Tadd-

Actually that answers my question.  I was using an animal in the back with the draft in front and was running the animal fairly loose anyway.   

I ordered the reflex binding off your site this morning and just wasn't sure when i was reading the owners manual.

Paul
Fresno, CA

Will be getting my Reflex from Tadd soon!

Question though...What are your feelings on the carbon plate vs. the aluminum plate? Anyone know what setup Will Asher is using? Haha

This is an interesting thread because I used to figure hardshells = move to double boots. I'm definitely interested in the Reflex system if it's designed for an RTP setup. Might explore this possibility soon.

Just an FYI, we sell aluminum and carbon plates, of course, and I can have either one and I use the aluminum plate.  In my opinion there is no loss in performance and it is without question going to hold up better over time.  I just don't see the need for you to spend the money.

As for a rear boot setup with the Reflex, I have included a picture of mine.  I use a rear sheel with no cuff and that is the best fit I have ever had without sacrificing releasability, my rear foot comes out in a timely manner when my front boot releases.  Take a look.  If you decide it is something you want to do, you can buy the rear boot or even the full setup at our site using the following link:  http://www.h2oproshop.com/reflex-binding-systems.html



Seth Stisher
The H2Oz Training Center and H2OProShop.com

If the aluminum plate was locked down with machined holes at all points, it would monkey with the ski flex. But that is not how the plates are machined. You have slots at all four corners. First, this makes it much quicker to reposition the boot. Second, and germane to your question, allows the ski [screws] to move without having to move the corners of the plate. It's a slightly, although not by much, less developed version of Radar's floating plate design.

Seth / Anyone

I'm considering the Reflex set up, let me explain my rationale.

I currently use a Driver front binding and RTP. I know I ski by using my upper body, rather than from ankles up. I also tail-ride the ski. I went snow skiing this year for the first time since I started water skiing. I had lessons for a week, and made rapid progress, and I put this down to applying some of the techniques from behind the boat as well as good instruction.

The biggest thing I llearnt whilst snow skiing was correct carving technique, by literally skiing from my toes up and keeping my weight over the front of the skis I could carve really well on most terrain, (2 weeks later my shins are still bruised!).  I would ski at my best when I was conscious of the skis changing from one edge to the other right underneath me. I think this was mostly due  to using decent skis and most importantly the hard shell boots.

Two questions:

If I were to use the Reflex set up, is it likely will I get that similar postive feeling of edge change as I felt with snow boots
What other benefits do Reflex hard shells bring?

Ski Dream:
I agree with HO410.  The biggest difference in the aluminum plate on the Reflex versus Radar and HO is that there are no bushings on the Reflex plate so the plate will not theoretically float as freely.  I have tried both the aluminum and the carbon and I will be honest, I can't feel the difference...perhaps a small placebo effect, but that's it.  And yes, I would say it is the best setup out there (hands down) for RTP skiers, but also great for those of us with double boots.

MattP:
I have my rear boot on an aluminum D3 plate that I just drilled in order to mount my ski.  I did it about a year and a half ago when we didn't have the rear Reflex plates yet.  I have just never bothered to change it.  Originally I had a texta mono-plate (the white plate), but broke it and we now only sell aluminum plates and carbon plates for the Reflex.  I don't think Reflex even offers the texta option anymore.  I may put my boots on carbon this year, but I don't expect any great change in performance.  i will also be trying the HO EXO setup as soon as I get one.  I like the way it looks as well.

ColinCanski:
SO, I think the Reflex or any hardshell will definitely give you more of an ability to feel what you are referring to versus rubber boots, but not in the same way that ski boots (snow) do.  Snow ski boots are obviously higher and stiffer fore and aft.  I think you can transfer energy into the skis a little more with that stiffer, higher boot in snow ski boots.  I ultimately think that was a great experience for you to feel that on the snow which will give you something to shoot for on water.  IT will never feel identical, but I think some of the reason the boot design is differenet and that we never fully grasp the feeling you talked about on the snow is from constantly leaning against the rope (which allows you to have the "back foot" feeling without falling on your a--.  On snow skis if you leaned back to the degree we do on the water and in the manner that most people do on the water, you would fall...period.  The rope allows us to get away with this unbalanced weight distribution in water skiing, so we think we are killing it at times when we are being really efficient.
Anyway, that's a segue to technique which wasn't what you were asking for.  To directly answer your question about boots, I really think hardshells in some form are necessary for you to get the value of working on technique where this feeling is some of your focus.  Feel the ki under you especially during the edge change and the approach to the turn, then ride that same ski back into the centerline.

Hope this helps.

SEth

2gofaster,

The small the Reflex comes in is a size 4 shell, which most likely will fit the girl you are talking about, as well, the Exos are going to come in in a size 4/5 as well.  BEst thing to do, when you are ready is the measure the foot and get the exact measurement "inches or cm" and I could figure out what size you need.  As well, from what I have heard from HO, is, they have size 8-10 in right now, and they are being shipped to dealers now, but the smaller (4-7) and bigger (11-13) are not going to be available until May.  That is what HO told me last week.
Either way, if you need something, let me know and I will do my best to help you out.
Thanks
TS
tadd at h2osmosis dot com
H2OProshop.com
866.213.7993

Last edited by TaddSchreiber (Mon, Mar 15, 2010 1:18 PM)

My interest in the Reflex bindings has been peaked.  I'm wondering what the difference is between the R-Style rear binding and the complete rear binding.  I see the the reflex site sells the complete double setup but it's not on the h2oproshop.

I like the feel of full double high wraps and love my drafts.  I think it's just a matter of time though before I have a bad fall and the drafts don't feel so comfortable anymore.

Brian

For what it is worth; I have been using HO Animal, front and back. The older white ones, maybe 2001??? My feet (especially the rear) cramp when cinched. Therefore, this winter I chose to ski with them loose. I had been off the water for over three years, so nothing seemed familiar. I rode a lot of skies this winter to determine what I would buy to replace my old 2000 CDX Adrenaline. The new technology now is so awesome. Any way I have decided on the HO A1. I have ordered the EXO PRO boots, so I thought I should cinch my bindings to start getting somewhat prepared for when the new come in.
Now to my point; there is a night and day difference in the added control over the ski. It has been a mistake for me to ski with loose bindings and sacrifice the control. I agree with Seth. Of course the down fall is my rear foot goes from uncomfortable to excruciating painful then to numb with no chance to run a pass way too fast. My foot definitely gives out before my body. Of course at age 53, my body always gives out before my spirit.

treyskier wrote:

I just received my Reflex hardshell on the small carbon monoplate. I have a D3 RTP and have mounted it, but my toes actually touch the release mechanism. I have the toe plate as far back as it goes. Is there anything else I can do?

I am RTP as well and thought that this would be an issue. The first time I put my rear foot in my toes touched as well.  I have about 7 sets on the boot now and to be honest I never notice it.  I had the boot release once and my rear foot came out first!!

You could always get a rear toe plate that is smaller so that your foot doesn't go as far in the loop but is still snug? But I love my Reflex binding just wish the liner was bit more padded...I'm sure I could get a better liner down the road.

So after 20 sets I finally got to test the release mechanism on my Reflex hard shell coming out of two, by initiating the classic OTF at 34mph. It released fine. (It wouldn't have needed to release if I hadn't stamped on the front of the ski with all my weight as I was about to hook up). The wife wants to know where the big bruise on my knee came from. I dunno!

Funnily enough, earlier whilst on the dock, putting on my ski, I had actually  considered whether the RTP would interfere with the release mechanism, being so close. No such worries.

So after the OTF, I dusted myself off, and then went  on to ski a season's best by three buoys. So as too avoid that 'amazing high to suicidal low' feeling I went out for a ride around on a pair of jump skis for my last set.

Can't wait to go ski Wednesday evening and do it again.