Questions about the differences in salomon bindings construction

OK, who can tell me the differences in salomon bindings construction (and yes, I did a "search" first)?

Specifically how does the s810 differ from the s912, then the s912 to the s914, then the s914 to the s916?

I already know about the difference in springs/din settings (that's pretty obvious). What I want to know is when, and to what extent do the materials used in the construction start to differ? For example is the only difference between the s810 and the s912 the spring/din settings, or does the s912 have more metal somewhere and so on? Thanks!

912 is good for carving on groomers. They are chock full 'o plastic and have a tendency to shit the bed if you beat on them. For the extra weight the 916's are well worth it from a durability standpoint for the increase in weight. Metal > Plastic.

ok I figured that. What I want to know is WHAT peices of the bindings change from plastic to metal, to what degree and with what models?

As a rule of thumb over the years:

Anything DIN12 or lower will be full plastic housings, toe and heel.

For 14 DIN bindings, there is metal in the heel. For the 997 Equipe and older, the heel housing and cup are metal. In the 900S Equipe, only the heel housing is metal. The 914 housing may be metal, but I can't recall offhand.

The same goes for toe design. 900s and 914 toes are all plastic. 997E has a metal housing and plastic wings. 977 and older are full metal.

The 16DIN and 20 DIN bindings are all metal.

For current model bindings, the forward pressure mechanism changes as well. The 912/914 have the "regular" heel while the 810 and lower have the "compact" heel. All retail bindings have the "tab" design for setting forward pressure.

916 and 920 have a different design (worm screw for forward pressure).

In older bindings (900s and older), the 14 DIN and above units used to have independant toe wing adjustment. However, this feature is only available in the 916/920 for current model bindings.

Look here: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=35189

and here: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=66392

The new 06/07 914s seem interesting too.

It looks like Solly addressed my main complaint with that binding, they got rid of the damn spheric AFD. I'm sure the toe wings will still loosen like a whore working overtime, but that's nothing loctite can't fix.

This could be a good binding again...

Thanks guys, that's exactly what I was looking for. So, 997 equips are metal heels and plastic toes, or is that metal body/plastic wings?

997 E is full metal heel, metal toe body, but plastic toe wings.