What Board To Buy!?

[I Ride Baker]

Hey all, I'm trying to decide on a new board and being pretty new to boarding I figured I'd turn to some experts for advice

Basically I'm looking for a board $500 or less, cheaper is better, but quality comes first. I have found a couple of options from last years line of boards and I am looking for your take on them. Which are better? Which are worse? Also feel free to throw in your own suggestions! I'm 6' 2" about 170 lbs and have a size 12 in US shoe size, so a wide board is preferred

What I've Found So Far,

K2:
K2 2012 Raygun Snowboard
On Sale K2 Fastplant Wide Snowboard 159 up to 40% off
On Sale K2 Darkstar Snowboard 159 up to 45% off

Ride:
2011 Ride Highlife Wide Snowboard at O2GearShop.com
Ride Highlife UL Wide Snowboard - 2011 Closeout at REI-OUTLET.com
On Sale Ride Kink Wide Snowboard 159 up to 40% off
Ride 2012 Crush Snowboard

Any advice is helpful!

[Richie67]

Where do you ride bud?

[I Ride Baker]

Mt. Baker, WA

[alex12]

I just picked up last season's K2 Raygun at Sport Chalet for under $200 OTD. I'd see if they have any left in your area

[wrathfuldeity]

this week a poo board, not today though...closed

[Justin]

They Highlife isn't overly beginner friendly. You might want to stear away from that one, it is stiff and likes to go fast all the time.

I haven't ridden the kink but it is supposed to be very soft.

Fastplant and darkstar are both twins so maybe not the best for your only board in a place that gets big dumps of snow unless you wanna ride a lot of park.

Not sure on the crush but the raygun seems to be well like by all who ride it. I would think that should be your first choice.

The turbo dream on the Ericks site would probably work depending on your boots. I wear a 13 burton boot and have ridden a regular width 157 rome agent rocker with no toe drag issues, but be sure before you buy a reg width.

[I Ride Baker]

Originally Posted by Justin

They Highlife isn't overly beginner friendly. You might want to stear away from that one, it is stiff and likes to go fast all the time.

I haven't ridden the kink but it is supposed to be very soft.

Fastplant and darkstar are both twins so maybe not the best for your only board in a place that gets big dumps of snow unless you wanna ride a lot of park.

Not sure on the crush but the raygun seems to be well like by all who ride it. I would think that should be your first choice.

The turbo dream on the Ericks site would probably work depending on your boots. I wear a 13 burton boot and have ridden a regular width 157 rome agent rocker with no toe drag issues, but be sure before you buy a reg width.

Thanks for the advice man!

[Jet]

Originally Posted by Justin

They Highlife isn't overly beginner friendly. You might want to stear away from that one, it is stiff and likes to go fast all the time.

I haven't ridden the kink but it is supposed to be very soft.

Fastplant and darkstar are both twins so maybe not the best for your only board in a place that gets big dumps of snow unless you wanna ride a lot of park.

Not sure on the crush but the raygun seems to be well like by all who ride it. I would think that should be your first choice.

The turbo dream on the Ericks site would probably work depending on your boots. I wear a 13 burton boot and have ridden a regular width 157 rome agent rocker with no toe drag issues, but be sure before you buy a reg width.

Definitely second the Turbo Dream. Great all-mountain, powder board, but can handle its own in most any situation. I wouldn't call it a beginners board, but I will say it's a great board for a beginner because it's good all-round board.