As a long time user of binding Dynafit TLT (since 2000) I was interested in possibility to test the first fully functional binding (out of the superlight competition models) on the market after the patend of Dynafitu was over. Binding G3 Onyx was firstly introduced in March 2009 and after optimalization of some details it became an alternative of Dynafit, especially for freeride. Here, personal experience with G3 Onyx during Ski-touring course for the members of club Hedvábná stezka was excellent in RaxAlpe are presented.

Skis Movement Jackal and binding G3 Onyx on the side ridge of RaxAlpe

I went with freeride skis Movement Jackal – 176 cm, 136–105–124 mm and binding G3 Onyx s DIN 6–12 to RaxAlpe, that were rented fromBoatpark. I set release power to DIN 9 and I little adjusted length of the binding to ideal position for my shoes Dynafit Zzero 4 C TF. Length adjustment was easy, and I was able to do that even when with light produced by headlamp at 8:30 p.m.

G3 Onyx with set lower heel support

For a man accustomed to the most minimalist solution from Dynafit looks „G3 Onyx“: http://www.boatpark.cz/…3-onyx-z4912 powerfully and very robustly from the very tip of the binding dominated by large front plastic part. This part may seem unnecessarily oversized for Dynafit users. After thorough testing on different hard and icy surfaces (unfortunately there were nowhere powder) in Raxalpe I dare say that the size of the tip of the binding for handling with the binding (opening, closing and switching between output and exit) is ideal, and the binding is easy to switch both by hands, ski-pole or shoe.

Front part of G3 Onyx set for downhill

The snow got under the tip of binding just a little in snow conditions in RaxAlpe, and I did not think I would have a problem with turning it on or off due to snow clogging the tip.

G3 Onyx

The rear part of G3 Onyx is by its construction and mode switching vastly different from traditional solutions by Dynafit TLT. It is because of the fact that the heel when switching from walking to skiing shifts in the axis of the ski. This means that the position of the heel on the downhill, the difference between Dynafit and G3. In contrast, when switching heel G3 Onyx shifts, heel below the axis of the ski – the heel is not rotate around a vertical axis, but there is a simple shift.

Rear part of G3 Onyx set for climbing in the middle position

At first glance, the axial shift when switching from heels downhill output causing quite strangely, but this solution has one huge and unique advantage. G3 Onyx binding is the first binding on the base of Dynafit TLT in which when you switch from downhill to walking mode it is not needed to step out of binding. The switch can be simply done by ski-pole. Taking off binding was usually the main disadvantage of TLT based bindings in comparison with traditional skialpinism bindings as „Diamir Eagle – first experiences from Kamchatka in May 2009“: http://mountainski.cz/…osti-s-novym- Tying-Diamir-eagle-obtained-on-Kamchatka.

Rear part of G3 Onyx set for climbing in the highest position

Personally I prefer not to use heel support for uphill skining at the heel binding suitable for stretching the calf muscles during longer steps. I use heel support only in quite steeper terrain and traverses. In the basic position with the boot heel bindings touches down on the brake locked, which allows a bit higher compared to the peak position of the shoe tying. If this was not enough for the output, G3 Onyx offers two heights of heel support as documented on the attached photos. The middle position I did not use at all, and I started straight away with the highest position broadly in line with the upper edge of the heel binding. It proved to be sufficient for all steeper terrain, after which I moved in Raxalpe.

Skis Movement Jackal and binding G3 Onyx on the side ridge of RaxAlpe

G3 offers quite unusual and unique solution for using one binding to multiple skis. Just buy and install only other ski pad toe and heel mounting plate for bindings. The binding itself is mounted on an ongoing basis, different skis, depending on whether it hits the deep overfrozen powder snow or steep terrain. Is it possible to have multiple pairs of skis for different terrains, conditions and styles, and you need only one binding. The combination of mounting plates and binding enable a wide range (up to 33 mm) set the size and location of skeletal shoes over the center of the ski.

Pata vázání G3 Onyx v poloze na sjezd, pod brzdou je vidět malý výstupek, který při výstupu fixuje brzdu

The weight of G3 Onyx including brakes and screws is 1430 g (binding is produced out of aluminium and hardened plastic), so that the weight is higher than Dynafit Vertical (1144 g) and it has almost half of the weight with until now mostly spread out freeride binding Marker Duke.

G3 Onyx in the downhill mode

Features as published on web Boatpark:

• simple changing between ski and walk modes
• improved step-in system of front fixation points
• improved system of push up of heel support by ski-pole

Simple setting of mounting plate enables fast adjustment of up to 33 mm for different sizes of shoes or movement of mounting point according to wishes. Mounting plates are included with the binding.

Front part of G3 Onyx set for climbing

Binding exists in two modifications with different release strengths – DIN6–12
G3 Onyx and DIN5–10 G3 Ruby.

Front part of G3 Onyx is set for climbing

General comparison in betweení Dynafit FT12 or G3 Onyx – a summary
Weight: Dynafit
Lifetime: Dynafit
Fixation: Onyx
Easiness of usageí: Onyx
Features: Onyx
Price: similar

Poloha boty při chůzi po rovině, špička není zafixována na chůzi

As every new binding,i G3 Onyxu had some troubles – Lou Dawson had described it in December 2011 – G3 Onyx Toe Pin Breakage – Rare but Real.

First uphill position of the rear part of binding – adjustment by ski-pole

Further reading:
Onyx Backcountry Skiing Bindings — FAQ & Index
G3 Onyx Beta Testing — Lou’s Review
G3 Onyx at GearInstitute.com
G3 Onyx Operation Manual (pdf)
Questions and answers about G3 Onyx bindings with Melanie Bernier

Second uphill position of the heel support – adjustment by ski-pole

Conclusions:

Osobně jsem byl zpočátku k vázání G3 Onyx nedůvěřivý vzhledem k jeho plastové mohutnosti a osovému posouvání paty při přepínání z výstupu na sjezd. Nicméně po pár výstupech a sjezdech, při kterých bylo možné si zvyknout na ovládání vázání odlišné od Dynafit TLT, na něž jsem zvyklý, se G3 Onyx ukázal jako uživatelsky velmi přivětivé vázání se snadným přepínám sjezd-výstup, různé výšky hrazdiček pod patu boty, apod. Na klasické skialpové lyže bych si ho v porování s Dynafitem asi nedal, ale na široké freeridové lyže se šířkou pod patou přes 100 mm je G3 Onyx vynikajícím vázáním plně srovnatelným s DIN12 modelem od Dynafitu TLT Radical za cenu vyšší hmotnosti a lepšího komfortu použití.

Possible testing:

Everybody can test G3 Onyx by its own as it is possible to rent at Boatpark – půjčovna lyží, snowboardů a sněžnic

G3 Onyx in the highest position

There is a lot of bindings in Boatpark

Two models of G3 between Marker and Dynafit

On skis Movement Jackal with G3 Onyx

On skis Movement Jackal with G3 Onyx

On skis Movement Jackal with G3 Onyx

On skis Movement Jackal with G3 Onyx

autor: Jan Pala palic