Vector BC eludes my thinking

[Woodserson]

When I say 'Vector with kick skin' I mean the non-BC version... I'm hypothesizing if Voile made the Vectors with a skin system like Asnes/Fischer... Wax and kicker skin, best of both worlds.

The scales 'seem' just like the Rossi scales.

[MikeK]

The scales 'seem' just like the Rossi scales.

This has me perplexed as well. Has for some time.

Possibly it's just and interaction between camber stiffness and scale geometry.

Fischer scales don't work as well on DC skis (also a huge decrease in area there).

But anyway, I thought someone had told me the Rossi 125s were quite noodly.

[lowangle al]

The rockered tips help the vector to climb. On a regular cambered ski and especially a dbl camber the part of the ski above the wax pocket is working to unweight the upper part of the grip area.

Woods do you want the kicker skins to replace kick wax or just to climb something steep? You will still have to take the kicker skins off for the downhill.

[lilcliffy]

It's intended more towards turning and rugged, steep terrain.

Exactly. The Vector is an "alpine touring" ski. I say the word "alpine" with a small case "a" on purpose- because obviously it can be mated with boots-bindings ranging from BC-XC, to Telemark, to "AT".

But- I do think it's "long distance" attributes are from an "alpine touring" perspective- or as Connyro put it above.

The only time I tested the Vector was on about a 20km tour in the very steep, rugged hills/mountains of northwestern NB (500m verticals). Three of us were all in plastic Telemark touring boots (T4s and Excursions) and we all had 3-pin-cable bindings with climbing wires and skins. We had a 180cm Vector BC; a 195cm Guide; and a 189cm S-Bound 112.

It was early February, it was cold and the snow was soft, deep, but dense.

All three of these skis had their shining points.

The Vector BC out-climbed and out-turned the other two skis- by a significant margin. We were all pulling out skins for the Guide/S-112 while the Vector BC was still climbing on scales alone...The S-112 base out-climbed the Guide. The S-112 was easier to turn/control on hardpack than the Guide- the Guide was equally effective on soft snow.

On the flats the S-112 and Guide performed more like a xcountry ski than the Vector BC. I found that the Guide tracked better than the other two.

Which was the better ski? Depends on what is most important...if I was going to truly make a long distance tour on deep, soft snow- I would actually prefer the Guide.

But if the objective is to be able to rip it up on that rugged terrain- the Vector BC is the better ski.

On the spectrum between these three skis- from xcountry to downhill performance- all three of us rated them Guide- S-112- Vector BC.

BTW- there has been a bit of speculation on what the the new S-125 is or isn't...Fischer is a smart and progressive company. I would suspect that the new S-Bound 125 is a different ski than the S-112/S-98...I bet that it is more than just a half-ass shot at the Vector. I'm looking forward to some testing and direct comparisons between the S-125 and the Vector BC.

The Vector BC is an awesome "xcd"/"Telemark" or from the Asnes point of view "alpine touring" ski.

If I had more vertical in my backyard- I would already have one- or something else like it.

[Teleman]

Vectors are good on the down....They are a lite Alpine ski that can cruise the forest....not very fast....They deflect in the bush, are a giant snow plough on the flats. They go up ok but compared to a skinny are dogs....Have blown by Vectors often in the bush and will continue to do so because they are kinda slow and the sidecut makes them want...no need, to turn while skinnies slice the powder like a javelin....If I got really slow and geriatric I'd jump on them but while I can still head a skinny down and blow powder to hell it will be a cold day in hell before I'd get them....Hell I'd get snowshoes called Koms first....TM

[connyro]

Thanks for the first-hand account TM! Glad you've been out on them and actually skied on the Vectors so we can be blessed with your informed 'opinion'. Maybe your boy on the Vectors is poor skier? Also, you claim the Vectors can't go straight downhill because of the sidecut? Wow! I've never heard that one before. Glad you're here to clear up the facts for us!

[Teleman]

Conn-mon.....the switchbacks on those skis weigh almost as much as my skis!!!!!!! If I could get my leathers in them I would and then I'd say the same thing....They are faaaat downhill skis that work on the down....People like you need them...Have at it.....People like Telewheels has them cause he can keep up.....on the down....Unlike you....He is a excellent BC skier who frequents alpine areas all the time....You should see the junk he skis on there and they and you call it telemark....what a laugh! Conn-job arc on if you can but learning anything useful from you is not gonna happen....See get over the jealousy and perhaps you to can learn something....I won't hold my breath....TM

[MikeK]

People like you need them...Have at it.....People like Telewheels has them cause he can keep up.....on the down....Unlike you....He is a excellent BC skier who frequents alpine areas all the time....

Now why would you say this?

Have you two ever skied together? Let's cut the online ski competition bullshit. If you boys want to have a ski off, get together and do it. But why? What does it prove?

If you ever got together to ski, why not just enjoy skiing together. If you want competition, go to the resort or the track and have at it.

Isn't the BC supposed to be devoid of this BS?

[connyro]

Let's cut the online ski competition bullshit. If you boys want to have a ski off, get together and do it. But why? What does it prove?

LOL. A ski-off! Naw, it's not about that for me. I don't like old gramps' condescension. Pure and simple. And I am apparently too immature to avoid stooping to his level of stoopid.

[MikeK]

I know what it is. I actually don't mind retaliation if someone insults you. I don't mind disagreement. That's real life. I obviously don't want to see it get out of control and ruin the forum. Some people will be turned off by bickering and personal attacks.

We've been lucky enough to only have to ever remove one person and their sock puppetry. And trust me, it will take a lot for anyone to ever get banned again on this forum, but that's not an invitation - one can recall the shitshow that lead up to the last one and they almost didn't get banned. Let's just not ever go there again. Please.