Radar Vapor mid review video and new fin settings

Horton

I have been skiing on the Radar Vapor for a few weeks now. I have liked the ski but it has not been amazing (until today- keep reading). I ran within one ball of my tournament BP a week ago so the ski clearly works but it was doing some things I did not like.

I had been running settings at or around:
Slot .777
Head .775
6.8565
2.478
8°
29 15/16

With these settings the ski is very fast, makes space and turns hard but off side turns were awkward on my hardest passes. There was a feeling that there was too much ski was in the water when I had to push. If I had pro skier skills (I do not) I would never push the ski that hard all at once and the ski would be MONEY.

On the hardest pass that I always run (35 off) I had managed a few times to get in the zone and the ski felt magic but when I get to the pass that I rarely make (38 off ) those off side turns were always a problem. The above settings had once or twice given me 35s that felt like 32s but I was never going to get past 1 at 39. It was good but not truly great.

So I dig through my Rolodex and contact Rossi. He gives me fin setting more like: 2.475 /6.885/ 0.765. It was like a whole different ski. Below are the first three passes I took with these settings(32/35/35). These numbers may be too aggressive for some skiers but for me this is simply bitch’n.



What sucks is that I did not film the second set with these settings. I was finding my groove with the settings. It took me a few tries but I ran by far the best 38 of my life. Never before have I been early to 6 ball at 38.

Waternut

I normally read all of the ski reviews that you do but I probably haven't followed a ski quite as closely as I have been with the Vapor so I may be missing/picking up on different things. Is it normal for you to go through so many fin/boot changes during a test to be happy with the ski? It's hard to tell if the ski is just insanely sensitive to changes and rider input or whether you're running deeper than normal and trying to compensate to get it perfect.

Texas6

That last 35 was silly early. And the water was just a disaster as always

hammerski

Wow, that's my first thought. After struggling to come back from a broken ankle, this ski makes the lightbulb turn on! Just like Rossi said in the promo video, this ski creates space. It's fast, it's easy to ride, turns from just about any body position, and I love the way the vapor comes off the wake and sets up the turn. It comes back underneath you so easily. Our water cools down really quick up here, many skis ski different in diff temps. The vapor just rips in any temp and makes skiing fun again! After trying a bunch of skis this year, I only wish I had this ski sooner! Running stock Eddie/Rossi settings(2.480), 195lbs, 68", power shells with rear cuff trimmed down. Nice job Radar!!

Horton

@Waternut
On some skis the stock settings work for me and for others they do not. I do not think the Vapor is especially setup critical. All the current high end skis critical.

As my average practice score has gone up so has the need for a more fine tuned set up.

Waternut

Thanks for the clarification.

rq0013

I just got off my vapor, WOW! I sensed a different ski (than my strada) under me on the gate pull out. It took me 3 passes to feel the ski out. The gate turn in is different like Hortons been talking about. I feel it turns easier and takes the angle and goes, where as the strada you had to work a bit to get under you. I had a slight feeling of the A1 when skiing the vapor. The vapor is faster, easier to ski on and turns better than the A1 but the stability felt like the A series to me. I came off a 13 strada and I think the Vapor turns much easier- pulling back to the centerline faster and with less work. The tip seems to stay down easier than the strada. I think the ski is slightly faster by carring more speed through the turn. The vapor establishes more angle to me than the strada out of the turn. Overall I love the way the vapor rides, I think its a big improvment from the strada. I think the vapor video was spot on with the characteristics of the ski. I rode a 66" with stock settings.

RichardDoane

It took the past month to get settled in on the new ski, but the Green Vapor knocked down a 38 at Diablo last week, and again at Warman on Saturday, David Miller made the comment, and I quote, "you ran that without even really turning the ski 6 times", which was a nice way of saying that my ski made up for quite a few mistakes on the purple loop pass, now if I could just get somewhere on the -39 loop, instead of just one and done.....

Roger

@Horton - What length are you on and if you are using a Sequence plate, what hole are you in?

Horton

67"
custom plate

JC McCavit

I went to Warman last weekend with a previous tournament PB of 2.5 @ 35 off. Got on the Vapor just 3 weeks ago and rode the Vapor to a new tournament PB of 2 @ 38 off and I was in the pass, just didn't get back to the handle. Look out next season Ballers, I think I will get a 38.

Chef23

@JC McCavit that is a huge tournament jump congratulations.

Chris Rossi

Great skiing @Horton & @JCMcCavit! Glad to hear so many skiers skiing well on the new ski.

Horton

@rico I have an extra 67

JC McCavit

@Horton - Thanks for the Vapor review and specific details related to setup. Looking forward to your next ski review.

markchilcutt

@JC McCavit that is a huge tourny pb!! Such awesome skiing!!!

Roger

@Horton - I see from your setting that you're at nearly 30" to the front binding. The recommended distance is 29 1/2; can you tell me what made you go forward? I tried a Vapor last night with stock Rini settings (29 1/2, 2.480, 6.870, and .750) it was terrific on the offside, but didn't want to finish on the onside. I plan to give your settings a try eventually, just wondered if moving the boots forward might be a first step?

Horton

@roger Radar told me to go 30 ish. I do what ever Eddie tells me

Paul13ski

Hi Guys Paul from the UK here had four sets on my new 68 Vapor and this ski is simply the best Using my tried and trusted Schnitz slot fin at 6.542 to slot 7.937 jaws to tail and 2.500 depth best 32 passes of my life

rq0013

All these 67 numbers, does anyone have any setups to try, other than stock, for a 66"?

Horton

I ran [email protected] in the tournament this morning. the Vapor and I are getting along better everyday

JC McCavit

@Horton - Great skiing. Are you still at the settings you were at?

Slot .777
Head .775
6.8565
2.478
8°
29 15/16

I am going to try these today just for fun.

Horton

the settings are money. I have no plans or need to change them

JC McCavit

@Horton - So I just tried those settings. Wow, I did not think this ski could get any better. You nailed it. Anyone with a 67" Vapor should try Horton's setting just for fun. These are now my setting for next year.

AKShortline

Just think JC, a Mapple might have taken you to 4 at 38 like it did for me!
Ha. Nice PB Dude!

Horton

I would love to take credit for the settings but they are from Chris Rossi

Horton

I ran another one in practice tonight

JC McCavit

@AKShortline - Brent, I did try the Mapple and I liked it, but you know I am brand loyal. I know you want to try the magic green ski after seeing what has done for me. You would probably run that 38 first try.

markchilcutt

I skied the latest @chrisrossi settings listed above by horton today and that ski is money! I skied all 4 -32's that I tried and got [email protected] in 59 degree water. I only got [email protected] today on my strada! I am more excited than ever about the Vapor! Unreal how this ski turns on both sides!

ChadW

@rq0013 I've had 5 sets on my 66 vapor. My fin is set at Rini's settings, but I've settled on 29.5 for the front boot instead of 29.25. My pb is 4 @ 32off (34mph). I ran [email protected] on my first attempt at 32off with the vapor. I've found my 28off pass is more consistent and if I get in trouble I can make up time and still run the pass. I've run some 28's that I would have never made on my old ski (67 strada). Granted I've gone to a sorter ski which helps, but I've found the vapor gets tremendous angle and is more forgiving than the strada.

markchilcutt

@ChadW that is awesome!!! What is your height and weight and what made you step down from 67 Strada to 66 Vapor?