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Raptor vs. Turbo Dream

6K views 35 replies 15 participants last post by  neni 
#1 ·
Getting a new board and have narrowed it down to the Never Summer Raptor or the K2 Turbo Dream. I want something that I can take all over the mountain, but performance in the park is not a high priority for me. I am a solid intermediate rider. Does anyone have an recommendations?
 
#4 ·
The Raptor will be way overkill for cruising groomers at Keystone and Park City. It is their baddest, hardest charging deck for crushing serious terrain. I'd lean more towards the SL, Cobra, or Heritage as those are more balanced, forgiving, and a little more tame.
 
#7 ·
I wholeheartedly disagree. Yes the Raptor is a hard charger but it's edge hold on groomers is amazing. Really good if you want to startllaying down some deep carves. And speed... Sooo stable at speed. By 10am when it gets all chopped up it keeps going. Even the late afternoon crud is well absorbed keeping you stable on high speed groomed runs. then when your local spot gets a good dump it rides really well in the deep. I'd say it's worth a look. That said... I'venever ridden the TD .
 
#8 ·
+1

I haven't ridden the TD but I've heard good things. The one concern I remember hearing from a rider was that it didn't have any traction tech (such as magne traction, NS vario grip, etc), but if you say your conditions are mostly good it shouldn't be too big a deal
 
#9 ·
Turbo hands down.

Harshmellow is gonna make it ride smoother, but since you're getting your dampening from that instead of just how the whole board is built it will also remain more lively. The hyper progressive sidecut blends an infinite number of sidecuts together, if you know your edges and can manipulate a board the grip and ability to push through chunder is great. And personally I prefer flat or camber between my feet, not rocker (with very limited exceptions).
 
#11 ·
If the OP likes groomers and pow would the ultra dream be a better option than the turbo dream? I'm interested in these two boards also and don't think there is much between them, aside from the ultra shape being tweaked more for backcountry and pow. It would still probably be fine on groomers too. What do you think Nivek, you've ridden both, right?
 
#28 ·
Be careful. Around here it would be considered overpriced! $574
Pretty close yeah, I think anything over $600 is unnecessary. One of the old T9 guys said it best, it's easy to design a great board that costs $600, but to build one that rides awesome for under $400, that's fucking hard. And in the last few years I've been haing way more fun on sub $400 decks than higher end ones. This is the first year I've chosen to ride something more expensive, the Rush.

One of the big things about those $50-$30 price differences is you'll typically get way more tech and a lighter board than it's Mervin/NS equivalent. Burton is often the same way, but they do also try to pack in features. With those brands you're buying a product, and then paying a little extra to have their logo/name on that product. It's a smart move by those brands, it creates a sense of elitism that you own/ride brand X and dirves hype and demand. However, that doesnt mean everyone buying them or working there has that attitude. Our Gnu rep is chill as a drunk bear in Nepal for example.
 
#10 ·
I demo'd the Turbo Dream two weeks ago, it was a really fun board to take most places on the mountain. It turns very very easily, and it's pretty stable for a flat board. I felt like it would be a really good board for a beginner or freestyle rider.

However, it didn't hold an edge on steeper, icy slopes at all. I felt like icy terrain was its biggest weakness. Compared to the cambered boards I demo'd (Custom X, Jones Flagship) I was much happier on one of those when conditions were steep and icy.

I think the Slayblade would be more comparable to a freeride board, but I didn't demo it. In the end I like my current hybrid rocker/camber board (2011 Flow Infinite) more than the Turbo Dream. I'm very interested in the Raptor and will probably get that one. My riding goals are more speed/freeride oriented.
 
#35 ·
How would you guys compare the K2 Turbo dream to the Jones Flagship?

Was thinking about both boards and would like a pow board that can do everything.

Everyone has great reviews for both boards and makes it hard to decide!!! I'm thinking about buying one for a Hokkaido trip but don't want a dedicated pow board as there isnt enough fresh pow where i live.
 
#36 ·
Don't know the Turbo so I'll only comment on the Flagship. It's a great board for pow and charge/carve/bomb groomers. Fast, stable, responsive. I love this board, BUT it's a plank... as much it is fun in good conditions, it is hard work in crud n moguls. Doable but there are others that are easier. If you have lot of these conditions, you might want a different board.
 
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