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NS Proto VS. ?????

14K views 41 replies 18 participants last post by  IceShredEC 
#1 · (Edited)
So for my 1000th post, I figured I would start a thread that would actually benefit the community a bit.

I, and everyone else on here, have been seeing tons of members purchasing NS Protos left and right. I am guilty of it. But the other day, I was wondering what boards compare to the Proto, and then it dawned on me, why not have a thread dedicated to twin tip boards with similar riding characteristics?

This will provide two opportunities for the forum: first, we could just refer to this thread every time someone has a Proto comparison question, second, it will give everyone that claims there are better options available to supply makes and models that are competitive. I think everyone could benefit from putting some of the warped negative energy on here to positive use.

I encourage anyone who posts here to supply the name of another board that compares and WHY it compares, or at the VERY least comment on another board that was brought up, however a short review could be very beneficial in helping people make decisions in the future.

Characteristics of comparison decks should include: Twin tip shape, all mountain flex, and some sort of hybrid camber. If anyone has ridden any of the boards listed, add in what you thought about it.

I don't think things like base construction or topsheets should eliminate options, but they can certainly be used to compare in a review if someone prefers.

Soooo... I'll go first.

My submission is Smokin' Snowboards Superpipe. Twin shape, sintered 6000 base, mid-flex, hemp stringers, magnatraction. Made for jumps, but is a true, do everything board. I have not ridden it, but I bet it compares quite well. What is really cool about these boards is that they can be ordered with three different camber profiles. Full camber, camber with a hint of rocker in the center, and full hybrid camber with rocker between the bindings. The hybrid shapes do cost more, increasing the cost of the board to around $550.


Comparo boards:

Arbor: Blacklist/Westmark
Burton: Process Flying-V (lighter but softer), Custom Flying-V
Capita: DOA, Outsiders
Flow: Rush or maybe Era
Gnu: Riders Choice
K2: Happy Hour
Lib Tech: TRS, Hot Knife
Nitro: Uberspoon
Ride: Buckwild, Machete, Buck Up
Rome: Agent Rocker
Salomon: Assassin, Time Machine (directional twin)
Smokin': Superpark, Buck Ferton
YES: The Greats (2013)/The Asym (2014), Basic
 
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#2 ·
No reviews but I'll add three boards I'm seriously considering along with the Proto.

Salomon Time Machine. Not a true twin, but directional twin.
K2 Happy Hour
Nitro Uberspoon.

These are the boards I identified from BA's reviews then did further diligence on wherever I can find info.

I keep flip flopping between the HH and the Time Machine. I want a lot of pop, and to be able to charge yet play around a little (I'm ordering a dedicated bear mountain board the Rossignol Rocknrolla for jibbies and small jumps).
 
#3 ·
I rode the Burton Process Flying V. Its quite similar on paper but felt much lighter and a little softer. Felt like it'd not do as well for all mountain really, but a beginner could have an easier time on it. I didn't come away wishing I'd bought one instead of the Proto at all, but I really want to try the camber version now. :thumbsup:
 
#5 ·
I am considering the T.Rice Pro and the Proto.
I need a wide board so in particular the Proto HDX and the T.Rice is a mid wide, not sure I can get away with it but would be keen for any comparisons on anyone that has ridden both?
Note, I understand the T.Rice changes shape in the larger sizes to be more of a pow ripper, so talking the mid-shorter boards that are actually true twins for this comparison.
Without riding them, just looking at the specs I believe the T.Rice maybe better for ripping groomers and smoothing out crud, while the Proto (when broken in) maybe a little better for including rails and boxes in your run, but still both overall, both pretty poppy, chargin all mountain twins!
 
#9 ·
Yeah I agree, sorry my comparisons really are just for wide boards. The problem being the TRS is not available in a wide option. Would love to have the TRS in a wide as it sounds awesome! I guess I got on to the T.Rice because its about as close as I can see to the HDX, in a wide (mid at least) board to suit my riding style.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Not exactly "direct" competition to the Proto as it has some differences, but here's an alternative:

Endeavor Live 2014

- Rocker/Camber/Rocker hybrid (so it will feel a bit more like regular camber than the Proto, but still limda floaty)
- Directional twin (difficult to tell the difference if not for the graphics; but slightly different nose geometry aimed at better float)
- All mountain Mid flex ~6/10-ish, Triaxial fibreglass (so maybe a bit stiffer than the Proto)
- Sintered 7500 base
- Vibration dampening, carbon strip inserts
- Very light (not sure if lighter than the Proto, probably not)
- Costs less than Proto (at least in Canada), i could get the board AND decent boots or bindings for the price of a Proto.

- Badass graphic
- Indie Vancouver (Canada) company, made in China. So i guess you cant get more vancouver than that ;)

I'll do a little review after riding it....
 
#22 · (Edited)
good i saw this thread, so about to order a new board from evo, thinking between two decks and one is proto hdx...
It's weird that 3 pages nobody has suggested here yet, it's 2014 Salomon Assassin Wide

so here it is

assassin comes in 157-160 in wide sizes
proto hdx comes in 152 155 158 160 163 in wide sizes

so more option when it comes to size i am considering 157 or 158 i don't think 1cm would make a difference.

they are both
true twin
sintered base
freestyle all-mountain board
has same flex (5)

proto light wood core, rocket and camber

assassin has bamboo (i think) hmm... camber under feet, rocker tip/tail

I lift them up at a local shop in VT, and Assassin felt a little lighter.
 
#28 · (Edited)
It's weird that 3 pages nobody has suggested here yet, it's 2014 Salomon Assassin Wide

so here it is

assassin comes in 157-160 in wide sizes
proto hdx comes in 152 155 158 160 163 in wide sizes

they are both
true twin
sintered base
freestyle all-mountain board
has same flex (5)

proto light wood core, rocket and camber

assassin has bamboo (i think) hmm... camber under feet, rocker tip/tail

I lift them up at a local shop in VT, and Assassin felt a little lighter.
I was actually considering the Assassin as well. In the end i chose the Endeavor live based on:
- I liked the idea of a floatier nose
- I wanted normal 90 edges and then tune to what i want
- Assassin was like $60 more
- Endeavor is a local indie company
- The Live's graphic is just killer

So yea, this list will end up being very long......
 
#36 ·
hey guys i was reading through the thread and noticed that no one posted about the nitro rook. i am currently deciding between the 2014 proto HDX and the 2014 nitro rook. from what i have read they seem very similar in the sense that they are both about the closest thing that you can get to a quiver killer, both are flexy enough to ride park but are still stiff enough to do some carving on the groomers, also i have read that both can handle powder decently well. please tell me if i have this mixed up in anyway and what you guys think would be a better choice?

thank you.
 
#37 ·
wow now that i read this, i checked out smokin.. that superpark board looks awesome. Which profile is like that of the 2014 proto hd? i already have a arbor blacklist which is an amazing board for park/play but its a 157 and i am 6'1" 205lbs and headed to jackson hole in 3 weeks where they have been getting pounded so i want something that will handle powder well but i am gonna be finding fun stuff to play around on, riding switch, spinning too. oh and i love the catch free, butter allowing edges as well..

any help?
 
#38 ·
You already have a board that is very similar to the Proto HD. I have ridden a Westmark and a Proto, and the Proto is maybe a hair stiffer. I rode a broken in Proto HD the other day, and it was actually softer than the Westmark that I had which was new.

Getting to the point, you are headed to Jackson and want a board that is just a touch stiffer? Why not now look at something more like a T Rice / Ripsaw / Smokin equivalent.

You are going to be disappointed having 2 boards that are basically the same thing.

I have a Lib Tech Banana Magic. Would be perfect for Jackson Hole.
 
#40 ·
I have a 2013 Proto CTX 157 and a 2012 TRS 157. I rode them back to back this past weekend...my friend rode one of them while I rode the other...we would do a few runs and then switch off.

I sorta fell into the TRS when I was out in Washington and wrecked my rock board so it is fairly new to me still. The Proto has been my go to board since I got my first one in 2012...I like everything about it and have around 40 days on my 2013 Proto. I have around 4 days on my TRS.

TRS has Union Atlas Bindings
Proto has Union Contact Pro Bindings

The TRS is noticeably lighter...it really shocked me to feel how light it was. The TRS holds an edge better than the proto. It was very close but the nod goes to the TRS in the hardpack and ice. The TRS was a bit stiffer as well. It was a demo board so I know it has plenty of time on it. I really liked the stiffness...I think because I'm 220 lbs.

The Proto was easier to spin 360s on and less catchy on rails. The Proto had a softer landing off of jumps too. The Proto stayed on top of powder better (12" or so in the trees). In general, the Proto seemed to be a bit more forgiving of mistakes in the park.

All in all, I really like the TRS and plan to keep it along with the Proto.
 
#41 ·
The Banana magic isn't an overly stiff board. I take it to the park, hit small to medium jumps, get in the trees, and pop off as many natural features as I can. The stiffness makes is a real fun charger. The side cut makes it really fun to carve.

The magic has a little more rocker for float and playfulness than C2. But it's far from a powder boards. It's a big mountain freestyle board.

The Rice will be blunted at '53 and '57. At 61 and 64, you have pointed tips. The board has a very similar profile to the Proto.

Here is the problem. The blacklist and the Proto are very similar boards. The flex will be about the same. I don't personally see how a Proto will help you more in Jackson hole. FWIW, I rode the Proto in Jackson the first time back in '12, and had my Rice '57. Without a doubt, the Rice was more fun in the Hobacks.
 
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