Naxo or Duke?

**SILENCER** · 03-21-2007, 04:09 PM

I'm getting my first AT setup here, trying to spread the pain and get components one month at a time (ski, binding, skins, etc).

I was at a shop today who were blowing out their ski stock, and saw Naxo 21's for $239 new, in box. I hadn't intended on starting buying gear yet, but also didn't plan on seeing these half-off either.

I'm also anticipating more beta on the Duke, some of which I've read here but wanted to get a better feel. I *know* I won't be able to find those anywhere close to that Naxo blowout price for a while, Skiing magazine said Dukes will retail for $500.

Is it worth it to wait and try to score Dukes later because they're that much more badass? Or should I get these Naxos because the price is right? Is $239 a price worth pouncing on?

Definitely looking to ski my setup pretty hard. I'm not terrible heavy (probably 190 w/pack) but want to get into b/c cliffs & pillows. I've heard Naxos are beefier than Fritschi, but the Duke is supposed to be bomber compared to Naxo.

Any thoughts on how I should proceed?

**pechelman** · 03-21-2007, 04:10 PM

thats a solid deal on an nx21
go for it

for what you describe, the nx21 should be fine
lots of folks here do stupid stuff on them

good luck on finding any deal on the duke when it comes out
plus its the first model year, so just on principle id probably let some other folks debug it for you

**INDY GS** · 03-21-2007, 04:13 PM

I don't have experience with Naxo's but have heard they had some problems early on, however I think they resolved those issues, and they are now a good AT binding. The MARKER Dukes, I don't know, this is markers first attempt at making an AT binding. They haven't gotten an alpine binding right yet, and they have been making them for a bazillion years. Plus with a major price difference like that I'd go with the Naxo's.

Also who cares what Skiing magazine said about the retail price of something, no one pays MSRP.

**hemas** · 03-21-2007, 04:38 PM

I'd say the better option would be the Duke... atleast from what I've seen peeps skiing it and from my fondling of it.

But at that price, get the NX21's.

As for retail price, I'd say 500 bucks is way overshooting... My local importer said that they will retail here, in the land of 22% VAT on everything, for about 300 to 400 Euros (~400-500 USD)... And when you deduct 22%, there's no way they should have a MSRP tag of 500 bucks.

**MrZach** · 03-21-2007, 04:44 PM

I've been skiing on some NX01s for a season and have no complaints. The NX21 toepiece has been beefed up from the '01 and the locking mechanism improved. BCA's customer service is also excellent (IMVHO). The Duke is new and looks to be fairly heavy; I would go with the NX21 no question (especially at that price).

**bossass** · 03-21-2007, 04:53 PM

Your solution will also depend on how much you plan to actually skin and tour. The Naxo is gonna be lighter (I assume?) and even if it isn't, it's go WAAAAY better touring action with that dual pivot tech. I'd call the Duke pure sidecountry and the naxo more of a day tourer.

**AK Rev** · 03-21-2007, 05:24 PM

I just got some NX21's off the board. They seem pretty beefy although I haven't tried them yet (waiting on some skis to arrive). I went with them over the others due to the dual pivot, 13 DIN and upgrades over the earlier Naxo models. Most of the feedback on them is pretty positive.

One of the guys who didn't personally like them but will remain nameless (cough...Marshal) was very positive about their design for most people. I'm looking forward to getting them out on some Coombas.

**Young Yeezy** · 03-21-2007, 05:26 PM

Bossass asked the right question. "how much do you plan to actually skin and tour?" The guys I talked to at SIA said the Duke skied great but toured pretty bad, I heard the ramp angle only has one adjustment and it doesn't lock out... Touring should be better on the Naxo...but those same guys said the Duke killed it when skiing downhill...

**StuntCok** · 03-21-2007, 05:45 PM

For next year, aren't there rumours about that Soly and Look are developing slackcountry touring bindings to compete with the Duke?

**TAHOEDOWN** · 03-21-2007, 08:55 PM

If you can get that price on the 21, you should snatch em up. If you change your mind later, you can always sell them off. The Naxo is a sweet binding and you will be hard pressed to find it's limits on the way down, and it is going to be a lot better on the way up. Keep in mind the 21 has evolved from 5 years of issues and feedback. I haven't heard of many people having issues with durability or function anymore. We can only guess what problems the Duke is going to have.

**Fritz** · 03-21-2007, 09:18 PM

What ski? If it's light and if you charge I'd go with the Duke. Marshalolson suggested dukes on my lotus 120s. I think that will be the money setup. I'm on a duke waiting list through Larry the bootfitter for around $430.

**Blurred** · 03-21-2007, 09:25 PM

Why would you support Marker after an eternity of putting out a shit product?
I don't care if the "DUKE" is the best AT binding ever.
I refuse to support people who make shit products (and know it), PERIOD.

**Fritz** · 03-21-2007, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

Why would you support Marker after an eternity of putting out a shit product?
I don't care if the "DUKE" is the best AT binding ever.
I refuse to support people who make shit products (and know it), PERIOD.

I personally don't give a shit. If they make the best AT binding I'm all over it.

**Blurred** · 03-21-2007, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by Fritz

I personally don't give a shit. If they make the best AT binding I'm all over it.

That's really sad. For what you do, a NX21 is fine. Why support a shitty company?

**Fritz** · 03-21-2007, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

That's really sad. For what you do, a NX21 is fine. Why support a shitty company?

Not trying to stir anything up, but how do you know what I do? I'll do it for a metal 916-style AT binding.

**Blurred** · 03-21-2007, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by Fritz

Not trying to stir anything up, but how do you know what I do? I'll do it for a metal 916-style AT binding.

I'd never compare any Marker to a "916 style binding".

And if a person doesn't jump off shit, a dynafit would be fine.

NX21 is more than enough.

**marshalolson** · 03-21-2007, 09:59 PM

well, my dukes show up tomorrow, so expect a big review on them in the next couple weeks once i can ski them a bit.

i broke my naxos in 2 days, but am significantly heavier than you (220 nude), and ski pretty aggresively, and know plenty of people like me that have had no issues, so i probably had a bad pair. that said, i never broke multiple pairs of fritschis, but couldn't keep them on my feet and didn't care for the way they ski'd. IMHO, the naxo do ski a bit better, but the difference is for sure small. they feel slightly more torsionally rigid and has a lower stack height.

hope that helps in some small way.

**Fritz** · 03-21-2007, 10:07 PM

Sounds like they will be as burly as AT bindings get (unfortunately they're marker). If and when naxo or fritschi makes a metal binding I would gladly buy it over marker, but until then.... RE: people who aren't going large(er): 21s or FR+ are probably fine. I haven't come out of my 06 freerides often, but haven't pushed them nearly as far as my 916s. I guess higher din metal gives me peace of mind (if nothing else). I also like the lower profile design.

**bossass** · 03-21-2007, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

That's really sad. For what you do, a NX21 is fine. Why support a shitty company?

It's not like they kill dolphins or some shit. Who cares what a company made in the past if they are making a good current product?

**Blurred** · 03-21-2007, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by bossass

It's not like they kill dolphins or some shit. Who cares what a company made in the past if they are making a good current product?

Man, that statement REALLY rubs me the wrong way.

If you want to support a company who doesn't give a fuck about your well-being because their product released like it was supposed to, (read: prerelease) then go ahead.

Markers were never built for people like you and I in mind. Think Gapicski. But if you want to hop on that bandwagon, knock yourself out. I'll stay with the tried and true brand that has put out a good product for eons.
My loyalty lays with those who don't suck, and are quality. Quality shows over time.

The best outcome of Marker making an AT binding is Salomon following.

I'll wait for that day. FUCK MARKER.

**fluffballs** · 03-21-2007, 10:35 PM

I've been very satisfied with my Nx21's. I weigh 190 naked and have dropped some 15 footers, probably 20 to the landing with no problem. Looking at them I'm always a bit scared that I will break the toe piece off or snap the heel piece in half, but it hasn't happened. They also release and hold just right, set at an 11 I believe.

**Fritz** · 03-21-2007, 10:39 PM

Sounds like Marker has been putting some serious R&D into these things. What if there is a totally different team of employess devoted to this new product line? I agree that marker has historically sucked, but I'm cautiously optimistic about these things. Do they not have the ability to redeem themselves? This (and possibly the jester) could be a step in their next direction. I just think they have the right idea.

**pechelman** · 03-21-2007, 10:51 PM

everyone has valid points
buy what you want and support who you want
time will tell if the duke is worth a duke
looking forward to marshals report

**Pow4Brains** · 03-21-2007, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

I'll stay with the tried and true brand that has put out a good product for eons.

So Freerides over Naxo?

**Blurred** · 03-21-2007, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by Pow4Brains

So Freerides over Naxo?

Yeah, if you want a toe piece even worse than Markers, I'd totally go with the Freeride. Throw in some torsional sloppiness with some surprise walk-mode, Freerides are the shit.