Backcountry Access Cobra R8 Telemark Ski Binding - 2007 BCS

Any sources? BTW backcountry access has a phot of them but when you click "buy now" link it tries to sell you complete binding.
Looking for short and stiff
Thanks,
Sarah

Ordered two pairs, for adult sons for Christmas. These guys had this binding for several years and loved it. The new bindings however, well one was defective and the heel came out while skiing. This store accommodated and overnight shipped a replacement. Two weeks later same happened w/replacement. These guys, again were to the rescue with an overnight replacement. But why did it happen? Just a fluke ... but made me wonder why. Generally, these bindings are terrific.

These bindings performed very well for the first season I used them. They provided very good ski control for any condition. About half way through the second season, the tension on the cartridges began to slip making it difficult to find a good balance point in my turns. Then the hardwire snapped in half where it connects to the toe piece. I replaced the hardwire and they have since snapped 2 more times. The replacement pieces are expensive and hard to find. This is not a good feature in the backcountry, or when you spend $85 for a lift ticket and then can't ski.

I read a lot of the reviews in the past and heard about these having a tendency to break, but took my chances anyway. So today I was out in some new snow - about knee deep, somewhat variable, but really nice. I was coming out of a typical left turn (nothing out of the ordinary) and just as I started the right turn I felt my foot pull loose from the ski! "WTF," I thought! After digging out of the snow and looking at the binding, I noticed that the threaded rod was stripped and pulled right out of the cable housing! Not cool...so after the 20 minute hike out, I decided I will never use these again. I would look for something more active and something that has better reviews.

I'm reading the other reviews and my jaw is on the floor because the bindings rule. I have owned a lot of pairs of Tele Bindings including the Targa G9s (which I had mixed feelings on), the old school Rainey Superloops (a couple pairs since 1997) and then the Hammerheads, and I love these so much I bought two pair. I am also really hard on my gear, I have blown several bindings and probably snapped three skis in the last 8 years or so. These are super laterally stiff and these are my go-to universal bindings. I ride them on everything including touring and back country (but I also use big boots always) and I think they're great. My only complaint, ever, was on steep ascents where the bindings with the touring release (new technology anyway) would beat these out. My first pair I probably had 100+ days on. The cartridges still felt great but all of that tele-style chafing (boot rubbing boot) finally wore them through and one cartridge exploded. I sent to BCA in Colorado, three days later I had new cartridge/cables, no questions asked, I didn't even send a receipt! Over the G3, I would take these any day of the week because of the lateral stiffness that the hardwire adds. Otherwise they are a very similar binding. These are also "active" in that you hit a certain spot in the binding and they help out in the tele turn, sort of a "sweet spot." As a result I get real low and absolutely crank on these things, long arching turns (as desired) that more than keep up with the downhillers, or they rip in the bumps too...

Anyway I would recommend and recommend again.

I thought I'd throw in my $.02 after reading the other reviews. I had less than a half day on these bindings in a demo setup when the cable pulled out of the wire. Luckily, I was at Winter Park and only had to hike half way down the mountain, but I definitely wouldn't trust these bindings to take me anywhere off piste.

Three times the back wire of the binding came out of the plastic host, and could not go back. The host part was stripped.
Ordinarily these bindings are GREAT, and this is a second set, but these seem to be defectively made.

I love these bindings, especially for the increased lateral/edge control they offer. I have them mounted on some G3 Siren skis and the bindings only improve the skis' performance -- in the bumps, trees, steeps, and powder. I've never had a maintenance issue with these bindings and in fact, I just bought another pair for my new skis. I highly recommend them.

I have skied these bindings one year (50+ days)and no problems yet. The plastic extension on the climbing bar has popped off a few times which is bothersome but no big deal.

I'm a 99% resort skier, and I have these on several pairs of skis. They give you a ton of lateral control and make you feel much more confident than you probably should be.

They're pretty painful for ascends, as there is no easy way to unlock the cartridges -- but they're clearly not advertised as touring bindings. The heel lift broke off on both of my pairs after 10-20 days of downhilll use -- oh well, I don't miss it, I won't be using these for ascends.

These are so good that I gave away a pair of BD O2s on a freebie pair of skis I got and paid money for the R8s. I haven't had any of the problems other reviewers described -- keeping my fingers crossed.

I have owned 3 separate pairs of this binding and would absolutely NOT recommend them. I have had many problems with them including the hardwire bending, the cartridges slipping out of position, ice buildup on toe plate, climbing pins coming up with out warning, and most importantly this binding will come undone without warning. It is affectionately known as the "Death Binding". I will attribute an MCL tear in my knee to the death binding 100%. Pick something else!!!!!!!!!!!