MortbrokemyskisYou can run a 12 din binding at 12 but I would much rather run a 15/6 din at 12 myself. The construction is better in a 15+ din binding usually being more suited to the forces more retention brings + more durable and sometimes the springs don't perform perfectly on the extreme ends of the binding range. Pivot 15s are full metal and dope but if you're trying to save money the aaattack 16s that were talked about higher up in the thread are probably your best bet especially compared to a 12 din binding.
Based on this and based on the previous couple of responses I feel as though my best option would be the Attack2 16s (maybe I can get last year's model a bit cheaper or something). I've heard great things about the Pivots and the short mounting area is an enticing characteristic. However, they are quite a bit more expensive and it's hard to drop that kind of money while trying to pay my way through med school. I think I need to spend the extra money to go up to 16s though since I busted through Squires (11 DIN) and Griffons (13 DIN). Granted they were both old when I busted through them but I am still riding hard enough that I am breaking bindings like that. I might as well spend the extra money to have bindings that should hold me better than buy cheaper bindings multiple times after breaking them.
I do want to make a PSA that is likely known to nearly everyone on NS: Marker Squires are not a good option for likely anyone on this site. I got them when I was in high school and was not as rough of a rider, but now I am dropping (small) cliffs and throwing down backflips. The Squires have a small spring in the heel held in place by a tiny little plastic piece that, if it breaks, means the bindings are as good as done. If you are a Type III skier they are just not a good option at all. Spend the extra $50-$100 to get a higher quality binding, you'll be happy you did.