ToddF wrote:

I do not have access to a store that I can do the demo program with.

Sure you do: H2Osmosis. Be sure to let them know where u heard about them! I'm pretty sure they have a try before you buy demo program.

Also check through the Skis DataBase -- there are lots of real-person real-world reviews in there. Mostly short & suite, but it's no salesman talking that's for sure.

The A1 is as good a place to start as any. If you could hold off, it sounds like HO is close to having the A2 ready, but there isn't exactly a timeline out there.

Here is what I know or have been told about the A1. It is far more balanced than the Monza. It turns easier and more predictably than the Monza. It prefers a slightly wider line and a more sweeping turn.
Put in other terms, it is not particularly tolerant of a narrow line. If you ski narrow, it will not feel particularly special and might even be harder to run a pass. If you really just want to slam-dunk and hook-turn, you may be better served by finding another Monza. The ski feels a little bit like the MPD in that it does not feel particularly fast, yet your turns apex at the same time they used to.

Thanks for the input,  I would be curious about someone who switched to the senate C from the monza,

Has anyone gone from an 05 to 09 monza(there isn't anything on the newer monza in the reviews)

is the 09 monza improved over the 05 or just newer?

I like the thought of the A-1 it seems like the natural progression, same manufacturer and all.
Is that really that important? Except for brand loyalty.

Todd,
I’ll second the H2Osmosis recommendation.  They provide excellent customer service.  The try before you buy program will help you get on the right stick with out having to buy each ski. 

I, like you, was on a Monza for a while and really liked it.  Since then I’ve had a SS, Prophecy, A1, Elite and demo’d the Z7.  All of them are better than the Monza.  Once you give a newer ski a ride, you’ll discover how poorly the Monza turns the off side.  Good luck with your endeavor.

Greg Johnson

The quick answer is the Elite.  It’s fast like the Monza with a more responsive off side.  The more I rode it, the more comfortable I became on it.  The results showed in practice and tournaments.  However, if history repeats itself, I’ll be on another ski by the end of this season.

As for the others, I rode the SS for three weeks.  It was a very nice ski, but I was having trouble adapting to the differences from the Monza.  Off sides were great, but the on side not so much.  Quite a change for me.  I sold it and went back to the Monza...briefly. 

Enter the Prophecy.  One day I’d have the perfect set and the next day I’d want to run it through a wood chipper.  I struggled with consistency on it.  One mistake and down I went.  Water conditions really affected it’s performance.  The on side turns were killer though.  I suspect the newer versions are better.  I’m sure mine is one of the first production models.  It has a cloth like top.

The A1 was consistent.  I just never got it set up right.  The approach bindings didn’t work very well because the hole patterns didn’t match the sweet spot.  I struggled getting enough speed on the gate.  Instead of playing with the settings, I sold it and went back to the prophecy.  It had potential.

Since I only demo’d the Z7, I didn’t get as much time on it.  But it turned great on both sides of the course.  Very predictable.  I liked the speed of the Elite more.  So I chose it over the Z7.

This summer I’ll be trying the 2010 Prophecy.  For some reason I can’t seem to get away from that ski.  If the new ski is way better than mine it’ll be wicked good.  I seem to have fallen into the U2 song “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for”.