Faction Dictator vs. Candide 4.0

[nyskirat]

Anyone have any time on both of these skis?

Very different skis obviously but given Candide's style he chargers pretty hard damn hard on his namesake ski but interestingly enough Johnny Collinson in the recent La Grave edit went with the Dictator (along with Sam A).

Was thinking of getting the 192 version of either and mounting it with a CAST binding for a slackcountry pow ski. Would primarily be used out west but perhaps the odd day here or there out east.

Skis I've liked:

Dynastar Pro Rider (105 underfoot, 192cm)
Blizzard Peacemaker (104 underfoot, 186cm)
ON3P Vicik (105? underfoot, 186cm)

Loved the old-school feel of the Dynastars and Viciks while the Peacemaker was, IMO, the best ski ever made for East Coast skiing. It could do it all.

Dislike:
ON3P Billygoat (116 underfoot, 189cm)
Line Mr. Pollard's Opus (116 underfoot, 185cm)

Issues with the BG were that I felt like I couldn't drive the tips like I can with the Dynastars. Issue with the Opus was that I felt they were too floppy at high speeds in chop or crud (not surprising).

[blackalps]

If you dislike the BG's and Lines, you definitely don't want the CT's. There's a wide gap between the Dictators and CT's, but if those are your only options, you will want the Dictator based on what you have said. The 4.0 is overkill unless you are skiing Johnny Collinson lines. OTOH, Owen Leeper is doing gnarly shit on Icelantics, which are the noodliest ski ever. I mean you can almost roll the tip up like a tortilla with your bare hand.

[SkiLyft]

Feel like blister podcast did a solid review of the dictator 4.0. Even they said the window for use was very narrow. Meaning unless you want to straight line AK spines you better pass. But I haven’t skied it and cant comment.


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[bw_wp_hedonism]

I run the Ten5 as a daily driver, which is the predecessor to the Dictator 3.0 (ski didn’t change much). It’s definitely a ski that takes getting used to. It took me the better part of last season to get comfortable on them. It’s probably worth demoing a pair of you can.

A few notes (these are my views, obviously someone else might see things differently):
- I found the sidecut weird at first.
- Ski likes to rail big arcs.
- Feels more at home in open terrain where you can point and go.
- Not particularly pivot-y. Tight trees were difficult for me at first. Still prefer my Rocker2 in trees. Was surprised to see Johnny C. and Sam A. in trees on Dictator in that La Grave segment - clearly I have room for improvement.

I like my Ten5 now and would probably go for Dictator when my pair die, but it’s worth giving them a test drive.

[XavierD]

Pass on both. Dictator is stiff without weight or damp, aka rough unless the snow is smooth and soft

[SUPERIOR]

I have the old Faction Royale 190cm twin tips circa 2012. They rule in deep snow. 122mm waists and twin rocker. Stiff as a honeymoon hardon.


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[bw_wp_hedonism]

Pass on both. Dictator is stiff without weight or damp, aka rough unless the snow is smooth and soft

True story on getting knocked around. Need to keep an active style to manage them.

[kid-kapow]

How about some ON3P Wrenegades - either in 108 or 114? Both should be easy to ski chargers.

And yes, ON3P are also in the process of prototyping Wrens with titanal, which should be beyond stable and could be worth the wait for bigger dudes.

Personally I think Wrens are pretty damn sorted as they are - I absolutely love mashing through variable in large arcs with them. They are soft and variable snow killers for sure. I can't wait to get on my w114s, and 108s I already know are superb like mentioned above.

Like you I have not clicked 100% with BGs, dunno why - I guess the main thing is I like to drive, not pivot.

[nyskirat]

OK seems like consensus is look elsewhere.

Rustler 11 in a 192 seems interesting for sure. 116 underfoot, supposedly stiffer, etc.

Anyone have any experience on the 188 and 192?

[blackalps]

Rustler 11 is a really good ski. I have the 188. Stable and damp, will charge when you want to, really easy to turn for a ski that size. Only ski that I've been on that is both good at charging down steep faces and also a good tree ski. You can ski it hard and fast, but unlike the Dictator, you don't have to. The 192 is a big ski. Can't say I'd suggest that one unless you're 6'3 and 215 or something.


all of that said, can't help but notice that the skis you said you liked are all around 105 underfoot, and the ones you said you didn't are around 114. Why not get a ski that's in the dimensions you know you like? If you want a charger that can still be smeary, the Wren 108 is a good choice. Maybe the Rustler 10?

[nyskirat]

Rustler 11 is a really good ski. I have the 188. Stable and damp, will charge when you want to, really easy to turn for a ski that size. Only ski that I've been on that is both good at charging down steep faces and also a good tree ski. You can ski it hard and fast, but unlike the Dictator, you don't have to. The 192 is a big ski. Can't say I'd suggest that one unless you're 6'3 and 215 or something.


all of that said, can't help but notice that the skis you said you liked are all around 105 underfoot, and the ones you said you didn't are around 114. Why not get a ski that's in the dimensions you know you like? If you want a charger that can still be smeary, the Wren 108 is a good choice. Maybe the Rustler 10?

I'm from a FIS racing background so I've got a lot of time on skis that are 190+ and I've found that 9/10 times I've always wished a ski was longer rather than shorter if it was anything below 188. It looks like the Rustler 11 in a 188 measures like a 186 which is a tad smaller than I'd like and the more "modern" mount point would make it feel even shorter. I love the length of the Pro Rider (measures at a 191.2) and frankly wouldn't want anything smaller in length. Only thing I ever wanted was a tail that could release a bit easier which I think the Rustler should easily do.

I think the reason I don't like those 110+ skis has more to do with how I ski them rather than the width. I tend to ski them like I would a race ski which doesn't jive with a lot of fatter skis.

[blackalps]

ok, then why did you ask what length to get if you already know? for someone that knows so much about what they like, you're pretty good at picking skis that aren't even close to what you want. and this:

I think the reason I don't like those 110+ skis has more to do with how I ski them rather than the width. I tend to ski them like I would a race ski which doesn't jive with a lot of fatter skis.

means you don't like fat skis, so you're wasting your time looking at them unless you plan to change how you ski. If you ski every ski like you're racing, then buy a ski with a racing pedigree and a traditional mount point, like a Brahma, Bonafide, or Cochise.

[nyskirat]

ok, then why did you ask what length to get if you already know? for someone that knows so much about what they like, you're pretty good at picking skis that aren't even close to what you want. and this:



means you don't like fat skis, so you're wasting your time looking at them unless you plan to change how you ski. If you ski every ski like you're racing, then buy a ski with a racing pedigree and a traditional mount point, like a Brahma, Bonafide, or Cochise.

Man, who put your panties in a bunch? I was asking if someone had skied both the 192 and 188 and could compare the two because I'm unsure. I've read that the 192 skis very differently than the 188 as it is more of a comp ski versus an everyday ski and you only discussed the 188 so I have no idea if you could/can compare them. You merely discounted the 192 because of size alone without knowing anything about me or my skiing so I tried to give some more context. I'm not disagreeing with your recommendation I'm merely trying to get a clearer picture of how significant a difference there is in those 4 cms in length and 2 in width.

I've only come to figure out what I like through trial and error thanks to the recommendations from the collective mind of TGR. I bought the Opus off a whim and enjoyed it but said meh to it outside of certain conditions. I really liked the Vicik but it was a handful in trees out east. The Peacemaker was a great ski back in college but in a 186 it quickly got overwhelmed out West, ditto with the Gunsmoke I had for a season. As a result, I decided to try the BG instead but found that it didn't "wow" me, it merely was OK.

I asked about the Dictator 4.0 because it has a similar design (outside of weight) to the Pro Rider which is long, metal, and traditional mounting point. If an n of 2 for fat skis and coming out 0/2 means I don't like fat skis well then that's news to me.

I'm asking about the Blizzards because they historically have had a racing pedigree and if the 192 is their competition version perhaps it has more of a race build than a 188.

[skialpy]

Any thoughts on the Prodigy 4.0 while on the topic of faction skis?

[kid-kapow]

Man, who put your panties in a bunch?

It is not really surprising that people can be annoyed when they try to offer advice in multiple posts to have it discounted by information that was not originally provided, and then having the quoted gem thrown their way as well. I am not saying that providing more info underway is not the way to go as your added info provides good context, but you could have provided that without the attitude no?

You could also try asking XavierD or a any of the other guys who have posted pics of quivers with r11s. I have not tried them, but was oh so close of buying a pair in 180 this summer/fall, but did not in spite of them being sold at more than 50% off brand new due to excessive overlap if I did. They seem like an awesome and pretty lightweight charger that is still easy to ski and carves like a champ, though it is my impression than Wrens skis variable even better.

guess you have already read this: https://blisterreview.com/gear-revie...ard-rustler-11

[nyskirat]

It is not really surprising that people can be annoyed when they try to offer advice in multiple posts to have it discounted by information that was not originally provided, and then having the quoted gem thrown their way as well. I am not saying that providing more info underway is not the way to go as your added info provides good context, but you could have provided that without the attitude no?

You could also try asking XavierD or a any of the other guys who have posted pics of quivers with r11s. I have not tried them, but was oh so close of buying a pair in 180 this summer/fall, but did not in spite of them being sold at more than 50% off brand new due to excessive overlap if I did. They seem like an awesome and pretty lightweight charger that is still easy to ski and carves like a champ, though it is my impression than Wrens skis variable even better.

guess you have already read this: https://blisterreview.com/gear-revie...ard-rustler-11

I get that, I can relate for sure but I figured if it'd be clear if I had skied the 189 BG and Pro Rider in a 192 size doesn't matter to me . Guess I should have made it clearer which is my mistake. Mea Culpa.

Anyways, I did read the Blister review which was why I figured I'd ask about the difference between the 188 and 192. The 188 sounds like a fun ski but not necessarily what I'm looking for at this point. If I had a pow-charger I liked I'd definitely go for it because a ski like that's so much fun when you're messing around.

[blackalps]

Should I get the 188 or 192? I’ve ridden 186 and 192 so size doesn’t matter to me. I’m an ex racer and I only ride skis over 190. Should I get a 114 ski? All the 114 skis I’ve ridden I hated. But it’s not because they’re fat skis, it’s because I’m an ex racer and I don’t like skiing on fat skis. Should I get the most pivoty ski Blizzard makes or the most pivoty ski Faction makes? By the way I’m an ex racer and I don’t like forward mounted pivoty skis.

[Name Redacted]

Skied the Dictator 184 and the Prodigy 3.0 18-something today at a demo at Abasin. Coming from the Wren 108, the Dictator was pretty easy to maneuver. I was on the 184cm and it was a ~5" day at Abasin. Skied steep, bumpy, tree runs for three runs, so take that for what it is. Liked the ski, but probably not a daily driver. Liked the Prodigy more for that type of skiing, but on the groomers in between, I liked the longer sidecut of the Dictator more. Wanted to try the Candide but it was out.

[nyskirat]

Should I get the 188 or 192? I’ve ridden 186 and 192 so size doesn’t matter to me. I’m an ex racer and I only ride skis over 190. Should I get a 114 ski? All the 114 skis I’ve ridden I hated. But it’s not because they’re fat skis, it’s because I’m an ex racer and I don’t like skiing on fat skis. Should I get the most pivoty ski Blizzard makes or the most pivoty ski Faction makes? By the way I’m an ex racer and I don’t like forward mounted pivoty skis.

And now you're just putting words in my mouth. Man, someone really got their panties in a twist here.

Never said I only ski boards over 190, I said I have a lot of time on them and that I've found that I usually prefer things were longer rather than shorter. Is that a crime? I wouldn't say it is. It's merely a preference of mine that I've noticed.

Ah yes, again, that N of 2 is such a great sample size for me to determine I hate all fat skis . There's a reason the skiing world has a gazillion different brands, people like different things. I'm sure the Billygoat skis just like a Dictator right? Or Dynastar Proto? Or Blizzard Bodacious? Or Kore 117?

And, since you clearly haven't read anything I've written closely, I asked about the Candide because his style goes against what the brand describes the ski's purpose as, while, once again, the 192 Rustler is supposedly different than the 188. I also don't dislike forward-mounted pivoty skis, I loved the Opus in certain situations (i.e. trees) and thought the Peacemaker was the best ski ever for east coast skiing but the length was a hindrance when it came to skiing out west or in bigger open terrain.

Cool? Cool.

Shredgnar, did you find that the Dictator got bounced around a lot when it got choppy?

[Name Redacted]

Shredgnar, did you find that the Dictator got bounced around a lot when it got choppy?

Not really, and I was definitely in the chop, but the tips did seem to want to deflect a little if you weren't paying attention.