G3 Targa Telemark Ski Binding - 2007 BCS

So I bought some pretty stiff planks at a swap and they came with the targas. Trying to be cheap, I decided to try the targas for a season rather than buy new bindings. After a full season of heavy skiing on these (these skis/bindings stayed inbounds), I think these bindings are gentle and lightweight, but they don't have your back on steep, fast turns. In short, they are just not active enough. That, and the barrel was ALWAYS coming unscrewed from the cable, which really sucks when you're haulin' and lookin' cool, cause you end up not lookin' cool on your face.

Love to ski 70+ days a year. Love to tele. Always ski on G3's. Durable binding will take a punch and keep on going. Remember you are dealing with a wire binding - It is prone to wear so be prepared. When buying this binding make sure you have an extra wire and leather man to change out the wire if and / or when it breaks. It will happen or if you are good about prevention and you see it wearing down you won;t be stuck in the powder changing out your wire.

I do enjoy the turn but one of the cables broke after 40 days or less. Speaking with a G3 representative I learned normal wear & tear occurs will making the telemark turn. The inside edge can wear the cable to the point of failure. I found it happened to be the outside portion of the cable that failed. The MSRP for a replacement cable is $24.00. Be prepared.

What can you say about the Targa other than that it's basically "industry standard" for telemarkers? Everybody (OK, so 3 out of 5) uses it because it works, and it works well. But I hope G3 staff read this, because they screwed one thing up in an incredible way. What the hell is with designing the heel piece to accept two climbing bars but only designing the ice-free heel plate to accept one? Come on guys--you even sell multiple length climbing bars, so you obviously meant for us to be able to use the bars with the heel with the plate. Oh well. I still own three pairs, and wouldn't buy anything else.

Up to intermediate groomers, these are fine. For touring, the cable tension makes it hard to kick-turn on switchbacks, and to break trail (the ski tips submarine). For black diamond slopes, I want releasable.
I'd go to the Targa Ascent, but heard about icing problems. Ordered the 7TM Power Tour instead.
I have the G3 climbing bars, installed the large one, and never used the rest, no complaints.
I have it on good advice to carry the G3 repair kit for another ~$45, although in my case no failures in 2 years.
I had them on K2 Super Stinx, using Scarpa T2X boots.