G3 Targa tour mode

Anyone use the tour mode of the heel throw on their G3 bindings? I just learned about it. I think it was a new feature for the 04-05 season. Their website says it reduces cable tension by 30% for ascending. Do you find it makes a difference? <br><br>I've been missing the 3-pin only mode for ascending ever since I switched to the Targa T9 from Voile 3-pin cable bindings last winter.<br><br>That said, the new Targa Ascent that's supposed to come out next season solves the problem with an AT-style pivot ascent mode. It's about time.

Not that there aren't any gear people on this site but you might look at the 10000 posts on Telemarktips regarding this topic. <br><br>Here folks talk about skiing, there they talk about gear.

I am using it on my new Rottafella Cobra R8 bindings which is a much stiffer and "active" binding than I was using before.  As a result, I found touring was more tiring because of the increased tension.  The G3 heel piece has definitely helped by reducing the tension.  I'm not sure if you would notice it as much with the G3 binding since it is a fairly "neutral" binding anyway.  I still find the Voile hardware binding easier for touring than the Rottafella.  You also have to be a bit careful to make sure there is sufficient tension on heel throw in the tour mode so it doesn't come loose when doing kick turns for example. At least once, this happened to find the ski coming off entirely (and I don't use leashes). Not good.<br><br>I'm also looking forward to the new G3 ascent binding -- hopefully it won't sacrafice too much performance.<br><br>On a related equipment issue.  I also have found the Rottafella crampon attachment (dynafit compatible) to be faulty as is the same design from K2.  There is too much room between the boot and the ski to pressure the crampon.  Pro Ski Service has customized a solution by attaching a plastic piece to the crampon to reduce the spacing.  This should work, but the design is whacky.

Eric, it seems to me that it depends on which spring cartridge you use with your G-3's. I had an all mtn. cartridge and touring tension never crossed my mind. Then I bought a race cartridge and when I toured without the tour throw engaged the tension was very noticable and annoying. So, yes, I say it does decrease tension quite a bit, but if you have powder or all mtn. cartridges, save your money. If you have money to spend, then the tour throw may make a softer cartridge more like 3-pins...