Comments on: G3 Onyx Beta Testing — Lou’s Review http://www.wildsnow.com/1861/g3-onyx-binding-review-2/ Backcountry Skiing Snowboard Telemark Snowsports Information News Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:39:02 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Adrian Slootweg http://www.wildsnow.com/1861/g3-onyx-binding-review-2/comment-page-1/#comment-24622 Adrian Slootweg Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:29:17 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1861#comment-24622 I have been out with my binding 15 time so far this year and love them. A couple of issues have arisen. The plastic riser came off just re attached it and got a spare from dealer for free,part off my touring kit. Had a issue with brakes not functioning which was repaired by dealer. I wiped out hard on some ice and brake was dammaged from tumbling down mountain. As for swicthing from tour to locked I found that my black diamond poles have a little notch in the handle that fits under lever and works really well. I have been out with my binding 15 time so far this year and love them. A couple of issues have arisen. The plastic riser came off just re attached it and got a spare from dealer for free,part off my touring kit. Had a issue with brakes not functioning which was repaired by dealer. I wiped out hard on some ice and brake was dammaged from tumbling down mountain. As for swicthing from tour to locked I found that my black diamond poles have a little notch in the handle that fits under lever and works really well.

]]> By: Sarah Marshall http://www.wildsnow.com/1861/g3-onyx-binding-review-2/comment-page-1/#comment-24530 Sarah Marshall Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:03:37 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1861#comment-24530 Joe, Sounds like you've been having quite a few problems with those bindings! I have noticed that the pressure required to open the toe jaws makes binding entry a pain on steeper slopes (especially with loose snow) as well. I've shredded some of the plastic around the toe holes on my Scarpa boots this season as a result. I've managed to knock one of my heel risers part way off, but snapped it back in place. Haven't had an issue since, but am always a little skeptical of plastic pieces like that. All in all, I like many of the design features of this binding, but am starting to think about Dynafits for my next pair of skis. Sarah Joe,

Sounds like you’ve been having quite a few problems with those bindings! I have noticed that the pressure required to open the toe jaws makes binding entry a pain on steeper slopes (especially with loose snow) as well. I’ve shredded some of the plastic around the toe holes on my Scarpa boots this season as a result.

I’ve managed to knock one of my heel risers part way off, but snapped it back in place. Haven’t had an issue since, but am always a little skeptical of plastic pieces like that.

All in all, I like many of the design features of this binding, but am starting to think about Dynafits for my next pair of skis.

Sarah

]]> By: Joe http://www.wildsnow.com/1861/g3-onyx-binding-review-2/comment-page-1/#comment-24529 Joe Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:36:42 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1861#comment-24529 Sarah, I purchased the bindings from Marmot Mountain Works in Bellevue, WA. at the end of February this year and also had them do the mounting. I don't believe my toe release issues are ice or snow buildup related. Its been pretty warm and the conditions haven't really been prone to icing, although I could see that possibly being an issue. I'm thinking the lateral toe release settings were incorrectly set by the shop and I seem to be coming out when I put a lot of force on them laterally. I'm going to tweak them and see if that fixes it. As for the pressure to open the toe piece it hasn't been an issue since I've had more practice but I still have much difficulty lining up the inserts with the toe pins. Maybe its my boots, but I have nothing to compare it to since these are my first "tech" style bindings. This all makes it pretty difficult to get back into on a steep slope though. I find myself digging out a platform just to get my ski back on! The ski has to be perfectly level to engage the toe lever with a pole and line up the pins. Then I shake my foot to make sure I'm in and then I can click in the heel and hope I'm secure. I usually know on the first turn! ;) Thanks for the input though. Oh I almost forgot but I've already tore off the large riser on one side. Not sure yet if it just pops back on or not though. -Joe Sarah,
I purchased the bindings from Marmot Mountain Works in Bellevue, WA. at the end of February this year and also had them do the mounting. I don’t believe my toe release issues are ice or snow buildup related. Its been pretty warm and the conditions haven’t really been prone to icing, although I could see that possibly being an issue. I’m thinking the lateral toe release settings were incorrectly set by the shop and I seem to be coming out when I put a lot of force on them laterally. I’m going to tweak them and see if that fixes it. As for the pressure to open the toe piece it hasn’t been an issue since I’ve had more practice but I still have much difficulty lining up the inserts with the toe pins. Maybe its my boots, but I have nothing to compare it to since these are my first “tech” style bindings. This all makes it pretty difficult to get back into on a steep slope though. I find myself digging out a platform just to get my ski back on! The ski has to be perfectly level to engage the toe lever with a pole and line up the pins. Then I shake my foot to make sure I’m in and then I can click in the heel and hope I’m secure. I usually know on the first turn! ;)
Thanks for the input though. Oh I almost forgot but I’ve already tore off the large riser on one side. Not sure yet if it just pops back on or not though.
-Joe

]]> By: Sarah Marshall http://www.wildsnow.com/1861/g3-onyx-binding-review-2/comment-page-1/#comment-24527 Sarah Marshall Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:27:00 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1861#comment-24527 Joe, I am interested to know when you purchased the Onyx bindings and if your problems with the toe piece have anything to do with ice. I've had good luck with opening the toe clamp on the latest generation Onyx, but have had issues with ice getting into the whole toe piece at the end of the day. The ice prevents the toe clamp from fully opening, resulting in multiple re-tries until I beat on the skis to dislodge the offending ice... not exactly what you want to do to backcountry gear :) I have also thought I was finally secured in the toe piece and been ejected from one or both skis while enjoying my hard-earned turns. When I contacted G3, they said that some of the brakes have had issues, and that you can get a G3 dealer to fix the problem for free. As for the ice, they said it was just something I'd have to deal with, and that maybe I could grease the inside of the toe piece to reduce ice issues. Seems like Dynafit owners do not have to deal with this problem? I think G3 needs a re-design of the toepiece that does not include a big, downhill-facing snow trap. Good luck! Sarah Joe,

I am interested to know when you purchased the Onyx bindings and if your problems with the toe piece have anything to do with ice. I’ve had good luck with opening the toe clamp on the latest generation Onyx, but have had issues with ice getting into the whole toe piece at the end of the day. The ice prevents the toe clamp from fully opening, resulting in multiple re-tries until I beat on the skis to dislodge the offending ice… not exactly what you want to do to backcountry gear :) I have also thought I was finally secured in the toe piece and been ejected from one or both skis while enjoying my hard-earned turns.

When I contacted G3, they said that some of the brakes have had issues, and that you can get a G3 dealer to fix the problem for free. As for the ice, they said it was just something I’d have to deal with, and that maybe I could grease the inside of the toe piece to reduce ice issues. Seems like Dynafit owners do not have to deal with this problem? I think G3 needs a re-design of the toepiece that does not include a big, downhill-facing snow trap.

Good luck!

Sarah

]]> By: Joe http://www.wildsnow.com/1861/g3-onyx-binding-review-2/comment-page-1/#comment-24525 Joe Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:00:29 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1861#comment-24525 I'm 31, 5'10, and a solid 200 lbs. Been downhill skiing for 25 years. Only toured one time on k2 bakers and freerides but loved it. I decided to start my bc quiver with BD Verdicts and the G3 Onyx binding. Using the slick new dalbello virus boots also (AWESOME!) My initial impression was "those pins are really going to keep me in?" Now after the "tech fittings" culture shock I tested them out at the local ski area to see how the whole setup skiied. Getting into them was a challenge the first time and every time since. The toe piece does require quite a bit of force to open, so much as to bend the tip of my pole. This does seem to have let up after some use now and has become easier with practice but lining up the pins with the inserts seems to be a gamble. I'm sure a user issue which will get better with practice. The heel unit clicks in with hardly a sound which always leaves me wondering if I'm fully engaged. The return to center on exiting the binding does not always end up in the ready position so you must check every time to make sure they are really ready to click into because they are very easy to partially engage. Switching from skiing to touring mode is very easy as you just press down on the back lever and your heels are free. The problem is that this is very easy to inadvertently do with your other ski while skiing which can be very problematic. Switching from touring mode to skiing mode is nearly impossible with a ski pole because you can't get enough leverage to lift the lever, no problem just reach down and flip it with your hand, oh wait I definitely can't get my fingers under the lever with a glove on because it is flat against the ski, not so good. On to the brakes. Very slick upon first examination. Step into the heel and the binding goes up. The brake is integrated with the heel piece, so move heel into touring mode, step on brake and it is stowed up while allowing free heel movement. The problem is that because of the brakes integration with the heel piece if you release from the toe while in downhill skiing mode the brake stays stowed in its upright position. This is a major design flaw which I realized while watching my ski barrel down the mountain at Mach two with no brakes! Not good. If the heel does not release the brake does not come down. This happens every time on a toe release. I will be changing my release settings to try and prevent toe release, however the brakes seem about useless at this point. The other design flaw is that they do not retract towards the ski in the upright position either, so I am constantly catching my other ski on the brake while skiing. My skiing review is a bit mixed. The bindings seemed to work flawless on some runs and prematurely release on other runs. I could charge hard, rip through moguls, air big, land switch, carve hard etc. on some runs then pop the toe off just coming to a stop on another run. I will be setting the din higher to see if I come out less but I had them set to skier type IV and added a good 30 lbs to my weight on the shop form so I shouldn't be coming out of the toe anyways. I will have my shop check them out also to make sure they were mounted properly and post an update with any news. All in all I can't say I love them but I don't hate them either. My issues may just be related to the compromise of touring capabilities in a binding and I have only skiied them downhill so far. I will make my final decision on what I think of the onyx after I have toured with them. I will post that review as well. - JOE I’m 31, 5′10, and a solid 200 lbs. Been downhill skiing for 25 years. Only toured one time on k2 bakers and freerides but loved it. I decided to start my bc quiver with BD Verdicts and the G3 Onyx binding. Using the slick new dalbello virus boots also (AWESOME!) My initial impression was “those pins are really going to keep me in?” Now after the “tech fittings” culture shock I tested them out at the local ski area to see how the whole setup skiied. Getting into them was a challenge the first time and every time since. The toe piece does require quite a bit of force to open, so much as to bend the tip of my pole. This does seem to have let up after some use now and has become easier with practice but lining up the pins with the inserts seems to be a gamble. I’m sure a user issue which will get better with practice. The heel unit clicks in with hardly a sound which always leaves me wondering if I’m fully engaged. The return to center on exiting the binding does not always end up in the ready position so you must check every time to make sure they are really ready to click into because they are very easy to partially engage. Switching from skiing to touring mode is very easy as you just press down on the back lever and your heels are free. The problem is that this is very easy to inadvertently do with your other ski while skiing which can be very problematic. Switching from touring mode to skiing mode is nearly impossible with a ski pole because you can’t get enough leverage to lift the lever, no problem just reach down and flip it with your hand, oh wait I definitely can’t get my fingers under the lever with a glove on because it is flat against the ski, not so good. On to the brakes. Very slick upon first examination. Step into the heel and the binding goes up. The brake is integrated with the heel piece, so move heel into touring mode, step on brake and it is stowed up while allowing free heel movement. The problem is that because of the brakes integration with the heel piece if you release from the toe while in downhill skiing mode the brake stays stowed in its upright position. This is a major design flaw which I realized while watching my ski barrel down the mountain at Mach two with no brakes! Not good. If the heel does not release the brake does not come down. This happens every time on a toe release. I will be changing my release settings to try and prevent toe release, however the brakes seem about useless at this point. The other design flaw is that they do not retract towards the ski in the upright position either, so I am constantly catching my other ski on the brake while skiing. My skiing review is a bit mixed. The bindings seemed to work flawless on some runs and prematurely release on other runs. I could charge hard, rip through moguls, air big, land switch, carve hard etc. on some runs then pop the toe off just coming to a stop on another run. I will be setting the din higher to see if I come out less but I had them set to skier type IV and added a good 30 lbs to my weight on the shop form so I shouldn’t be coming out of the toe anyways. I will have my shop check them out also to make sure they were mounted properly and post an update with any news. All in all I can’t say I love them but I don’t hate them either. My issues may just be related to the compromise of touring capabilities in a binding and I have only skiied them downhill so far. I will make my final decision on what I think of the onyx after I have toured with them. I will post that review as well. – JOE

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