gear rumors 18/19

[LightRanger]

Here's what Wildsnow says, but note it categorically does not say "BD isn't making a Jetforce 2," but rather there may (possibly) be a gap between them selling out of current Jetforce and Jetforce 2 being brought to market.

This just in, edited 12/19 to reflect more information received:I’d heard allusions for some time that Black Diamond would soon be ceasing production of their current Jetforce avalanche airbag backpack, and would not put their new “Jetforce 2” version into retail for a year or more. Thus there could be a delay in availability. Such production info rumors were recently seconded by sources, while official word from BD is that Jetforce 1 is “in production” and ver 2 is in the process of being certified by TUV, which takes an inordinate amount of time. Rumor mill says changes in production of Jetforce 1 and possible delay in availability of version 2 are due to factors such as an airbag saturated market, expense of production and potential liability issues (lest we remember the whole reason BD exists is because of a gear liability lawsuit, they thus have a right to be touchy). In terms of availability, my guess is plenty of Jetforce packs are stocked in warehouses, and will remain available for some time no matter when or if production stops. So no need to panic.

My informed guess as to the elephant in the BD meeting room? Simply this:Jetforce competes with a slew of less expensive and lighter weight options that function perfectly (compressed gas operated). According to product developers I spoke with when Jetforce was first released, Black Diamond put weight and price as lower factors in their design philosophy. That was disappointing to myself and many others who know for certain that weight in the ski touring market trumps nearly every other factor in gear purchase decisions. We had high hopes for electricity doing something marvelous (at least in terms of weight) for the avalanche rucksack — and Black Diamond taking the lead on that. While the Jetforce electronic pack was cool, especially at first look, it was ultimately disappointing. Sure, it makes air travel easier — until you leave behind your ice axe due to exceeding your weight allotment. Looking at the total picture, if packs based on super capacitors work the way I think they will, BD might be making a mistake releasing Jetforce 2 just when a possibly better electrical technology makes batteries obsolete for this sort of thing. On the other hand, the capacitor packs might prove to be very expensive, in that case it’ll be amusing if the premium price point for airbag backpacks creeps significantly above $1,0000, and rucksacks such as Jetforce look like a deal!

[Sandbox]

yes ski pack not airbag (the Voltair suits me fine btw). Seems to come of some mods their athletes made on the alpha FL ( old concepts from Arrakis series. See more discussion here:
https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...-does-it-exist

thanks for that.... wonder how much that is gonna run. I have a Khamski currently but this new pack looks to be geared toward a different crowd. I love the colour tho and i am a gear queer so...... haha

[Ghini]

Here's what Wildsnow says, but note it categorically does not say "BD isn't making a Jetforce 2," but rather there may (possibly) be a gap between them selling out of current Jetforce and Jetforce 2 being brought to market.

Thanks, I thought so..

Some facts: BD is out of stock already and they won't re-stock, production is already down. Only Pieps still has some stock but those go out fast. Expect those to be sold out before the summer. There will be shops who will stock up on Jetforces for next season ofcourse but no big numbers available and no 2.0 next winter.

Edit: Pieps is also out of stock..

[ClarkleberryFinn]

I got to play and ski (not much given level 4 and many lifts/roads/trains closed) with the new Scott electric airbag pack at the product launch in the Arlberg last week.

It's pretty convincing. Much lighter than the BD pack I tested last season, and the supercapacitator tech (instead of battery) is convincing. IIRC (don't have the info on me atm) RRP is €900.

[TahoeJ]

^^ Cool to hear someone else besides ArcTeryx is getting in the battery pack game. The idea of flying somewhere and having to find a place to fill up your air canister is pretty stupid when you think about it, in this day and age.

[wilcox510]

Not a ton of info, and in German, but apparently this is the new Scott electric airbag.

https://www.outdoor-guide.ch/outdoor...-patrol-ap-30/

[Skidog]

Not a ton of info, and in German, but apparently this is the new Scott electric airbag.

https://www.outdoor-guide.ch/outdoor...-patrol-ap-30/

Chrome perfectly translated this page for me.

[Judo Chop!]

Richard Permin Lange XT with 140 flex!!
just wished they mellowed out the full-euro colours. you never go full euro!


http://communitytouringclub.com/dyna...materiel-2019/

[Skidog]

Richard Permin Lange XT with 140 flex!!
just wished they mellowed out the full-euro colours. you never go full euro!


http://communitytouringclub.com/dyna...materiel-2019/

WOW...thats beefy....

[auvgeek]

Anybody have a weight on it?

[N1CK.]

I like the color.

What are the chances its really 140 flex?

[auvgeek]

What are the chances its really 140 flex?

Zero, since none of the 130-flex touring boots are as stiff as their alpine brethren. The real question is whether the shell is actually stiffer than the Freetour 130, or if it's the same "throw a stiffer liner in the RS 130" nonsense Lange pulls with the RS 140.

[grskier]

Zero, since none of the 130-flex touring boots are as stiff as their alpine brethren. The real question is whether the shell is actually stiffer than the Freetour 130, or if it's the same "throw a stiffer liner in the RS 130" nonsense Lange pulls with the RS 140.

This.

And curious as to weight as well as I was waiting until this weekend to pull the trigger on my next touring boot.. and now that the new ish is being floated, I may just wait.

[ClarkleberryFinn]

^^ Cool to hear someone else besides ArcTeryx is getting in the battery pack game. The idea of flying somewhere and having to find a place to fill up your air canister is pretty stupid when you think about it, in this day and age.

Not battery, supercapacitator Basically smaller, lighter, more reliable than battery.

[XavierD]

Zero, since none of the 130-flex touring boots are as stiff as their alpine brethren. The real question is whether the shell is actually stiffer than the Freetour 130, or if it's the same "throw a stiffer liner in the RS 130" nonsense Lange pulls with the RS 140.

It’s not just Lange, pretty much every boot company does that somewhere in their line.

[kid-kapow]

https://www.evo.com/discover/2019-ski-preview

i think these look kinda nice - new fishys and baby-fishys from Line (far left) as well as new graphics for mister EP's other skis


guess i am a sucker buying almost full retail 2018 stuff yesterday - or maybe not can't wait to get it!

[auvgeek]

Rumor is XTFree 140 shell is grilamid and stiffer than the 130.

[Flexon Phil]

Here are some pics from SIA/OR set up HERE.

[sklar]

Kid-kapow already posted the link, but we went down to the regional show in Portland last year to check out the new goodies form most of the major brands.
https://www.evo.com/discover/2019-ski-preview

I'm sure the new Zero G Tour Pro will pique the interest of many around here. Replaces the current Zero G and will weigh in the 1300g neighborhood. They didn't let us shoot photos of it unfortunately, as the rep only had a non-skiable proto.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Was there some meeting most of the ski industry attended about bringing back boring 90's/early-2000's basic color schemes with nothing fun on the top sheets?


New Full Tilt boot looks nice, if a little wide. Is that a DIN compatible outsole or some other new weird standard?

[North]

I'm sure the new Zero G Tour Pro will pique the interest of many around here. Replaces the current Zero G and will weigh in the 1300g neighborhood.

Interest piqued. Even though my current ZeroGs are the best boots I've ever owned and are only a season old.

[snapt]

New Full Tilt boot looks nice, if a little wide. Is that a DIN compatible outsole or some other new weird standard?

Was wondering the same about what soles are available with it.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Was wondering the same about what soles are available with it.

Looks like Gripwalk? WTF?

[snapt]

Looks like Gripwalk? WTF?

Edit, ok these will work with my Marker ID's.

[stuckathuntermtn]

Which looks very similar to DIN ISO? Does it work reliably?