped right in with no wrinkles or tears. Slick! Bang your heal a few times, light pull up on the back of the liner, stand with toes elevated for 15 minutes. Repeat for other foot. Bam. Done.

None left?! Ugh! I was going to order some when I got back from this next trip so I'd have them for the one after. Hey Fin. Any chance this will change and you can order more pieces parts so you can do another run this season? Seems there are a lot of people that aren't getting pre-orders filled and even more that were going to order still this season. If we got together enough pre-orders, would that justify another run so you don't get stuck holding a bunch of them over the summer? Let us know what it would take to get another run for this season!

Hi Kathy. Yep, got everything in hand except my intec heals. They should be here today. Just need to get to the store and get some wintergreen superfeet, pantyhose, and duct tape (now THAT sounds like a party!) and then mold my thermoflex liners. We leave this Friday afternoon. First day on the slopes is Saturday. VERY excited to see how this all goes. C

Thanks, everyone, for the great replies. All that info seemed more up to date than what I was finding with my previous searches (most of those discussions were from 2004. The newer ones seemed to be more about thermoflex liners fitting in burton boots, etc. rather than fitting). Though much of that 2004 info was still valid, the replies to this post seemed to have additional info. Thanks! The one item I still have questions about is the 'shell test'. Everything says 1 to 2 fingers. But since everyone has different size fingers, how can that be accurate? Anyone hear of an actual measurement that I can use for the shell test? I have thin fingers and while my feet both measure 27.2cm, in my Suzukas, Mondo 27, I have slightly over 2 fingers width between my heel and the back of the boot. According to most of what I've read, that means I should go with a shell that is mondo 26, yet mondo 26 is supposed to only be for 26.0 to 26.9cm feet and mine are .3cm more than that. Or is that meaningless? Again, I have thin fingers. I can see how someone with medium sized fingers would be a 'tight two fingers' or someone with real meat-hooks could be slightly over 1 finger, in the same amount of space. I'm just looking for a measurement point rather than using some human body part for a measuring stick. After all, "A tree as big as your waist" could be 32 inches or 64 inches depending on who your are.

Hi all, I hope to have the Thermoflex liner, in my new Suzukas, shaped by a pro, but am considering doing it myself. I've read all the detailed "how to" and the "at your own risk" warnings. How many of you shaped the liner yourself and how many had a pro do it? Also, the new liner seems fairly thin. One person (that does NOT use thermoflex liners, I might add) told me that when they are warmed up, the liner actually puffs up, somewhat similar to a marshmallow in a microwave. No, he didn't mean gooey and delicious, he just meant the liner thickness will expand, therefor there will be more for your foot to compress. Does that sound correct? Or will they stay about the same thickness when heated. I'm not going for a custom footbed at this time, but will go with a superfeet liner. I love them in all my hiking and winter boots. I was going to use the green sports one, but now see they have a Wintergreen colored one that they say is more appropriate for ski/snowboard boots so I will likely go with that one. Anyone with experience molding their own (good or bad experiences) or any advice (like "don't do it!" or "do it! It's not a big deal") would be appreciated. The "shell test" everywhere says one and a half to two fingers behind your heal in the bare shell. I have super thin fingers and everyone is different, so can anyone give an actual inches or CM measurement that I can use as a guide? I want to ensure the shell is the right size from the start. My feet measure 27.2cm and my new boots are mondo 27. Thanks! Chad (I'll be out of town for a couple days, but look forward to reading the string upon my return).

Corduroy is the term we use for the ridges on a groomed run, because they look similar to corduroy fabric. It would be the second photograph, in your first post, where you were right down on the snow with a wide angle lens. That is an awe inspiring image, by the way. Nice shot! Would you mind sending me a high res of that as well? Any size larger than 1028 pixels wide would be great. I can resize it as needed so whatever size you are sending to someone else (like the 1920x1440 for tufty) will work for me, too. My bomber email is enabled. Thanks!

I have zero experience in hardboots (I'm just piecing together a setup as well), but I will get the responses rolling by sharing what I've learned through reading and conversations. With your weight, and assuming you are a beginner, the Lemans is the best bet. I'm 175 and I've been told that I'm right on the boarderline weight-wise and it will be my technique that could push it either way. If I'm aggressive enough of a person, the Suzuka will flex well for me, but if not, the lemans might be the best bet while learning. A 200 pounder can flex the Suzuka without having to be super aggressive and I'm told will usually collapse a lemans as soon as they start aggressive carves. So it is a combination of weight and aggressiveness that will determine the right boot. If you are a beginner and at your weight of 150, I'd guess the lemans will be the boot for you (if you are deciding only between those two boots). I'm sure someone else will chime in and give you some real world experience and possibly even recommend some other boot choices, besides these two, that might be appropriate. <O:p</O:p

Jay, That would be great. We are actually arriving on the 20th and leaving on the 29. My dates of Jan. 21 - 28 are actual slope days. Would be great to meet up for a bit at least. I wouldn't want to hold you back the entire time, but it would help me out if someone with some experience can give me a few pointers on the slopes. And it would be much appreciated! Watching/following someone live, rather than the video footage I've seen, would be helpful, too. Shoot me an email (either through my bomber profile or direct to chadx [at symbol] hotmail [which ends in dot com]. Sorry, I don't want to type it directly as the web spiders will pick it up and add it to their spam lists. Email me and I'll give you my cell number. To all others that have even a slight chance of making it up during that week, shoot me an email so we can, at least, coordinate a way to contact each other, just in case you make it up. Thanks, Chad

I were a helmet for skiing/boarding, and motorcycles (street bikes and dirtbikes). Always have. Always will. I feel naked without one on. It's not just safety. It's comfort. Everytime a big old grasshopper, or rock kicked up from a vehicle, hits me in the faceshield, when cruising 60 mph down the road, I look at the bikers with me with no helmet on and snicker because I know they took one to the forhead, cheek, lips, etc. On the slopes, it's not even your own ability you have to worry about. It's everyone around you. The excuse that you know your capabilities or are just going to go for a slow cruise and not hot rod down the slope make no difference when, like many of the examples above, some hot jockey, in a full tuck, plows into you or comes flying out the trees in a direction where you could never see them coming no matter how 'aware of your surroundings' you are. Like on motorcycles, it's usually not your own ability and awareness that get you. It's "the other guy" that does. It doesn't matter if you go 20 years without an accident. Condider yourself lucky...so far. It could happen tomorrow. Besides, a helmet is cheaper than a hospital bill. I was at a motocross equipment sale and a mom had her 3 young sons with. She said, "What, the motocross boots are $200 each?! I have three boys and they'll just outgrow them in a year anyway. Too expensive." The rep pointed out to her that X-rays cost more than that (much less the rest of the medical bills for setting bones, etc.). She bought three pair. Bottom line, I believe it's everybodies choice. I feel the same on motorcycle helmets. But I will say that I will never be caught without mine.

Drat. Missed it...by that much. Too bad. I KNOW I could benefit from some pointers on my very first hardboot week. If it was 2 or 3 hours, I'd definitely make the drive (we'll have a car all week), but at 6 hours, that makes for a long drive the morning before a day of skiing and then a long drive back. Too bad. Would have loved to hook up with some folks. If any of you know of a hardboot instructor, or hardbooter in general, in the Big Sky area, please let me know. Kathy is the closest to that area that I've found so far. I know there has to be some closer. Chad

I sure hope someone has done the "buy now" option on those Indys. That is a GREAT deal...

Hi all, I'll be in Big Sky, Montana from Jan 21 - 28. After snowboarding twice and being fairly comfortable with it, I decided I wanted to carve, not skid. So no skiing for me on this year's "ski trip". I bought a hardboot setup and will be hardbooting for the very first time on this trip. If anyone else feels like meeting on the hill, or will be there anyway, it would be fun to do a few runs together (or more depending on your patience) and maybe pick up some tips or watch others carve to better my form. With my frequency card, I believe they have a coupon where I can get in another person for half the normal lift ticket rate. We can check into that if interested. Also, if anyone knows of a hardboot instructor in Big Sky, please let me know. I'm having trouble finding anyone at that resort. Note: I've already talked to Kathy Zadlock, but she is at Snowbowl which is another mountain over 3 hours away. Feel free to email me direct (my bomber email is enables). Thanks, Chad

Email sent.

Hi all, Thanks for all the email replies with leads, offers, and encouragement. Keep 'em coming! Thanks, Chad

Are you willing to sell your board? Or would you want to wait until you find a replacement? I'm trying to get together some all mountain gear so I can try carving for the first time. I just tried snowboarding this season and decided I want to carve, not skid. Someone on bomber just sold me some TD1 for very reasonable so now I'm looking for a board and boots. If you are interested in selling outright, please let me know and send all the usual info (year of board, amount ridden, dings, shape, pictures, etc). I have my email enabled so you can email me through this site. Thanks for considering it.

Wanted: Boots: Mondo 27 with Intec heel (or compatible with one). Any good All-mountain board: Length 165 – 180, Sidecut radius 9.5 – 11.5, waist 19 – 22 (would LOVE a Donek Axis, Coiler AM, Prior 4WD, or Prior ATV, but I can't be picky). Hi all, I felt a tangent/background coming on, so I just posted the important stuff right away (the above "Wanted" list). You can ignore the rest if you want. You were warned! I am making the switch from ski to board and looking for carving equipment . It started simply enough when I started wakeboarding a couple years ago. So now I thought that I'd switch from two to one stick on the snow as well as the water. Thinking I'd be most interested in freestyle, similar to wakeboarding, I quickly realized, as I researched and rode and researched some more, that it is the carve I crave, not skidding around. <O:p</O:p I've been trying to piece together a beginners carving setup by constantly monitoring ebay and bomber online. I am, of course trying to go economical, which might be my first problem, but since there are few places to rent hardboot equipment, I don't want to break the bank (what little of it there is) on something I'm “only” 99.999999% sure of rather than 100%. Anyway, one of the great guys on bomber online (you know who you are) felt pity on me and gave me a good deal on a used set of TD1 SI. I thought I was going to end up on some cheap, junky bindings until that all fell into place. Yea! The quest for a board and boots continues, in vain, so I’m now asking for help. I'm going to need to find boots with an Intec heel (or that can be changed out) since the TDI are SI. I can't shell out the funds for a new pair of Deeluxe Suzuka like I want so I'm watching for anything that might work. Not too many used snowboard hardboots come through from what I've seen. According to my ruler, I'm a mondo 27. I've seen some discussion on using ski boots (even though the flex is poor and they are obviously less than ideal). Any comments on that? There are LOTS of used ski boots around. Even ones only a year or two old, but not sure if they would work or how to tell if I can add a Intec heel to them. Anyone experience with using ski boots and the pitfalls and how to tell if an Intec can be used? Boards. Since it will be one board for the foreseeable future, a race board is out. I'll need an all mountain board. Top of my list would be Coiler AM, Donek Axis, Prior 4WD, or a Prior ATV. I need something that can do the pow, crud, and ice, but still lay a nice trench and those boards are what I came up with. Not having any board experience, what are comparable boards that I can also watch for? I'm looking for length between 165 and 180, sidecut radius of 9.5 - 11.5, and a waist of 19 - 22. I'm 170lbs so appropriate stiffness applies. Price range is around $300, but maybe more for the boards listed above, or less for something old but somewhat suitable (then I can spend more on boots). If you made it through all that, besides being amazed, I'm also grateful. Have some pity on this guy and PLEASE help me get into this sport! (See, I'll even grovel if necessary). <O:pWanted: Boots: Mondo 27 with Intec heel (or compatible with one). Any good All-mountain board: Length 165 – 180, Sidecut radius 9.5 – 11.5, waist 19 – 22 (would LOVE a Donek Axis, Coiler AM, Prior 4WD, or Prior ATV, but I can't be picky). Thanks everyone! Chad If you don't want to post here, my email is enabled (at least I tried to).