The D3 Quest is an all-new ski for 2013. The development process of the Quest may have started with the D3 X7 but the final product is a completely different ski.
In a field of super aggressive, fire breathing slalom skis the Quest is the most predictable and refined high end slalom ski tested to date. As opposed to being the most radical, the Quest has the right amount of the speed, angle, stability and aggression. Not radical does not mean pedestrian. In this case, it is quite the contrary. The Quest is a world class short line slalom ski.
As with many design attributes such as stability, too much or too little can make skiing more challenging. The Quest is stable enough off the wakes to allow the skier to feel comfortable and confident, but is not over stable at the expense of aggressive turns. The Quest offers a very tactile feel underfoot. In combination with other attributes this stability makes the skier feel comfortable and able stay more centered over the ski.
“Off Side” turns are dependable and consistent. Compared to other skis in the same class the Quest is perhaps less sensitive to weight distribution. Because of the ski’s basic stability the Quest makes it easier for the skier to be in better position through the turn (*). The arc from apex to hookup is crisp but not abrupt. If the skier is patient with their free hand at the end of the turn the Quest will arc far back inside the ball line for even more angle. The basic attitude of the ski is not overly tip down but is consistent.
“On Side” turns are practically indistinguishable from “Off Side” turns. Skiers who are not as centered going into their “On Side” will find that the Questis quite tolerant to this technique flaw. (*) If needed the “On Side” turns can be pushed fast and hard with only a little tip rise as a consequence.
Because the finish of the turn is calm, the amount of angle the Quest establishes can be deceiving. The one thing this ski does in extreme is create angle, but it does so without making the skier feel out of control.
The overall balance of the ski means that skiers will find it easier to be centered and to be stacked from the hook up to the wakes.
From the wakes to the ball seems to be the one segment where the Quest is especially sensitive to fin and binding settings. With the right settings the Quest draws a very wide and early path to the ball. The ski is surprisingly tolerant to technical errors by the skier *. With the fin a little too far back and /or the bindings too far forward the skier will be faced with the odd experience of being very early and narrow at the ball.
Quirks: In comparison to other skis, the Quest is very sensitive to binding and fin settings but forgiving to skier indiscretions.
*"Insert the obligatory “all skis work better if you ski with good technique”
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Connelly ☆DBSkis ☆Denali ☆Goode ☆GiveGo ☆MasterCraft ☆ Masterline
Performance Ski and Surf ☆ Reflex ☆ Radar ☆ Rodics OffCourse ☆ S Lines ☆ Stokes ☆
Comments
67"
2.500
6.937
.760
8 degrees
29 3/4
Support BallOfSpray by supporting the companies that support BallOfSpray
Connelly ☆DBSkis ☆Denali ☆Goode ☆GiveGo ☆MasterCraft ☆ Masterline
Performance Ski and Surf ☆ Reflex ☆ Radar ☆ Rodics OffCourse ☆ S Lines ☆ Stokes ☆
Support BallOfSpray by supporting the companies that support BallOfSpray
Connelly ☆DBSkis ☆Denali ☆Goode ☆GiveGo ☆MasterCraft ☆ Masterline
Performance Ski and Surf ☆ Reflex ☆ Radar ☆ Rodics OffCourse ☆ S Lines ☆ Stokes ☆
FYI, I felt right at home on the Quest coming from Z7ST (66 in) and it watered my eyes on one of my very late onside turns. I ended up walking away with one.
My fin settings (36 mph skier)
2.505
6.925
.760 slot
Wing at 7
Paul gave me dft number of .740 flat. But getting a consistent flat reading with a slot caliper is difficult. Anyone have slot dft numbers they are running on a 68? D3 doesn't list slot dft numbers.
6.925 tips
2.505
.740 slot
7 degrees
Goode / Centurion Boats