JB,
Turning full serious, I and others, have hijacked your review of the FX 84. It really deserves to stand on it's own.
I demo'd the FX 84 yesterday, and, also the Fischer Watea 84 which you used as your "control" ski for comparison purposes. The following is based on 2 runs on each ski. The conditions were not the big mountain, back country terrain that the Kastle website describes as ideal for the FX 84 (the one that wears the black topskin).
I possess neither the skier nor the ski reviewer skills that you have, and, I hope no one ever buys a ski on my reviews.
First, the FX 84 has an entirely different feel than the MX series siblings. I skied this following demo runs on the MX 70 and 78, and, in the very first turns I knew this was a different ski from the MX's (that have white topskins) which feel extremely similar through 70,78 and 88. In conversations with Phil, he expressed others have felt this difference. From a review standpoint, I was so smitten with the MX's, that it's hard to be objective to the FX 84. But the MX's fit my eastern style and needs.
Your review is so much more insightful. My very lightweight analysis: it did all I asked it to do in medium radius turns on some deteriorating eastern hardpack at the low end of the speed spectrum. Easily goes edge to edge, nice carve feeling. 2000 vertical feet of eastern skiing can't judge this ski. I'd love to have em for a full day of mixed skiing in Big Sky.
The FX 84 is a little more damp, perhaps closer to my Head 78's. I, too, thought it skied very close to the Watea 84. It goes from edge to edge very well. I would encourage anyone to get on a pair, especially if you are in the big mountains for which it was designed.
To touch on the Watea 84. From the second the rep was fitting them, the bases felt "grabby", no glide. In the liftline with Phil, I'd be poleing, he'd be gliding. This sensation carried over onto the hill. It ruined any objective analysis of what this ski can do. I discussed this with the Fischer rep and, without saying so directly, indicated it had been a while since they were waxed or that maybe they were waxed for higher temps (Which in the East is about 2 weeks ago as it's been cold). But Fischers Eastern business is in the Progressor series, so, no surprise here....
Again, John, sorry for the hijack. Try the MX series and let us know.
Mike?
Mike,
It looked like you had FX and MX mixed up, I fixed it for you.
When can you get me the Heads? I want to get them to the perspective buyer while he is still hot for them.
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