G3 ION tech binding

[Wapow]

Don't put your eggs all in one basket.

Thanks for the inspirational advice. I've got a quiver of touring skis, but these are my favorites. Forecast here is calling for mega pow, and my skis have been res-mounted w/ Radical IIs. Stoked.

[adrenalated]

Ummmm, bullshit. Dynafit warranty would have been way faster. Their area rep was in the store when I was there yesterday. And they would have sold me an extra heel piece. And I expect they would have also responded to my emails. G3 never did. IMO, these bindings aren't worth the risk/hassle. Now, who wants to buy them (when they finally show up)?

I used to deal with warranty for a shop. Nearly every company requires you to send the defective product in, and most take 2-3 weeks to get you a replacement. Including Dynafit. Larger companies are generally faster and smaller companies are generally slower. G3 was no better or worse than any other company in the warranty department.
Area reps can't do shit, they don't have product to give you.

[galibier_numero_un]

Ummmm, bullshit. Dynafit warranty would have been way faster. Their area rep was in the store when I was there yesterday. And they would have sold me an extra heel piece. And I expect they would have also responded to my emails. G3 never did. IMO, these bindings aren't worth the risk/hassle. Now, who wants to buy them (when they finally show up)?

I used to deal with warranty for a shop. Nearly every company requires you to send the defective product in, and most take 2-3 weeks to get you a replacement. Including Dynafit. Larger companies are generally faster and smaller companies are generally slower. G3 was no better or worse than any other company in the warranty department.
Area reps can't do shit, they don't have product to give you.

Don't put your eggs all in one basket.

@Wapow: refer to gratefulfrog's post #47 on this thread: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/288977-Dynafit-Radical-2-0?p=4618620

No one is perfect.

... Thom

[I've seen black diamonds!]

@Wapow: refer to gratefulfrog's post #47 on this thread: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/288977-Dynafit-Radical-2-0?p=4618620

No one is perfect.

... Thom

On a related note, Plum toe wing failures are reportedly a thing of the past. I'm going back to Plums with a heel block.

[XXX-er]

I called the store and said "don't you know who I am ... call the rep and get this sorted"

[Wapow]

I used to deal with warranty for a shop. Nearly every company requires you to send the defective product in, and most take 2-3 weeks to get you a replacement. Including Dynafit. Larger companies are generally faster and smaller companies are generally slower. G3 was no better or worse than any other company in the warranty department.
Area reps can't do shit, they don't have product to give you.

Whatever. It's now been 5 weeks since I brought my broken binding into the retailer. Dyna would have at least sold me a heel piece, so I could back on the snow last weekend, and have a backup for the future. You G3 lovers should buy my Ions. I should have the heel piece back this week or next. Wanting to sell along w/ the 130mm crampon. To those who sent me a PM on this, I'll respond when I get the binding back from warranty. I will be selling it as-is BTW. Not sure if G3 allows transfer of warranty. Personally don't think it adds much value.

[Wapow]

Not looking for perfect. Just way better than I got from G3.

[Wapow]

I called the store and said "don't you know who I am ... call the rep and get this sorted"

This meant for me? I didn't ask for any special treatment. Just wanted to get my skis back after 4 weeks in warranty limbo. I even offered to buy a new heel piece. Wasn't happy about it, but I understand how "these things work in the real world". G3's responses (e.g., last year's Ion heel piece is not compatible with this year's heel post, the heel post and heel piece are "mated" and the parts aren't interchangeable (even from the same year), won't sell me a spare heel unit, etc.) all struck me as really crappy, both in terms of their manufacturing practices and customer service. Keep in mind I have only 5 days of touring on these rigs, and one of the failures (lifter spring breaking, which is a known defect) is likely to occur on the other heel piece.

As an aside, I really enjoyed using my favorite skis last weekend in super deep pow, because I bought Radical 2s. Would have been SOL if I had relied on G3. Perhaps my experience w/ G3 was unique, but I doubt it.

[XavierD]

I have never had any issues with G3 customer service. They emailed me within 20 minutes of an order because the crampon and brake size didn't match up. Told them it was intentional, and they quickly sent it along. Obviously skiers who use and understand their products.

Dynafit Warranty has been shit this year. One of the worst hard goods brands with communication and follow up.

[XXX-er]

This meant for me?

no i really did suggest to the guy at the store he call the rep, I remember laughing at myself at the time and thinking wow what an asshole i am ... but it worked !

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Dynafit Warranty has been shit this year.

I'm having issues with them right now. Very slow to respond. Had great service in the past.

[PNWbrit]

... Sturtevants.

[the_flying_v]

I'm having issues with them right now. Very slow to respond. Had great service in the past.

3rd. /threadrift

[xyz]

Long time ion user, first time complainer in this thread here. I've got at least 60 days of touring on the ions now. Up until last week I was problem free. Unfortunately, the issue arose at the top of a firm 50 degree 1200 ft Coulior! One of the heels wouldn't provide any forward pressure and brake was stuck up. Basically, the ski would come off before the first turn. Maybe it was icing or something but that's the first time it has happened and really left me in a dangerous position. I had to side slip most of the run on the good ski. I'm going to be pursuing a warranty with MEC.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Long time ion user, first time complainer in this thread here. I've got at least 60 days of touring on the ions now. Up until last week I was problem free. Unfortunately, the issue arose at the top of a firm 50 degree 1200 ft Coulior! One of the heels wouldn't provide any forward pressure and brake was stuck up. Basically, the ski would come off before the first turn. Maybe it was icing or something but that's the first time it has happened and really left me in a dangerous position. I had to side slip most of the run on the good ski. I'm going to be pursuing a warranty with MEC.

The heels don't provide forward pressure, they accommodate ski flex. Maybe they were iced up and the heel wouldn't slide back? That would kick the toe out when the ski flexed. I put a bunch of silicon grease on the spring and worm screw under the heels before I mount them.

[xyz]

The heels don't provide forward pressure, they accommodate ski flex. Maybe they were iced up and the heel wouldn't slide back? That would kick the toe out when the ski flexed. I put a bunch of silicon grease on the spring and worm screw under the heels before I mount them.

The issue was the pins were almost fully exposed vs having no heel gap. The heel was stuck in that position.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

The issue was the pins were almost fully exposed vs having no heel gap. The heel was stuck in that position.

That sounds like ice holding the heel back.

[1000-oaks]

Yep, ice between the heel and brake mechanism, so it was stuck in climb mode. Nothing to warranty there.

[xyz]

Yep, ice between the heel and brake mechanism, so it was stuck in climb mode. Nothing to warranty there.

Yeah. At that shop now. Tech thinks the grease has dried out and water worked its way in. We are disassembling and regreasing the internals.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Yeah. At that shop now. Tech thinks the grease has dried out and water worked its way in. We are disassembling and regreasing the internals.

Also give it a shot of Teflon/silicon spray lube every now and then down around the brake mech and heel base. I've kept mine well lubed and haven't had the rust problems some people talk about.

[XavierD]

Several days on mine now, and really like the combination of weight, performance, and ease of use.

[PNWbrit]

Several days on mine now, and really like the combination of weight, performance, and ease of use.

Me too.

They can really bite switching back to ski mode though..

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Me too.

They can really bite switching back to ski mode though..

Yeah, watch the fingers!

[swissiphic]

They can really bite switching back to ski mode though..

Lost some skin of bare fingers testing the binding last spring...shoulda read the fine print.

[NW_SKIER]

Truer words never spoken. Had a nasty blood blister last year after playing with the heel piece before I mounted them.