Kastle FX 84 176cm length:
I mounted this ski with a railflex binding mainly because I wantt to the versatility of being able to move the mount forward and back 1.5cm. I have only skied this ski in the neutral poistion with the boot right on the center line. This skis is very similar in dimensions to the Watea 84 (which I also own although they are reasonably beat up and are now rock skis). Both skis will edge lock carve nicely on hard snow and we had some very hard snow for a few days. Edge hold is better on the Kastle. Both skis are quite quick edge to edge and I am able to do edge locked slalom flushes with both skis. Quickness edge to edge is really a toss up between the two. On hard snow both will do tight brushed carved short radius turns without too much work. Also a toss up on which ski is better or easier at this. Off piste, the FX 84 is more solid without it being less forgiving. Both skis tip easily into off piste SRT's, both skis ski bumps pretty well. I was just able to be more agressive with the Kastle. They are both very friendly skis to ski. The Kastle just has more structural integrity and it can be pushed harder. Usually there is a forgivess give up when this occurs in a ski. I have not found it if it exists. That is the real key and appeal of this ski. Lastly, the thing I have always hated the most about the Watea 84 is that on hard snow at the end of that day when it is not very uniform, at speed, the Watea's tips just flap like carzy even on edge in edge locked carves. It always drives me crazy and it is far from confidence inspiring at speed (even though they actually ski more solid than they look, sound and feel). This is totally absent in the Fx 84 as they railed on this stuff with no deflection. The Kastle is a great ski. Based upon how easy it is to ski, I could actually have gone stiffer and less forgiving. For me the MX series may have been a slightly better choice as I think they are a bit stiffer, but I do love this ski.
For an mid 80mm waited ski that should do everything, this skis lives up to its billing.
JB,
Turning full serious, I and others, have hijacked your review of the FX 84. It really deserves to stand on it's own.
I demo'd the FX 84 yesterday, and, also the Fischer Watea 84 which you used as your "control" ski for comparison purposes. The following is based on 2 runs on each ski. The conditions were not the big mountain, back country terrain that the Kastle website describes as ideal for the FX 84 (the one that wears the black topskin).
I possess neither the skier nor the ski reviewer skills that you have, and, I hope no one ever buys a ski on my reviews.
First, the XF 84 has an entirely different feel than the RX & MX series siblings. I skied this following demo runs on the RX 70 and MX 78, and, in the very first turns I knew this was a different ski from the RX/MX's (that have white topskins) which feel extremely similar through 70 ,78 and 88 waists. In conversations with Phil, he expressed others have felt this difference. From a review standpoint, I was so smitten with the MX's, that it's hard to be objective to the FX 84. But the RX/MX's fit my eastern style and needs.
Your review is so much more insightful. My very lightweight analysis: it did all I asked it to do in medium radius turns on some deteriorating eastern hardpack at the low end of the speed spectrum. Easily goes edge to edge, nice carve feeling. 2000 vertical feet of eastern skiing can't judge this ski. I'd love to have em for a full day of mixed skiing in Big Sky.
The FX 84 is a little more damp, perhaps closer to my Head 78's. I, too, thought it skied very close to the Watea 84. It goes from edge to edge very well. I would encourage anyone to get on a pair, especially if you are in the big mountains for which it was designed.
To touch on the Watea 84. From the second the rep was fitting them, the bases felt "grabby", no glide. In the liftline with Phil, I'd be poleing, he'd be gliding. This sensation carried over onto the hill. It ruined any objective analysis of what this ski can do. I discussed this with the Fischer rep and, without saying so directly, indicated it had been a while since they were waxed or that maybe they were waxed for higher temps (Which in the East is about 2 weeks ago as it's been cold). But Fischers Eastern business is in the Progressor series, so, no surprise here....
Again, John, sorry for the hijack. Try the MX series and let us know.
Mike?