triads are softer than missions. You know what? it really doesn't matter that much which bindings you get. all the burton tech gets passed down through the line throughout the years, so this year's customs have the same tech as cartels from 3 or 4 years ago.
Just choose a pair within your budget and that you think looks good
two bolts with the channel are fine. You just have to crank them down harder than with 4x2 or 3d. I don't find that they loosen any more or less than 3d. Probably less since I crank them more

Cheers gamblor. haha yeh you can get caught up with all this tech stuff sometimes and get carried away with it. Because im a novice and wont ever being serious with my riding and just for recreational use i wont need to buy the bee's knee's of bindings haha.

I think ill grab the triads, they look nice and are mid range bindings with decent features.

Thanks everyone once again for your thoughts and advice.

I've been riding boards with the Channel (used to be called ICS) since they came out. I've always used EST bindings on these boards. Personally I have never had any issues with the bindings slipping or the screws coming loose. As Gamblor mentioned, make sure you crank the screws down tight, but that should be done anyway. Also in my experience riding with other product testers, instructors, and working in a snowboard store, I've never heard anyone say their bindings are slipping. At the store we have never had a board or bindings warrantied for this reason. Given certain situations, screws can come loose and bindings can slip - whether it's the Channel, 3 hole pattern, or 4 hole pattern. Just keep your screws tight and you shouldn't have a problem.

Softer bindings are more forgiving for a novice snowboarder. By more forgiving I mean more room for error. They are softer and less responsive, so they don't respond to every little movement your body makes. A stiffer binding is more responsive; as your riding progresses, it's nice to have a binding which responds to your body's finer movements. That said, the Missions, Triads, or Cartels should all be fine in my opinion. The Cartels are the stiffest out of the three, but they aren't overly stiff; they are still nice to learn on, and they will be great as your riding progresses. Missions are good and really nice to learn on, but 20 days down the track you may want something more responsive? That's a personal decision, based on your own riding style and preferences. The Triads are really nice too (most expensive of the three), if you don't mind paying a bit more they are a great choice.

OK, here are the facts about EST, non-EST bindings, and the Channel...

EST bindings will only work on a Burton snowboard with the Channel.

Any Burton binding (non-EST included) will work the the Channel.

Non-EST bindings can be used on any board (Channel, Burton 3D, and non-Burton).

Any other brand of binding which uses the same sized base plate as Burton bindings will work on the Channel.

Non-EST bindings on the Channel will still give you infinite stance adjustability in regards to stance width and stance setback (best feature of the Channel in my opinion). You will however be limited to normal increments in regards to heel/toe adjustment and binding angles (not such a big deal).

I hope this doesn't make things too complicated. I think you've made a good decision with the Triads. They are very nice bindings and give you options for riding different boards with them. If you have any questions, you know where to find us...

P.s. I deleted the link to eBay in another post. You can read our posting policy here: http://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/152/

haha thanks again rider!! Your always very thorough with your info, which is great!

Yeh i'm happy i have choosen the triads, after all they do cover all the aspects im looking for in a binding.

Ill have to let you guys know how it all goes when i get to test them out for a decent days boarding.

Mizu Kuma - 20 August 2010 11:51 AM

You still ridin ICS finney???

What were the + & - that you had with the system???

nah not riding ICS anymore, sold the board to a mate to clear some debt when i got back from overseas and held onto my other board at the time (K2 WWW - prety abused so no resale there haha). Riding the yes at the moment and going to hold onto the K2 since it'll do the job of being a good 2nd board to bash around on.

no real negatives from the whole system to be honest apart from when changing your stance of the board on the hill/straight after coming off a session of riding the little window to view what angle you were at fogged up but thats hardly anything to b**** about. I know a few guys riding ICS boards not on here and they love them, ease of setup is great on them, really effortless.