Titan Argos: Curious?

[jbotti]

Ron (and anyone else for that matter) I have been thinking aboiut your purchase. From I can tell from reading it seems that the new Blizzards are much more like Fischer and Head skis than they way they seemed before, much more Volkl like (very burly and stiff with a lot of metal). If so, the Argos really looks like and ideal ski. It specs very similar to the Watea 101 whiich is a great ski. It is a fun powder ski, but it just slays crud and chop and it has an almost GS feel on harder snow and it has a traditional tail. The only thing I really don't like about the ski is the 192cm length. It is substantially longer than I wnat or need. The Argos loosk like it might be very similar but it comes in a 180cm length, whioh would be perfect for me.

So, have you skied the Watea 101 and have you skied the Argos? If not what swayed you about this ski?

Lastly, on bindings, did you get it with a Duke. I believe that Peter said that many preferred the ski better without the duke. What are the other binding options?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and help. J

[Ron]

I did not ski the Argos (should have!). I bought it for powder skiing when traveling, crud and leftovers, more as my primary ski unless there's no new. As I am sure you feel the same, the 101 isn't that wide on soft snow, certainly not a carver, but plenty turny enough especially in soft snow. What I liked was:

Speaking with folks I know and trust, the blizzards seemed to be the right mix. Now that I have the ski, It has a great flex, it's softer than the Goat but stiill has a fair amount of stiffness. It has a nice progressive flex with a softish tail. It does have a Fischer feel.

I like the binding interface. it's an integrated rail, with holes for setting the binding in different positions.  I went with the 5.14 which has the jester heel. The binding itself is very nice. Very solid and well-designed. Love the wide heel for better energy transmission. Their duke is a lower, more inegrated binding (still heavier and higher stand than the 5.14) but unless your hiking for turns, why get the extra weight and height?  In speaking with Peter, his tester of the Argos really felt the ski was less responsive with the duke. According to Tim, the owner of Alpine high, he also prefered the 5.14 to the duke. Same feeling that there's no need for the extra weight and all.

The dimensions are just right, the 180 is a little different than published: 130-101-116.  The 187 is a stiffer ski.

If I really like the Blizzards, I can use the same 5.14 and put it on another blizzard ski. You can also take the binding off, stack the 2 pair. It would cost less and be easier.

John, this settles it. We have to make sure we hook up for turns!

[jbotti]

I will have to hear about it after you get it on snow. My fear from reading reviews both on Epic and on TGR is that the ski is too stiff. The fact that you say it is less stiff than the Goats is encouraging. Alot also depends on the flex pattern as I own IM 88's that are quite stiff bit very skiable. I also find this with most Fischer skis, adequate stiffness, but a great flex pattern making them skiable without having to muscle them. Let me know when you finally get them on snow.

I as well look forwrad to making some turns together. I still have JH or Targhee on the calendar in January.

[Ron]

the 187 is waay stiff!  much different ski. Definitely less stiff than the goat. Whats your height/weight? Tim, who is a big guy, didnt like the 187.

[jbotti]

I am 6 3" 185. As goldilocks would say "the Argos in a 180 looks just right!!"

[Ron]

interestingly, i got my 82's yesterday, they are much stiffer than the argos's.