Atomic Automatic vs Benchetlers

[KravtZ]

Moving to Denver later this year and looking to get some new pow skis on a sale soon. Haven't demo'd either but hear nothing but great things. Im leaning towards benchetler's they get amazing reviews and also seem a bit more playful. That being said I haven't ridden either. Any opinions on both of these skis?

 

[FUUUCK]

gear talk

 

[JibbaTheHutt]

the automatic is more of a directional ski, whereas the bentchetler is more bi-directional. The bentchetler is marginally wider underfoot, is more of a freestyle orientated powder ski where as the automatic is focused more at skiing gnarly lines etc.

Right now im on the automatic 109 and its still super playful, by no means a stiff charging ski. The recommended mount point is quite far back on the automatics so if you went with them but still wanted a freestyle orientated ski i'd mount them 2/3cm back from centre rather than recommended.

They hold up on piste but again at speed can get pretty chattery and will wash ut if you really push your carves hard.

 

[onenerdykid]

the automatic is more of a directional ski, whereas the bentchetler is more bi-directional. The bentchetler is marginally wider underfoot, is more of a freestyle orientated powder ski where as the automatic is focused more at skiing gnarly lines etc.

This. I am more of a directional skier and have a pair of 186 Automatics that I use as my tree ski. With less rocker in the tail and more tip-to-tail taper, they exactly what I am looking for in a pow ski. It just depends on what your aims are- powder ski more oriented to freeride or a powder ski more oriented to freestyle.

 

[KravtZ]

This. I am more of a directional skier and have a pair of 186 Automatics that I use as my tree ski. With less rocker in the tail and more tip-to-tail taper, they exactly what I am looking for in a pow ski. It just depends on what your aims are- powder ski more oriented to freeride or a powder ski more oriented to freestyle.

Thanks for the response...automatics it is. I don't want a freestyle oriented pow ski not really my cup of tea. Is the 117 to beefy for a pow ski

 

[onenerdykid]

Is the 117 to beefy for a pow ski

No, it's a pretty mellow, predictable flex pattern in the 186. If you jump up to the 193 it becomes noticeably stiffer in the "charger" length.

As others have already pointed out, the mountain point is fairly back on the ski. You might like it as is, but I'll at least say that Sage mounts his at +3cm. I found that +2cm was a good spot for a well rounded, 100% directional set up. But, put your boot and binding on the ski and play with the positioning to see what looks best for you.

 

[KravtZ]

No, it's a pretty mellow, predictable flex pattern in the 186. If you jump up to the 193 it becomes noticeably stiffer in the "charger" length.

As others have already pointed out, the mountain point is fairly back on the ski. You might like it as is, but I'll at least say that Sage mounts his at +3cm. I found that +2cm was a good spot for a well rounded, 100% directional set up. But, put your boot and binding on the ski and play with the positioning to see what looks best for you.

Going to try to get on a demo hard to find on the east coast though. Hope to find a good deal this summer on the 186's.

 

[LC.]

I owned both. The only thing that the Automatic does better than the Bent Chetler is firm groomers. Bent Chetler handles better everywhere else.

 

[whiteboi]

Whether you're riding switch or not the Bentchetler will rip. I haven't skied the Automatics but I've ridden the Bentchetler's in all conditions. For how fat they are they hold up well on the hard pack, and I haven't had any trouble with instability at high speeds

 

[poofartpee]

i have the 193 automatics and love them for directional skiing, you can strait kine moguls without even flinching on these things. Naturally they aren't the greatest for billy goating and tight trees do to the length, but kill it on anything as long as you like speed.