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Amplid Pentaquark/UNW8

40903 Views 239 Replies 32 Participants Last post by  jsil
Does anyone have any history they can share with these 2 rigs
The Pentaquark and the UNW8.
Some pros some cons and similar US boards , Cheers !
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Would a mini disc fit the binding pattern on an unw8?
Yes

I’ve ridden my Pentaqurk 158 2020 on 2 occasions already. It’s a bit softer torsionally than the UNW8. If you charge and carve hard it can be a daily driver. Not really an open groomer board only if you have some responsive bindings.

Since I’ve finally ridden all three centrifugals, I can say that Surfari -> Pentaquark -> Unw8 (from the least to the most aggressive one).
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Yes

I’ve ridden my Pentaqurk 158 2020 on 2 occasions already. It’s a bit softer torsionally than the UNW8. If you charge and carve hard it can be a daily driver. Not really an open groomer board only if you have some responsive bindings.

Since I’ve finally ridden all three centrifugals, I can say that Surfari -> Pentaquark -> Unw8 (from the least to the most aggressive one).
What do you mean about the Pentaquark not really being an "open groomer board" unless you have responsive bindings?

I was able to ride my UNW8 today for the first time on groomers and it RIPPED. I have to ride it a bit more, but I could initiate turns that were so aggressive I actually pulled Gs and felt them in my gut.

I'm 155lbs, 5'9" with my feet squeezed into size 8s. I own a Surfari 157, Pentaquark 156 (Mothership) and a 156 UNW8. I'm also riding Ion Step Ons for the first time season.

My early thoughts are:

Versatility:
UNW8 (carving, switch, park, pipe) = Surfari (groomers, carving, pow) > Pentaquark (carving a bit more freeride than you'd think)

Aggressiveness (same as you):
UNW8 > Pentaquark > Surfari

The torsional stiffness of the UNW8 is definitely extreme in comparison to the Surfari/Pentaquark. That plus the more standard width give it a completely different feel to the other two centrifugals.

And if anyone is wondering about Step Ons, I'd say the only negative for me is that I have very small calves and I wish it had double the forward lean. My heelside turns feel better with a bit more forward lean. That being said, for resort riding, I can't imagine going back to regular bindings. Riding off the lift and straight past everyone strapping in and skiers messing their poles is just great. I picked up a set of Step On X bindings, but haven't used them yet. Going to ride them a bit more to make sure there aren't any other cons and then go all in on the system.
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What do you mean about the Pentaquark not really being an "open groomer board" unless you have responsive bindings?
I mean that it’s far more versatile than its marketing (‚only open groomers in the morning’) if you have some responsive bindings on it.
I was able to ride my UNW8 today for the first time on groomers and it RIPPED. I have to ride it a bit more, but I could initiate turns that were so aggressive I actually pulled Gs and felt them in my gut.
Pretty much stated that when the thread started. The UNW8 is an uber monster on the edge.
I mean that it’s far more versatile than its marketing (‚only open groomers in the morning’) if you have some responsive bindings on it.
Oh yeah, understood. Totally agree with that. It's much more forgiving and less stiff than I expected it to be.
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What do you mean about the Pentaquark not really being an "open groomer board" unless you have responsive bindings?

I was able to ride my UNW8 today for the first time on groomers and it RIPPED. I have to ride it a bit more, but I could initiate turns that were so aggressive I actually pulled Gs and felt them in my gut.

I'm 155lbs, 5'9" with my feet squeezed into size 8s. I own a Surfari 157, Pentaquark 156 (Mothership) and a 156 UNW8. I'm also riding Ion Step Ons for the first time season.

My early thoughts are:

Versatility:
UNW8 (carving, switch, park, pipe) = Surfari (groomers, carving, pow) > Pentaquark (carving a bit more freeride than you'd think)

Aggressiveness (same as you):
UNW8 > Pentaquark > Surfari

The torsional stiffness of the UNW8 is definitely extreme in comparison to the Surfari/Pentaquark. That plus the more standard width give it a completely different feel to the other two centrifugals.

And if anyone is wondering about Step Ons, I'd say the only negative for me is that I have very small calves and I wish it had double the forward lean. My heelside turns feel better with a bit more forward lean. That being said, for resort riding, I can't imagine going back to regular bindings. Riding off the lift and straight past everyone strapping in and skiers messing their poles is just great. I picked up a set of Step On X bindings, but haven't used them yet. Going to ride them a bit more to make sure there aren't any other cons and then go all in on the system.
Haven’t managed to get on the UNW8 yet but from your description I probably should look to buy a Surfari anyway haha.

How would you rate aggressiveness and edge hold of the Surfari overall compared to other (aggressive) carving boards from other brands you’ve ridden?
The Surfari is amazing and the edge hold is fantastic. If I could only have one of these boards, or if I didn't ride switch, I'd take the Surfari over the other two hands down. You'll find comparable edge hold on other extremely cambered boards, but the thing that other people don't realize is that amplid's anti-vibration tech in their boards really does work. I had a never summer swift which was great in pow but sucked getting to the goods through chopped up resort crud, the Surfari excels at chopped up resort crud and never chatters.

Granted, it's not often icy here (utah), so take this with a grain of salt if you're back east and just need the most extreme edge hold. I'd assume that would be something like a full camber board + some edge tech, but if you keep the edges of any of the amplid boards sharp it will still handle it if you technique is on point.
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The nose on the Surfari is way softer than the one on the Penta or the Unw8. It holds a very good edge (but I should be on the 161, not the 157 my bud has). I’d rate it a bit better than the Korua CR’s edge hold. If the conditions are nice and the groomer is even, it isn’t that much below the edge hold on the Unw8. The bigger difference shows up when there are death cookies/crud. The Surfari still holds well but the Unw8 (and presumably the Penta but I haven’t tested it yet in such conditions) just plows through it and crushes everything on its path.
There’s a reason why BX boards are torsionally stiff.
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The nose on the Surfari is way softer than the one on the Penta or the Unw8. It holds a very good edge (but I should be on the 161, not the 157 my bud has). I’d rate it a bit better than the Korua CR’s edge hold. If the conditions are nice and the groomer is even, it isn’t that much below the edge hold on the Unw8. The bigger difference shows up when there are death cookies/crud. The Surfari still holds well but the Unw8 (and presumably the Penta but I haven’t tested it yet in such conditions) just plows through it and crushes everything on its path.
There’s a reason why BX boards are torsionally stiff.
Thanks both! I’ve ordered my Millisurf which is meant to arrive today actually. Will probably be different from a solid board but at least give me an idea I hope. But sounds like a great option although we do get some ice and hard conditions in the alps. But hey, could simply replace my Mullair as I’m not doing much/any switch anyway...
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Thanks both! I’ve ordered my Millisurf which is meant to arrive today actually. Will probably be different from a solid board but at least give me an idea I hope. But sounds like a great option although we do get some ice and hard conditions in the alps. But hey, could simply replace my Mullair as I’m not doing much/any switch anyway...
My amplid journey began with a buddy buying a millisurf two years ago. He owns 20 boards and that split rode better than all his other boards IN RESORT. Obviously bindings will play a role, but you'll be able to tell.
My amplid journey began with a buddy buying a millisurf two years ago. He owns 20 boards and that split rode better than all his other boards IN RESORT. Obviously bindings will play a role, but you'll be able to tell.
Got the Spark Surge for the Millisurf (as did you I think for the Shuttle?). What bindings do you guys pair with the UNW8, Surfari and Penta?
Got the Spark Surge for the Millisurf (as did you I think for the Shuttle?). What bindings do you guys pair with the UNW8, Surfari and Penta?
Yep, can't go wrong with spark.

Anything mid to stiff works. Personally I'd say stiff boots mid stiff bindings are good. If you want even more precision, go stiff for both.

Union Strata is a good all around and I've heard the people have about the now drives.
Yep, can't go wrong with spark.

Anything mid to stiff works. Personally I'd say stiff boots mid stiff bindings are good. If you want even more precision, go stiff for both.

Union Strata is a good all around and I've heard the people have about the now drives.
Will try my Union Falcors and Genesis X once resorts hopefully open over here, sounds like these might work well too
Got the Spark Surge for the Millisurf (as did you I think for the Shuttle?). What bindings do you guys pair with the UNW8, Surfari and Penta?
I’ve ridden the Unw8 with Rome Katanas (though I’d prefer Cleavers on it) and Union Falcors. The Pentaquark with Now Drives. I’ll put Burton X Base on it next time (tried it on CR 64 and they matched very well).
Your Falcors and Genesis X will drive the Unw8 well.
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Picked up a stereo 155!
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Missed on the sales, wanted to grab another Pentaquark - the older version in 160.

I’ve ridden my new 158 2021 Penta for 35 plus hours now. An excellent board, it has become my daily driver this season. Korua CR 64 is the best in my quiver to carve on slush but when I don’t know what conditions I’m going to face, I just take out the Penta and carve all day. I love the very stiff nose on the Penta/Unw8. It won’t fold no matter what. The edge hold is excellent (I keep their factory 90/0 edges).

Some euro here (could be better of course, clearly too late initiation in this one plus slush, on a nice groomer it’s an eurocarving machine).

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Not sure if still available but Amplid currently offer 350€ off their centrifugals (or 250€ off their normal range) via voucher codes.

Have ordered a Surfari now but also intrigued by the penta...

Which Surfari would you suggest with 187cm, 77kg and 10.5US?
Not sure if still available but Amplid currently offer 350€ off their centrifugals (or 250€ off their normal range) via voucher codes.

Have ordered a Surfari now but also intrigued by the penta...

Which Surfari would you suggest with 187cm, 77kg and 10.5US?
What's the code? Or do you have to reach out and ask for it?
Really depends what you have in your quiver and what boards you want to keep in it. You are in-between sizes.

@ridethecliche the codes are Frenzy350 or Frenzy200.
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