I am researching many different bindings and plan to switch from HO Animals this spring. I'm getting ready to purchase an A1 in a week or so. The HO Rep says HO is bringing out new bindings later this summer (hardshells) - but I don't think I want to wait.
I ski with 2 guys who use the Quattro Double 6 from Fluid Motion (so I know all about those) (probably won't go this route because of cost - about $1000 and I'm leaning away from bindings like these, Fogmans and Goode). Each of those bindings have a few hurtles that for me personally I don't want to jump over. (at this point)
So - by process of elimination and through reading a ton of forums, I'm interested in the E-Series by Fluid Motion and possible RS-1's by Radar. However, the RS-1 is something I saw someone using this past summer and the bindings were all ready falling apart. (the leather material was ripping and tearing). So - based on that alone - I am leaning away from those (I would like them to last longer than one season). Also the RS-1 seems to have some comfort issues (based on some posts I read) related to screws poking through the bottom, etc, etc thus requiring super-feet, etc, etc.
Which leads me to the E-Series. A little costly for a traditional binding setup but I like the hardshell setup, the breakaway upper's, comfortable liners.
Is anyone skiing on the E-series- any opinions. Any pro's using them? Any major falls? How is the release mechanism? (tension, etc, etc). What about durability of the release? What are the chances of on an OTF fall leaving one foot still in the binding while another comes out?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated?