Review: 2012-2013 LINE Influence 115, 186cm

[JFE24]

Line has seriously overhauled the 12/13 Influence 115 from the 11/12. Those who love the current 115 will not be psyched on the changes. But those who passed on the 11/12 may want to take a look, if they're in the market for a lightweight, incredibly quick and easy soft-snow ski.

[TahoeJ]

Thanks for the review. With the softer, more playful flex, what are some other skis you would compare it to in that regard?

[JFE24]

Surprisingly, I'm struggling to come up with a true apples / apples comparison, might just need more coffee.

Sort of Blizzard's new GunSmoke, but the GunSmoke is slightly stiffer. [Edit: actually, I should say that the GunSmoke is definitely stiffer than the 115.]

Kind of the Opus, but the Influence 115 is definitely stiffer.

Maybe a more directional JJ? But the Influence doesn't have the tapered tip of the JJ / AMPerage / S7 / Wailer 112RP.

Sorry, I'll try to think of something closer.

[ecskier7]

Hmm sound fun loved my JJs and Amperages, might have to try these out.

[TahoeJ]

How about compared to the Hoji? I know one your fellow Blister crew reviewed it, did you get any time on those?

Surprisingly, I'm struggling to come up with a true apples / apples comparison, might just need more coffee.

Sort of Blizzard's new GunSmoke, but the GunSmoke is slightly stiffer.

Kind of the Opus, but the Influence 115 is definitely stiffer.

Maybe a more directional JJ? But the Influence doesn't have the tapered tip of the JJ / AMPerage / S7 / Wailer 112RP.

Sorry, I'll try to think of something closer.

[JFE24]

How about compared to the Hoji? I know one your fellow Blister crew reviewed it, did you get any time on those?

Yeah, I've spent some time on the Hoji, and will be getting more time this week.

My immediate thought is that the 115 feels very little like the Hoji. Since I'll be back on the Hoji very soon, I'd rather wait to say more, but the 115 feels undemanding and silly easy. In this respect, it's a bit like the Rossi S3 - throw a beginner or intermediate on it and they'll do fine. The Hoji is for an advanced / expert skier, for sure.

The 115 also has a really soft tail, which is why I'd like to ski it in a longer length and move the binding in front of recommended. The tail isn't super supportive, at least at 0.

[powder_prophet]

I'm a believer in this year's Influence. Especially the 105, such a perfect all-conditions ski. The new one does sound like it will handle pow better; maybe more of a pow-sided one-ski-quiver, or a great backcountry ski for those not too weight-conscious. Personally, the combo of 105/Opus sounds like the best quiver for me.

The new graphics are definitely an upgrade, though. Much better then the cheesy snake and shit...

And nice sig. Beware the Death Grinder...

[D(C)]

Interesting... What's the turn radius? Also, sorry if I missed it but do these have tail rocker? Are you able to snap a shot of the skis base to base?

In your opinion, what is the effect of the non-tapered tail vs. skis like the JJ/S7 et al?

[TahoeJ]

On the actual review page there's a profile shot...

http://blistergearreview.com/gear-re...-influence-115

[JFE24]

Stated turn radius is 22.6

And yes, tail rocker.

As for the tail, it's pretty well established that I hate the tail of the S7. But I liked the tail of the JJ - if I recall correctly, it tapers, but it tapers only after the rocker line starts, not at the rocker line like the S7. (Either that, or it just is a stiffer tail than the S7, but I think I'm remembering correctly....)

My biggest worry about the 115 is that it really is a pretty soft ski, and again, that's why I would love to get on the 192 in a longer length and move the mount forward. (The JJ already has a lot of tail...and I'd also get tip dive on it, which I wasn't getting on the 115.)