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[B]SNOWTALK[/B] by [B]SENA[/B] A wireless Bluetooth headset and intercom for all your Listening and Communication needs while you're hitting up the slope. The headset uses Bluetooth 3.0, a speaker and button on each ear, and a microphone allowing you to connect your phone, answer calls, listen to your favourite shred playlist, and chat with your friends with the intercom system. [CENTER][IMG]http://www.sena.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Snowtalk-Headband-Gallery1.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] After using the SENA SNOWTALK for multiple days at the resort battery life is clearly not a concern. After putting a full charge into the headsets internal battery the headset performed for multiple days of listening to music and communicating between myself and my friend. However we noticed as the battery life depletes so does the range on the intercom. Claiming to have a range of 700m (760 yards) in open terrain we found the system to have a healthy range of 100m-200m in the glades and cliffy terrain of Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Enough range for filmer and athlete to talk through the line before calling out 3-2-1-DROPPING! They're also compatible for up to 4 headsets to be connected. For the audio quality, you're not getting BOSE premium audio however you are getting crisp clean audio with advanced noise control in the microphone to cut out all the wind interference. [CENTER][IMG]http://www.sena.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SNOWTALK-01_02-1024x680.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Now like any new technology you get your hands on their is a learning curve that goes along with it. With what seems like 100 different commands to the headset via the button on each ear it would be impossible to memorize how to connect intercoms, change songs, answer calls, turn down the volume etc. However after a couple days It started to become a little easier. Just a little though, still seem to end of tapping and holding random combinations to change that song on your phone that you don't even know why in on there. Wearing the headset seems to work best in the included headband under a toque/beanie with or (if you have it) inserted into the earpieces of your helmet. They didn't work very well wearing your goggles under your helmet. Just way too much going on under there. [CENTER][IMG]http://www.sena.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Snowtalk_Helmet_Mount.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] In conclusion the SENA SNOWTALK gets the job done. I see the best uses for the head being crews who want to save time filming and be more efficient getting the shots, and really anyone who wants to be more safe around the mountain and in the trees by always being able to talk to your group when you may be out of sight. They may not be a replacement for the Radio or Walkie Talkie but they do allow you to get more out of what you currently listen to you music with. [B]SPECS[/B] GENERAL • Talk time: 6 hours • Stand-by time: 6 days • Operating temperature: -10°C – 55°C (14°F – 131°F) • Weight: Module: 60 g (0.13 lbs) BLUETOOTH • Headset Profile (HSP) • Hands-Free Profile (HFP) • Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) • Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) • Bluetooth 3.0 INTERCOM • Working distance: up to 700 meters (760 yards) in open terrain INPUT • Auxiliary audio-in connection via 3.5mm jack AUDIO • Advanced Noise Control™ • Wind noise reduction • Built-in SBC Codec • Wide volume control • Sample rate: 48 kHz (DAC) BATTERY • Charging time: 2.5 hours • Type: Lithium polymer • MICROPHONE • Internal microphone • External microphone port CERTIFICATES • CE, FCC, IC
Faction skis' Candide 4.0s are the elder statesmen of the Candide lineup. At 122cms underfoot they are well within the realm of big mountain freeride, although lightweight materials and innovative construction allow this heavyweight to perform like smaller, more nimble skis. The 4.0s are just the right mix of power and agility; they are wide and surfy in powder, and in steep terrain they charge as if they might never get the opportunity again. They are the best skis that I have ever ridden although I don't have much prior experience riding big mountain or powder skis. It took me roughly 7 days of riding to get comfortable on the 4.0. A friend said to me on the first day, it "looks like they're pulling you around,"Â and that was accurate. It was difficult to pivot, and I felt like every time I set an edge I was getting wrenched in that direction. I found myself butt checking or hip checking a few steep turns. Trying to negotiate a narrow traverse line or making turns in trees tighter than, say, 15 feet apart, was a serious challenge. Once I became more comfortable with this bigger ski (and gained a little leg strength) the 4.0s allowed me to approach the mountain in ways I never had before. I stopped worrying about getting bucked around by afternoon chop. The 4.0 ploughs through crud ferociously, and remains stable once you set an edge and commit. On the lower half of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, where conditions can be several degrees different from the alpine, the 4.0 excels on the varying terrain. Its 28m turning radius (at 190cm) is conducive to big turns at high speed, and the lightweight construction allows me to pivot quickly to shed speed. With the 4.0 I also found the confidence to hit bigger and burlier features. RMR has a wealth of advanced in-bound terrain, and the 4.0 provided the stability to sample it all. I boosted airs from two to 25 feet and felt like I was stomping the landing every time. At 122 underfoot, the 4.0 provides a really solid platform for landing tricks, and they won't abandon you on your mach-speed run out. The rockered profile also makes the 190 feel smaller and more playful, opening the door for pow slashes and butters. The drawbacks that I can identify in the 4.0 are few, but they are still there. For one, I think I would have preferred a 183cm ski to a 190cm. Performing kick turns is a challenge, and I have backed out of lines that require too much billy-goating for fear of not being able to maneuver the ski like I would need. For another, they are best used going straight at high speed, which makes more mundane days at the resort a bit of a test. Tight turns are not this ski's forte. The topsheets also chipped relatively easily, as a result of me In all, I think the 4.0 is an exceptional ski. For steep lines, a stable landing pad on airs, pillows and cliffs, and to go fast, the 4.0 is the right ski for the job.
I had a pair of Holden Standard Skinny's for four years. I used them until I ripped an entire leg from crotch to knee. They were my favourite pants. I may have found a replacement in the Meade Cargo. True to Holden form, the Meade is well constructed. My initial concern was that these pants would be a little baggier than I wanted. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were roomy and moved easily without coming off as baggy. Part of the problem I had with the standard skinny was that they were too slim. The Meade stikes the perfect balance between functionally roomy and stylistically slim. With 20k waterproofing, I never had to worry about getting wet, although admittedly I didn't have to go up against any really rainy or heavy weather. I did notice that the heels had ripped through in a couple places from walking and/or clipping into my bindings. I wasn't exactly cautious with these pants but I wasn't careless either, so I'm a little disappointed to see how easily they tore through. On the whole, I found the Meade Cargo to be a stylish, functional pant that I would easily recommend to a friend. At approx. $250 MSRP you're dishing out for a quality return. Just make sure to take better care of your gear.
The EGV's are a rad goggle. That's the bottom line here. Unfortunately I'm not an expert on the technical features of today's premier goggles. But let me point to some of the things I liked about the EGV from a purely looks and comfort-based perspective. First of all, I really like the "retro" look on these goggles. I've come to realize I'm not a fan of rounded lenses, and I couldn't have asked for a better example of a simple yet stylish goggle than with the EGV. The wide frame allows for good peripheral vision, and fit comfortably on my face. The frame is flexible, the foam is durable, and in a month of use I haven't had any issues with fogging. They look good under a helmet (even a goofy-ass looking bern hardhat) and even better when rocked with a hood and a toque. I grew up a Max Hill fanboy so please believe me when I say I felt like I was imitating an idol with the EGV. At $80 MSRP, the EGV is a very fairly priced goggle. You're paying for simplicity and solid performance, and that's what you get.
I'm going to start with the cons on this jacket. The first and most glaring issue that I encountered with the Ledge was its zipper. It's a waterproofed YKK which is nice, and probably represents the best quality you could ask for. However from day one I found myself infuriated by how difficult it was to fit the two halves of the zipper together. I found myself fiddling with the mechanism each time I zipped or unzipped the jacket. I thought maybe it would work in with time, but it remains finicky. In a backcountry situation, for example, I don't want to worry about freezing my hands while I mess with my zipper. Similarly, I don't really like the velcro snaps that cover the zipper. They're nice and quick to do up but I think it's a cheaper option than buttons, and it makes for a loud unzipping. For me, who used this jacket primarily in a social setting, at school and with friends, velcro was an annoyance because of how clunky it is. The final aspect that irked me a little was the chest pocket. The Ledge includes a hole that you can thread your headphones through, which is nice, and a necessary accessory these days. However the hole connects only to the external chest pocket which means that the battery on your connected device drains quickly as it has no insulation. The chest pocket offers quick access without having to unzip, but I would have preferred for the headphones to access the inner chest pocket. Ok, that's out of the way. Here's what I liked about the jacket. For starters, I liked the mesh fabric in the collar. It prevents your chin from a) getting covered in drool and b) from freezing on account of your own condensation. I also liked the colour combination and the wide sleeves on the cuff. I was using this jacket with a pair of Dakine mitts, and never once had to mess around trying to tuck my gloves into my sleeves. On the hill this is key for when you need to reset yourself after checking your phone or shedding a layer or what have you. The jacket was warm enough to get me through -20 Celsius weather in Montreal, but I definitely needed layers underneath. At 6'1" a size Large fit me just right, although I would have preferred a slimmer fit. There isn't any added shape to the torso of this jacket. In all, I was very satisfied with the Ledge, with a few noticeable grievances. I had trouble with the zipper, and I didn't like the chest pocket. I really liked how it looked on the hill, and with an MSRP around $200 I think that you get real bang for your buck with the Ledge.
For reference, my first day in these pants was a 2-hour trek through pouring rain and snow. My jacket gave out about a kilometre in, but these pants withstood the entire ordeal and came out the other side performing just as well. MSRP is pricey, but you get what you paid for (although I would be interested to see how long the waterproofing holds out). Lightweight with excellent venting for ascents coupled with warmth and protection for the way down. I was impressed by the elastic boot-cover - in my experience those never work, but these did a perfect job of keeping the snow out of my boots while changing skins etc. Good pockets, good fit. I rock tight pants when skiing in bounds but would have no problem wearing these around the hill, they look great. Bottom line: the shifter is a high-performance pant that delivers.
I took this pack with me on my first backcountry trip. I have a dakine mission pack that I use for school and everyday stuff, so I knew this would be a product I could trust. I love that the design was built to incorporate the probe and shovel because that meant I wasn't trying to cram either into the limited space of the bag. 11 litres is comparatively small, so this is definitely a single-day pack. In light of that though I was able to fit a Nalgene, lunch, two layers, a pair of gloves and goggles comfortably inside. Hip and shoulder-strap pockets also came in handy for storing granola bars, etc. I am confident in calling this another success for Dakine.
Plenty of padding initially which I removed so that I could fit a toque/goggles underneath. This helmet has held up for 4 seasons now, and I've been super pleased with it throughout. Definitely recommended.
These pants held up for 3 full seasons of use on the West Coast. By the end, the waterproofing was shot, and the crotch had started to rip, but that's befitting of the amount of time I had used them. They were a bit too skinny imo, and I had to fully open the ankle zippers to get them over my boots. Also, the lack of insulation meant that I had to cram layers underneath on cold days. As a spring shred pant though, the Standard Skinny fuckin' kills. Highly recommended.
I've been really impressed by the These. I got them because I was looking for a wider mid-mounted park ski that was playful and catered to jibbing and I was pleased to get everything that I wanted. I'm not afraid to hit 60+ ft on them either, although they have a tendency to wash out upon landing. I also appreciate their width underfoot for those days when there's too much pow to ignore in the park. Overall I've been very pleased with these soft, playful jib skis. Highly recommended.
