by HeluvaSkier » Mon Sep 14, 2020 4:33 pm
In terms of ski boot retention, there is virtually no difference between the two bindings. The only functionality difference may be the GW compatibility of the PRD 12. That said, the bindings are slightly different animals.
If I recall, the PRD bindings are known for being pretty flat from a delta perspective (4mm I believe). The FF14 will have slightly more delta... 7-8mm, but the bindings usually ship with a 2-3mm toe shim to reduce the delta back to the 4-range. IMO, the FF14 is best suited for skis that will also have a plate mounted on them (e.g. race setup) vs. the PRD being probably better-suited for a non-race or non-carving ski. Mounted flat to the ski, the lower stand height of the FF14 will require more leverage to put a 95mm ski on edge... so if mounted sans-plate, the FF14 will feel more sluggish when you're tipping.
FWIW, every ski I own is mounted with a race plate and FF15, 16 or 17 bindings (these are a different design from the FF14, having a delta closer to the PRD) and from a delta perspective I can switch from my setups to demo/borrowed setups the feature a PRD without blinking. The PRD bindings work very well IMO... I skied a PRD14 when borrowing some skis a couple seasons ago and was very impressed with how they held the boot... they had an almost race binding like retention.
Short answer, if the delta on the PRD works on skis you currently own, get the PRD again. It isn't worth trying to dial in a different setup on another pair of skis. There is a reason every ski I own is mounted exactly the same...
Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability.
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