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November, 2023

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New Whips; AR8's, ARV's, Kartel's or something else??

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Jabe
Posts: 567 - Karma: 241
Hey NS, hows its going?
I'm in the market for some new skis and I wasnt too sure what would be best for me so I figured I would come on here for a little advice. Unfortunately my 2012 Pipe Cleaners are past their last stand as there is about two feet of edge missing on the inside of the right one making them pretty much unusable. Black Friday is right around the corner so i would like to have a clear cut decision on what would be best by then so i can look for a good deal. Ive done some research and the three choices and ive narrowed it down to the ON3P Kartels, Armada ARV's or AR8's. I am also open to pretty much any other ski that someone recommends. I would say i'm a type 3 skier who also feels confident on pretty much anything in the park. My home mountain is pretty small at only 700 feet of vert so I guess something geared toward park skiing would be the best choice as there is not much else to do but I would also like something that can handle outside of the park too as i enjoy ripping on the groomers as well. I plan on making a few trips to Vermont this year and maybe eventually out west. Now to the choices.

Armada AR8
Looks like they are the newer version of the Pipe Cleaner, which is a ski that I have used for the past five years. Didnt have too much to compare them to but I absolutely loved them would not mind grabbing another pair. Cheapest of the three options as well.
Armada ARV
From word on here and across the web they seem like they are a great all around ski, only a little more pricey than the AR8's. I'm not too sure what size I would get either, torn between the 86' and 96's. Like the Kartel's they are rockered and I've never rode a rockered ski so I'm a little curious to see how they would fare.
ON3P Kartel's
Another great option that has a great rep on the web. Only thing putting me off about them is the price. If they are worth it that much more compared to the other two then I would consider grabbing them.

If anyone needs anymore clarification just lemme know, any input is good input to me.

Cheers.
Nov 6 2018 11:27PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8463 - Karma: 53,280
the kartels are great skis but they seem kinda like overkill (in terms of money and weight) for a 700 vert hill.

id prob stick with the ar8s (which, yes, are basically pipe cleaners) except for the possibility of trips to vt and out west, which would make me say arv96. that's a great width (and ski) that will be right at home for your 700 vert hill but also be ready for some soft snow sometimes

i wouldnt bother with the arv86 unless you want what is basically (basically!) a softer version of your pipe cleaners.

do you want something more toward the stiffer side, or the medium/softer side? that can help decide this (96 softer, ar8 stiffer), that and whether or not you need or desire an 80s waisted ski or a 90s waisted ski (which, of course, trades soft snow performance for hard snow performance). either will be sick though
Nov 7 2018 2:06PM
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RykerL
Posts: 15 - Karma: 19
If you rip groomers primarily outside the park, the sego big horn line may be worth checking out. From what I can tell based on reviews the hold edge very well. Would give you a more personal note on them, but mine are sitting in my living room waiting to see action.
Nov 11 2018 12:01AM
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MaimHelp
Posts: 1637 - Karma: 12,849
I have not ridden kartels but I have learned from friends and people that ride them is that they take time to get used to. They turn different and are heavily rockered compared to the arvs ot the ar8s. I personally would go arv 96s because that is what I own and also you will be more at home on one of them. My friend that bought kartels about 2 seasons ago just ended up buying line chronics and only uses the kartels for pow days.
Nov 12 2018 3:09PM
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HypeBeast
Posts: 9467 - Karma: 67,628
For what you'll be mostly riding with some applications to VT and out west, I agree with the other folks, the ARV 96 sounds like your best choice and value as your one ski quiver.
Nov 12 2018 5:13PM
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Jabe
Posts: 567 - Karma: 241
Thanks ill probably go with them then, just for something a little more versatile than the ar8s
Nov 15 2018 6:57PM
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