Need Advice on Atomic Nomad Blackeye's or the Head Monster im 78 Skis

I am 5'10" about 185-190 lbs. I am an advanced skier but not an expert.

I am trying to decide betwwen the blackeyes and the im 78's. Assuming cost is not part of the decision which was better. I like to ski fast and spend about 70% of my time on the groomers but do like to venture offf trail.

The other part is which size would you reccomend a 171 or 177 in the im 78 or a 171 or 178 in the blackeye.

If I went with the im 78's which binding do I select. Railflex, LS 12, or Mojo's. Remember I ski on trails and do not ever do park siiing.

I would greatly appreciate everyone's imput.

Oh by the way has anyone skied the atmomic blackeye's in the TI model.

Happy Skiiing

I can offer my non-expert opinion, so take it for what its worth.

I demoed both of these skis side by side a couple of weeks ago. Conditions were typical for an east coast mountain. Hardpack with occasional ice. A few patches of soft snow to be found. A few places with chunky cookies...

I found the Blackeye a bit harder to get moving than the IM78. They seemed heavier and didnt want to initiate a turn as much. Also putting them on edge took some effort, but once there they seemed to like staying there. They did seem a bit stiffer than the IM78, and much more damp feeling. At times I felt like I was driving a heavy tank through the snow. They felt like a long-turner even though their specs dont seem to say it would be. They liked long sweeping turns.

The IM78 on the other hand I found rather nimble for a wideish ski. It didnt have the sluggish edge change I found with the Blackeyes despite being about the same width (78 vs 79). They were lighter so I found them easier to pop them onto the edges.

Both skis would hold well on boilerplate, but I found the Blackeyes were much more likely to lose their edge before the IM78s did. In places where there were numerous death cookies, I discovered the Blackeyes occasionally deflected while the IM78s stayed right on course. There wasnt much soft snow to work with, but from what I found (which was minimal) both worked fine, but I cant speak for how they handle in anything deeper than a couple inches.

I ended up buying the IM78s in a 165 (I am 5'7", 165lbs, so my length choice wouldnt work for you) and I have Jesters on them. Dont know about your other binding choices.

Of course this is just my opinion from demoing, YMMV

Just ordered the head 78s in a 171 from Dawgcatchng. I haven't tried the atomics. For me, I wanted a wood core, vertical sidewall ski with no gimics. The heads rip, plain and simple.

What are your stats?

I'm 5'9, 168lbs or so.

I ski the Monster 82 in 172cm(5'10'' and 225#) and love it. Nice and stiff, plows through crud and has pretty good edge hold even on east coast "packed powder". I'm very interested to get them into some deeper stuff in Feb out west. If you go with the Monster 78 or even 82, put Marker Griffon/Jesters on them. The lack of ramp angle and base plate gives you very good feel for the ski and the wide mount is awesome for edging the (skinny) mid-fat skis. The only difference between the Jester and Griffon is the max DIN. Griffons go to 11 or12 and Jesters are 16, IIRC. Griffons are plenty for most skiers. I think its a $50+ price point diff.

Monster line up is tough to beat. I got the IM78. Just seems like you don't find much in any review of negatives on the Monsters. Can't say the same about other skis you compare it to. To me it seems to be one of the few skis that if you where ever going to buy a ski untested it would leave the fewest people disappointed.

Blackeyes vs 82's (or 78)

I have Blackeye & iM82 demos lined up for next weekend. Will be skiing Sunshine more than likely. Like off-piste but also want a quick turning ski in the bumps.

This is a bit premature since I haven't skied them yet but if I end up preferring the 82 over the Blackeye is it a safe bet that I could buy the 78's and absolutely love them without demoing them? Or do I stick with the 82's? Again will sacrifice some off-piste performance for a better bump & tree ski.

Any advise is appreciated. Thanks!

Yet another non-expert opinion.

As a level 4-5, I own the IM78 in 171 (same physical size as OP). Since I'm getting aquainted with the blues I needed a confidence inspiring stick, and I think these are hard to beat. I've skied them in 10" pow and on mixed freeze/thaw crud (limited conditions).

Bottom line: They simply do anything you ask of them and they don't suprise you when you don't want them to.

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Skylolow what size are you and what size ski did you buy. What is your reccomendations for me

Hi. I demoed the 78 and the 82 and they are VERY different skis. Quality and feel are similar, but they behave very differently. The 78 is quick and zippy, like a smaller wasted carver, while the 82 feels like a big mountain board. Much less sidecut, wants to go fast and straight, would be a bomber for blasting straight down bowls, etc. The only thing is I already have big, low sidecut skis and I was looking for precisely the opposite feel, to replace my 68mm skis, which just weren't versatile enough. So, you may like the 78's if you like the 82's, but I think they are probably more like the blackeye than the 82's. Hope that's helpful.

Mine are 177. I'm pretty much the same as your stats maybe 10lbs heavier depending on what I got going on in my life(ie:family life). Depending on your level of skiing you could go with 171 or 177. If your going to be running into more powder, crud, and in general doing some off piste stuff and want a little more float and power I'd go to the 177.

If you do choose the Monsters I'd look for the 09 models (78's are a red/maroon color with gray). I found the prices between those and the 08's to be very similar. Monsters have such a great following that the prices seem to hold fairly good for a year old model. At least that is what I found. They put a metal tip on the end and tails. Plus the top sheet material is almost bullet proof. 08 model had some chipping issues and in general can look quite used up quickly. But if you can swing a great deal on the 08's don't worry nab them up.

Skyolow,

What level of skier are you. Do you find the 177's to be agile and a go anywhere ski?

I've skied both skis numerous times and I choose to own the Monster 78's. I'm 6'2" and 195# and the M78 in 177cm is my everyday eastern ski. The Blackeye seemed "chattery" and lacked the confident edge grip I get from the M78s. IMO there is no comparison between the 2 skis. I can get tight radius (not quite slalom) turns out of my 177cm M78s.

im78 in a 177 or 171???

I am also looking to pick up some im78s. My stats: 6'/170lb probably level 8 skier, 80% of my skiing is in the east, but I will venture off piste out west without hesitation. It was originally suggested I go with the 177, but perhaps that is too long?

I ended up buying the Head Monster IM 78's in the 177 cant wait to get them. I got them for a great deal. The 2009 model with the Railflex Bindings for $568 which included shipping and mounting.

Where did you purchase them?

I must disagree with the above negative feedback on the Blackeyes.  I own a pair of 171s.  I'm a level 8 skier, mostly ski in NH and VT and find them very energetic, tenacious grippers.  A great ski. 

I've skied both the Blackeye and the im78's out here in the west.  I liked the im78 better in all respects.  Blackeye might be better for a heavier skier...take a bit of work to carve at my weight (165).  Short turns a bit of a chore for a ski of this class.  Im78's seem to be able to do all turn shapes with ease....only thing they are not great for is straightlining, plowing through really heavy crud, and powder deeper than a foot.  Otherwise they are money.

 

I would go 177 for your weight.  Also highly recommend Railflex bindings for this ski.  Great carving ability and versatility for heavier conditions if you move them back.   The 2 mate with each other perfectly IMO.

 

 

+1.

 

I just got a new job and hadn't skied much this yr.  I finally got 2 straight days on them, and these ski's rip.

 

I went with 177's.  I am 6"3 and 162 lbs.  I like long ski's and almost bought the 183's but went with the 177's because I wanted something very versatile for the east coast, and this is exactly what I ended up with.

Question  - I just bought the IM 78s.  They came with Mojo 12 bindings but NOT with any riser plate?  Do I ned a riser on the IM 78s or should I just mount the Mojo 12s withiout risers?  I ski mostly in the East and thought I would need as much leverage as possible...tks

I have the same setup.  No riser needed.  You might get a bit more leverage, but not enough to really matter.  Enjoy!

Mike - thanks for the reply!  I skied them yest for the firs time and definetely agree. Loved them. Have a great season